What comes to your mind when you think of Alma the Younger? No doubt his miraculous conversion. And miraculous it was. More miraculous than his conversion, however, were the works that followed this life changing event in his life. Amongst his accomplishments as a high priest, a military commander and the first chief judge of the land, none distinguished him more than his missionary labours. Alma's missionary labours equaled, in greatness, those of his friends, the sons of Mosiah. Whereas the sons of Mosiah laboured diligently amongst the Lamonites, Alma did so amongst the Nephites. Alma could have easily sat on the cushy judgment seat for the rest of his life (Mosiah 29:44); judging people and meting out punishment. Alma, however, longed to save people.
After being a chief judge for nine years, Alma gave up the judgment seat (Alma 4:20) and dedicated himself to establishing and strengthening the Church in the land of Zarahemla. And he baptised 3,500 people in the process (Alma 4:4,5). After he put the Church in order in Zarahemla, his missionary labours took him to Gideon, Melek and to the hotbed of iniquity and apostasy, Ammonihah, the city that became Alma's crucible. Ammonihah was apostate and destined for annihilation as per the Mosiac law (Deauteronomy 13:12-18).
Alma didn't go to Ammonihah once, but twice. The first time he was spit upon, reviled and rejected (Alma 8:13). Alma left and whilst journeying in dejection and sorrow an angel appeared to him commending him for his obedience (Alma 8:15). As he lifted Alma's spirits, he made the Lord's mercy known in asking him to return to Ammonihah to give them a second chance. Alma didn't dawdle, he returned to the den of disbelievers with speed (Alma 8:18), for more abuse. His labours in this infamous city are well documented in the book of Alma. Even though he couldn't save Ammonihah, Alma's missionary labours there and and his discourses on the plan of redemption are legendary. This in itself is impressive enough about this man but what impresses me most is this:
Amulek, whom Alma acquired as a missionary companion on his return to Ammonihah, called Alma 'a holy man' (Alma 10:7). Then he proceeded to say why. He said Alma was called of God and that he had fasted many days because of the sins of the people. And so he did. He fasted; he 'laboured much in the spirit'; he 'wrestled with God in prayer'; he suffered; he sorrowed; and he waded through anguish. And all this because of the wickedness of the people he didn't even know (Alma 8:10,14) . People who didn't care about him. People who abused him (Alma 14:22). People who wanted to kill him (Alma 14:3).
Alma withstood it all. Like Christ did; who was spit upon, reviled and rejected. Who laboured relentlessly despite all He suffered in body and spirit for the salvation of men. Yes Alma's conversion was miraculous but what he did after it mattered more. He lived up to the forgiveness he received and nurtured his faith that changed his heart and placed him on the path to becoming like Christ. I am certain Alma spoke from personal experience when he delivered his sermon on nourishing the seed of faith to the apostate Zoromites (Alma 32). Alma gave up the judgment seat because he could see there was no other way that he might reclaim his people but by bearing pure testimony (Alma 4:19). As he lived what he believed and as he loved as the Saviour loved, Alma could with confidence ask: "...have ye spiritually been born of God? Have ye received his image in your countenance? Have ye experienced a mighty change in your hearts?" (Alma 5:14). Because he did. And this made all the difference.
- Cathryne Allen, Did Not Our Hearts Burn When He Opened To Us The Scriptures?
published 2021 by amazon.com
No comments:
Post a Comment