Powerful Teachings to a Wicked City – Alma Chapters 14 – 16

Chapters 14 – 16 of the book of Alma relate the aftermath of Alma’s and Amulek’s teachings to the Ammonihahites. I hope you’ll forgive my wordiness, these chapters give us much to learn from with respect to fulfilling our duties, withstanding abuse, faithfulness in the face of catastrophe, and other great lessons.

After Alma and Amulek finished addressing the people of Ammonihah, some of the people believed what they had been taught. “But the more part of them were desirous that they might destroy Alma and Amulek; for they were angry with Alma, because of the plainness of his words unto Zeezrom; and they also said that Amulek had lied unto them, and had reviled against their law and also against their lawyers and judges. And they were also angry with Alma and Amulek; and because they had testified so plainly against their wickedness, they sought to put them away privily” (Alma 14:2-3).

The angry people, mostly of the Order of Nehor, included the chief judge of the land, lawyers, teachers and others. They took Alma and Amulek, treated them roughly and put them in prison.

I thought it would be interesting to consider the events of these chapters from four different angles... These are versions of what happened from the perspective of each of the major participants discussed in chapters 14 through 16 of the book of Alma.

Zeezrom's story:

Although he led the charge to discredit and convict Alma and Amulek, it turned out that Zeezrom had a conscience and a spark of spirit. As Amulek and Alma spoke, Zeezrom became more and more weighed down by their words and began to tremble with his guilt. Eventually he was so affected that he was astounded at the crowd’s reaction to the teachings that profoundly affected him. Zeezrom protested to the treatment of Alma and Amulek by his former allies, saying “Behold, I am guilty, and these men are spotless before God” (Alma 14:7). As a result, Zeezrom is mocked, accused of being insane, driven out and had stones thrown at him. Heavily weighed down by his guilt, Zeezrom made his way to Sidom with the other outcast believers. He was so affected by his sins and actions that he came down with a burning fever.

When Alma and Amulek finally arrived in Sidom, Zeezrom took heart because they were alive, after he thought they had been killed because of his actions. Zeezrom asked to see Alma and Amulek, and they came to his sick bed where he asked for them to heal him. Although it doesn’t mention it in the narrative, I believe that Zeezrom sincerely sought for Alma’s and Amulek’s forgiveness. Lesson alert: Can we truly be magnanimous toward someone who may have offended or harmed us in some way? As the Savior said: “I, the Lord, will forgive whom I will forgive, but of you it is required to forgive all men” (Doctrine & Covenants 64:10).

Alma, desiring to heal Zeezrom, asked him if he believed the Savior could heal him. Zeezrom replied "yea, I believe all thy words" (Alma 15:7). Alma clarified his first question, saying “If thou believest in the redemption of Christ thou canst be healed” (Alma 15:8). This clarification should be noted: When we truly believe in Christ, many blessings can be, and are, given to us. What does it mean to truly believe in the redemption of Christ? Ponder that carefully, and remember that Jesus himself said: “Therefore, what manner of men ought ye to be? Verily I say unto you, even as I am” (3 Ne 27:27). Live our lives to emulate the Savior’s example.

Zeezrom told Alma “Yea, I believe according to thy words” (Alma 15:9). Alma blessed Zeezrom and he was healed by the power of God; he leaped to his feet, cured of his maladies. We read that he went about teaching the Gospel... Later in the book of Alma we read of Zeezrom accompanying Alma on a mission to the Zoramites. Clearly Zeezrom’s life was turned around from his encounter with Alma and Amulek. I think Zeezrom’s conversion is comparable to Alma’s conversion, with Alma playing the part of the angel of the Lord. I wonder if Alma felt there was a similarity between Zeezrom and himself. I wonder if we feel gratitude to those who helped us obtain and build a testimony. I hope we each have the opportunity to be a spiritual mentor to someone else.

The Believers’ story:

“And it came to pass after he had made an end of speaking unto the people many of them did believe on his words, and began to repent, and to search the scriptures” (Alma 14:1). Is it any surprise that such powerful spiritual addresses as was given at Ammonihah would touch many people listening? Have you ever been moved to tears by a general conference talk? I have.

