Alma 27:20-26
Here is the account of the people of Ammon and their fleeing the persecution of the Lamanites and of their joining to the people of Nephi. How timely this account is to our current world challenges with refugee resettlement!
There are actually two accounts of good Samaritan type actions here: one on a micro level (that almost goes unnoticed by me) and the other on a macro scale. First, upon receiving these missionaries back from their labors, the account here says that Alma received Ammon and his brethren "even into his own house." (vs. 20) The later action was the coordination and admission of the people of Ammon to live among the Nephites.
I am impressed by the chief judge's approach to this significant social issue. When the issue of the acceptance of the people of Ammon was brought before the judgment seat, the chief judge deferred from making a decision on the matter himself. Instead, "the chief judge sent a proclamation throughout all the land, desiring the voice of the people concerning the admitting their brethren." (vs. 21)
Clearly the ramification of allowing a group of people to migrate into your own lands is of great social consequence. By allowing to people of Nephi to have a voice in the acceptance of these religious refugees, this allowed them to have ownership of the decision.
This Christian response to these refugees' plight was not just a flat statement of passage, rather there was a plan for their protection enacted. A solution was found that would work for both parties. (see vs. 24)
Here is the account of the people of Ammon and their fleeing the persecution of the Lamanites and of their joining to the people of Nephi. How timely this account is to our current world challenges with refugee resettlement!
There are actually two accounts of good Samaritan type actions here: one on a micro level (that almost goes unnoticed by me) and the other on a macro scale. First, upon receiving these missionaries back from their labors, the account here says that Alma received Ammon and his brethren "even into his own house." (vs. 20) The later action was the coordination and admission of the people of Ammon to live among the Nephites.
I am impressed by the chief judge's approach to this significant social issue. When the issue of the acceptance of the people of Ammon was brought before the judgment seat, the chief judge deferred from making a decision on the matter himself. Instead, "the chief judge sent a proclamation throughout all the land, desiring the voice of the people concerning the admitting their brethren." (vs. 21)
Clearly the ramification of allowing a group of people to migrate into your own lands is of great social consequence. By allowing to people of Nephi to have a voice in the acceptance of these religious refugees, this allowed them to have ownership of the decision.
This Christian response to these refugees' plight was not just a flat statement of passage, rather there was a plan for their protection enacted. A solution was found that would work for both parties. (see vs. 24)
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