Review of Alma 5, Part I

Alma 5 contains one of the most powerful sermons in the Book of Mormon. Alma(2) has a serious problem.  Wickedness is invading the church.  Members are turning away from gospel principles and enjoying their riches.  Religion is less important to them.

In this sermon, Alma(2) begins with a tribute to his father.  He challenges the people.  He confronts them, asking them to reflect on their lives and the eternal consequences of their decisions. 

Who was this Alma(2)?  Why is he preaching to us?  You can almost hear the people questioning him.  Alma(2) makes it clear.  He is the high priest, “having been consecrated by my father, Alma, to be a high priest over the church of God, he having power and authority from God to do these things” (verse 3).  He clearly has authority to represent the Lord and preach his word. 

There were probably people in his audience had either been freed, or had a family member who was delivered from King Noah and the Lamanite bondage.  They were delivered, standing there, through the power of God.

Alma(2) begins to question the people.  He wants them to think about and realize just what happened.  He asks, “have you sufficiently retained in remembrance the captivity of your fathers?” (verse 6). 

He continues.  “[H]ave you sufficiently retained in remembrance the captivity of your fathers?  Yea, and have you sufficiently retained in remembrance his mercy and long-suffering towards them?  And moreover, have ye sufficiently retained in remembrance that he has delivered their souls from hell?” (verse 6). 

Then Alma(2) tells them that, not only had they been freed from physical captivity, the Lord had delivered their “souls from hell.”  They were spiritually captive to the devil.  Through Alma(1)’s teachings, and the people accepting his teachings, they were released from their spiritual captivity and their souls were delivered from hell.

This was done because “their souls were illuminated by the light of the everlasting word” (verse 7).  They had been “encircled about by the bonds of death and the chains of hell and everlasting destruction awaited them” (verse 7).  Were they destroyed?  No!  The “bands of death [were] broken and the chains of hell” were loosed (verse 9). 

Their souls “expand[ed] and they did sing redeeming love.  And I say unto you there were saved” (verse 9).  Alma(2) goes on, asking,  “on what conditions are they saved … [on] what grounds had they to hope for salvation?  What is the cause of their being loosed form the bonds of death, yea, and also the chains of hell?” (verse 10).  The answer is in verse 11.[1]

A Did not my father Alma believe in the words which were delivered by … Abinadi?

     B Was he not a holy prophet?

     B Did he not speak the words of God,

A and my father Alma believe them?

There was a “mighty change” in Alma(1)’s heart.  He preached the word of God “unto your fathers.”  Through his preaching, Alma(2) explained,  your fathers had a mighty change of heart.  They “put their trust in the true and living God … they were faithful until the end, therefore they were saved” (verse 13).

Verse 1-13 consists of Alma(2)’s great tribute to his father.  Alma(1), as a priest of Noah, was most likely a wicked man.  Fortunately, the Lord touched his heart.  He repented and became a great leader and prophet.  As hard as it was to see his son’s wickedness, I can’t help but believe Alma(1) understood.  He knew something had to happen to wrought a mighty change of heart in his son.  He prayed, trusted in the Lord, and received a powerful answer from the Lord.

Alma(2) understands that, what he is today, he owes to his father.  He is reminding the people that his father was a great man and they all (himself included) owed him much.

In the next post, we’ll continue reviewing Alma(2)’s sermon.

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[1] Verse 11 is a chiasmus.  I have written it in a format the will show the structure of the verse.. 

Alma 5:22-28

²² And now I ask of you, my brethren, how will any of you feel, if ye shall stand before the bar of God, having your garments stained with blood and all manner of filthiness?  Behold, what will these things testify against you?  ²³ Behold will they not testify that ye are murderers, yea, and also that ye are guilty of all manner of wickedness?

²⁴ Behold, my brethren, do ye suppose that such an one can have a place to sit down in the kingdom of God, with Abraham, with Isaac, and with Jacob, and also all the holy prophets, whose garments are cleansed and are spotless, pure and white? ²⁵ I say unto you, Nay; except ye make our Creator a liar from the beginning, or suppose that he is a liar from the beginning, ye cannot suppose that such can have place in the kingdom of heaven; but they shall be cast out for they are the children of the kingdom of the devil.

Alma 5:22-25 (Emphasis mine)

If we do not repent, we will stand before God, our “garments stained with blood and all manner of filthiness.”   Our garments will testify of our iniquities. 

Isaiah taught, “your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear.  For your hands are defiled with blood, and your fingers with iniquity; your lips have spoken lies, your tongue hath muttered perverseness” (Isaiah 59:2-3).  He continued “[f]or our transgressions are multiplied before thee, and our sins testify against us: for our transgressions are with us; and as for our iniquities, we know them” (Isaiah 59:12).

