25:10
Does God answer prayers? Of course. At the same time, there are two considerations to think about.
What is the timing?
Is it God’s will?
God obviously has a much larger perspective about the world generally and us specifically. We don’t have all of the information, he does. So, we may ask for something that is right but it isn’t the right time. We may ask for something that is right from our perspective but not right in the Lord’s view.
I think the Nephites understood that the answer to many prayers are in the future. When an answer is given in short order, it’s an exception. They appreciated it when they were delivered from the Lamanites. “And again, when they thought of the immediate goodness of God, and his power in delivering Alma and his brethren out of the hands of the Lamanites and of bondage, they did raise their voices and give thanks to God.”
When we see a quick cause (prayer) and effect (answer/blessing), we can know that our timing and purposes align with God’s timing and will. It’s fantastic when that happens.
25:11
The Nephites are good, Christlike people. They care about each other AND the Lamanites. “And again, when they thought upon the Lamanites, who were their brethren, of their sinful and polluted state, they were filled with pain and anguish for the welfare of their souls.” The Lamanites are their enemies. They’ve caused mourning and difficulty to their families. Yet, they have compassion on them. They viewed them as brethren. They had empathy that they didn’t understand the plan of salvation and the path of righteousness. I can say that those Nephites are better than I.
25:15, 22
Alma preaches a very specific message. It includes:
Repentance.
Faith in the Lord.
“And Alma did speak unto them, when they were assembled together in large bodies, and he went from one body to another, preaching unto the people repentance and faith on the Lord.”
Consider the amount of topics that can be taught from the pulpit today:
Missionary work.
Prayer.
Scripture study.
Obedience.
Self-preparedness.
Tithing.
Ministering.
The second coming.
Being valiant in our testimonies.
Degrees of glory.
Forgiveness.
Being kind.
Eternal progression.
Plan of salvation.
Charity.
Being patient.
Temple attendance.
Family history.
Salvation for the dead.
Sabbath day observance.
Law of chastity.
Consecration.
Church history.
Law of Moses.
Word of wisdom.
Ten Commandments.
Being honest.
Serving others.
Handling trials.
Covenants.
Revelation.
Priesthood keys.
Promptings of the Spirit.
ALL of these COULD be taught without mentioning Jesus Christ. I’ve sat through many talks and lessons and testimonies that covered many of these topics without saying His name. I’VE given lessons myself without bringing Christ into the instruction.
That’s not to say that these topics are unnecessary. They must and should be talked about. But, with every point on the list above, I could make a direct connection to the Savior. In April Conference in 2023, I remember every talk was about Jesus Christ. That’s not to say that there weren’t other topics covered - but every topic was framed in and around the basic gospel of Jesus Christ.
I’m guessing that Alma understood that it is easy to get pulled way by ancillary topics that aren’t about Jesus Christ. He said that this is what he taught and he also ensured that every priest and teacher that was ordained were also teaching repentance and faith in the Lord. “And thus, notwithstanding there being many churches they were all one church, yea, even the church of God; for there was nothing preached in all the churches except it were repentance and faith in God.” Over the last year, we’ve made sure that every lesson centers on Jesus Christ. We even highlight his name in our outline so see how often we connect the principle back to Him.
Faith in a principle of the gospel will not save us. Only faith in Jesus Christ will lead to eternal life.
25:16
“And he did exhort the people of Limhi and his brethren, all those that had been delivered out of bondage, that they should remember that it was the Lord that did deliver them.” One of the key principles that will help us to maintain our faith is to remember what the Lord has done for us. Imagine the larger perspective we can have if we are consistently remembering. We could remember:
How involved the Lord had to be to create and preserve the Book of Mormon.
The beauty in nature - the trees, flowers, bushes, bird songs, the variety of creatures that make this world interesting.
The times that the Lord has inspired you or given you promptings.
The protection you’ve received from the Lord.
Christ’s sacrifice in the Garden of Eden and the cross.
How Heavenly Father is still working and working and working to bring to pass our immortality and eternal life.
The opportunity that we will have to be resurrected without all of the physical problems and ailments and broken body parts we currently struggle with.
