A Study of the Book of Mormon

Alma 15 This chapter addresses something that I feel that I am not very good at: ministering to the sick and the poor. The story of Zeezrom also concludes in this chapter, he (having been taken gravely ill) being the key player to whom Alma administered to. (Side note: In times past, my wife and I have also discussed this chapter as evidence of how sin and one's mental and emotional state can have a direct impact on the physical well being of an individual.) After Alma and Amulek's miraculous deliverance from the prison at Ammonihah, they were commanded to leave that town. ( vs. 1 ) At Sidom, many of those who believed the preaching of Alma and Amulek had resorted there, and at Alma's arrival they learned of the fate of the wives and children, and also their own miraculous deliverance. The first case study in this chapter is Zeezrom. Zeezrom is fully convinced that Alma and Amulek were no more and that their destruction rested fully upon his own shoulders. The mental and sp...

Alma 14 This is a most painful account of discipleship and the potential cost of such. Alma's ability to discern impression of the Spirit in the midst of such opposition is notable, because it instructed him when to act and how to act. It also gave him hope for those who were taken from this life prematurely. There is also a great deal to learn here about justice and the judgments of God. How incredibly patient is God with his children! Slow to execute judgment unto destruction, even against his wicked children who would murder the innocent. "...He doth suffer that they may do this thing, or that the people may do this thing unto them, according to the hardness of their hearts, that the judgments which he shall exercise upon them in his wrath may be just," ( vs. 11 ). In my mind, it seems that sometimes mortal judgments are executed to prevent the wicked from sinning further. Sodom and Gomorah comes to mind when the Savior said "But I say unto you, That it shall be...

Alma 13:20-31 Alma now brings all this message home, by declaring repentance to the people of Ammonihah ( vs. 20 ). Vs. 22 - This verse is an interesting reminder of the work of angels in preparing the way for salvation to be ministered among all nations. Vs. 23 - The Nephites had it different than the Jewish nation. Amongst the Nephites the terms of salvation were plain to be understood. This privilege was extended to them because of their being made wanderers in a strange land. Sacrifice frequently brings spiritual advantages. Vs. 24 - All the land of the Nephites (and even the Lamanites, I would suppose) were being prepared through the ministering of angels for the time of Christ's coming, that the people would be prepared to receive his word. I find it curious that Alma, the spiritual head of the Church during his time, was made aware of this ministering from beyond the veil -- as if efforts were being coordinated between heaven and earth. How much we don't know! I feel ...