What would it be like to stand before God, wearing garments that testify we “are guilty of all manner of wickedness?”  We will know of our sins.  We will know we are not worthy to be in the presence of God.

Alma(2) asks, “do ye suppose that such an one can have a place to sit down in the kingdom of God?”  Will we be able to sit, “in the kingdom of God, with Abraham, Isaac and with Jacob, and also all the holy prophets?”  He responds with a clear response – “No!” 

There must have been those present who thought God would overlook these things.  There will be a place for them at this table.  Alma(2) tells them that there is no way you can believe these things “except ye make our Creator a liar from the beginning, or suppose that he is a liar from the beginning.  The Savior clearly taught that there would be no place for them at the table.  Instead, “[t]here shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth, when ye shall see Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, and all the prophets, in the kingdom of God, and you yourselves thrust out” (Luke 13:28).

The truth is, there is no place in the kingdom of heaven for the wicked.  “[T]hey will be cast out for they are the children of the kingdom of the devil.”

Jacob warned us if we are wicked, “our spirits must have become like unto him, and we become devils, angels to a devil, to be shut out from the presence of our God, and to remain with the father of lies, in misery, like unto himself; yea, to that being who beguiled our first parents, who transformeth himself nigh unto an angel of light, and stirreth up the children of men unto secret combinations of murder and all manner of secret works of darkness” (2 Nephi 9:9).

²⁶ And now behold, I say unto you, my brethren, if ye have experienced a change of heart, and if ye have felt to sing the song of redeeming love, I would ask, can ye feel so now? ²⁷ Have ye walked, keeping yourselves blameless before God?  Could ye say, if ye were called to die at this time, within yourselves, that ye have been sufficiently humble?  That your garments have been cleansed and made white through the blood of Christ, who will come to redeem his people from their sins? ²⁸ Behold, are ye stripped of pride?  I say unto you, if ye are not ye are not prepared to meet God.  Behold ye must prepare quickly; for the kingdom of heaven is soon at hand, and such an one hath not eternal life.

Alma 5:26-28 (Emphasis mine)

Here, we learn what it means to be a Christian, a true follower of Christ.  First, we have to experience a change of heart.  This change of heart occurs only in the truly converted.  This change of heart makes us want to do what is right.  We find sin deeply abhorrent.    We cannot imagine committing sin.  We want to rejoice, to “sing the song of redeeming love.”

M. Catherine Thomas explained “[a]s a result of the mighty change wrought in their hearts (see Mosiah 5:2), they received Christ's image in their countenances; they could ‘sing the song of redeeming love,’ their hearts having been ‘stripped of pride’ and enmity (Alma 5:26, 28; see 5:12, 19).” [1]

The multitude who listened to King Benjamin’s sermon, proclaimed “we believe all the words which thou hast spoken unto us; and also, we know of their surety and truth, because of the Spirit of the Lord Omnipotent, which has wrought a mighty change in us, or in our hearts, that we have no more disposition to do evil, but to do good continually” (Mosiah 5:2).

By accepting the Lord and experiencing that mighty change of heart, we make a covenant with the Lord.  We “shall be called the children of Christ, his sons, and his daughters; for behold, this day he hath spiritually begotten you; for ye say that your hearts are changed through faith on his name; therefore, ye are born of him and have become his sons and his daughters” (Mosiah 5:7).

Kent Jackson wrote, “I was spiritually reborn, according to these descriptions and definitions in the Bible. I experienced ‘a change of heart’ (Alma 5:26) ‘through faith on his [Christ's] name,’ and I was ‘born of him’ (Mosiah 5:7).” [2]      

After reminding them of what happened to them when they accepted Christ, Alma(2) asks, “can ye feel so now?”  This is what matters.  If they can’t “feel so now,” they’ve moved away from Christ.

Then he asks a question we should be asking of ourselves, “if ye were called to die at this time, within yourselves, that ye have been sufficiently humble?  That your garments have been cleansed and made white through the blood of Christ, who will come to redeem his people from their sins? Behold, are ye stripped of pride?” (verses 27 and 28).  

Then he tells them “if ye are not ye are not prepared to meet God.”  He warns them that they “must prepare quickly; for the kingdom of heaven is soon at hand, and such an one hath not eternal life.”

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[1] Benjamin and the Mysteries of God, M. Catherine Thomas, Provo, Utah: Maxwell Institute, accessed March 6, 2012.

