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

Mission to the Lamanites Begins - Alma 17

The events of this chapter are well known,  but let me briefly summarize:  The sons of Mosiah departed for regions inhabited by the Lamanites,  taking others they had chosen with them.   The journey apparently isn't easy and takes its toll,  but the missionaries persevere.  After preparing together,  they parted and went their separate ways.

This is a remarkable chapter about a remarkable and inspiring story.  Here are my observations about them.

The sons of Mosiah showed mighty concern for their brethren, the Lamanites, in spite of very real danger and hardships.  Indeed, they "desired of [the king] that he would grant unto them that they might ... go up to the land of Nephi that they might ... impart the word of God to their brethren, the Lamanites— That perhaps they might bring them to the knowledge of the Lord their God ... for they could not bear that any human soul should perish" (Mosiah 28:1-3).
Do you care about someone and worry about their well-being?   Of course you do,  if you have a family or children or parents or friends.   Are you willing to face danger for their sake?  The sons of the king were so concerned about  the Lamanites that they were willing to go into areas where they would probably be imprisoned,  beaten,  or killed.   This is true Christ-like love.

As we read about the sons of Mosiah, we learn about mission preparation.  They prepared themselves physically:  "...and [they] took their swords, and their spears, and their bows, and their arrows, and their slings; and this they did that they might provide food for themselves while in the wilderness." (Alma 17:7).  They were also well-prepared spiritually.  "...they traveled throughout all the land of Zarahemla, publishing all the things which they had seen, and explaining the prophecies and the scriptures to all who desired to hear them.  And thus they were instruments in the hands of God in bringing many to the knowledge of the truth, yea, to the knowledge of their Redeemer" (Mosiah 27:33,35-36).  Modern day missionaries must also prepare themselves physically for the demands of living 24x7 to teach the gospel.  They must be prepared to be guided by the Holy Ghost to go to the places they must go and to say the things they should say.

The sons of Mosiah learned to trust in the Lord to protect them.  They trusted the Lord to provide opportunity for the them and to lead them to where they could be fruitful:  "...they fasted much and prayed much that the Lord would grant unto them a portion of his Spirit to go with them, and abide with them, that they might be an instrument in the hands of God to bring, if it were possible, their brethren, the Lamanites, to the knowledge of the truth," (Alma 17:5)

As they prepared to go their separate ways, the Lord directed them to be good emissaries:  "...And the Lord said unto them also: Go forth among the Lamanites, thy brethren, and establish my word; yet ye shall be patient in long-suffering and afflictions, that ye may show forth good examples unto them in me, and I will make an instrument of thee in my hands unto the salvation of many souls" (Alma 17:11)

Ammon then blessed his companions, providing them with the authority to perform the Lord's work:  "Now Ammon, being the chief among them, did administer unto them, and he departed from them, after having blessed them according to their several stations, having imparted the word of God unto them" (Alma 17:18).

These passages not only show how to prepare for a mission but also motivates us to be good missionaries.  My prayer is that as we follow the examples set by the sons of Mosiah that our missionary efforts will be fruitful - both as full time missionaries and as member missionaries.

As we continue in Alma chapter 17, we learn that service to others is critical to teaching the Gospel.  The narrative brings us with Ammon, who goes to the land of Ishmael, where he is taken by the inhabitants of that area before the king.  Ammon is questioned by the king, and; "...king Lamoni was much pleased with Ammon, and caused that his bands should be loosed; and he would that Ammon should take one of his daughters to wife.  But Ammon said unto him: Nay, but I will be thy servant. Therefore Ammon became a servant to king Lamoni" (Alma 17:24-25).

"... [after Ammon was in the] service of the king three days, as he was with the Lamanitish servants going forth with their flocks to the place of water, which was called the water of Sebus, and all the Lamanites drive their flocks hither, that they may have water ... A certain number of the Lamanites ... stood and scattered the flocks of Ammon and the servants of the king,
"Now the servants of the king began to murmur, saying: Now the king will slay us, Now they wept because of the fear of being slain ... [Ammon said unto them] be of good cheer and let us go in search of the flocks, and we will gather them together and bring them back unto the place of water; and thus we will preserve the flocks unto the king and he will not slay us" ( Alma 17:26-29,31).

Ammon saw an opportunity to win the hearts of the king's servants:  "...Now when Ammon saw this his heart was swollen within him with joy; for, said he, I will show forth my power unto these my fellow-servants, or the power which is in me, in restoring these flocks unto the king, that I may win the hearts of these my fellow-servants, that I may lead them to believe in my words." (Alma 17:26)
Notice the reason Ammon was joyful with the situation "... that I may lead them to believe in my words".  Ammon knew that the gospel message he wanted to share would more likely be received if the the servants trusted and respected him.  He also knew that the message would be best received if delivered in the vehicle of love,  and he risked his life to display that love.  "Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends" (John 15:13).  Do you know someone you would like to share the Gospel with?   Get to know them;  get to love them;  make sure they know that you love them.

In my next post, we learn about how Ammon taught and converted the King, his household, and many of his kingdom.  We learn about teaching with power and authority.  I will also discuss a couple of things that caught my attention...

Don