Unfortunately, the bulk of the people at Ammonihah were beyond feeling spiritual things and took it out on the people who believed Alma and Amulek’s teachings. The people evicted the believers from Ammonihah, throwing stones at them to drive them away. Furthermore, they took the women and children of these believing people into custody and all those who believed were burned to death, along with their scriptures and records. I can’t imagine a more painful and horrible way to die. The interesting thing of this story is: the wicked Ammonihahites purposely, but unwittingly, destroyed the only things in their city that would prevent their total destruction… This is analogous to the Old Testament story of the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah… Abraham asks if the city will be spared for the sake of 50 righteous people… He then asks if it will be spared for the sake of 45, then 40, 30, 20 and finally 10 righteous people, and each time is given an affirmative answer (see Genesis 18:16-33). The wicked Ammonihahites basically cooked their own goose.

The believers who fled Ammonihah went to the more righteous city of Sidom and were cared for by the good people there. They probably became part of the church that Alma later established in Sidom and would have added greatly to the spirit there.

Imagine, though, receiving the awful news that their loved ones had been burned to death by the dastardly people who had so recently driven them out. Hopefully their new-found faith sustained them in such a terrible event. Many good people have terrible things happen to them. Some might rend their clothes, curse God, say “why me?” Others might cling to the hope that the Gospel Plan gives us. God’s love can bring us peace, even in awful circumstances. Testimony of God’s plan can bring us hope in the face of devastation. It’s important to fortify our faith in God and build and strengthen our testimonies on a daily basis.


The other two stories will be in my next post…


Don

Alma Continues at Ammonihah... Alma 12 - 13

In these chapters Alma addresses Zeezrom directly, but makes it clear that he was also speaking to all who were listening.   Alma was employing a good teaching tool by interacting with one person who, as a proxy, represented the entire crowd.

Alma's teachings in these chapters built upon what Amulek taught about mortal and spiritual death, the atonement, and the need to repent.  Alma expounded on the concepts Amulek taught to the people.  Being a master teacher, he used repetition to verify Amulek’s concepts, and expanded the doctrine when further instruction was possible.  This is a good example for us to follow as we are called upon to teach in our callings where there is a need to give lessons and other instruction.

These chapters are spiritual goldmines.  I don’t want to gloss over any of the things Alma covers, but due to space and time considerations, I have limited my comments to a few points of Alma's teachings:

-- On the one hand, the power of the Holy Ghost enabled Alma and Amulek to perceive Zeezrom's crafty intentions to trip them up.  On the other hand, Zeezrom's intentions were in harmony with, and inspired by, Satan.  Both parties were in tune with the one they served.  Confrontation and contention are not the best way to preach the Gospel, but sometimes cannot be avoided.  We must be in harmony with the Spirit of the Lord when we are faced with such an event.

-- During Amulek’s and Alma’s discourse, Zeezrom came to recognize that he was seriously in the wrong.  As he recognized the truth that was being taught, he began to tremble with his guilt.  As is usually the case, Satan abandoned his minion and did not support him in the end.  Satan is not out to gain our love and support.  It is not his intent to help us in our lives, or to guide us to be better people.  His only desire is to circumvent God’s work and to draw us away from God’s plan.  No matter what anyone tells us, we will only get loving, Godly support and guidance from our Heavenly Father and His servants.  We should remember this.

-- Alma reiterated that people who will receive God's word are given more and more of His word until they have a fullness of knowledge of that spiritual topic.  This is why it is important to read and study the scriptures, to attend church meetings, and to ponder Gospel concepts continually.  Those who refuse to receive the word of God, who reject gospel teachings and turn away from learning about the Gospel, are given less and less spiritual knowledge until they have none.

-- Every human being who lived, lives now, or will live will come before God to be judged of their earthly experiences and actions.  It will be a bad experience for those who haven't heeded God’s teachings or who have rejected God’s commandments.  Alma points out that for those people it is as if the atonement by the Savior did not happen.  Furthermore, these people will have never felt the hope of the atonement in their lives.

-- Alma taught that because of the events in the garden of Eden – Adam and Eve’s transgression –  mankind became a fallen people, creating a need for a Savior and for the plan of redemption.  Heavenly Father knew men needed to learn about the plan of redemption and needed to learn His commandments, and so He sent angels to teach people about these things.  God's servants teach us that we are in a state of preparation in this life and must learn and live the things His servants teach us.  He has commanded that men should refrain from sin, and if we heed His call we will be saved from spiritual death.  Heavenly Father is continually calling on us, in the name of His Son, to repent and not harden our hearts, with the promise that He would have mercy on us through the power of the atonement.  If men do harden their hearts, their iniquity provokes him to send down his wrath upon them.  Notice that this scripture says that their iniquity provokes Him, not that the sinner provokes Him.  God loves us all, equally and totally.