[2] Am I a Christian?, Kent P. Jackson, Provo, Utah: Maxwell Institute, accessed March 6, 2012.

Alma 5:11-15

Alma(2) has told the people how important it is to remember the time his father’s group was delivered from King Noah’s armies through the intervention of the Lord.  He reminded them of the time they were in Lamanite captivity but were miraculously delivered by the Lord.

He has likened sin to captivity.  Those that sin and do not repent are in captivity to the devil; they are wrapped in the chains of hell.

¹¹ Behold, I can tell you—did not my father Alma believe in the words which were delivered by the mouth of Abinadi?  And was he not a holy prophet?  Did he not speak the words of God, and my father Alma believe them? ¹² And according to his faith there was a mighty change wrought in his heart.  Behold I say unto you that this is all true.  ¹³ And behold, he preached the word unto your fathers, and a mighty change was also wrought in their hearts, and they humbled themselves and put their trust in the true and living God.  And behold, they were faithful until the end; therefore they were saved.

Alma 5:11-13 (Emphasis mine)

Alma(2) questions the people about his father.  Didn’t Alma(1) believe in the words which were delivered by Abinadi?  Wasn’t he a prophet?  Didn’t he speak the word of God and “my father” believe in them?  This was the beginnings of the church.  Mormon wrote “there was one among them whose name was Alma … he believed the words which Abinadi had spoken” (Mosiah 17:2).  Alma(1) pleaded with the king to spare Abinadi.  He was willing to put his life on the line to save Abinadi.  He was able to flee and, through him, we have Abinadi’s words.

Not only did his father believe, but “a mighty change was also wrought in [his] heart.”  According Noel Reynolds “[t]he gospel message tells the person who has just learned the truth of Christ how he can respond to receive God's grace. If he will repent and covenant not to sin further, and then be baptized of water, he is promised that he will receive the baptism of fire and the Holy Ghost, which brings ‘a mighty change’ of heart…” [1]

Corbin Volluz expands on the concept of “a might change” of heart.

“We also learn from Alma₂ that his father, Alma₁, after being converted by the words of Abinadi in King Noah's court, had a mighty change wrought in his heart (Alma 5:11–12). Alma₁ then began preaching the gospel of Abinadi to others and established a church in the wilderness, and ‘a mighty change was also wrought in their hearts’ (Alma 5:7, 13).

“From this, we may conclude that not only were Alma₁ and the church he organized by the waters of Mormon redeemed, but so was Abinadi himself who taught the message in the first place. It would be strange for Abinadi to teach the message of redemption if he had not himself experienced the ‘mighty change of heart.’ “ [2] (Emphasis mine)

Alma(1) preached the gospel to “your fathers” and the experienced this mighty change.  They put their trust “in the true and living God.”

Almost half a millennia later, as Moroni(2) was writing his first farewell comments, he told us to “[b]e wise in the days of your probation; strip yourselves of all uncleanness; ask not, that ye may consume it on your lusts, but ask with a firmness unshaken, that ye will yield to no temptation, but that ye will serve the true and living God” (Mormon 9:28).

Corbin Volluz sums up this part of Alma(2)’s message.

“Alma(1) taught the redemptive message of Abinadi to his followers. ‘According to [Alma(1)'s] faith there was a mighty change wrought in his heart’ (Alma 5:12). Similarly, Alma(1)'s followers ‘humbled themselves and put their trust [faith] in the true and living God’ (Alma 5:13). Abinadi's words themselves contain the injunction to ‘repent of your sins’ (Mosiah 16:13). Alma₁ at the waters of Mormon did ‘teach [his followers], and did preach unto them repentance, and redemption, and faith on the Lord’ (Mosiah 18:7).” [3] (Emphasis mine)

The people were saved because they were “faithful until the end.”  Alma(2) was repeating the words of Nephi.  “And I heard a voice from the Father, saying: Yea, the words of my Beloved are true and faithful.  He that endureth to the end, the same shall be saved” (2 Nephi 31:15).

The first part of his sermon was a wonderful tribute to his father and all his work.  Marilyn Arnold words are a great way to end this part of Alma(2)’s sermon.  She wrote, “[w]hat a powerful testifier the first Alma was! We have many more of his son's words, but that son's ability to reach hearts with the inspired spoken word could not have been any greater than his father's.” [4]

Alma(2) turns to the topic at hand – how to be a true follower of Christ. 

¹⁴ And now behold, I ask of you, my brethren of the church, have ye spiritually been born of God?  Have ye received his image in your countenances?  Have ye experienced this mighty change in your hearts? ¹⁵ Do ye exercise faith in the redemption of him who created you?  Do you look forward with an eye of faith, and view this mortal body raised in immortality, and this corruption raised in incorruption, to stand before God to be judged according to the deeds which have been done in the mortal body?

