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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