32 And now it came to
pass that Alma began from this time forward to teach the people, and those who
were with Alma at the time the angel appeared unto them, traveling round about
through all the land, publishing to all the people the things which they had
heard and seen, and preaching the word of God in much tribulation, being
greatly persecuted by those who were unbelievers, being smitten by many of
them.
34 And four of them were the sons of Mosiah;
and their names were Ammon, and Aaron, and Omner, and Himni; these were the
names of the sons of Mosiah.
35 And they traveled
throughout all the land of Zarahemla, and among all the people who were under
the reign of king Mosiah, zealously striving to repair all the injuries which
they had done to the church, confessing all their sins, and publishing all the
things which they had seen, and explaining the prophecies and the scriptures to
all who desired to hear them.
36 And thus they were
instruments in the hands of God in bringing many to the knowledge of the truth,
yea, to the knowledge of their Redeemer.
37 And how blessed are
they! For they did publish peace; they did publish good tidings of good; and
they did declare unto the people that the Lord reigneth. (Mosiah 27:32-37).
Alma2 began to teach the people and recounting
the things which they had seen and heard. The four sons of Mosiah, Ammon, Aaron,
Omner, and Himni, were with him.
They faced persecution by the unbelievers who, we can
assume, had supported them in the past.
In spite of this persecution, “they did impart much
consolation to the church, confirming their faith, and exhorting them with
long-suffering and much travail to keep the commandments of God” (Mosiah
27:33).
“After conversion comes the desire to share—not so much out
of a sense of duty, even though that responsibility falls on the priesthood,
but out of a sincere love and appreciation for that which has been received.
When such a ‘pearl of great price’ comes into our lives, we cannot be content
just to admire it by ourselves. It must be shared! And here is the great joy
and happiness of the gift!”[1]
They traveled all around the land of Zarahemla. They did all
they could to repair the damage they had caused. They publicly confessed their
sins. Alma2 would talk to his son, Corianton, emphasizing the importance of
confessing sins.
“And now the Spirit of the Lord doth say unto me: Command
thy children to do good, lest they lead away the hearts of many people to
destruction; therefore I command you, my son, in the fear of God, that ye
refrain from your iniquities;
“That ye turn to the Lord with all your mind, might, and
strength; that ye lead away the hearts of no more to do wickedly; but rather
return unto them, and acknowledge your faults and that wrong which ye have done”
(Alma 39:12-13).
They were able to bring many into the church, giving them a
knowledge of Christ. “[T]hey did publish peace; they did publish good tidings
of good; and they did declare unto the people that the Lord reigneth” (Mosiah
27:37).
[1] “Go
Ye Therefore, and Teach All Nations,” Elder L. Tom Perry, April 1984
General Conference.
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