Good vs Evil - Alma 23 - 25 (a re-post, with new content)

In these chapters, I thought it was interesting how the people of God (the good guys) were on an entirely different track from those who opposed them (the bad guys).  Below I have listed hi-lites of the major events of these chapters.  You will note that I have categorized the events by which camp the event was centered around. I think this paints a clear picture of good vs evil in a way that is hard to miss.  It also emphasized the movement of members of one group to the other group.  More about this later...

Events in these chapters that pertained mainly to God's people - those who were trying to live the word of God (A.K.A the Good Guys) 

• The Lamanite king (Lamoni's father, king over the entire land),  now thoroughly converted,  issues a proclamation to the people to not impede the missionary efforts of Ammon,  Aaron, or their companions: Alma 23:1-6
• The people who are converted are listed: Alma 23:8-14.
• The righteous people desire to be called by a new name and choose the name Anti-Nephi-Lehi. They are an industrious people and prosper: Alma 23:16 -18.  On a side-note, a word about the name the righteous people chose:  Anti-Nephi-Lehi.  I always wonder why they included the "Anti" with this name... Most dictionary definitions given say that anti, whether a preposition, an adjective or a noun, means "against or opposed to".   In my mind, Ammon's converted Lamanites were clearly no longer against the teachings of Lehi and Nephi.  Why are they anti?  In my quest to understand this, I searched several dictionaries to find the origin of the word or prefix "anti".  I found in Dictionary.com that in the late 18th century one of the meanings of anti was "to reverse or undo".  Certainly, King Lamoni, his father King Laman, and their people totally reversed their lives from sin to righteousness.  I would guess that in the history of mankind there are few other people who had reversed their lives more than the Anti-Nephi-Lehites.  Their conversion was undoubtedly a "mighty change".  More on this below.
• The king's son is named Anti-Nephi-Lehi and is anointed ruler over the Lamanite people.  Soon after,  his father dies: Alma 24:3-4
• Ammon, Aaron & their brethren  counsel with King Anti-Nephi-Lehi and king Lamoni about what to do to protect their people after learning they are going to be attacked by their enemies.  Alma 24:5
• King Anti-Nephi-Lehi, as thoroughly converted as his father was, refuses to take up arms in defense.   In a stirring address to his people, he commands them to not take up arms and convinces them to never wage war upon their brethren: Alma 24:6-16.
• The righteous Anti-Nephi-Lehite people bury their their weapons,  Alma 24:17
• The Anti-Nephi-Lehite people meet the oncoming Lamanite army, and many are slaughtered as they pray to their God.  Over a thousand righteous people are killed without any resistance.    
• Many of the unbelieving Lamanite army,  stung by guilt, throw down their weapons & join the people of Anti-Nephi-Lehi.  Not one of these, however,  were Amulonites or Amalekites: Alma 24:24-26, 29
• Members of the Lamanite army return home after an unsuccessful campaign against the Nephites and many of the Lamanites then join themselves to the Anti-Nephi-Lehite people, where they live the gospel and bury their weapons: Alma 25:13-17

Events that were mainly pertaining to the Lamanites who opposed the righteous people of Anti-Nephi-Lehi:

• The Amalekites, Amulonites,  and the unbelieving Lamanites band together in hatred against the king & the people of  Anti-Nephi-Lehi.  They rebel against their king and make preparations for war against the newly converted people:  Alma 24:1-2, 4
• The Lamanite army,  consisting of Amalekites, Amulonites and Lamanite unbelievers make war on the Anti-Nephi-Lehites to remove the king from power.  They murder 1,005 of the righteous people, who submit without any resistance.  It is the Amalekites & the Amulonites who do most of the killing:  Alma 24:20-22, 28-29
• The Amulonites & Amalekites in the Lamanite army are angry because many of the Lamanite soldiers stopped killing the Anti-Nephi-Lehites, who had died rather than fight: Alma 25:1
• The remainder of the Lamanite army leaves and takes their anger out on the Nephite city of Ammonihah, utterly destroying it.  Later, they are completely routed by the Nephite army:  Alma 25:2-3.  Many of the Lamanites who were slain by the Nephite army were Amulonites: Alma 25:4-5
• Descendants of Amulon carry on the tradition of killing by fire. They are hated and hunted by the Nephites and the Lamanites:  Alma 25:7-9

Do you see how the two camps differed?  I discovered that the righteous group always seemed to be outwardly focused (gratitude to God, concern for their brethren - even those who were attacking), but the other side was self focused and anger actuated.  Which would be more Godly in their actions?  I think it is plainly evident.

I said earlier that I would talk about the one-way movement of people from one side to the other.  Obviously, I'm referring to the Lamanites who joined the people of Anti-Nephi-Lehi after attacking their unarmed brothers.   This is not a simple defection from one political entity to another,  it is much deeper than that.   It is an "anti" - a reversing of their life-long beliefs, a life change of direction... a change of heart.  It is a conversion that started by the remorse of stinging guilt or by the possibility of a better life.  It is a conversion that is nurtured by the spirit in recognition of truth, as taught by the sons of Mosiah and their companions.  It is a conversion that was completed and cemented by the visitation of the Holy ghost as each convert embraced a testimony of the gospel.

There are many things that can be discussed and learned from these chapters.   I would be remiss if I didn't mention the inspiring and instructive address by king Anti-Nephi-Lehi.  His words were more than just a sermon and they were more than an eloquent plea for obedience.   King Anti-Nephi-Lehi wove a tapestry of persuasive symbolism, rich with gospel truth.   Re-read chapter 24 of Alma and as you do, consider the symbolism:

• "All we can do to repent" = the extent to which man must go to truly repent
• "Our stains" = sin
• "Bright swords" = clean hearts, full repentence
• "Bury our weapons" = put off or forsake sin,  commit to righteousness
• "Blood of our brethren" = blood of Christ

There is much to think about and absorb in the king's address.   I would urge each of us to re-read and ponder it.