Alma 5:14-15 (Emphasis mine)

Alma(2) begins by asking questions – have you been born of God?  Have you “received his image in your countenances?  Have you experienced a “mighty change in your hearts?” Do you exercise faith in God?  Do you look forward to the day you will be judged according to what you have “done in the mortal body?”  He is asking the people to look at themselves and their lives.

Ann Madsen wrote “[t]he Lord's image in one's countenance? Alma had seen it (see Alma 36:5—27, especially v. 22). He knew his father had seen it on a courageous prophet who was willing to suffer in the pattern of his Redeemer to the last moments of his life.”

The concept of becoming a new person is common way of describing someone a person who follows truth.  The Lord told Jeremiah “I will give them an heart to know me, that I am the LORD: and they shall be my people, and I will be their God: for they shall return unto me with their whole heart” (Jeremiah 24:7).  Through Ezekiel, the Lord said “I will give them one heart, and I will put a new spirit within you; and I will take the stony heart out of their flesh, and will give them an heart of flesh:” (Ezekiel 11:19). 

Christ told Nicodemus “[v]erily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old?  can he enter the second time into his mother's womb, and be born? Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again” (John 3:3-7). 

Paul wrote “if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new (2 Corinthians 5:17),  We have King Benjamin’s powerful words, “the natural man is an enemy to God, and has been from the fall of Adam, and will be, forever and ever, unless he yields to the enticings of the Holy Spirit, and putteth off the natural man and becometh a saint through the atonement of Christ the Lord, and becometh as a child, submissive, meek, humble, patient, full of love, willing to submit to all things which the Lord seeth fit to inflict upon him, even as a child doth submit to his father” (Mosiah 3:19).

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[1] The True Points of My Doctrine, Noel B. Reynolds, Provo, Utah: Maxwell Institute, accessed March 4, 2012.

[2] Cry Redemption: The Plan of Redemption as Taught in the Book of Mormon, Corbin T. Volluz, Provo, Utah: Maxwell Institute, accessed March 4, 2012.

[3] Ibid.

[4] The Book of Mormon: Passport to Discipleship, Marilyn Arnold, Provo, Utah: Maxwell Institute, accessed March 4, 2012.

Alma 14:1-7

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.

Alma 14:1-3 (Emphasis mine)

Alma(2) and Amulek had some success.  Many people who heard their words accepted them.  They repented and began to search the scriptures.

Most, however, were very unhappy with them.  We again read the charge that they lied and reviled against the lawyers and judges.  They were also angry because Alma(2) and Amulek had testified against them and their wicked lifestyle.  They wanted to get rid of them once and for all.  Nothing but their deaths would satisfy this group.

Richard Rust sums up what happened.

“Alma steps forth and speaks to Zeezrom, his first audience, in words that are ‘heard by the people round about; for the multitude was great’ (Alma 12:2). Two groups emerge in this multitude. The first group, after Alma's sermon, ‘did believe on his words, and began to repent, and to search the scriptures’ (Alma 14:1). The ‘more part of them,’ however, ‘were desirous that they might destroy Alma and Amulek; for they were angry with Alma, because of the plainness of his words unto Zeezrom’ (Alma 14:2). A fourth audience—whom we can imagine standing at the head of the group of people who desire to destroy Alma and Amulek—is Antionah, ‘a chief ruler among them’ (Alma 12:20).” [1]   (Emphasis mine)

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 14:4-5 (Emphasis mine)

Instead, they were bound and taken before the chief judge.

The people listed their charges against them.

They had disparaged their law.

They had disparaged their judges and lawyers.

They had disparaged all the people in the land. (Nothing like leaving no stone unturned!)

They testified there was only one God.

They testified he would send his Son among the people.

God’s Son would not save the people.

Then, an unexpected voice spoke on behalf of Alma(2) and Amulek.

6  And it came to pass that Zeezrom was astonished at the words which had been spoken; and he also knew concerning the blindness of the minds, which he had caused among the people by his lying words; and his soul began to be harrowed up under a consciousness of his own guilt; yea, he began to be encircled about by the pains of hell.

7  And it came to pass that he began to cry unto the people, saying: Behold, I am guilty, and these men are spotless before God.  And he began to plead for them from that time forth; but they reviled him, saying: Art thou also possessed with the devil?  And they spit upon him, and cast him out from among them, and also all those who believed in the words which had been spoken by Alma and Amulek; and they cast them out, and sent men to cast stones at them.

