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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?

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