Sunday, March 13, 2016

Mosiah 23-24 - The People of Alma

The story of Alma the Elder and those who follow him is a powerful lesson on obedience. The lesson of this story and that of Limhi’s people is this: the sooner you get with the Lord’s program, the easier things will be for you.

I’ve always been struck by the reality that Alma and those who followed him were converted after Abinadi’s second warning, not the first. So the prophecy they would be brought into bondage applied to them too. While they were in bondage for a time to not only the Lamanites, but the priests of Noah, under Amulon, their experience was much less difficult than Limhi’s.

There’s a message, a promise, and a warning there we should always keep in mind. While Heavenly Father will work with us where we are, the more strident and prideful we are in our disobedience, the more stern will be the chastening to get our attention refocused on Him.

I’ve liked the means of their deliverance too. Before they were, God strengthened them to bear up under the tasks the Lamanites placed upon them. They were so blessed it was as if there was no burden. Then, rather than have to provide the wine to get the Lamanites drunk and asleep, the Lord caused it. I’ve always wondered what He did when He said He’d stop the army from pursuing them. In a way, I’m kinda’ glad I wasn’t there to find out.

A note about geography. The narrative says they traveled through the wilderness just twelve days before they arrived in the land of Zarahemla. In my opinion, that doesn’t necessarily mean they got to Zarahemla in twelve days, but into the land under its control. So, how many days did it take them to get to the City of Zarahemla? I don’t know. It’s just a thought.

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