The end result of King Anti-Nephi-Lehi's address was that his people, clearly hearing and agreeing with the king's message, indeed buried their weapons.  Then, trusting in God, they went out to meet the oncoming horde armed only with their faith and trust.  They sacrificed their lives but not their integrity; they gave their obedience to their king and to their God; they kept their swords - and their souls - bright, thereby truly qualifying for the highest rewards of Heaven.  

How brave is that?   More to the point,  how trusting in the goodness of God!  And how righteous were the Anti-Nephi-Lehites!

Don

About the Kings of the Lamanites - Mosiah 9 - Alma 22

This post concerns the kings of the Lamanite nation, from Zeniff's time (about 200 B.C.) to Alma's escape from Helam (about 120 B.C.) and then to the missionary days of the sons of Mosiah's (90-77 B.C.).

In my last post I referred to the Lamanite king of Ammon and Aaron's time as king Laman because the narrative didn't identify the king's actual name.   I've gone back to Mosiah 9 - 24 (subbing for a gospel doctrine teacher) where I read in Mosiah chapter 9 and in Mosiah chapter 24 that the Lamanite king of Zeniff's time and of Alma's time were both called Laman.  This made me think about the king's of the Lamanites as they pertain to Zeniff,  Noah,  Limhi, Alma and the missionary sons of Mosiah.  Here is my proposition:  The Lamanite king that Aaron converted (and Ammon fought and subdued) is the direct descendant of the Lamanite king that Zeniff negotiated with 110 to 120 years earlier.  Come along with me,  or at least humor me, in an exercise of logic, guessing, assumptions,  and total speculation...

Let's first document the Lamanite kings we know about in these chapters of the Book of Mormon:

• Lamanite king A (LK-A):  First appears in Mosiah 9:10. The narrative tells us that his name is Laman.  He was the king that Zeniff negotiated with to inhabit Lehi-Nephi and Shilom.  Chapter 9 heading gives the time as 200 - 187 B.C. but if Zeniff's story starts in 200 B.C. and if it took Zeniff a couple of years to recruit,  plan,  organize, prepare and travel to Lehi-Nephi, we can assume the date is about 198 B.C. when king Laman meets Zeniff.  King Laman's death is remarked in Mosiah 10:6 after 22 years of peace which came after a couple years of turmoil.
• Lamanite king B (LK-B):  He is the son of king Laman (KL-A).  He is introduced in Mosiah 10:6, but his name is not given.  According to the record that was kept, he was a enemy to Zeniff's people and stirred up the Lamanites against them.
• Lamanite king C (LK-C):  This king is referenced in Mosiah 19:15 when Limhi was forced to pay tribute money as a condition of the truce between Limhi's people and the Lamanites.  King LK-C broke the truce and led his army against Limhi's people to punish them for stealing the Lamanite daughters (Mosiah 20).  He was left for dead by his retreating army,  was found by Limhi's people and nursed to health.  When he was convinced by Limhi that the Nephites had not abducted the Lamanite girls, he pled with his army to spare the Nephite people.
• Lamanite king D (LK-D):  We first hear of this king in Mosiah 23:29, about 122 - 120 B.C. in connection with Alma the elder.  Mosiah 24 tells us that his name is Laman.  I am making the assumption that he was the king who sent his armies after Limhi's people and was also the king who authorized Amulon (king Noah's former priest) to rule over Alma's people.
• Lamanite king E (LK-E): This is the king over the Lamanite nation of Ammon and Aaron's time.   We learn of him in Alma 20:8.  He was king Lamoni's father; Ammon fought with and subdued him when he angrily drew his sword to kill Lamoni for refusing to slay Ammon.  Afterward, being impressed with Ammon's love for Lamoni and touched by Ammon's words, he was thoroughly converted by Aaron's teachings.

Here's a table of time frames extrapolated from what we know (T.L.1):

King	Dates	Remarkable Events
LK-A	~ 200 B.C. – 176 B.C.	His name is Laman.  He allowed Zeniff’s people to live in Lehi-Nephi and Shilom.  Sent armies to battle with Zeniff’s people, followed by 22 years of peace.
LK-B	176 B.C. – 152 B.C.*	Son of king Laman (LK-A).  Stirred up Lamanites against Zeniff’s people and sent Lamanite armies against them.
LK-C	152 .B.C.* - 129 B.C. *	Limhi was a tributary monarch to this king.  LK-C led his armies against Limhi’s people,  and was left for dead on the battlefield.  Later he pled with his armies to spare Limhi’s Nephites.
LK-D	129 B.C.* - 106 B.C.*	His name is Laman.  His armies pursued Limhi’s people as they escaped.  He granted Amulon  lordship over Alma’s people in Helam.
LK-E	106 B.C.* - 82 B.C.*	Lamoni’s father; was converted by Ammon’s example and by Aaron’s teachings.  He declared religious freedom throughout his realm.

I also have prepared an alternate time line table (T.L.2):

King	Alternative Dates	Remarkable Events
LK-A	~ 200 B.C. – 174 B.C.	His name is Laman.  He allowed Zeniff’s people to live in Lehi-Nephi and Shilom.  Sent armies to battle with Zeniff’s people, followed by 22 years of peace.
LK-B	174 B.C. – 145 B.C.*	Son of king Laman (LK-A).  Stirred up Lamanites against Zeniff’s people and sent Lamanite armies against them.
LK-C	145 .B.C.* - 112 B.C. *	(In this timeline, LK-C and LK-D are the same person – king Laman.  Limhi was a tributary monarch to this king.  Laman led his armies against Limhi’s people,  and was left for dead on the battlefield.  Later he pled with his armies to spare Limhi’s Nephites.  Years later, his armies pursued Limhi’s people as they escaped.  He granted Amulon  lordship over Alma’s people in Helam.
LK-D
LK-E	112 B.C.* - 82 B.C.*	Lamoni’s father; was converted by Ammon’s example and by Aaron’s teachings.  He declared religious freedom throughout his realm.

