A MAN OF HOLINESS

 

The works that followed Alma’s miraculous conversion should leave all of us in awe. 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. He could have easily sat on the cushy judgment seat for the rest of his life (Mosiah 29:44) but Alma 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. In the process, he baptised 3,500 people (Alma 4:4,5). After he put the Church in order in Zarahemla, his missionary labours took him to Gideon, Melek and to the hot-bed of iniquity and apostasy, Ammonihah, the city that became Alma's crucible.

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 the people a second chance. Alma didn't dawdle, he returned to the den of disbelievers with speed (Alma 8:18), for more abuse. It reminds me of another repentant sinner, Paul, of whom the Saviour said: “For I will show him how great things he must suffer for my name’s sake” (Acts 9:15,16)

Amulek, whom Alma acquired as a missionary companion on his return to Ammonihah, called Alma 'a holy man' (Alma 10:7, 9). And here is why: Alma fasted many days, he 'laboured much in the spirit', he 'wrestled with God in prayer' and he suffered, but in nothing did he excel more than in sorrowing for the people he sought to reclaim from their sins (Alma 8:10,14; 14:3,22). Alma, once a sinner, who laboured to turn people away from the truth, came to be Alma, who sorrowed for sinners. And here is why: experiencing ‘the darkest abyss’ and ‘nothing so bitter as were his pains’ (Mosiah 27:29; Alma 36:21) motivated Alma to want to rescue his fellowmen from such a fate and to bring them to the rewards of repentance which brought ‘exquisite and sweet joy’ (Alma 36:21). And then, I believe, the greatest reason: he saw God sitting upon his throne and his soul ‘longed to be there’ (Alma 36:22). This longing must have been as deep as was his sorrow for those he wished to save.

 
Alma’s call to repentance is legendary: "...have ye spiritually been born of God? Have ye experienced a mighty change in your hearts? (Alma 5:14) Have you felt to sing ‘the song of redeeming love’? (Alma 5:26). I perceive, after such a marvellous conversion, this song was in his own heart. And his most famous question stands true today: Have ye received his image in your countenance? " (Alma 5:14). Because he did. And this made all the difference.

- CATHRYNE ALLEN 

(Artist Unknown)