If we were oriented around feelings of gratitude, how would our faithfulness change?
How would our determination improve?
How would our focus be laser-like?
How refined would our righteousness become?
How would we treat each other?
How much harder would it be to become depressed and hopeless?
We sometimes get too focused on the present and the future. We need to spend more time remembering.
26:3
“And now because of their unbelief they could not understand the word of God; and their hearts were hardened.” I have experienced this many times. I’ve spoken with family members and friends who lack faith and literally cannot understand gospel principles. It’s not that they are intentionally obstinate. It appears that their minds cannot wrap around the point. You can debate around and around and there can be no “traction” or progression in the argument.
When hearts are hardened, minds are channeled in a rut so deep that the spiritual or faithful principle is as foreign as a different language.
26:5-6; 27:8
“And now in the reign of Mosiah they were not half so numerous as the people of God; but because of the dissensions among the brethren they became more numerous.” Many who leave the church are vocal. As I’ve written before, if they are alone, the feelings or remorse or doubt or guilt become more intense. If they can find others who believe the same way, their isolation is less severe. The chances that they are wrong appear to be smaller since others have done the same thing.
If they cannot find someone who already shares their dissensions, they will naturally work to convince others of their viewpoint. It is part of our humanity to belong. If people lose that sense of belonging in the church, they will find it somewhere else. If they can’t find a group, they will create one.
What’s the most effective way to convince someone to your point? Add flattery to your argument. “For it came to pass that they did deceive many with their flattering words, who were in the church, and did cause them to commit many sins.” Here are some examples that I’m hearing today:
“Women have every right to the priesthood as the men.”
“A church that won’t allow you to attend your brother’s wedding because you don’t have a piece of paper cannot be a true church.”
“Everyone is worthy in God’s eyes. Worthiness interviews are wrong.”
“You don’t need to belong to a church to have a connection with God.”
“Your church shouldn’t demand so much of your time.”
“You’ve been brainwashed. You’re smarter than that.”
“Some old man in Utah shouldn’t control your modesty. You should be proud of your body.”
“The church should change its policies about same-sex marriage. You have a right to be sealed.”
Simply put, anytime someone is saying that you should question the Lord’s prophets, they are using flattery to pull you away from the church. Anytime someone is speaking for God, they are flattering themselves to think that they are in any position to judge the mind of God. In other words, if you ever hear a sentence begin with “There is no way that my God would…”, they are certainly flattering themselves. To believe that you know the mind of God is one of the most arrogant and narcissistic statements one can make.
The son of Alma himself was one of the flatterers. “And he was a man of many words, and did speak much flattery to the people; therefore he led many of the people to do after the manner of his iniquities.” Someone who has a strong command of language could be a great influence.
26:13
On the other hand, Alma humbly asks God for truth to be revealed. He was uncertain about how to handle those dissenters. “And now the spirit of Alma was again troubled; and he went and inquired of the Lord what he should do concerning this matter, for he feared that he should do wrong in the sight of God.” This is humility instead of arrogance. It’s possible that the voice of the Lord may have instructed Alma to do something that didn’t make sense to him - he would have followed because he is a humble follower - not an arrogant, narcissistic jerk!
26:21-28
The Lord answers Alma’s prayer. How I am understanding the Lord’s response is he is basically saying that it isn’t up to Alma to convince everyone. Instead, the responsibility is wholly on the person. “And he that will hear my voice shall be my sheep; and him shall ye receive into the church, and him will I also receive.” Disciples self-select. Jesus didn’t endlessly debate. It wasn’t his job to convince. One of Christ’s responsibilities was to teach. He said those inspired words. Those whose hearts were prepared followed. They heard and believed his voice. Their agency was always firmly in place.
“For behold, in my name are they called; and if they know me they shall come forth, and shall have a place eternally at my right hand.” It is on us to know Christ. It is our decision to come forth. Some people are very ready to recognize the word of God. As soon as they begin hearing the truths of the gospel, they accept them. They “come forth” on their own. They are golden.