* Note that these dates, where not corroborated in the scripture, are guestimates.  I have made the supposition that a king was old enough to rule properly when assuming the monarchy.  Some kings probably lasted longer than others, so my dates reflect this assumption as well.

Zeniff's record began in 200 B.C., so I assumed that the first failed attempt to inhabit Lehi-Nephi, Zeniff's return to Zarahemla, co-opting the resources to try again, the journey back to Lehi-Nephi and the negotiations with king Laman took 2 years, putting us at year 198 B.C.  King Laman ruled for at least 22 more years,  which takes us to 176 B.C. (174 B.C. in T.L.2)

King LK-B, son of Laman (LK-A) assumed the monarchy after his father died,  about 176 - 174 B.C.  My guess is that he probably was king for 24 - 30 years, which takes us to about 152 B.C. (145 B.C. in T.L.2).

King LK-C, son of LK-B, became king in 152 B.C. (145 B.C. T.L.2).  He led his armies against the Nephites of king Limhi to punish them for the disappearance of their daughters in about 142 B.C.and continued to rule until about 129 B.C.

King Laman, LK-D, ruled from 129 B.C. to about 106 B.C.  He was the king who granted Amulon, king Noah's former priest, the right to rule over Alma the elder and his people at Helam.  In time line 2 (T.L.2), This king and LK-C are the same person, who ruled until 112 B.C.

Finally,  king LK-E, Lamoni's father, ruled from about 106 B.C. (112 B.C. T.L.2) to about 82 B.C. We read in Alma 24 that this king named his son the new king and later that year passed away, which happened,  in my guess, by about 82 B.C.

In thinking about the first timeline (and in discussions with my trusted advisor, you know who you are) I came up with the second time line which has LK-C and LK-D being the same person.  This tme line has kings ruling for a little longer than the first time line...  It also has LK-E (Lamoni's father) being a little older than in the first time line.

Honestly, I think either time line is possible.  Of course, none of this is scientific and apart from date ranges given in the chapter headings,  as well as a few dates dropped here and there, the time lines are only speculation.

My original proposition, that king LK-E, whom Aaron converted, is the direct descendant of the king Laman (LK-A), whom Zeniff dealt with110 to 120 years earlier, seems to pan out,  at least in my thinking.   It appears to me that LK-E is LK-A's great grandson or great-great grandson.

What is the point in all this?  Can we learn or gain anything from wondering and speculating about things we read in the scriptures?  Here is what I got out of this exercise: at times I have wondered if people can change and become a better person.  This shows me that it is possible to improve yourself;  king LK-E did.  In spite of his upbringing,  traditions, customs, culture,  inheritance or personal actions,  he changed his life.  He not only changed to a righteous person,  he sacrificed his kingdom and inheritance,  which had existed for generations,  to embrace the gospel.   He also made it possible for thousands of his people to do likewise and change their lives forever.   Can people change?   Oh, yes... A resounding yes.

I also found that by wondering and pondering about things I read in the Book of Mormon and other scriptures I become more invested in it...  I love it all the more,  it becomes more understandable and more believable.   My testimony of the scriptures grows.  I hope you get something out of this too.
Don

Aaron and the King - Alma 22 - 23

As you may recall,  the last post was about Aaron's missionary success after experiencing multiple missionary rejections.  I would like to continue with the story of Aaron teaching king Laman (if that was his name; I'll call him that since we aren't told what his name really was.  Just know that I am referring to Lamoni's father who was the king of the Lamanite nation).

I think we can learn from king Laman and the way he embraced the word of God, which had been demonstrated by Ammon and taught and demonstrated by Aaron.

King Laman felt the prickings of the spirit after his encounter with Ammon.  "And I will also grant unto thee that thy brethren may be cast out of prison, and thou and thy brethren may come unto me, in my kingdom; for I shall greatly desire to see thee. For [I, the] king was greatly astonished at the words which [Ammon] had spoken, and also at the words which had been spoken by [the king's] son Lamoni, therefore [I, the king] was desirous to learn them" (Alma 20:27).  "I have been somewhat troubled in mind because of the generosity and the greatness of the words of thy brother Ammon; and I desire to know the cause why he has not come up out of Middoni with thee" (Alma 22:3).

Clearly,  the Holy ghost had been working on king Laman; don't his words make this evident?   This reminds me of similar instance that we read of in the Pearl of Great Price:  "During this time of great excitement my mind was called up to serious reflection and great uneasiness; but though my feelings were deep and often poignant, still I kept myself aloof from all these parties... I often said to myself: What is to be done? Who of all these parties are right; or, are they all wrong together? If any one of them be right, which is it, and how shall I know it?  While I was laboring under the extreme difficulties caused by the contests of these parties of religionists, I was one day reading the Epistle of James, first chapter and fifth verse, which reads: If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.  Never did any passage of scripture come with more power to the heart of man than this did at this time to mine" (Joseph Smith History,  3, 10-12).

The spirit of the Holy ghost works on people the same way throughout the ages because God is unchangeable,  his word is unchangeable,  and his ways are everlasting.  "By these things we know that there is a God in heaven, who is infinite and eternal, from everlasting to everlasting the same unchangeable God, the framer of heaven and earth, and all things which are in them" (Doctrine & Covenants 20:17).  To me,  it is things like this - seeing that the Holy ghost is constant in his influence upon men and women - that prove beyond a shadow of a doubt that the Gospel is true.

King Laman was prepared for his conversion when Aaron and his companions arrived at the city Nephi.  The missionaries must have employed the Holy ghost to a remarkable degree in teaching the king and his household, for king Laman expressed his deep desire to know God: "What shall I do that I may have this eternal life of which thou hast spoken? Yea, what shall I do that I may be born of God, having this wicked spirit rooted out of my breast, and receive his Spirit, that I may be filled with joy, that I may not be cast off at the last day? Behold, said he, I will give up all that I possess, yea, I will forsake my kingdom, that I may receive this great joy" (Alma 22:15).  This has to be one of the most beautifully poetic expressions of yearning for God's love and forgiveness that I have ever read or heard.  Aaron replied to the king:  "If thou desirest this thing, if thou wilt bow down before God, yea, if thou wilt repent of all thy sins, and will bow down before God, and call on his name in faith, believing that ye shall receive, then shalt thou receive the hope which thou desirest" (Alma 22:16).

