There was one convert to Abinadi's valiant and moving testimony, and that was Alma, one of wicked king Noah's priests. The holy spirit must have testified strongly to Alma; he was so moved by Abinadi's words that Alma stood up to the king's court and plead that Abinadi should be released and allowed to depart. This angered the king, who had Alma removed from his service and then sent his servants after him to kill him. We can thank Alma for his willingness to speak up and we can be thankful that Alma managed to escape; it was Alma who wrote down Abinadi's sermon and testimony, and it was Alma who probably was able to relate the entire incident that we have in these chapters. Some of Noah's people were also indebted to Alma... He proceeded to preach the things that Abinadi spoke of: the the need for men to repent, the need for an atonement for mankind, the coming of Christ, and Christ's sacrifice on behalf of all men that all might be redeemed.
Alma's teaching resonated with some of the people and they began to meet regularly to hear the message of salvation and to worship together. They met at a place known as Mormon which was described as a secluded, wooded and unpopulated area which gave them a private place to gather together. On one occasion Alma challenged those with him: "Behold, here are the waters of Mormon (for thus were they called) and now, as ye are desirous to come into the fold of God, and to be called his people, and are willing to bear one another’s burdens, that they may be light; Yea, and are willing to mourn with those that mourn; yea, and comfort those that stand in need of comfort, and to stand as witnesses of God at all times and in all things, and in all places that ye may be in, even until death, that ye may be redeemed of God, and be numbered with those of the first resurrection, that ye may have eternal life- Now I say unto you, if this be the desire of your hearts, what have you against being baptized in the name of the Lord, as a witness before him that ye have entered into a covenant with him, that ye will serve him and keep his commandments, that he may pour out his Spirit more abundantly upon you?" (Mosiah 18:8-10). Alma's challenge has been echoed many times in our day at baptismal meetings and in countless missionary discussions. Look at the things he mentions in these 3 verses:
-- A desire to join with "the fold of God", who are like minded people that serve the Lord,
-- A willingness to be known as the Lord's people.
-- A desire to help others: to bear others burdens and to mourn with and comfort others. In other words, to be Christ-like in dealings with other people.
-- To "stand as a witness" of God at all times, in all places.
-- To receive baptism as a token of being willing to serve the Lord and keep His commandments.
-- Stand ready to receive His spirit.
These are things that any member of the church of Christ, then or today, should continually use as a measure of their testimony and faithfulness. We should ask ourselves: Am I willing to show that I am a faithful member of Christ's church? Am I helping those who need my help? Am I standing up to testify that God's church is on the earth today? Am I furthering righteousness by my actions? Am I keeping myself ready to receive inspiration?
Some of the wording of Alma's challenge has always puzzled me: "...what have you against being baptized in the name of the Lord..." (Mosiah 18:10). It almost sounds like a question to me - what have you against... Sort of like someone saying "what have you got against me?" However, I realize that Alma wasn't asking a question... he was inviting those who desired to join the church using the colloquialism of his time. Today we might say it like this: "...If you have a testimony of the Gospel, why don't you be baptized in the name of the Lord...". It's not a question... it is gentle direction.
Alma's challenge did not go unanswered: "...when the people had heard these words, they clapped their hands for joy, and exclaimed: This is the desire of our hearts" (Mosiah 18:11). He baptized over 200 people in the Waters of Mormon on that occasion. It's not clear to me if this occasion was the first time his followers were baptized into his church, or if there were others before. In either case, they were a church devoted to the coming of the Savior and the precepts that had been taught by Abinadi and were now taught by Alma, and the were known as the church of God. Chapter 18 discusses the church's organization, teachings and the interactions of the people, both ordained priests and the members, in accordance with the Gospel they had received. I find it notable that Alma, who made a living in the king's cadre of priests, was very specific that the ordained priests of God's church should labor for their own support. The only pay they should expect for teaching the Gospel was the joy they received from the conversion and spiritual experiences of those they taught.
So king Noah discovered this movement and sent his spies to find out what was going on... where they met, who was participating, etc. He sent his army to destroy this movement, but Alma and his people were warned to flee, and flee they did. Alma took his people - now numbering about 450 souls - with their possessions and journeyed into the wilderness for 8 days, putting them beyond the reach of the king's armies.
In a beautiful land they called Helam, they began to put down their roots. We learn that the people tilled the ground, built buildings, were industrious and labored for their welfare. It is evident to us that they were living righteously, for they prospered in the land and multiplied there. They loved Alma, their leader and wanted to make him their king. Alma declined the honor, and taught the people an important truth. He said "Behold, it is not expedient that we should have a king; for thus saith the Lord: Ye shall not esteem one flesh above another, or one man shall not think himself above another... Nevertheless, if it were possible that ye could always have just men to be your kings it would be well for you to have a king. But remember the iniquity of king Noah and his priests... ye have been oppressed by king Noah... And now as ye have been delivered by the power of God out of these bonds... even so I desire that ye should stand fast in this liberty wherewith ye have been made free, and that ye trust no man to be a king over you" (Mosiah 23:7-9,13). This wise counsel given by Alma to his people is applicable to us today on a couple of levels. Firstly, when we place people into a position of government, we give them power that we submit to. We must be sure that they represent goodness and will do what is right for their constituents. Nobody can determine who WE think is the right person. It requires that we do our homework on the person we wish to vote for to determine if they represent the values we hold dear. Once a person is in power, it is often difficult to unseat them. On another level, it is important that we not allow improper habits, passions or desires in a position of power over us. Removing bad habits or immoral tendencies can be as costly as removing a wicked king from power. Leaving such habits or passions in their prominent position in our lives can be even more costly. We must choose wisely who and what rules over us.
Alma also warned his people in choosing their teachers and ministers: "And also trust no one to be your teacher nor your minister, except he be a man of God, walking in his ways and keeping his commandments" (Mosiah 23:14). Another way of saying this: "Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?" (Matthew 7:16, also see v.20 and 3 Nephi 14:16, 20). I urge each of us to 1) live so that we can be judged worthy of ministering to others; 2) use the Holy Ghost in wisely choosing by whom we will be taught. Heavenly Father wants to guide us. He has given us the ability to receive His guidance and has also given us the ability to make our own choices. Seems like these match up well together, don't you think?
In my next post we will continue with Alma and his people.
Don
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