If we know someone who has left the church, it is not our responsibility to convince them otherwise. It is on them. If they walk away from the truth of the gospel, they simply don’t know Jesus. “And it shall come to pass that when the second trump shall sound then shall they that never knew me come forth and shall stand before me. And then shall they know that I am the Lord their God, that I am their Redeemer; but they would not be redeemed.“ There are some that will not accept the truth even though it is right in front of them. There are those who will reject Jesus Christ AFTER they will know that he is the “Lord their God.” For some, they won’t be redeemed and, sadly, they don’t WANT to be redeemed.
26:30
It’s possible that some of us will willfully rebel in this life and the next. For the overwhelming majority of us, we are trying. We are struggling to be good. We sin but we’re working to sin less. The good news is that, if we repent, we will be forgiven. “Yea, and as often as my people repent will I forgive them their trespasses against me.” We can always repent. We must continuously repent.
26:38-39
So, what was Alma’s responsibility then if it wasn’t to convince others? “And now all these things did Alma and his fellow laborers do who were over the church, walking in all diligence, teaching the word of God in all things, suffering all manner of afflictions, being persecuted by all those who did not belong to the church of God.” We are Alma’s fellow laborers. We must:
“Walk in all diligence.” We should be actively sharing the gospel and strengthening those around us. We should be good examples of diligent discipleship.
“Teaching the word of God in all things.” We are called to teach. We should share the gospel at every opportunity where it can be normal and natural.
“Suffering all manner of afflictions.” In our work as disciples, there may be negative consequences. There may be persecution. We may be mocked. I think this is bound to get worse.
One other thing. “And they did admonish their brethren; and they were also admonished, every one by the word of God, according to his sins, or to the sins which he had committed…” The definition of admonish is to reprimand or warn. So, while we aren’t called to argue or debate, we are called to teach - including admonishment when necessary. We can’t be afraid to call out sin when appropriate. We shouldn’t shy away from opportunities to speak the truth. Some of us are too focused on being polite. I’m afraid we should be less polite and more vocal about right and wrong.
27:4
“That they should let no pride nor haughtiness disturb their peace.“ It is interesting how pride and haughtiness could affect peace. Why is that? How does that happen? If people feel better than other people, they could seek to take advantage of them. There could be coveting which could lead to theft. They could envy and gossip to bring others down so they feel elevated. Pride could motivate some to step on others on their way to riches. If we think about it, there are many, many ways that pride can lead to conflict.
27:8-9
Alma the younger was “a very wicked and an idolatrous man.” He was good with his words. “And he became a great hinderment to the prosperity of the church of God; stealing away the hearts of the people; causing much dissension among the people; giving a chance for the enemy of God to exercise his power over them.” What does it mean to steal someone’s heart? I believe it is simply when you, using words, create an emotional response that drives choices. Another phrase may be “pull on someone’s heartstrings.”
Using words, you can manipulate someone to feel outrage or pride or discontent. For example, you could convince someone that the church is unfair and unloving because they won’t seal same sex couples. In their heart, they may feel outrage at the church.
This change of heart can change their mindset and drive alternate actions. It certainly can create “dissension” in a group of people. It can cause contention. This gives space for Satan to dig into someone’s psyche. Contention or discontent or anger is Satan’s playground. If people feel those feelings, they certainly aren’t feeling the Spirit. Without the Spirit, any number of sins or bad choices can suddenly look appealing.
27:14
“And again, the angel said: Behold, the Lord hath heard the prayers of his people, and also the prayers of his servant, Alma, who is thy father; for he has prayed with much faith concerning thee that thou mightest be brought to the knowledge of the truth; therefore, for this purpose have I come to convince thee of the power and authority of God, that the prayers of his servants might be answered according to their faith.” I pray for my own children who have left the church. I pray for them daily. I write their names down at every visit to the temple. I have faith that the Lord can soften their hearts and help them return and believe Christ’s gospel. I know he can.
This scripture gives me much comfort that God can answer this greatest prayer of my heart. I have faith and know that this prayer can be answered. It is a righteous desire. I just have to be patient in the Lord’s timing.