The king followed Aaron's instruction, and bowing himself to the ground, he prayed:  "O God, Aaron hath told me that there is a God; and if there is a God, and if thou art God, wilt thou make thyself known unto me, and I will give away all my sins to know thee, and that I may be raised from the dead, and be saved at the last day" (Alma 22:18).  The king's prayer, along with his expression of desire before it, are both sublime and instructive. Here are a couple of things I have learned from this event:  

--  The Lord prepares a way for those who will believe His words to be taught.  Aaron was led to king Laman's court when the king was spiritually ready.  As an indication of how ready the king was, think of what king Laman offered to Ammon to spare his life (up to half his kingdom), versus what he offered to the Lord to allow him to know God's love (all he possessed and the forsaking of his kingdom).  King Laman was definitely prepared for the spiritual feast he received.

--  The Lord is pleased with His children who have a great desire to feel His presence...  Both king Laman and his son Lamoni, after learning from their missionary teachers, were blessed to be carried away in the spirit.  There they received sure knowledge of the Gospel, assurance of the Lord's forgivness, and a sure testimony as a result of this great spiritual manifestation.

--  King Laman first offered to give up all of his material things to receive the Lord's countenance.  Then he offered to give away all of his sins to know God and be with Him.  Neither thing would be easy for any of us to do, but I think the hardest of the two would be to give away our sins - to literally refuse to sin any more.  We are human, and are subject to mortal desires and whims.  As Aaron's grandfather, king Benjamin explained: "I cannot tell you all the things whereby ye may commit sin; for there are divers ways and means, even so many that I cannot number them" (Mosiah 4:29).  It would take a great act of self control to be able to stop all sinful thoughts and actions, but fortunately we are given a lifetime to practice being obedient sons and daughters of God.  May we each take king Laman's expressions as our motto; may we each hold his example as our model.

What next followed was very much like what took place when Lamoni was converted; king Laman fell prostrate to the earth as if he were dead.  The servants, frightened by what happened, told the queen.  The queen, however, reacted differently than Lamoni's wife did:  She commanded the servants to slay Aaron and his companions, but when she saw they were afraid to do this (who wouldn't be, with what they had just witnessed), she sent them out to gather the people to come to her aid.  Aaron, sensing the danger, raised the king, and the king converted his wife, his servants, his household, and many of the people of his land.  King Laman proclaimed that the Nephite missionaries should have free access to teach his people, and as  a result, many Lamanites were converted to the Lord, gave up their sins and lived righteous lives thereafter (see Alma 23: 3-7).

The Lord has a mission for us to do.  We may not be asked to leave our homes and be missionaries for 14 years, but we may be asked to share our beliefs, to live as examples, and to provide loving service to people who are ready for the gospel.  We may be asked to serve our neighbors in ways that stirs, awakens and intensifies spiritual feelings in their hearts.  Decide now that you will follow the promptings when they come.  Pray for the Lord to give you opportunities to touch other people's lives.  Ask the Lord to open the hearts of your friends and neighbors.

This part of the Book of Mormon always touches my heart.  I hope you feel the spirit of the Lord as you read along.

Don

Aaron's disappointments and successes - Alma 22 -23

It's not easy to be a missionary.  Any missionary will tell you that for every success he or she has had there were many rejections and disappointments.   While Ammon, the exception to this generalization,  was successfully teaching in the city of Ishmael, his brother Aaron was experiencing the rejections and disappointments that I have been referring to.   Aaron had little or no success during the first part of his mission...  Consider these rejections:
At the city of Jerusalem they contended with the Amalakites and Amulonites, who were of the order of Nehors.  They mocked them, spit upon them and utterly rejected their teachings.   In Ani-Anti, they met up with Muloki, Amman and their companions.  There they contended with the people who rejected their message of gospel truth.  In Middoni they taught but were put into prison where they suffered terrible treatment until Ammon and Lamoni rescued them.  After being released "they went forth again to declare the word, and thus they were delivered for the first time out of prison" (Alma 21:15).  They were persistent and the Lord blessed their efforts: "And they went forth whithersoever they were led by the Spirit of the Lord, preaching the word of God in every synagogue... And it came to pass that the Lord began to bless them, insomuch that they brought many to the knowledge of the truth" (Alma 21:16-17).  I haven't been very persistent in missionary work during my life,  but I hope I can learn from Aaron's example.   I hope each of us will be able to emulate Aaron's dedication.

Aaron and his companions were then "led by the Spirit to the land of Nephi, even to the house of the king which was over all the land save it were the land of Ishmael; and he was the father of Lamoni" (Alma 22:1).  There Aaron used the technique that Ammon had employed to serve the king: He offered to be the king's servants.  The king would not have it : "Arise, for I will grant unto you your lives, and I will not suffer that ye shall be my servants; but I will insist that ye shall administer unto me" (Alma 22:3).

The old king told Aaron that Ammon's words and actions had haunted him.  When Aaron explained that Ammon had been called by the spirit to another way,  the king said  "What is this that ye have said concerning the Spirit of the Lord? Behold, this is the thing which doth trouble me.  And also, what is this that Ammon said—If ye will repent ye shall be saved, and if ye will not repent, ye shall be cast off at the last day?" (Alma 22:5-6).  In response, Aaron asked the king a basic, yet important, question:  "Believest thou that there is a God?" (Alma 22:7).  This was indeed a fundamental question to ask of the king, for everything that Aaron could teach him depended upon his acceptance of a supreme Being.  This is also true in our lives.  Do we believe with all our hearts in the existence of God, not as a tradition of our parents and ancestors, but a true belief in a literal being?  In order to love Heavenly Father and obey His commandments we must believe in Him.  In order to fully receive His blessings in our lives, we must believe in, love and obey Him.  In order to truly be His faithful sons and daughters, we must believe He exists, loves us and wants us to know Him.  It starts with truly believing in Him.

