Alma 31:20-25

20  For behold, every man did go forth and offer up these same prayers.

21  Now the place was called by them Rameumptom, which, being interpreted, is the holy stand.

22  Now, from this stand they did offer up, every man, the selfsame prayer unto God, thanking their God that they were chosen of him, and that he did not lead them away after the tradition of their brethren, and that their hearts were not stolen away to believe in things to come, which they knew nothing about.

23  Now, after the people had all offered up thanks after this manner, they returned to their homes, never speaking of their God again until they had assembled themselves together again to the holy stand, to offer up thanks after their manner.

24  Now when Alma saw this his heart was grieved; for he saw that they were a wicked and a perverse people; yea, he saw that their hearts were set upon gold, and upon silver, and upon all manner of fine goods.

25  Yea, and he also saw that their hearts were lifted up unto great boasting, in their pride.

Alma 31:20-25 (Emphasis mine)

What Alma(2) saw was an arrogant and proud people.  Their hearts were not on their religion.  For the Zoramites, religion was a one-day affair.  They’d get on their Rameumptom, recite their rote prayer, go home, and forget about their “faith” until the next week. 

Meanwhile, they were more concerned with making money and wearing fine clothes.  They wanted to show off their wealth. 

6  But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly.

7  But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking.

8  Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him.

Matthew 6:6-8 (Emphasis mine)

22  But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.

23  For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass:

24  For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was.

James 1:22-24 (Emphasis mine)

Hugh Nibley wrote about the Rameumptom.

“The most prominent fixture of their ceremonial center was a praying-stand at the top of a stairway—suggesting, of course, the standard appointment of the ancient American ceremonial centers: the tall towers with their steep stairways (Alma 31:13). The stair-tower went by the very alien name of Rameumptom (Alma 31:21). Alma, who never accuses these people of immorality, is shocked that their prayers are accompanied with a great showing off of costly and ornate vestments. Heavily adorned—in striking contrast to the garments of the Mosaic priesthood, they paraded around in gorgeous attire while they prayed (Alma 31:27—28).” [1]          (Emphasis mine)

Richard Williams compares the Zoramites and Korihor.  He also explains why Alma(2) would teach his great sermon of faith.

“Interestingly, chapter 31 introduces us to the Zoramites, who espoused religious doctrines similar to Korihor's. They, too, believed that the words of the prophets were foolish traditions, and they were proud ‘that their hearts were not stolen away to believe in things to come, which they knew nothing about’ (Alma 31:22).

“Korihor and the Zoramites so persuasively presented their view of faith, knowledge, and truth that Alma, as well as Moroni, sensed that it needed a powerful response. It is no coincidence, then, that what follows in chapter 32 is perhaps the most profound exposition on faith in all of scripture.“ [2] (Emphasis mine)

Lindon Robinson explains how the Zoramites were a divided society, a society that was divided by wealth.  The poor suffered discrimination by the rest of society.

“The apostate Zoramites first separated themselves spiritually from Christ by denying his existence and then created social and religious divisions among themselves based on riches. Upon their exclusive place of worship, the Rameumptom, the upper class prayed, ‘Holy God, we believe that thou hast separated us from our brethren’ and ‘We thank thee, O God, that we are a chosen and a holy people’ (Alma 31:16, 18). Alma, sickened at the spectacle, ‘saw that their hearts were set upon gold, and upon silver, and upon all manner of fine goods’ (Alma 31:24). Exclusion and separations among the Zoramites created a large group who were poor (see Alma 32:2). Even though these had ‘labored abundantly’ to build synagogues, they were despised because of their poverty and were excluded from places of worship (Alma 32:5).” [3] (Emphasis mine)

How did Zoramite society get to this point?  Sherrie Mills Johnson explains:

“The Zoramites met once a week, offered up a rote prayer, and then ‘returned to their homes, never speaking of their God again until they had assembled themselves together again to the holy stand; (Alma 31:23). In addition, Alma saw that the hearts of the Zoramites were ‘set upon gold, and upon silver, and upon all manner of fine goods’ (Alma 31:24). Yet most dissenting religious groups eschew materialism. This fact, combined with the Zoramites' limited religious life, suggests that religion was not the main motivation for the Zoramite separation…

“The most likely reason for their separation, then, entailed politico-economic considerations. Discontented because of their economic and social position within the Nephite culture, they gathered others of similar circumstances and banded together to establish a government and economy that favored them. In this case we would expect to find a new society that disavowed the old culture (including its religious and political systems) while disengaging or distancing itself in any way possible in order to create a distinct identity of its own—which is what we find in the account of the Zoramites.” [4] (Emphasis mine)

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[1] The Book of Mormon: Forty Years After, Hugh W. Nibley, Provo, Utah: Maxwell Institute, accessed November 25, 2011.