Alma 14:6-7 (Emphasis mine)

Zeezrom realizes what he has done.  He has been a part of causing this uprising because of his lying words.  His guilt was so profound that he was encircled by the pains of hell. 

The phrase “encircled by the pains of hell” is a simple, yet powerful phrase.  It leaves little to the imagination.

Discussing the beauty of this phrase, Cynthia Hallen wrote:

“As authors, our works can be as beautiful as ‘the place of Mormon, the waters of Mormon, the forest of Mormon’ to readers who are refugees from the wilderness of wickedness (Mosiah 18:30). The power of divinely inspired words can liberate people from the pains of hell, enabling them to ‘sing redeeming love’ (Alma 5:9; 26:13).” [2] (Emphasis mine)

John Tvedtnes wrote about Alma(2) and the pains of hell.

“In later years, he told his son Helaman how he had been ‘racked with eternal torment , for [his] soul was harrowed up to the greatest degree and racked with all [his] sins. Yea, [he] did remember all [his] sins and iniquities, for which [he] was tormented with the pains of hell’ (Alma 36:12–13). Alma dwelt on the ‘inexpressible horror’ that did rack [his] soul’ (Alma 36:14; see also Alma 36:16). As he was ‘racked with torment’ and ‘harrowed up by the memory of [his] many sins, he remembered his father's teachings of Christ, who would come ‘to atone for the sins of the world’ (Alma 36:17).” [3]  (Emphasis mine)

I am the guilty one!  I lied!  These men are spotless before God!  Zeezrom tried to undo the damage he had done.  He hoped the people would believe him.

The people rejected him.  You’re possessed by a devil, they cried.  They spit on him and cast him out from among them.  They also cast out those who believed in Alma(2) and Amulek.  That wasn’t enough.  They also had a mob throw stones at them to encourage a quick departure.

7  So when they continued asking him, he lifted up himself, and said unto them, He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her.

8  And again he stooped down, and wrote on the ground.

9  And they which heard it, being convicted by their own conscience, went out one by one, beginning at the eldest, even unto the last; and Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst.

John 8:7-9 (Emphasis mine)

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[1] "Know the Covenants of the Lord" – Sermons, Richard Dilworth Rust, Provo, Utah: Maxwell Institute, accessed November 4, 2011.

[2] Beauty on the Mountains: Inspiration from the Book of Mormon for LDS Writers, Cynthia L. Hallen, Provo, Utah: Maxwell Institute, accessed November 4, 2011.

[3] The Voice of an Angel, John A. Tvedtnes, Provo, Utah: Maxwell Institute, accessed November 4, 2011.

Alma 20:14-27

14  Now the father of Lamoni commanded him that he should slay Ammon with the sword.  And he also commanded him that he should not go to the land of Middoni, but that he should return with him to the land of Ishmael.

15  But Lamoni said unto him: I will not slay Ammon, neither will I return to the land of Ishmael, but I go to the land of Middoni that I may release the brethren of Ammon, for I know that they are just men and holy prophets of the true God.

16  Now when his father had heard these words, he was angry with him, and he drew his sword that he might smite him to the earth.

17  But Ammon stood forth and said unto him: Behold, thou shalt not slay thy son; nevertheless, it were better that he should fall than thee, for behold, he has repented of his sins; but if thou shouldst fall at this time, in thine anger, thy soul could not be saved.

18  And again, it is expedient that thou shouldst forbear; for if thou shouldst slay thy son, he being an innocent man, his blood would cry from the ground to the Lord his God, for vengeance to come upon thee; and perhaps thou wouldst lose thy soul.

Alma 20:14-18 (Emphasis mine)

Lamoni’s father commanded him to slay Ammon and return with him to the land of Ishmael.  Lamoni refused both requests.

Remember that Lamoni’s father is the king over the entire land.  Lamoni and his brothers rule smaller areas within that land.  To refuse the command of the king meant Lamoni was prepared to literally, sacrifice his life for Ammon’s.

His father was angry and threatened to kill his son.  Ammon, always the faithful servant, stood between them.  He informs the king he will not slay his son.  Then, missionary Ammon takes over. 

His son had repented of his sins and it would be better for him to fall.  His soul had been saved.  It would be worse for Lamoni’s father.  If he killed his son in anger, he would be killing an innocent man.  His blood would cry for vengeance and the king’s soul could not be saved.

12  ¶ He that smiteth a man, so that he die, shall be surely put to death.

Exodus 21:12 (Emphasis mine)

17  ¶ And he that killeth any man shall surely be put to death.

