Wednesday, April 29, 2015

Alma 14:1-5

Chapter 14

Alma and Amulek are imprisoned and smitten—The believers and their holy scriptures are burned by fire—These martyrs are received by the Lord in glory—The prison walls are rent and fall—Alma and Amulek are delivered and their persecutors are slain. About 82–81 B.C.

1 AND it came to pass after he had made an end of speaking unto the people many of them did believe on his words, and began to repent, and to search the scriptures.
2 But the more part of them were desirous that they might destroy Alma and Amulek; for they were angry with Alma, because of the plainness of his words unto Zeezrom; and they also said that Amulek had lied unto them, and had reviled against their law and also against their lawyers and judges.
3 And they were also angry with Alma and Amulek; and because they had testified so plainly against their wickedness, they sought to put them away privily.
4 But it came to pass that they did not; but they took them and bound them with strong cords, and took them before the chief judge of the land.
5 And the people went forth and witnessed against them—testifying that they had reviled against the law, and their lawyers and judges of the land, and also of all the people that were in the land; and also testified that there was but one God, and that he should send his Son among the people, but he should not save them; and many such things did the people testify against Alma and Amulek.  Now this was done before the chief judge of the land.
Alma 14:1-5

Having hear Alma’s words, they people of Ammonihah divided into two groups.  The first group accepted Alma’s words and teaching.  They began to repent and study the scriptures.[1]  This was similar to what Paul did during his missionary work.  “And Paul, as his manner was, went in unto them, and three sabbath days reasoned with them out of the scriptures, Opening and alleging, that Christ must needs have suffered, and risen again from the dead; and that this Jesus, whom I preach unto you, is Christ. These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so” (Acts 17:2-3, 11).

Most people fell in with the second group.  They were angry with Alma.  They rejected his words as well.  Alma and Amulek were accused of lying to the people and insulting their lawyers and judges.

What really angered them was Alma and Amulek had testified against their wickedness.  This could not stand.  People came and bound Alma and Amulek and took them before the chief judge.[2] 

Solomon described the Ammonihahites. “Whose hatred is covered by deceit, his wickedness shall be shewed before the whole congregation” (Proverbs 26:26).  Paul also had to face those who were angry with his preaching. “And when it was day, certain of the Jews banded together, and bound themselves under a curse, saying that they would neither eat nor drink till they had killed Paul. And they were more than forty which had made this conspiracy. And they came to the chief priests and elders, and said, We have bound ourselves under a great curse, that we will eat nothing until we have slain Paul. Now therefore ye with the council signify to the chief captain that he bring him down unto you to morrow, as though ye would enquire something more perfectly concerning him: and we, or ever he come near [OR before he gets here], are ready to kill him” (Acts 23:12-15).

Witnesses were brought before the chief judge.  They told of how Alma and Amulek had disparaged the judges and lawyers.  They also charged they said God would not save them.[3]  This would be particularly offensive to those who followed the order of Nehor as it violated their beliefs.[4]
                               
Alma 8–16 recounts Alma’s confrontation with the people of Ammonihah, who eventually took him and his preaching companion, Amulek, before the chief judge of the territory. Although they had spoken predominantly on religious matters, the case made against them was that “they had reviled against the law, and their lawyers and judges of the land” (Alma 14:5). The political and legal thrust of this accusation was perhaps fair from their point of view since the political nature of Alma’s ministry was clear.[5]

[1] Alma had told them, “Now I need not rehearse the matter; what I have said may suffice.  Behold, the scriptures are before you; if ye will wrest them it shall be to your own destruction” (Alma 13:20).
[2] This is a somewhat ironical situation, Alma and Amulek were taken before a judge who was after the order of Nehor, who had been executed been executed for killing Gideon.
[3] This charge was based on Amulek’s discussion with Zeezrom.  “And Zeezrom said again: Who is he that shall come?  Is it the Son of God? And he said unto him, Yea. And Zeezrom said again: Shall he save his people in their sins?  And Amulek answered and said unto him: I say unto you he shall not, for it is impossible for him to deny his word. Now Zeezrom said unto the people: See that ye remember these things; for he said there is but one God; yet he saith that the Son of God shall come, but he shall not save his people—as though he had authority to command God. Now Amulek saith again unto him: Behold thou hast lied, for thou sayest that I spake as though I had authority to command God because I said he shall not save his people in their sins. And I say unto you again that he cannot save them in their sins; for I cannot deny his word, and he hath said that no unclean thing can inherit the kingdom of heaven; therefore, how can ye be saved, except ye inherit the kingdom of heaven?  Therefore, ye cannot be saved in your sins” (Alma 11:32-37).
[4]“And [Nehor] also testified unto the people that all mankind should be saved at the last day, and that they need not fear nor tremble, but that they might lift up their heads and rejoice; for the Lord had created all men, and had also redeemed all men; and, in the end, all men should have eternal life” (Alma 1:4).
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