[2] Faith, Reason, Knowledge, and Truth, Richard N. Williams, Provo, Utah: Maxwell Institute, accessed November 25, 2011.

[3] "No Poor Among Them"  Lindon J. Robison, Provo, Utah: Maxwell Institute, accessed November 25, 2011.

[4] The Zoramite Separation: A Sociological Perspective, Sherrie Mills Johnson, Provo, Utah: Maxwell Institute, accessed November 25, 2011.

Akna 26:29-37

29  And we have entered into their houses and taught them, and we have taught them in their streets; yea, and we have taught them upon their hills; and we have also entered into their temples and their synagogues and taught them; and we have been cast out, and mocked, and spit upon, and smote upon our cheeks; and we have been stoned, and taken and bound with strong cords, and cast into prison; and through the power and wisdom of God we have been delivered again.

30  And we have suffered all manner of afflictions, and all this, that perhaps we might be the means of saving some soul; and we supposed that our joy would be full if perhaps we could be the means of saving some.

31  Now behold, we can look forth and see the fruits of our labors; and are they few?  I say unto you, Nay, they are many; yea, and we can witness of their sincerity, because of their love towards their brethren and also towards us.

32  For behold, they had rather sacrifice their lives than even to take the life of their enemy; and they have buried their weapons of war deep in the earth, because of their love towards their brethren.

Alma 26:29-32 (Emphasis mine)

Ammon gives us more insight into what they experienced when teaching the Lamanites.  They taught anywhere they could, but they suffered for their teachings.  They were cast out, spit upon,  hit, stoned, and bound and thrown into prison.

Why did the suffer this?  To be the means of saving souls. The souls who were sincerely converted.  How did he know they had been converted?  The people were willing to bury their weapons and die because of their love towards their brethren. 

23  Are they ministers of Christ?  (I speak as a fool) I am more; in labours more abundant, in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequent, in deaths oft.

24  Of the Jews five times received I forty stripes save one.

25  Thrice was I beaten with rods, once was I stoned, thrice I suffered shipwreck, a night and a day I have been in the deep;

26  In journeyings often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils by mine own countrymen, in perils by the heathen, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren;

27  In weariness and painfulness, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness.

28  Beside those things that are without, that which cometh upon me daily, the care of all the churches.

29  Who is weak, and I am not weak?  who is offended, and I burn not?

2 Corinthians 11:23-29 (Emphasis mine)

Paul would have understood Ammon.

33  And now behold I say unto you, has there been so great love in all the land?  Behold, I say unto you, Nay, there has not, even among the Nephites.

34  For behold, they would take up arms against their brethren; they would not suffer themselves to be slain.  But behold how many of these have laid down their lives; and we know that they have gone to their God, because of their love and of their hatred to sin.

35  Now have we not reason to rejoice?  Yea, I say unto you, there never were men that had so great reason to rejoice as we, since the world began; yea, and my joy is carried away, even unto boasting in my God; for he has all power, all wisdom, and all understanding; he comprehendeth all things, and he is a merciful Being, even unto salvation, to those who will repent and believe on his name.

Alma 26:33-35 (Emphasis mine)

Ammon marvels in the love the people have.  He says there has been no greater love found anywhere within the land.

This is why they have reason to boast.  God has all power, wisdom, and understanding.  He will bring salvation to those who repent and believe in Him.

17  But the mercy of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting upon them that fear him, and his righteousness unto children's children;

Psalms 103:17 (Emphasis mine)

4  Then called I upon the name of the LORD; O LORD, I beseech thee, deliver my soul.

5  Gracious is the LORD, and righteous; yea, our God is merciful.

Psalms 116:4-5 (Emphasis mine)

3  Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort;

2 Corinthians 1:3 (Emphasis mine)

36  Now if this is boasting, even so will I boast; for this is my life and my light, my joy and my salvation, and my redemption from everlasting wo.  Yea, blessed is the name of my God, who has been mindful of this people, who are a branch of the tree of Israel, and has been lost from its body in a strange land; yea, I say, blessed be the name of my God, who has been mindful of us, wanderers in a strange land.

37  Now my brethren, we see that God is mindful of every people, whatsoever land they may be in; yea, he numbereth his people, and his bowels of mercy are over all the earth.  Now this is my joy, and my great thanksgiving; yea, and I will give thanks unto my God forever.  Amen.