Leviticus 24:17 (Emphasis mine)

19  Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness,

20  Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies,

21  Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.

Galatians 5:19-21 (Emphasis mine)

15  Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer: and ye know that no murderer hath eternal life abiding in him.

1 John 3:15 (Emphasis mine)

8  But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.

 Revelation 21:8 (Emphasis mine)

19  Now when Ammon had said these words unto him, he answered him, saying: I know that if I should slay my son, that I should shed innocent blood; for it is thou that hast sought to destroy him.

20  And he stretched forth his hand to slay Ammon.  But Ammon withstood his blows, and also smote his arm that he could not use it.

21  Now when the king saw that Ammon could slay him, he began to plead with Ammon that he would spare his life.

22  But Ammon raised his sword, and said unto him: Behold, I will smite thee except thou wilt grant unto me that my brethren may be cast out of prison.

23  Now the king, fearing he should lose his life, said: If thou wilt spare me I will grant unto thee whatsoever thou wilt ask, even to half of the kingdom.

Alma 20:19-23 (Emphasis mine)

Lamoni’s father had no intention of killing him.  He wants to kill Ammon because he believes Ammon ultimately wants to destroy him.

Lamoni’s father attacks Ammon, but Ammon struck back and smote his arm, making it useless.  Now the king is at Ammon’s mercy.  Ammon demands the king will release his brethren from prison, or he will kill him.

We have an interesting situation.  On the one hand, we have the great and powerful king over all the land.  On the other, we have a single Nephite, the “son of a liar.”  (verse 13).  It is Ammon who know has the power. The king is so fearful, he is willing to give up half of his kingdom for his life, even though Ammon had already told him what he wants. 

Through this example, we see where real power lies.  It does not lie with earthly kings and rulers.  The real power lies with the faithful and righteous servant of the Lord.

24  Now when Ammon saw that he had wrought upon the old king according to his desire, he said unto him: If thou wilt grant that my brethren may be cast out of prison, and also that Lamoni may retain his kingdom, and that ye be not displeased with him, but grant that he may do according to his own desires in whatsoever thing he thinketh, then will I spare thee; otherwise I will smite thee to the earth.

25  Now when Ammon had said these words, the king began to rejoice because of his life.

26  And when he saw that Ammon had no desire to destroy him, and when he also saw the great love he had for his son Lamoni, he was astonished exceedingly, and said: Because this is all that thou hast desired, that I would release thy brethren, and suffer that my son Lamoni should retain his kingdom, behold, I will grant unto you that my son may retain his kingdom from this time and forever; and I will govern him no more—

27  And I will also grant unto thee that thy brethren may be cast out of prison, and thou and thy brethren may come unto me, in my kingdom; for I shall greatly desire to see thee.  For the king was greatly astonished at the words which he had spoken, and also at the words which had been spoken by his son Lamoni, therefore he was desirous to learn them.

Alma 20:23-27 (Emphasis mine)

Ammon repeats that he wants his brethren released from prison, but then adds another condition.  Leave Lamoni alone.  Let him continue to rule his kingdom.  Let him do what he believes is right.  If these things are done, Lamoni’s father may live.

Apparently Lamoni was watching this quietly, letting Ammon do what he wanted.  I am sure Lamoni had full faith and confidence in his servant, Ammon, who was an even greater servant of God.

The king rejoiced that his life was saved, but then he started actually seeing the situation as it was.  Ammon could have had earthly power.  He rejected that.  Lamoni’s father realized that freedom for Ammon’s brethren and ensuring his son’s safety was all that mattered to Ammon.  He saw Ammon’s love for his son. 

He granted Ammon’s requests, but then he adds a request.  After Ammon and his brethren are free, he wants them to visit him.  He wanted to learn more about the teachings of this amazing man.

Describing this event, Richard Bushman wrote:

“Lamoni's father reacted like Laman of old in drawing his sword against his son and then Ammon, and when Ammon overpowered him, the old king cowered before the missionary's greater power, again as Laman did before Nephi (Alma 16:20-24). But it was not Ammon's physical superiority that impressed the king; it was the love for the king's son that astonished him exceedingly (Alma 20:26). When another set of missionaries offered to serve Lamoni's father, he remembered this love and wanted to listen. Ammon's generosity, as well as his words, troubled the king, and he was ready to hear more (Alma 22:3). The willing service and acts of generosity and love, so contrary to the Lamanite stereotypes of the Nephites, got through the armor and touched the hearts of the two kings.” [1]   (Emphasis mine)

---

[1] The Lamanite View of Book of Mormon History, Richard L. Bushman, Maxwell Institute, accessed September 13, 2011.