Aaron, who must have carried the spirit of the Lord with him during this interview, received the kind of answer he had hoped for from the king:  "I know that the Amalekites say that there is a God .... And if now thou sayest there is a God, behold I will believe" (Alma 22:7).

Aaron proceeded to teach the king about God, the creation and the fall of man and need for the atonement.  These truths moved the king greatly, who exclaimed "What shall I do that I may have this eternal life of which thou hast spoken? Yea, what shall I do that I may be born of God, having this wicked spirit rooted out of my breast, and receive his Spirit, that I may be filled with joy, that I may not be cast off at the last day? Behold, said he, I will give up all that I possess, yea, I will forsake my kingdom, that I may receive this great joy" (Alma 22:15).

Any missionary will tell you that this expression of desire is what they hope for when they begin to teach an investigator - an expression of their desire to come to know God the Father and their willingness to do anything to feel His presence in their lives.  Through Aaron's teachings the king and his whole household became converted to the Lord.  The king sent a proclamation throughout the land that the Lamanite people "...should not lay their hands on [Aaron and his brothers and companions] to bind them, or to cast them into prison; neither should they ... cast them out of their synagogues ... but that they should have free access to their houses, and also their temples, and their sanctuaries" (Alma 23:2). The result of this unprecedented proclamation was that "Aaron and his brethren went forth from city to city, establishing churches, and consecrating priests and teachers throughout the land among the Lamanites, to preach and to teach the word of God among them; and thus they began to have great success.  And thousands were brought to the knowledge of the Lord" (Alma 23:4-5).

Aaron, after rejections, disappointments, sorrows and trouble, finally found a golden teaching moment.  May we each be able to experience a similar moment.  It may come from introducing a friend, a newly moved-in neighbor or a long time acquaintance to the Gospel.  The "golden" moment may spring from teaching a sibling, aunt or uncle.  It may come from meeting a stranger and striking up a conversation.  The spirit moved Aaron to go to the land of Nephi, and that same spirit moves us to speak up when the opportunity arises.  No matter how our golden moment comes, may we each follow Aaron's example and be bold at that moment of opportunity.

Don

Trying to Catch Up - Alma 19 - 21

I'm afraid I have indulged myself in the last few posts and dwelt on a chapter or two in Alma.   There are so many nuggets of truth to be talked about in this part off the Book of Mormon!  But I must move on, so I'm going to mention a few points of interest as I summarize the events of the next few chapters.  I expect you, dear reader, to dig out the nuggets that I have not uncovered and discussed.

While Lamoni, his wife, their servants and Ammon were all sunk to the floor in communion with the spirit of the Lord, a number of people came to marvel at what was happening.  Ammon was miraculously protected when one man in the crowd, whose brother was slain during the incident at the well,  lifted his sword against Ammon.   Lesson: the Lord is aware of his faithful servants and protects them to fulfill His promises.

Everyone who had sunk to the floor awakened and administered to the large group of people who had assembled.   Some accepted their testimony and were converted - those that would hear the things that Lamoni and the "sleepers" testified of.  However, some would not hear (just like in our day) ; they went away without being converted and may or may not have had another opportunity to accept the gospel afterward.   Lesson:  It is up to every individual to "hear" the words of God and to accept the gospel.   The Lord will not deny us our freedom to choose.  And some will discard their opportunity for conversion no matter what because they will not "hear" what the Holy ghost testifies to them.

Ammon learned from the Lord that he must go to Middoni to free his companions, and Lamoni accompanied him.   Along the way they met Lamoni's father, who is the king over all the land.  The great king confronted Lamoni about missing the feast he had planned for his sons and also about being in the company of a Nephite.  Angered by Lamoni's response, the old king drew his sword and contended with Ammon,  but Ammon subdued him and threatened to slay him unless he granted his brethren at Middoni their freedom and also allowed Lamoni to freely reign over his kingdom. The old king agreed to the terms, and Lamoni and Ammon proceeded to Middonni and secured the release of Ammon's brethren.  The king of all the land returned to his home.  In thinking about this confrontation, a few things came to mind.  Let me share:

1) Lamoni's father, the king over all the land, must not have brought any guards with him.  If he had, we would have read about Ammon contending with the guards instead of with the old king.  Doesn't it seem odd that the great king, the monarch of the Lamanite nation, is traveling about the land without bodyguards?  Speculation alert: I think that the Lord arranged it so that Ammon would be able to subdue the king and elicit the promises from him that he made. Those promises opened the way for many, many Lamanites to be converted to the Lord, so I think my speculation may be accurate.

2) Regarding the interaction that resulted with the promises that the old king made, it seems to me that the narrative is missing something...  The verbal interchange we read between the king and Ammon went sorta like this:
   Ammon: Don't kill Lamoni,  he's innocent
   Old king: You're right,  I should kill you instead
   (Sword fight,  Ammon injures the old king)
   Old king: Don't kill me,  I'll give you anything you want
   Ammon: Let my brethren out of prison and leave Lamoni alone or you're dead meat
   Old king: Ok,  it's a deal
I know,  it wasn't quite that succinct,  but read what the king (Lamoni's father) said about this encounter afterward:  "when [the old king] saw the great love [Ammon] had for his son Lamoni, he was astonished exceedingly" (Alma. 20:26).  And a couple of chapters later: "I have been somewhat troubled in mind because of the generosity and the greatness of the words of thy brother Ammon; and I desire to know the cause why he has not come up out of Middoni with thee" (Alma. 22:3).  It seems to me that Ammon must have done some major spiritual convincing to have moved the king so completely, but we don't read about what was said in detail.  On the other hand,  maybe it wasn't what Ammon said, but what the Holy ghost accentuated that touched the king so deeply.  At any rate, what we read is what Ammon related to Alma, who recorded it, which was then abridged by Mormon and later translated by Joseph Smith.  My point is, the Lord has provided us with enough to learn a lesson from and to build our testimonies on.

