There are some many amazing things taught in Mosiah 27. There is the incredible story of Alma and the son's of Mosiah overcoming their sins, choosing to repent, and this zealous fury of work trying to fix their wrongs. These young men overcame a very serious sin, preaching and teaching against the Lord and His church, and became some of the post powerful missionaries that worked the remainder of their lives to bring people closer to the Savior. There is definitely a beautiful story of redemption here and a reminder that the reach of the Savior's Atonement is limitless but what stood out so me was the actions of righteous people and a loving father.
In Mosiah 27:14 when the angel of the Lord has appeared to Alma (the younger) and the son's of Mosiah he says: "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 though 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."
So I do not in this moment want to down play Alma and his faith and efforts in this miracle occurring in his son's life, however there are a few words I think that get over looked when we traditionally talk about this experience in Sunday School or with our families: it was the prayers of his people and that the prayers of his servants might be answered according to their faith that the angel was here. Alma and most likely King Mosiah II were not the only ones praying. The righteous friends and acquaintances of these parents knew what Alma (the younger) and the son's of Mosiah were doing. Maybe their own children were being led away by Alma's (the younger) flattering words (Mosiah 27:8), or maybe they themselves were being persecuted for their beliefs and were tired of it. Reason doesn't really matter here, the point is righteous servants of the Lord (which can be all of us) united in prayer for another soul.
This group did not just stop praying after the angel came but continued their efforts as Alma (the younger) laid dumb. Alma (the older) calls all of the priests together, "and they began to fast, and to pray to the Lord their God that he would open the mouth of Alma that he might speak, and also that his limbs might receive their strength--that the eyes of the people might be opened to see and know of the goodness and glory of God. And it came to pass after they had fasted and prayed for the space of two days and two nights, the limbs of Alma received their strength, and he stood up and began to speak unto them, bidding them to be of good comfort" (Mosiah 27:22-23).
Are our efforts at prayer and fasting always going to be answered in the way we suspect or hope? The Lord's will and timing always effects the outcome but there is power in prayer and fasting and uniting together for the welfare of ourselves and others. Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin taught: "Fasting in the proper spirit and in the Lord's way will energize us spiritually, strengthen our self-discipline, fill our homes with peace, lighten our hearts with joy, fortify us against temptation, prepare us for times of adversity, and open the windows of heaven" ("The Law of the Fast", April 2001, General Conference). That is a lot of specific and limitless (windows of heaven) blessings that can come from our efforts of prayer and fasting on behalf of righteous things even if the outcome we hoped for isn't what occurs.
I have a very strong testimony of prayer and fasting because of my efforts and experience trying it in my own life. Being divorced is so hard you guys for a lot of reasons but one of the hardest things for me is letting my kids walk out that door every summer for two months. I didn't have children with the plan of missing out on any part of their lives or missing those "first moments" but this is where life has me. The first time my kids went with their dad for the summer and as I prepared them to go I just kept thinking...."I can't do this. How am I supposed to do this? Every part of me is going to break as I do this." It honestly feels like that moment where you are skiing, biking, or boating and you know an accident or fall is about to happen and you know it is going to hurt but there is nothing you can do to stop it.
As friends and family further probed me to expound beyond the "I'm fine" comments about the upcoming summer and realized how worried, sad, and scared I was my aunt suggested we put together a fast and not just one day but for all the days my kids would be gone. The idea was hatched to put together a calendar and invite friends and family to sign up for a day so that someone was fasting specifically for me and my kids each day that they were gone. I wasn't sure I new enough people to make this happen but was amazed at the ward members, friends, co-workers, family, and neighbors that got on board. Before I knew it there were some days that summer with multiple people fasting each day.
You guys, miracles happened that summer. Things happened that I didn't even know was possible or needed. My heart was softened to trust my Heavenly Father and Savior. I was shown how the Atonement can help with the hurt and the pain. I experienced the blessings Elder Wirthlin declared would come with fasting: a home filled with peace and a lighter heart.