Alma 5:1-13

Reading the Book of Mormon, there is one easy way to know just how important something is.  One of the ways is when Mormon includes the words of the person. 

Mormon believes that these words are too important to be abridged.  He wanted to ensure that we get the actual intent and meaning of the speaker or person who wrote the words.

I want to look at Alma 5.  This is a sermon Alma(2) gave to the church.

Why did Alma(2) deliver this sermon?  Hugh Nibley wrote:

"Now here's the situation we have in Alma 5. Both Alma and his father had been having a constant struggle, as you know, to keep the Nephites in the path of duty. They were always drifting away, as Israel does. Could they [the two Almas] be to blame? Were they too severe? You notice both of them are overstrict. In the first place, Alma Senior [may have] made his own son rebellious, and the same thing with Mosiah. Perhaps they were being too strict because the kids went off and went overboard.

"Remember when he ran away from King Noah and went out and founded the church ... [I]t was very strict ... He always insisted that that's the way the church would be. And he no sooner got the church started in cooperation with Mosiah than what happened? People started drifting away in large numbers ... They started walking out in droves ... 

"... In this chapter he decides on a general reformation; this is a long chapter ... He is refounding the order of things to establish it exactly in the pattern as was done in the first. It's the law of Moses he's following very strictly, as we read later on. It was strictly the law of Moses."  (Emphasis mine)
Lecture 46: Alma 5, Hugh W. Nibley, Maxwell Institute, accessed August 16, 2011. 
  

The words which Alma, the High Priest according to the holy order of God, delivered to the people in their cities and villages throughout the land.Comprising chapter 5. 

Chapter 5

To gain salvation, men must repent and keep the commandments, be born again, cleanse their garments through the blood of Christ, be humble and strip themselves from pride and envy, and do the works of righteousness—The Good Shepherd calleth his people—Those who do evil works are children of the devil—Alma testifies of the truth of his doctrine and commands men to repent—Names of the righteous shall be written in the book of life. About 83 B.C.

1  NOW it came to pass that *Alma began to deliver the word of God unto the people, first in the land of Zarahemla, and from thence throughout all the land.
2  And these are the words which he spake to the people in the church which was established in the city of Zarahemla, according to his own record, saying:
3  I, Alma, having been consecrated by my father, Alma, to be a high priest over the church of God, he having power and authority from God to do these things, behold, I say unto you that he began to establish a church in the land which was in the borders of Nephi; yea, the land which was called the land of Mormon; yea, and he did baptize his brethren in the waters of Mormon.
4  And behold, I say unto you, they were delivered out of the hands of the people of king Noah, by the mercy and power of God.
5  And behold, after that, they were brought into bondage by the hands of the Lamanites in the wilderness; yea, I say unto you, they were in captivity, and again the Lord did deliver them out of bondage by the power of his word; and we were brought into this land, and here we began to establish the church of God throughout this land also.

Alma 5:1-5 (Emphasis mine) 

 

Alma(2) begins by outlining his authority.  With the problems in the church, he wanted to make sure the people understood that he obtained his position and authority in the proper manner.  He was ordained by his father, who had the authority to do these things.

 

Authority is very important.  

 

19  ¶ And Samuel grew, and the LORD was with him, and did let none of his words fall to the ground.
20  And all Israel from Dan even to Beer-sheba knew that Samuel was established to be a prophet of the LORD.

1 Samuel 3:19-20 (Emphasis mine) 

 

12  ¶ Then Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, and Joshua the son of Josedech, the high priest, with all the remnant of the people, obeyed the voice of the LORD their God, and the words of Haggai the prophet, as the LORD their God had sent him, and the people did fear before the LORD.

Haggai 1:12 (Emphasis mine) 

 

18  And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.
19  And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.

Matthew 16:18-19 (Emphasis mine)

 

16  Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.

John 15:16 (Emphasis mine)

 

Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolas a proselyte of Antioch:
6  Whom they set before the apostles: and when they had prayed, they laid their hands on them.

Acts 6:5-6 (Emphasis mine)

 

1  PAUL, an apostle, (not of men, neither by man, but by Jesus Christ, and God the Father, who raised him from the dead;)

Galatians 1:1 (Emphasis mine) 

 

5  For this cause left I thee [Titus] in Crete, that thou shouldest set in order the things that are wanting, and ordain elders in every city, as I had appointed thee:

Titus 1:5 (Emphasis mine)

 

4  And no man taketh this honour unto himself, but he that is called of God, as was Aaron.

Hebrews 5:4 (Emphasis mine)

 

He reminds them his father established the church.  (This church appears to be the first formal church established in the New World.  At least we have no account of one being established before this.  If there was, either Mormon didn't think it important or it was a part of the 116 lost pages.)