Alma spent time teaching the people of Ammonihah about Heavenly Father's messengers, particularly high priests.

-- Those who hold the high priesthood were (and are) called and prepared from the foundation of the world.  They exercised great faith and were chosen for their faithfulness.  Other men had the same opportunity; they started from the same background but did not exercise faith or show faithfulness.  Therefore, they were not called to be High Priests.

Faithful high priests serve in their office forever due to their faith, their repentance and their righteousness.  Melchizedek is mentioned as the exemplar high priests.

-- The high priesthood, which is also known as the priesthood after the order of His Son, is without beginning of days or end of years.  It has always existed.  This humbles me and makes me thankful for God’s willingness to share it with us.

Many of the high priests I have known truly live up to this description.  While not perfect, they strive for perfection.  If they fall short, they do their best to make up for their shortcomings and do the Lord’s work.  This is an ideal that I try to live up to, sometimes more successfully than at other times.  It is important to remember that Heavenly Father wants us to do our best, but has provided us with a way to overcome any mistakes and slip ups that may occur.

Alma then urged the inhabitants of Ammonihah, particularly those who were being so combative, to repent, without delay.  Alma taught the people that the Lord was declaring repentance to them, and would declare repentance through His angels to all people that they might avoid the second, or spiritual death.  We would do well to seek to hear His voice, spoken by His servants.  We would do well to heed Him and change ourselves to be in harmony with His word.  Although this may seem to be a hard thing to do – to transition from earthly mortal beings to Christ-like saints – it is wholly possible, with God’s help.  The atonement is for all of us.  It is meant for us to apply to our lives.

There is so much meat in these few passages, yet the concept is simple.  If we love our Father in Heaven, we will obey Him and live His commandments.  He will reward us with eternal life in His kingdom.  If we don’t obey Him and live His commandments, He cannot bestow these blessings upon us.

Don 

Round 2: Amulek vs the Ammonihahites - Alma 10 – 11

Alma chapter 10 and 11 detail Amulek’s interactions with the people of Ammonihah and the things he taught them.  After Alma's blazing condemnation of the people's wickedness, Amulek stands and addresses the crowd.  He first talks about his successful and blessed life, but admits:  “Nevertheless…  I never have known much of the ways of the Lord, and his mysteries and marvelous power… but behold, I mistake, for I have seen much of his mysteries and his marvelous power; yea, even in the preservation of the lives of this people.  Nevertheless, I did harden my heart, for I was called many times and I would not hear” (Alma 10:5-6)

Amulek then tells the people about being led to Alma by an angel and his spiritual conversion at Alma's hand.  My favorite part of this narrative:  “For behold, he [Alma] hath blessed mine house, he hath blessed me, and my women, and my children, and my father and my kinsfolk; yea, even all my kindred hath he blessed, and the blessing of the Lord hath rested upon us according to the words which he spake” (Alma 10:11).

Remember that the people had just finished rejecting Alma because he was only one man testifying of their wickedness… the people were astonished that a second witness stood to address them, and especially that he was a local man.

Some try to trip up Amulek's testimony by questioning him, thinking that they could make him contradict himself.  Alma tells us of these people:  “Now it was those men who sought to destroy them, who were lawyers, who were hired or appointed by the people to administer the law … at the trials of the crimes of the people before the judges… these lawyers were learned in all the arts and cunning of the people; and this was to enable them that they might be skilful in their profession.  Now, it was for the sole purpose to get gain, because they received their wages according to their employ, therefore, they did stir up the people to riotings, and all manner of disturbances and wickedness, that they might have more employ” (Alma 10:14-15, 11:20).  It sounds like Alma had had to deal with this kind of people before, probably when he was the chief judge of the land.

Alma tells us that through the influence of the Holy Ghost Amulek perceived their thoughts and knew that they were trying to trap him.  In response to their tricks, Amulek reiterates Alma's message forcefully,  and tells them twice: "O ye wicked and perverse generation". Alma also tells us that one of the main accusers was Zeezrom, who is a major part of the next chapter.