3) I wonder about how old Lamoni's father was at this point...  We know that he was old enough to have multiple sons who were ruling parts of the overall kingdom.  Lamoni, one of the old king's sons,  was old enough to have a daughter that he offered to Ammon as a wife, and his father, the old king was a generation older than that.  We read a few chapters later that the old king died and one of Lamoni's brothers took his place.  There really is no point to this observation, accept to relate something that occurred to me as an interesting detail.  We can be assured that the Lord allowed details like this to be included so that we can be convinced of the truthfulness of the Book  of Mormon.

My testimony of the Book of Mormon - that it came forth through the power of God, and was written to convince us that Jesus is the Christ - is always strengthened when I read it and think about it.  I have had the holy Spirit testify that the Book of Mormon is truly a record of God's interaction with and influence on His people in the ancient Americas.  I hope as you read and ponder each chapter of the Book of Mormon that you will allow the Spirit's influence to work upon you.  We are promised that we will know it is true if we read it an ask sincerely:  "Behold, I would exhort you that when ye shall read these things, if it be wisdom in God that ye should read them, that ye would remember how merciful the Lord hath been unto the children of men, from the creation of Adam even down until the time that ye shall receive these things, and ponder it in your hearts.  And when ye shall receive these things, I would exhort you that ye would ask God, the Eternal Father, in the name of Christ, if these things are not true; and if ye shall ask with a sincere heart, with real intent, having faith in Christ, he will manifest the truth of it unto you, by the power of the Holy Ghost" (Moroni 10:3-4).

Don

Hearing a Testimony - Alma 19 - 20

This is sort of the flip side of my last post,  which was about conversion stories.   This time I want to talk about receiving the testimonies of others.   Let's look at some examples.

First we go to king Lamoni and his wife, the queen.  "as [Lamoni] arose, he stretched forth his hand unto the woman, and said: Blessed be the name of God, and blessed art thou.  For as sure as thou livest, behold, I have seen my Redeemer; and he shall come forth, and be born of a woman, and he shall redeem all mankind who believe on his name. Now, when he had said these words, his heart was swollen within him, and he sunk again with joy; and the queen also sunk down, being overpowered by the Spirit" (Alma 19:12-13).

The queen had previously felt the spirit of the Lord and had the start of a testimony from Ammon's prophecy that her husband would arise.  When Lamoni arose from his bed, the Queen received his testimony, felt the spirit's profound presence and was overcome by the power of her husband's words.  Her strength left her and she fell to the floor beside king Lamoni.

The king's servants had a similar experience: "Now, when the servants of the king had seen that they had fallen, they also began to cry unto God, for the fear of the Lord had come upon them also, for it was they who had stood before the king and testified unto him concerning the great power of Ammon...  And it came to pass that they did call on the name of the Lord, in their might, even until they had all fallen to the earth" (Alma 19:15-16).

The servants, who had seen Ammon in action, both in defending the king's flocks and in teaching the king, felt the power of Lamoni's brief testimony.   They were motivated to pray and were all overcome by the powerful spiritual manifestation, sinking to the floor by their king and queen.

Ammon, like the king, the queen,  and the servants, was overcome by Lamoni's testimony and the spirit everyone in the room felt: "Ammon seeing the Spirit of the Lord poured out according to his prayers upon the Lamanites, his brethren, who had been the cause of so much mourning among the Nephites, or among all the people of God... he fell upon his knees, and began to pour out his soul in prayer and thanksgiving to God for what he had done for his brethren; and he was also overpowered with joy" (Alma 19:14).

I don't know about you,  but I can't say that I have ever been overcome by the spirit to the point that I've fallen to the floor.  I have been moved to tears,  however, by the spiritual strength of some of the testimonies I've witnessed.  But there have been other times (I'm embarrassed to admit) that I have not felt the spirit of the testimony that was being shared.

What about you?   Have you sometimes felt the Holy ghost's presence during a testimony,  and sometimes not?  What was the difference?

It could be argued that one factor is the testimony itself... that when certain people share their testimony that it just isn't spiritual.  Case in point - the travelogue testimony.  I get very impatient when someone goes on and on in great detail about something that I have little interest in,  and I tune them out.  But when I do,  I miss something... I miss out on understanding why the person who is testifying was inspired to stand up in the first place.  More importantly,  I miss out on the spirit that moved this person to stand and share.  Who loses in that case?  I do.

The are many reasons a person may miss the point of someone's testimony.  Environmental factors (I'm hot;  I'm cold; the seat is to hard) or personal circumstances (I'm mad at my spouse or child or neighbor;  I don't feel well) can effectively block the spirit's influence.   We may be distracted by insistent thoughts or persistent memories, or perhaps by a grumpy mood or by (my personal favorite) having  inappropriate music stuck in your head.

Yes, there are myriad ways to miss the spiritual part of someone's testimony.  However, there is great reward in pushing aside the distractions,  in making the effort to feel the spirit of the testimony and finding the value of the message that is given.  The Savior said "Draw near unto me and I will draw near unto you; seek me diligently and ye shall find me; ask, and ye shall receive; knock, and it shall be opened unto you" (D&C 88:23).

So,  what can be done to counteract the things that keep us from feeling the spirit?  First,  recognize that the effort is needed and will be rewarded (as indicated in section 88 shown above).

