ON THE THIRD DAY

 

Chapter 36 of the Book of Alma is one of the richest chapters of the Book of Mormon. Not only does it recount Alma’s miraculous conversion but the lessons gleaned from that account are of exceeding worth. Consider the following:

-        No sin is bigger than the Atonement (v 14). Alma confesses that his actions had led many people to spiritual destruction akin to murder. He considered what he had done to be horrific. And horrific it was but for one thing: not only could the Atonement cover Alma’s sins but the sins of those who Alma led astray);

-        The Saviour is quick to forgive (v 16-18). As soon as Alma remembered the Atonement of Jesus Christ whilst he was ‘racked with torment’, the forgiveness was granted;

-        Repentance leads to joy (v 20, 21). This is not just any ordinary joy. This is exquisite joy that replaces exquisite pain. This is joy unforgettable. This is not joy of this world but joy of the spirit. This is joy everlasting.

-        Repentance leads to a new man and a new life (v 25,26). From the time that Alma was converted, he sought to bring the fruit of repentance to others. He laboured, he preached, he testified and he had success. This again was joy.

-        Keeping the commandments leads to prosperity (v 30). In admonishing his son Helaman to keep the commandments, Alma promised him that if he shall do so, he shall prosper in the land but if he won’t, he shall be cut off from the presence of the Lord. Here is the greatest lesson in prosperity. Prospering in the land means being close to the Lord in this life and entering the Lord’s presence in the next. (See also the Institute Manual for comments on Alma 36:30).

The greatest lesson I see in Alma’s story is the one of The Great Deliverer. Alma testifies that he has grown to know the Saviour who has supported him in ‘troubles of every kind and all manner of afflictions’ (v 27). This denotes a relationship with a personal God. He also testifies that God has delivered him from ‘prison, and from bonds, and from death’ (v 27). He connects his testimony of deliverance to his remembrance of deliverance of Israel from bondage and captivity (v 28).

Alma emerged a new man after his three days ( v 10) of exquisite and painful repentance…..even as the Saviour emerged a new man from His three days in the tomb. Looking back on Alma’s extensive discourse on the role of the Redeemer, once he regained his strength after his father and others fasted and prayed for two days and two nights, it is obvious Alma received more than just forgiveness of his sins during his unconsciousness (Mosiah 27:23-31). It is no coincidence that he was in his own ‘spiritual tomb’ for the total of three days where He learnt the power of Saviour’s deliverance from death and hell. He met his fate in that tomb and he came to know Jehovah, the man, the God, the Great Deliverer. 

- CATHRYNE ALLEN 

(Art: On The Third Day by Greg Collins)