Alma 26:36-37 (Emphasis mine)

Ammon concludes by telling us that, if praising God is boasting, the he will always boast.  He is his joy, salvation, and redemption.  He has  been merciful to wanderers in a strange land.

And God is not only merciful to them, but He is to all people.  This is Ammon’s joy and thanksgiving.

Hugh Nibley commented on Ammon’s comments is verse 37.

“Now he gets into a universal theme in verse 37, which is very important. ‘Now my brethren, we see that God is mindful of every people, whatsoever land they may be in; yea, he numbereth his people, and his bowels of mercy are over all the earth.’ You can't divide the earth into the godly and the godless, can you?” [1]    (Emphasis mine)

“He numbers them as his own, not as being on one side or the other of a boundary; the Lord doth grant unto all nations . . . to teach his word . . . all that he seeth fit that they should have (Alma 29:8).” [2]

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[1] Lecture 53: Alma 23-27, Hugh W. Nibley, Maxwell Institute, accessed October 4, 2011.

[2] Last Call: An Apocalyptic Warning from the Book of Mormon, Maxwell Institute, accessed October 4, 2011.

Alma 26:10-16

10  And it came to pass that when Ammon had said these words, his brother Aaron rebuked him, saying: Ammon, I fear that thy joy doth carry thee away unto boasting.

11  But Ammon said unto him:

     I do not boast in my own strength,

       nor in my own wisdom;

    but behold,

       my joy is full,

       yea, my heart is brim with joy,

    and I will rejoice in my God.

12  Yea, I know that I am nothing;

      as to my strength

          I am weak;

      therefore I will not boast of myself,

       but I will boast of my God,

    for in his strength

       I can do all things;

      yea, behold, many mighty miracles

         we have wrought in this land,

      for which we will praise his name forever.

Alma 26:10-12 (Emphasis mine)

Aaron jumps in a quietly chastises Ammon.  I think you’ve gone beyond praise and started to boast.  Maybe you’ve gone too far.

But Ammon knows what he is saying.  Continuing in poetic/song form, he reminds Aaron that he knows he’s nothing.  Whatever he is, it is because of the God.

Richard Rust comments on Ammon’s praise and reminds us who is central in the Book of Mormon.

“The truly central hero of the Book of Mormon is Jesus Christ. It is he who gives direction to the other heroes and whose redeeming power is affirmed throughout the book, climaxing at his personal visit. He is the hero whom the others represent. As Ammon declares, ‘I know that I am nothing; as to my strength I am weak; therefore I will not boast of myself, but I will boast of my God, for in his strength I can do all things’ (Alma 26:12). Throughout the book, it is Jesus Christ who lifts, heals, and redeems.”  [1] (Emphasis mine)

13  Therefore we were comforted in your comfort: yea, and exceedingly the more joyed we for the joy of Titus, because his spirit was refreshed by you all.

14  For if I have boasted any thing to him of you, I am not ashamed; but as we spake all things to you in truth, even so our boasting, which I made before Titus, is found a truth.

15  And his inward affection is more abundant toward you, whilst he remembereth the obedience of you all, how with fear and trembling ye received him.

16  I rejoice therefore that I have confidence in you in all things.

2 Corinthians 7:13-16 (Emphasis mine)

9  For what thanks can we render to God again for you, for all the joy wherewith we joy for your sakes before our God;

1 Thessalonians 3:9 (Emphasis mine)

12  I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.

13  I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.

Philippians 4:12-13 (Emphasis mine)

13  Behold, how many thousands of our brethren

         has he loosed from the pains of hell;

         and they are brought to sing redeeming love,

      and this because of the power of his word

         which is in us,

      therefore have we not great reason to rejoice?

14  Yea, we have reason to

      praise him forever,

         for he is the Most High God,

      and has loosed our brethren

         from the chains of hell.

15  Yea, they were encircled about

         with everlasting darkness and destruction;

      but behold, he has brought them

         into his everlasting light,

      yea, into everlasting salvation;

         and they are encircled about

            with the matchless bounty of his love;

      yea, and we have been instruments

         in his hands

      of doing this great and marvelous work.

16  Therefore, let us glory,

         yea, we will glory

            in the Lord;

        yea, we will rejoice,

           for our joy is full;

        yea, we will praise our God forever. 

        Behold, who can glory

            too much in the Lord? 

        Yea, who can say too much

           of his great power,

           and of his mercy,

           and of his long-suffering

           towards the children of men? 

     Behold, I say unto you,

     I cannot say the smallest part which I feel.