Second, preparation.  If we recognize the things that distract us from feeling the spirit's influence, we must make an effort to eliminate the distractions.  Repair and eliminate the distractions in advance.  "But I say unto you, that whosoever is angry with his brother shall be in danger of his judgment.  Therefore, if ye shall come unto me, or shall desire to come unto me, and rememberest that thy brother hath aught against thee— Go thy way unto thy brother, and first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come unto me with full purpose of heart, and I will receive you" (3 Nephi 12:22-24).  Do the things that would invite the presence of the Holy Ghost into your life:  Read and ponder the scriptures; pray often and sincerely; attend church meetings and attend to your calling.  Arrive at church meetings with time to sit and contemplate to the sound of the quiet prelude music.

Next,  we should realize that receiving a testimony is somewhat like adding a log to a campfire.  If we receive and really feel the spirit of the testimony, our spirit burns brighter,  and that spirit is likely to catch on to someone near by.  "That which is of God is light; and he that receiveth light, and continueth in God, receiveth more light; and that light groweth brighter and brighter until the perfect day" (D&C 50:24).  Of this passage,  President Dieter Uchdorf said: "The more we incline our hearts and minds toward God, the more heavenly light distills upon our souls. And each time we willingly and earnestly seek that light, we indicate to God our readiness to receive more light. Gradually, things that before seemed hazy, dark, and remote become clear, bright, and familiar to us" ("Receiving a Testimony of Light and Truth", The Ensign,  November 2014).  Thinking in this vein, we actually have an obligation to spiritually 'get' the testimony being given.

One last thought to keep in mind: the Lord has said "Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as [a] little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven.  And whoso shall receive one such little child [or a child's testimony] in my name receiveth me" (Matthew 18:4-6).  When we receive a person's testimony - especially if we receive it joyfully - the Lord rejoices.

It is my hope and prayer that we each will labor diligently to receive the testimonies of others with gladness, and thus be spiritually rewarded by our loving heavenly Father.

Don

Alma 19 - The Stages of Conversion

What is your conversion story?  What happened that really started your testimony of the Savior and His gospel?  Have you thought about it enough to know where your testimony came from?  

Some people, who have believed in Christ all their lives, would have a hard time telling of a particular instance when they began to believe.   Others know the exact moment when the Savior became integral to their existence.   Many were converted because they believed the testimony of another person, started to look into that person's beliefs and their testimony grew.  Some have had a spiritual manifestation that began their testimony and changed their lives  Such are the conversion stories of king Lamoni and his wife, the queen (unfortunately we aren't told her name).  Here's what happened with king Lamoni...

"And it came to pass that after [Ammon had taught] all these things, and expounded them to the king, that the king believed all his words.  And he began to cry unto the Lord, saying: O Lord, have mercy; according to thy abundant mercy which thou hast had upon the people of Nephi, have upon me, and my people.  And now, when he had said this, he fell unto the earth, as if he were dead.  And it came to pass that his servants took him and carried him in unto his wife, and laid him upon a bed; and he lay as if he were dead for the space of two days and two nights" (Alma 18:40-43)
"And it came to pass that he arose, according to the words of Ammon; and as he arose, he stretched forth his hand unto the [queen], and said: Blessed be the name of God, and blessed art thou.  For as sure as thou livest, behold, I have seen my Redeemer; and he shall come forth, and be born of a woman, and he shall redeem all mankind who believe on his name." (Alma 19:12-13)

King Lamoni had a spiritual manifestation,  such a one that is very uncommon throughout the religious history of the world.  Quite plainly, it had a marvelous, everlasting effect on him.  Notice that the spiritual manifestation came after he listened to and believed the things that Ammon taught him.

Now let's look at the queen's conversion,  or the first part of her story:
"Now the queen having heard of the fame of Ammon, therefore she sent and desired that he should come in unto her.  And she said unto him: The servants of my husband have made it known unto me that thou art a prophet of a holy God, and that thou hast power to do many mighty works in his name; Therefore, if this is the case, I would that ye should go in and see my husband, for he has been laid upon his bed for the space of two days and two nights; and some say that he is not dead, but others say that he is dead and that he stinketh, and that he ought to be placed in the sepulchre; but as for myself, to me he doth not stink.  Now, this was what Ammon desired, for he knew that king Lamoni was under the power of God; therefore, he went in to see the king...
"And he said unto the queen: He is not dead, but he sleepeth in God, and on the morrow he shall rise again; therefore bury him not.  And Ammon said unto her: Believest thou this? And she said unto him: I have had no witness save thy word, and the word of our servants; nevertheless I believe that it shall be according as thou hast said.  And Ammon said unto her: Blessed art thou because of thy exceeding faith...  And it came to pass that she watched over the bed of her husband, from that time even until that time on the morrow which Ammon had appointed that he should rise." (Alma 19:4-11).

Lamoni's wife,  the queen, had a different conversion story from her husband, yet in many ways they were similar.   She heard the testimony of the servants,  who apparently were converted when they saw and heard Ammon teach the king.   She felt the spirit as Ammon, a prophet,  told her that Lamoni would rise.  She trusted the feelings she was given.   She believed.  (Soon after this, the queen, along with the king, Ammon, and many of the servants, fell, being overcome by the Spirit).

Take a few moments and ponder the commonalities between these two conversion stories.   Do you see how they are different yet similar?   As I read this account I realized that these conversions have significant elements in common.  Let me list what I observed:

• The element of Hope
• Desire to hear and know the truth
• Trust in the witness of a man of God
• Actively Listening
• Putting away doubts and not holding on to them
• Recognizing and Believing the truth
• Feeling the spirit testify
• Acting on the truths taught and testimony given

Both the king and the queen exhibited most,  if not all,  of the elements I have listed.   Examples:
Hope, Desire, Trust - "Ammon ... said unto Lamoni: Wilt thou hearken unto my words, if I tell thee by what power I do these things?  And the king answered him, and said: Yea, I will believe all thy words" (Alma 18:22-23)  "... [Ammon said to the queen] He is not dead, but he sleepeth in God ... Believest thou this? And she said unto him: I have had no witness save thy word, and the word of our servants; nevertheless I believe that it shall be according as thou hast said" Alma 19:8-9)

Both the king and the queen trusted the spirit that Ammon spoke with; this is  clearly displayed in these verses.   I won't cite passages that display the rest of the elements I've listed. .. I would rather that you, dear reader, examine these chapters and find them.  That would be a good exercise.