 

The people had spent time in bondage but were freed through the Lord.  Once in Zarahmela, the church was established throughout the land.

 

Having given the people the basics, he continues.

 

6  And now behold, I say unto you, my brethren, you that belong to this church, have you sufficiently retained in remembrance the captivity of your fathers?  Yea, and have you sufficiently retained in remembrance his mercy and long-suffering towards them?  And moreover, have ye sufficiently retained in remembrance that he has delivered their souls from hell?
7  Behold, he changed their hearts; yea, he awakened them out of a deep sleep, and they awoke unto God.  Behold, they were in the midst of darkness; nevertheless, their souls were illuminated by the light of the everlasting word; yea, they were encircled about by the bands of death, and the chains of hell, and an everlasting destruction did await them.
8  And now I ask of you, my brethren, were they destroyed?  Behold, I say unto you, Nay, they were not.
9  And again I ask, were the bands of death broken, and the chains of hell which encircled them about, were they loosed?  I say unto you, Yea, they were loosed, and their souls did expand, and they did sing redeeming love.  And I say unto you that they are saved.

Alma 5:6-9 (Emphasis mine)

Alma(2) reminds them that even though they were in a bad situation, the Lord was with them.  Even though death seemed to be their ultimate fate, the Lord led them to their freedom.

He asks, do you remember this?  Is it still in your minds?

Elder Richard G. Scott reminds us that the Lord "... will give relief with divine power when you seek deliverance in humility and faith in Jesus Christ."  (Emphasis in original)  Faith and humility are essential in receiving deliverance from the Lord.

10  And now I ask of you on what conditions are they saved?  Yea, what grounds had they to hope for salvation?  What is the cause of their being loosed from the bands of death, yea, and also the chains of hell?
11  Behold, I can tell you—did not my father Alma believe in the words which were delivered by the mouth of Abinadi?  And was he not a holy prophet?  Did he not speak the words of God, and my father Alma believe them?
12  And according to his faith there was a mighty change wrought in his heart.  Behold I say unto you that this is all true.
13  And behold, he preached the word unto your fathers, and a mighty change was also wrought in their hearts, and they humbled themselves and put their trust in the true and living God.  And behold, they were faithful until the end; therefore they were saved.

Alma 5:10-13 (Emphasis mine)

Alma(2) now starts letting the people know what truly matters.  How are they saved?  Why do they have hope for salvation?  It is through faith and acceptance of the words of the prophet.  This commitment will be so strong that there would me a "mighty change" (verse 12) in each persons heart.  This mighty change would be apparent in their lives.  This mighty change was an essential part of the conversion.

Writing about this mighty change, Ed Pinegar wrote:

"Persons who have experienced this mighty change manifest attitudinal and behavioral changes. Feeling their hearts riveted to the Lord, their obedience extends beyond performance of duty ... Latter-day Saints believe that individuals who are truly born of God gladly give a life of service to their fellow beings—they share the gospel message, sacrifice their own time, energy, and resources for the benefit of others, and in general hold high the light of Christ, being faithful to all the commandments." (Emphasis mine)

Born of God, Ed J. Pinegar, Maxwell Institute, accessed August 16, 2011.

In the October 2009 General Conference, Elder Dale G. Renlund said this about the mighty change of heart.

 

"... this mighty change of our spiritual hearts is just the beginning. Repentance, baptism, and confirmation are necessary but not sufficient. Indeed, equal, if not greater, care must be taken with a spiritually changed heart than with a physically transplanted heart if we are to endure to the end. Only by doing so can we be held guiltless at the time of judgment.

 

"Enduring to the end can be challenging because the tendency of the natural man is to reject the spiritually changed heart and allow it to harden. No wonder the Lord cautioned to 'even let those who are sanctified take heed.'

 

"We all know of individuals who had this mighty change of heart but subsequently yielded to the natural man. They became casual in their worship and devotion to God, their hearts became hardened, and they thereby jeopardized their eternal salvation.

 

"The lives of the people who were converted by the preaching of the sons of Mosiah offer some insights as to how one avoids rejecting the mightily changed spiritual heart. Of them, we read that 'as many as were brought to the knowledge of the truth, through the preaching of Ammon and his brethren, … and were converted unto the Lord, never did fall away.'

 

"How did they successfully endure to the end? We know that they were 'distinguished for their zeal towards God, and also towards men; for they were perfectly honest and upright in all things; and they were firm in the faith of Christ, even unto the end.' " (Emphasis mine)