Skip to main content

Alma 15-16

So yesterday I failed to mention a pretty cool part of Alma and Amulek's experience.  After watching the people killed they were put into prison where they were harassed.  Alma cried out asking what I think everyone of asks when we feel like we can't take it any more: "How long shall we suffer these great afflictions, O Lord?" (Alma 14:26) and the cords which were binding them burst and the people were hit with fear.  And then the prison walls just fell down around Alma and Amulek and they walked away not only from the prison but the city of Ammonihah. 


After the adventures and heartache of Ammonihah, Alma and Amulek arrive in the city of Sidom, Alma chapter 15.  This is the land where those who were kicked out for their belief from Ammonihah went for refuge, including Zeezrom.  Alma and Amulek had to tell the people what happened to the women and children which I can't imagine was easy.  Zeezrom was literally driven to sickness because of all his guilt and torment over his role in the events at Ammonihah. However Alma prayed to the Lord on Zeezrom's behalf and he was immediately healed.  Together the three teach and preach in the land of Sidom leading to baptisms and establishing a strong branch of the church in Sidom. 

Finally, in chapter 16 the Lamanites come into the Nephi land and destroy the people and city of Ammonihah before a sufficient army could arrive to assist.  Another example of God doing exactly what he said he was going to do, destroy this wicked group of people. 

Okay, now that you have the context of all that is going on I want to share with you one of my favorite parts of chapter 15, where we see Christ-like friendship in action.  After Alma and Amulek convert the many people in Sidom, preach, and baptism them, Alma takes Amulek home with him.  Alma welcomes Amulek in his home in Zarahemla where he did "administer unto him in his tribulations, and strengthened him in the Lord" (Alma 16:18).  Amulek just lost everything in Ammonihah....his work, most likely his wife and children, his family, his friends, his home....everything.  That had to be an extremely hard thing to do for the work of the Lord.  However, Alma takes him home and cares for him: physically, temporally, and spiritually. 

I feel like after reading about this amazing Christ like friendship this is a good time to ask yourself what kind of friend you are.  What can you do to serve your friends and family like Alma served Amulek? What about during this unique time, is there something you can still do from afar?

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Jacob 1-2

Lesson Quotes: Elder Jeffrey R. Holland “Perhaps you already know (but if you don’t you should) that with rare exception, no man or woman who speaks [in general conference] is assigned a topic. Each is to fast and pray, study and seek, start and stop and start again until he or she is confident that for this conference, at this time, his or hers is the topic the Lord wishes that speaker to present regardless of personal wishes or private preferences. … Each has wept, worried, and earnestly sought the Lord’s direction to guide his or her thoughts and expression” (“An Ensign to the Nations,” Ensign, May 2011, 111). President Hugh B. Brown “President John Taylor said on one occasion, speaking to the brethren of the priesthood: “If you do not magnify your callings, God will hold you responsible for those you might have saved, had you done your duty.” “This is a challenging statement. If I by reason of sins of commission or omission lose what I might have had in the hereafter, I mys...
Post a Comment
Read more

Matthew 18-20

Lesson Quotes: President Boyd K. Packer: “The Lord has told us, ‘Where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.’ (Matt. 18:20; see also D&C 6:32.) “There is safety in learning doctrine in gatherings which are sponsored by proper authority” (“Reverence Invites Revelation,” Ensign, Nov. 1991, 21). President Henry B. Eyring: “Because He is a resurrected and glorified being, He is not physically everyplace where Saints gather. But, by the power of the Spirit, we can feel that He is here with us today.” (April GC 2016) Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin “Have you ever seen an angry driver who, when someone else makes a mistake, reacts as though that person has insulted his honor, his family, his dog, and his ancestors all the way back to Adam? Or have you had an encounter with an overhanging cupboard door left open at the wrong place and the wrong time which has been cursed, condemned, and avenged by a sore-headed victim?” (“Come What May, a...
Post a Comment
Read more

Alma 52-63

  Quotes from Lesson:   Sister Sheri Dew “Men and women of faith are expected to have faith.  While the Lord will reveal many things to us, He has never told His covenant people everything about everything.  We are admonished to ‘doubt not, but be believing.’ But ‘doubting not’ does not mean understanding everything” (Will you Engage in the Wrestle?, BYUI, May 2016). Elder David A. Bednar Part 1: “Pahoran might easily have resented Moroni and his message, but he chose not to take offense. … “One of the greatest indicators of our own spiritual maturity is revealed in how we respond to the weaknesses, the inexperience, and the potentially offensive actions of others. A thing, an event, or an expression may be offensive, but you and I can choose not to be offended—and to say with Pahoran, ‘it mattereth not.’ … “… If a person says or does something that we consider offensive, our first obligation is to refuse to take offense and then communicate privately, honestly...
Post a Comment
Read more