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