Tuesday, October 29, 2019

Mosiah 18:1-7


Chapter 18

Alma preaches in private—He sets forth the covenant of baptism and baptizes at the waters of Mormon—He organizes the Church of Christ and ordains priests—They support themselves and teach the people—Alma and his people flee from King Noah into the wilderness. About 147–145 B.C.

1 AND now, it came to pass that Alma, who had fled from the servants of king Noah, repented of his sins and iniquities, and went about privately among the people, and began to teach the words of Abinadi—
2 Yea, concerning that which was to come, and also concerning the resurrection of the dead, and the redemption of the people, which was to be brought to pass through the power, and sufferings, and death of Christ, and his resurrection and ascension into heaven.
3 And as many as would hear his word he did teach.  And he taught them privately, that it might not come to the knowledge of the king.  And many did believe his words.
4 And it came to pass that as many as did believe him did go forth to a place which was called Mormon, having received its name from the king, being in the borders of the land having been infested, by times or at seasons, by wild beasts.
5 Now, there was in Mormon a fountain of pure water, and Alma resorted thither, there being near the water a thicket of small trees, where he did hide himself in the daytime from the searches of the king.
6 And it came to pass that as many as believed him went thither to hear his words.
7 And it came to pass *after many days there were a goodly number gathered together at the place of Mormon, to hear the words of Alma.  Yea, all were gathered together that believed on his word, to hear him.  And he did teach them, and did preach unto them repentance, and redemption, and faith on the Lord.
Mosiah 18:1-7

Abinadi has been martyred.   His one convert, Alama1, has written down his words.  He has repented of the sins committed while a priest of Noah.  “But remember the iniquity of king Noah and his priests; and I myself was caught in a snare, and did many things which were abominable in the sight of the Lord, which caused me sore repentance” (Mosiah 23:9). He now goes among the people and teaching them the words of Abinadi. 

He taught them the most important part of Abinadi’s words, the atonement of Christ.  He taught them concerning the resurrection, that Christ, through His power, sufferings, death, resurrection, and His ascension into heaven.

He was able to go among the people and teach anyone who wanted hear his message.  Many believed his words.  Alma1 and his followers went to a place called Mormon. 
At Mormon, there was a fountain that supplied fresh water for the people.  There was also “a thicket of small trees” where Alma1 hid from the king’s searches.  It was here that the followers of Alma1 met to hear his preaching.

Many people came to hear the word of God.  Here, he preached repentance, redemption, and faith in Christ.

“The ‘church’ founded by Alma1 at the waters of Mormon was a different type of religious institution from the official, royal cult at the temple. First, it was based on individual learning and internalized acceptance of moral principles rather than on preexisting group membership. Alma ‘did teach them . . . repentance, and redemption, and faith on the Lord’ (Mosiah 18:7). No hint is given in the text that he utilized any of the Mosaic rituals in the religious life of his group. (He himself had been a Zeniffite priest under King Noah and surely knew those rites. His rejection of that style of worship could well have resulted from his hearing the prophet Abinadi’s message, which underlined for him the futility of reliance on Mosaic ceremonies as the key to salvation.)”[1]

Eventually these people will be baptized.  “Those to be baptized are taught about Christ’s redemption (Mosiah 18:7), they believe in Christ (Mosiah 18:7), they repent because of Christ (Mosiah 18:1-2, 7), they are baptized in his name (Mosiah 18:10), they covenant to serve God or keep his commandments, and are thereafter members of his Church (Mosiah 18:8, 17).”[2]


[1] Religious Groups and Movements among the Nephites, 200-1 B.C., John L. Sorenson, Maxwell Institute.
[2] A More Perfect Priority? reviewed by Matthew Roper, Maxwell Institute.

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