Alma 26:13-16 (Emphasis mine)

Ammon rejoices in the thousands who were saved; for the thousands who were released from the pains of hell.  They are loosed from the chains of hell.

He calls all to glory in the Lord, to praise God forever.  He praises His great power, mercy, and long-suffering towards the children of men.

Hugh Nibley writes about Ammon’s joy.

“This is pure joy. This is what you call charity. Our word cheer is the same as charity, the Greek charis, Latin gratia, etc. It's no mental reservations, no gnawing discontent, no vaulting ambition. These are the seeds of tragedy, you see. If you have to have your success here in the world and this is the only place you can get it, then you have the making of a tragedy …. He [Ammon] says, ‘Behold, I say unto you, I cannot say the smallest part which I feel,; because he is liberated from all the things that make us afraid and make us do the things that always lead to tragedy.”  [2] (Emphasis mine)

Let’s turn to the words of Richard Rust once more.

“At the completion of this missionary service, Ammon tries to convey to his brothers his feelings. He is limited, though, in expression: ‘I cannot say the smallest part which I feel,’ he acknowledges (Alma 26:16). Nevertheless, the feelings he does communicate are presented indirectly but effectively through imagery. The Lamanites were ‘in darkness, yea, even in the darkest abyss, but behold, how many of them are brought to behold the marvelous light of God!’ (Alma 26:3) … Continuing to convey his feelings with figurative language, Ammon compares his heart to a cup: ‘My heart is brim with joy’ (Alma 26:11). The converts have been brought to ‘sing redeeming love’ (Alma 26:13) … Reflecting on his and his brothers' own experience of conversion, Ammon wonders why God did not let the ‘the sword of his justice’ fall on them (Alma 26:19). … Thus, through use of appropriate imagery, Ammon calls on his auditors to enrich the meaning of his words by making associations from their experiences, just as Jesus did with his parables.”  [3] (Emphasis mine)

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[1] Annual FARMS Lecture – February 1990, Richard Dilworth Rust, Maxwell Institute, accessed October 1, 2011.

[2] Lecture 53: Alma 23-27, Hugh W. Nibley, Maxwell Institute, accessed October 1, 2011.

[3] "Not Cast Off Forever" – Imagery, Richard Dilworth Rust, Maxwell Institute, accessed October 1, 2011.

Mosiah 11:16-25

16  And it came to pass that the Lamanites began to come in upon his people, upon small numbers, and to slay them in their fields, and while they were tending their flocks.
17  And king Noah sent guards round about the land to keep them off; but he did not send a sufficient number, and the Lamanites came upon them and killed them, and drove many of their flocks out of the land; thus the Lamanites began to destroy them, and to exercise their hatred upon them.
18  And it came to pass that king Noah sent his armies against them, and they were driven back, or they drove them back for a time; therefore, they returned rejoicing in their spoil.
19  And now, because of this great victory they were lifted up in the pride of their hearts; they did boast in their own strength, saying that their fifty could stand against thousands of the Lamanites; and thus they did boast, and did delight in blood, and the shedding of the blood of their brethren, and this because of the wickedness of their king and priests.

Mosiah 11:16-19 (Emphasis mine)

The Lamanites, having lost in battle in the past, still wanted the land.  They sent an army, fought and won a temporary victory because Noah, no doubt in his arrogance, felt his armies could not be beat.  

When they were, he sent more troops and was able to win a victory.  Compare Zeniff's response to Noah's.  Zeniff acknowledged the hand of the Lord in his victory.  He was humble in his victory.  There were no celebrations.

Noah, on the other hand, boasted in his strength.  They couldn't be beat.  It didn't matter how large an army was sent against his, his army would prevail.  

Arrogance is a dangerous sin.  As we turn from the Lord, and start boasting about our success, we lose the Spirit.  We lose our guidance; we stand a serious chance of losing eternity.  We need to remember that the Spirit is our anchor and compass.  It helps us receive inspiration and guidance in our lives.  When we have great challenges, the Lord will guide us and help  us through.  This doesn't mean we will always succeed; it doesn't mean we will have things easy.  It just means we will ultimately benefit from the challenges in life.  We will become stronger and more faithful servants of the Lord by turning from arrogance.

The scriptures warn us about arrogance and boasting in our arrogance.

2  The wicked in his pride doth persecute the poor: let them be taken in the devices that they have imagined.
3  For the wicked boasteth of his heart's desire, and blesseth the covetous, whom the LORD abhorreth.
4  The wicked, through the pride of his countenance, will not seek after God: God is not in all his thoughts.