I hope you take a moment to reflect on your experience with intent prayer and fasting. Maybe it was a recent as April 10th and the world wide fast President Nelson called for or maybe you are feeling that nudge to hold your own fast for something you are worried about. Do what Sister Coleman did, try it, act in faith to see it work in your life, I know it will.
In Mosiah 27:14 when the angel of the Lord has appeared to Alma (the younger) and the son's of Mosiah he says: "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 though 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."
So I do not in this moment want to down play Alma and his faith and efforts in this miracle occurring in his son's life, however there are a few words I think that get over looked when we traditionally talk about this experience in Sunday School or with our families: it was the prayers of his people and that the prayers of his servants might be answered according to their faith that the angel was here. Alma and most likely King Mosiah II were not the only ones praying. The righteous friends and acquaintances of these parents knew what Alma (the younger) and the son's of Mosiah were doing. Maybe their own children were being led away by Alma's (the younger) flattering words (Mosiah 27:8), or maybe they themselves were being persecuted for their beliefs and were tired of it. Reason doesn't really matter here, the point is righteous servants of the Lord (which can be all of us) united in prayer for another soul.
This group did not just stop praying after the angel came but continued their efforts as Alma (the younger) laid dumb. Alma (the older) calls all of the priests together, "and they began to fast, and to pray to the Lord their God that he would open the mouth of Alma that he might speak, and also that his limbs might receive their strength--that the eyes of the people might be opened to see and know of the goodness and glory of God. And it came to pass after they had fasted and prayed for the space of two days and two nights, the limbs of Alma received their strength, and he stood up and began to speak unto them, bidding them to be of good comfort" (Mosiah 27:22-23).
Are our efforts at prayer and fasting always going to be answered in the way we suspect or hope? The Lord's will and timing always effects the outcome but there is power in prayer and fasting and uniting together for the welfare of ourselves and others. Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin taught: "Fasting in the proper spirit and in the Lord's way will energize us spiritually, strengthen our self-discipline, fill our homes with peace, lighten our hearts with joy, fortify us against temptation, prepare us for times of adversity, and open the windows of heaven" ("The Law of the Fast", April 2001, General Conference). That is a lot of specific and limitless (windows of heaven) blessings that can come from our efforts of prayer and fasting on behalf of righteous things even if the outcome we hoped for isn't what occurs.
I have a very strong testimony of prayer and fasting because of my efforts and experience trying it in my own life. Being divorced is so hard you guys for a lot of reasons but one of the hardest things for me is letting my kids walk out that door every summer for two months. I didn't have children with the plan of missing out on any part of their lives or missing those "first moments" but this is where life has me. The first time my kids went with their dad for the summer and as I prepared them to go I just kept thinking...."I can't do this. How am I supposed to do this? Every part of me is going to break as I do this." It honestly feels like that moment where you are skiing, biking, or boating and you know an accident or fall is about to happen and you know it is going to hurt but there is nothing you can do to stop it.
As friends and family further probed me to expound beyond the "I'm fine" comments about the upcoming summer and realized how worried, sad, and scared I was my aunt suggested we put together a fast and not just one day but for all the days my kids would be gone. The idea was hatched to put together a calendar and invite friends and family to sign up for a day so that someone was fasting specifically for me and my kids each day that they were gone. I wasn't sure I new enough people to make this happen but was amazed at the ward members, friends, co-workers, family, and neighbors that got on board. Before I knew it there were some days that summer with multiple people fasting each day.
You guys, miracles happened that summer. Things happened that I didn't even know was possible or needed. My heart was softened to trust my Heavenly Father and Savior. I was shown how the Atonement can help with the hurt and the pain. I experienced the blessings Elder Wirthlin declared would come with fasting: a home filled with peace and a lighter heart.
I hope you take a moment to reflect on your experience with intent prayer and fasting. Maybe it was a recent as April 10th and the world wide fast President Nelson called for or maybe you are feeling that nudge to hold your own fast for something you are worried about. Do what Sister Coleman did, try it, act in faith to see it work in your life, I know it will.
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