Almost half of chapter 11 is about the monetary system used by the Nephites.  I find this to be interesting and have pondered why Alma would devote so much attention to it.  He must have thought it was important to future readers to document the Nephite money system.

Amulek contends with Zeezrom, who tries to get him to deny his faith.  First Zeezrom tries the easy way and offers Amulek a great sum of money to deny his testimony.  It went something like this:
Z: Will you answer some questions?
A: if the spirit allows me to.
Z: I'll give you a lot of money if you'll deny that God exists (not exactly a question)…
A: Nice try, you child of hell. You would never have given me any money no matter what I said. And by the way, you well know that God exists but all you care about is money and power.

Changing tactics, Zeezrom asks about the Savior and twists Amulek's words to make an accusation.  I can imagine it going like this:

Z: You say there is a god…
A: Yes there is.
Z: Is there more than one God?
A: No.
Z: How do you know this?
A: An angel came to me and told me.
Z: Hmm… Who is this that you say will come?  Is it the son of God?
A: You got it.
Z: Will he save the people in their sins?
A: No,  he can't because he can't deny his word.
(At this point we see Zeezrom’s second attempt to trap Amulek by misrepresenting what he said):

Z:  (to the people) Did you hear what he just said?  He said there is only one God, and the son of God will come, but He won't save his people.  This guy acts like he can command God.

But Amulek doesn’t let Zeezrom get away with his fraud.  He replies:
A: Zeezrom, you’re such a liar.  You lied to these people because you said I spoke like I could command God.  What I said was that God can't deny his word.  God has said no unclean thing can enter his kingdom, so He can’t save the people in their sins.

When Zeezrom continues to ask questions about God, Amulek teaches a powerful lesson about the coming of the Savior.  He teaches:

• Jesus created the heavens and the earth.
• Jesus can't save us if we don't repent of our sins.
• Jesus came to this world to redeem his people.
• Jesus took upon himself the sins of the world.
• Jesus and his Father are one God (what we call the Godhead).

Amulek then teaches Zeezrom and the people about physical death, the resurrection and spiritual death. He teaches so well and so profoundly that the people are astonished.  In a nutshell, we learn:

• Every soul who has walked the earth or will walk the earth will experience physical death, which is the separation of our bodies and our spirits.  Because of Jesus Christ’s mission, our bodies and our spirits will be reunited again forever.
• Spiritual death is the separation of a soul from the presence of Heavenly Father.   Everyone is allowed to (and must) choose whether they will face this death or live eternally in God’s glorious presence. We will all be judged to determine if we will experience spiritual death or not.  Thanks to Jesus Christ, we can choose for ourselves.

Some lessons learned from these two chapters:

     1.     Although Amulek was a well-respected citizen of Ammonihah, he was put through the mill because of his powerful testimony.   Doing good and making right choices often isn’t easy or popular.  We must do what is right and accept the consequences (and blessings) of doing so.  We must not let anything turn us from keeping God's commands and doing what is right.
2.     Alma felt it was important for us to know the background (i.e. their monetary system) of the circumstances in these chapters.  I have always learned better when I understood the background or basis of a concept. For me, rote learning does not stick. I think this is why study of the gospel is a life long pursuit; the more we learn, the more we can learn.
3.     We each are going to die eventually, but thanks to the Savior we can look forward to living again, in perfect bodies.  What a precious gift he has given us.
4.     We each have been given the opportunity to choose if we will die spiritually.   It is not predetermined.  It is not decided for us.  We, by our choices and actions, make the decision.   The beautiful thing, the icing on the cake - so to speak - is that if we make some missteps, the Savior has paid the debt.  If we repent and live more worthy lives our mistakes will be erased and forgotten.  This is a truly remarkable gift, and how grateful we should be.
5.    The Lord loves His children… even those who are wicked and unrepentant.  He loved the Ammonihahites so much that he sent Alma to warn and teach them, and then sent him back again, this time with Amulek, another holy man.   Remember this if you are ever sad or depressed for having made a mistake… the Lord Loves You!  He wants you to return to His presence!

     May we each become as converted and stalwart as Amulek.  May we each be as brave and unwavering as Alma!

   

      Don