One last comment about conversion stories and the chapters we've been looking at:  the testimony that grows from conversion is meant to be shared.  We've seen this to be the case with other prophets we have been reading about...  We'll see that this is the case as we continue to read in the book of  Alma and the rest of the Book of Mormon.

Don

Alma 18: Caught with Guile

Chapter 18 begins the story of the conversion of king Lamoni, his wife,  his household and many of his people.   King Lamoni's conversion leads to the conversion of his father (the king of the Lamanite nation), and to the conversion of many of the Lamanites of that land. As you may recall, Ammon had been in the service of king Lamoni and had miraculously preserved the king's flock and the servants who were tending them.   We pick up the story as the king invites Ammon to tell him of the power that Ammon held.

Ammon got to teach the king by impressing him with his works of selfless service.  "And it came to pass that king Lamoni inquired of his servants, saying: Where is this man that has such great power?  when king Lamoni heard that Ammon was preparing his horses and his chariots he was more astonished" (Alma 18:8-10).

The servants were already won over,  and they told the king that they believed that Ammon was the great spirit.  When Ammon came into the king's presence,  the king marveled at what the servants had told him and didn't dare speak to him,  but Ammon percieved his thoughts.   The king was astounded that Ammon could know what he was thinking and said: "How knowest thou the thoughts of my heart? Thou mayest speak boldly, and also tell me by what power ye slew and smote off the arms of my brethren that scattered my flocks.  And now, if thou wilt tell me concerning these things, whatsoever thou desirest I will give unto thee..." Alma 18:20-21).

Ammon said to the king "Wilt thou hearken unto my words, if I tell thee by what power I do these things? And this is the thing that I desire of thee" (Alma 18:22).  The king's answer: "Yea, I will believe all thy words" (Alma 18:23).

There are two phrases from this story that stick in my head.

Verse 22 says that Ammon was "wise yet harmless" when the king offered to give Ammon whatever he asked for...  Ammon truly had God's glory in mind because he only wanted the king to believe what he would teach.    This reminds me of the Savior, when Satan offered the power and glory of the world,  "Again, the devil taketh [Jesus] up into an exceeding high mountain, and sheweth him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them; And saith unto him, All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me.  Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve" (Matthew 4:8-10).

Do we value or membership in the church?   Do we consider our testimony to be precious, worth more than anything?  What would I give up to do the Lord's will?  These could be hard questions,  at least to some.   I have a long way to go before I am in Ammon's league.   Fortunately,  God loves each one of us and is patiently helping us along.   I believe that any one of us can be an Ammon, given the right circumstances.  Our job is to continually widen the scope of those circumstances until we are like Ammon,  and then further still until we have become like Christ.

Verse 23 says that when king Lamoni agreed to Ammon's seemingly innocuous request "will you hearken to my words" that he was caught with guile.   What is guile?

I find it interesting that this word is used, since many dictionaries give the word a rather negative connotation.   Www.merriam-webster.com defines the word:   "deceitful: cunning: duplicity : the use of clever and usually dishonest methods to achieve something".  I don't see Ammon's actions in eliciting a promise from king Lamoni as any of these things.  Merriam-Webster also shows a definition that is deemed obsolete:  "stratagem, trick".  Another definition, one that I think better fits Ammon and king Lamoni's interchange, comes  from www.yourdictionary.com:  "slyness shown in a charming way; slyness and cunning in dealing with others".  Keep in mind that verse 23 of Alma 18, in which the word is used, was translated from another language in 1829.  In the intevening time it is possible that the word's connotation has changed,  just as many other words have.  Reading this passage, I see that Lamoni's offer to give Ammon anything he wanted showed a remarkable desire to know truth and an amazing amount of trust in Ammon, who he had so recently come to revere.  It shows Ammon to be a trustworthy man who only desired to share the Lord's gospel with someone who had been prepared to receive it.  We should each cultivate these qualities:  desire to search for truth and righteousness; willingness to abandon earthly things for heavenly precepts; trustworthiness; and willingness to share gospel truths. 

Ammon taught Lamoni about God, the creator of heaven and earth, and how He "...looketh down upon all the children of men; and he knows all the thoughts and intents of the heart; for by his hand were they all created" (Alma 18:32).  King Lamoni, indicating that he believed Ammon, asked him if he came from God.  Ammon replied "I am a man; and man in the beginning was created after the image of God, and I am called by his Holy Spirit to teach these things unto this people, that they may be brought to a knowledge of that which is just and true;  And a portion of that Spirit dwelleth in me, which giveth me knowledge, and also power according to my faith and desires which are in God" (Alma 18:34-35).  This is an important point, one I would like to emphasize.  We are earthly creatures, created in the image of God and a portion of His spirit dwells with us when we do what is right.  We are capable of great things, as God's children, especially when we rely on the spirit that dwells in us.  We choose what our lives will become and thereby choose the eternal reward that will be given to us.  Each Sunday we can learn different ways to be righteous.  Each weekday we can exercise our freedom to make good choices.  Like Ammon, we can use our faith in God to develop righteous desires.

Ammon taught Lamoni (and those in his chambers) about the creation and fall of man,  the coming of Christ and the redemption of mankind, and about their forefathers interactions with each other.  Afterward, the king indicated again that he believed what Ammon had taught.  Then Lamoni, evidently overwhelmed in spirit, "...began to cry unto the Lord, saying: O Lord, have mercy; according to thy abundant mercy which thou hast had upon the people of Nephi, have upon me, and my people" (Alma 18:41).  This should probably be the plea each of us makes as we kneel in prayer to our heavenly Father.  Our Father in heaven is merciful to his children, I have seen it in my lifetime.  I know He loves us.  May we each petition our Father for His mercy, and then trust in His watchful care.

Don