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
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