27:24-26
Christ said that we must be born of the water and of the Spirit to enter the kingdom of God. We must be born again. What that means is fully illustrated by what happened to Alma the younger. “For, said he, I have repented of my sins, and have been redeemed of the Lord; behold I am born of the Spirit. And the Lord said unto me: Marvel not that all mankind, yea, men and women, all nations, kindreds, tongues and people, must be born again; yea, born of God…” For us to receive eternal life, we must be born again. But, what does it mean to be born again?
The Lord continued all people must be “…changed from their carnal and fallen state, to a state of righteousness, being redeemed of God, becoming his sons and daughters; And thus they become new creatures; and unless they do this, they can in nowise inherit the kingdom of God.“ The natural man is an enemy to God. We are all born into mortality and begin life as fallen creatures. This life is a continual process of refining and progressing. We are ascending. We are striving to become something different than the natural man.
We are striving to match our wills to God’s. When those wills align, we become new creatures. We want what God wants. We are changed from a “carnal and fallen state, to a state of righteousness.” This transformation isn’t earned but is a gift of redemption from Jesus Christ.
All of us are at different points in this process. We are in the process of becoming fully endowed from heaven. I participated in the temple endowment for the first time in 1990. But, I haven’t been fully endowed yet. That is still a work in process. Slowly but surely, I am becoming a new creature.
27:33; 28:3
What do disciples do? Alma explains. “But notwithstanding all this, they did impart much consolation to the church, confirming their faith, and exhorting them with long-suffering and much travail to keep the commandments of God.” Disciples comfort, confirm faith and exhort others to be obedient. Discipleship includes “long-suffering and much travail.” I can’t help but think about my mission and the struggle, and sometimes frustration, involved in helping others progress in the gospel. People’s agency can certainly get in the way of their progress. Experiencing the disappointment of others’ bad choices can be hard.
It’s frustrating for us as it’s frustrating for God. He’s experience more disappointment from others’ bad use of agency than any other being in this universe. He understands the long-suffering required when you are in the business of saving souls. All we can do is lean in and continue to diligently work at it. As we do, we will “impart much consolation” and “confirm the faith” of others. It’s a hard but beautiful work to be engaged in.
Alma and the sons of Mosiah did what they could. They were “zealously striving to repair all the injuries which they had done to the church.” Their zealousness was based in their true conversion to the gospel of Jesus Christ. I don’t think that it was guilt that was the primary driver (although there was likely some of that). I think it was more pure love and deep understanding of the plan of salvation. They now saw things clearly and felt the desire to help others see this mortal life the same way. They truly loved others.
“Now they were desirous that salvation should be declared to every creature, for they could not bear that any human soul should perish; yea, even the very thoughts that any soul should endure endless torment did cause them to quake and tremble.” They truly saw the people as their brothers and sisters and felt that sincere love that we all feel for family. The thought of one of these precious souls perishing make them “quake and tremble.” This is the epitome of love and devotion to others. This fear is part of what should drive each of us to proclaim the gospel at every opportunity.
For the people in our lives are as much brothers and sisters as were the people who surrounded Alma and the sons of Mosiah. There is no difference in relationship nor the plan that we are all participating in. We may not have the same opportunities as these ancient missionaries - but we do have some opportunities to share what we know. Let’s do it.
28:4
How did Alma and the sons of Mosiah change themselves? The truth is that they didn’t. It was the Spirit who changed them. “And thus did the Spirit of the Lord work upon them, for they were the very vilest of sinners.” It was the Spirit that did the work. Sure, they had to offer a broken heart and a contrite spirit but it was the Spirit that strengthened them. It was the Spirit that gave them the spiritual gifts that they needed to be born again and then have the ability to strengthen others. The story of Alma and the sons of Mosiah is not about men overcoming their weaknesses. It is a story of love and redemption where Jesus Christ and the Spirit are the heroes - not the humans.
This can be our story too. We can be changed by the Spirit. It’s likely that the change won’t be as dramatic as with Alma and the sons of Mosiah. But, ours is still a story of transforming from the natural man or woman to a new creature of righteousness. Again, we will NOT be the hero of the story. The hero in the plan of salvation is always Jesus Christ.
Comments