Psalms 10:2-4 (Emphasis mine)

16  ¶ These six things doth the LORD hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him:
17  A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood,
18  An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief,
19  A false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren.

Proverbs 6:16-19 (Emphasis mine)

18  Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall.
19  Better it is to be of an humble spirit with the lowly, than to divide the spoil with the proud.

Proverbs 16:18-19 (Emphasis mine)

14  Whoso boasteth himself of a false gift is like clouds and wind without rain.

Proverbs 25:14 (Emphasis mine)

12  And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted.

Matthew 23:12 (Emphasis mine)

16  But now ye rejoice in your boastings: all such rejoicing is evil.
17  Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin.

James 4:16-17 (Emphasis mine)

In the October 2006 General Conference, Bishop Richard C. Edgely said:

"Sadly, some of the greatest missing values in today’s world are honesty and integrity. In the past few years an increasing number of business leaders have been exposed for dishonesty and other forms of bad behavior. As a result, tens of thousands of loyal, long-term employees have lost their livelihoods and pensions. For some this has resulted in loss of homes, change of education and other life plans. We read and hear of widespread cheating in our schools, with more concern about receiving a grade or degree than learning and preparation. We hear of students who have cheated their way through medical school and are now performing complicated procedures on their patients. The elderly and others are victims of scam artists, often resulting in the loss of homes or life savings. Always this dishonesty and lack of integrity are based on greed, arrogance, and disrespect."  (Emphasis mine)

In the April 2005 General Conference, Elder Neil  L. Andersen related the following story.

He was smiling at me.  His eyes and disarming smile gave me the impression that he was harmless, so I quickly left him and started to move toward the table. The suspect was now behind me. At that instant, I had the distinct, powerful impression come into my mind: "Beware of the evil behind the smiling eyes." I immediately turned back toward the suspect. His hand was in his large front pocket. Instinctively I grabbed his hand and pulled it from his pocket. Only then did I see, clutched in his hand, the semiautomatic pistol ready to fire. A flurry of activity followed, and I disarmed the man. Later, in another case, the drug dealer was convicted of murder and boasted that he would have also killed my friend had he not turned around at that very moment.' I have often thought of the communication that came into his mind: 'Beware of the evil behind the smiling eyes.' ”  (Emphasis mine) 

20  And it came to pass that there was a man among them whose name was Abinadi; [about 150 B.C.] and he went forth among them, and began to prophesy, saying: Behold, thus saith the Lord, and thus hath he commanded me, saying, Go forth, and say unto this people, thus saith the Lord—Wo be unto this people, for I have seen their abominations, and their wickedness, and their whoredoms; and except they repent I will visit them in mine anger.
21  And except they repent and turn to the Lord their God, behold, I will deliver them into the hands of their enemies; yea, and they shall be brought into bondage; and they shall be afflicted by the hand of their enemies.
22  And it shall come to pass that they shall know that I am the Lord their God, and am a jealous God, visiting the iniquities of my people.
23  And it shall come to pass that except this people repent and turn unto the Lord their God, they shall be brought into bondage; and none shall deliver them, except it be the Lord the Almighty God.
24  Yea, and it shall come to pass that when they shall cry unto me I will be slow to hear their cries; yea, and I will suffer them that they be smitten by their enemies.
25  And except they repent in sackcloth and ashes, and cry mightily to the Lord their God, I will not hear their prayers, neither will I deliver them out of their afflictions; and thus saith the Lord, and thus hath he commanded me.

Mosiah 11:20-25 (Emphasis mine)

The people are wicked; they have turned from the Lord.  Another principle Mormon wants us to know and understand is that the Lord will punish us for our sins; however, he will warn us of the consequences of not repenting and returning to him.  Mormon now introduces Abinadi.  He has been called of the Lord to preach to the people and call them to repentance.  Abinadi preaches to the people telling them:

• They are wicked and have turned from the Lord.
• They must repent.
• If they don't repent, the Lamanites will defeat them in war and take them into bondage.
• If they are taken into bondage, and then return to Him, He will be slow to hear them.
• He tells them that these are the words he was commanded to tell them.

As we will see, this is a pattern most Nephite prophets will follow in the future.  

The Lord is a loving Father.  He cares for His children.  A loving and caring Father, at times, has to discipline His children.  The severity of the discipline depends on what the child did.  The Nephites have become undisciplined, disobedient children.  They are warned that, if they don't get their act together, there will be more serious consequence.  We will learn that, because of their arrogance and boasting, they will suffer more severe punishments.