Mosiah 27

The persecutions endured by the faithful at the hands of the unbelievers became so great that Alma complained to King Mosiah. After consulting with his priests, King Mosiah sent out a proclamation throughout the kingdom that forbade the persecution of members of the Church of God. Another command was issued within the churches, ordering all people to treat one another with equal respect and love. There was to be no more arrogant pride among them. Unless they were ill, people were admonished to support themselves with the labor of their own hands. This included priests as well. By acting this way, the people of faith were promised the grace of God.

Peace came to the land of Zarahemla again as the people grew in population and spread themselves across the land. They built villages and large cities, and by God’s grace, they prospered and grew wealthy.

Among the people who disbelieved in God were King Mosiah’s sons, and one of Alma’s sons who was also named Alma. Alma2 was an immoral and idolatrous young man who spoke with a silver tongue and persuaded others to join him in his sinfulness. He became a festering sore to the Church of God by stealing the faithfulness of others and causing dissension among the people. He opened doors that the devil could not have opened otherwise. He and Mosiah’s sons had a secret plan to destroy the church by leading people astray, and by turning them against the commandments of God and King Mosiah.

One day when they were going about their deviltry, an angel of God appeared before them, descending from the sky, and speaking with a thundering voice that made the earth shake. They were so astonished that they fell to the ground and couldn’t understand what the angel had to say.

The angel cried out again, saying, “Alma, get up off the ground and tell me why you abuse the Church of God. This church has been established by God and nothing will overturn it except the sins of his people. God has heard his people’s prayers and also heard your father’s prayers about your behavior. I have come here to try and convince you of the power and authority of God, and show you that the faithful prayers of his servants are answered.

Seeing me, how can you dispute the power of God any longer? I have been sent here by God so that you can personally see me and hear me. Now, go and reflect on the slavery that your father’s people endured in the land of Helam and remember how many great things were done to deliver them into freedom. Alma, stop your efforts to injure the church any further and demonstrate that the prayers of your father and his people are answered.”

After delivering his message, the angel disappeared, leaving Alma and King Mosiah’s sons so shocked that they fell to the ground again. Alma was so stunned that he became unable to speak or move afterwards. His companions had to carry him back, helpless, to his father. When they told his father what had happened, Alma rejoiced because he knew that this had happened by the power of God.

Alma gathered a crowd together to witness God’s response to their prayers. The priests assembled themselves and began to pray that God would now show his strength by restoring Alma to consciousness, and by demonstrating to the people his power and goodness once more. After two days of prayer, Alma recovered and proclaimed that he had sincerely repented of his sins and been redeemed by God and reborn in Spirit.

“All mankind must be born again,” young Alma told them, “in order to transform themselves from their sinful state and become sons and daughters of God. Unless they become new beings, they cannot inherit the kingdom of God. Otherwise, they will be cast off from God’s grace, as I was. I have been saved, through great effort, from the fires of hell. Now, I am reborn to God. In ignorance I rejected God and denied the truth of what our ancestors have spoken. Now, I know that God will come and show himself to everyone. On judgment day, everyone will acknowledge God and tremble before his gaze.”

From that day forward, Alma and the sons of King Mosiah began to travel and teach the people about what they’d seen and heard. Ironically, they were now the recipients of the same sort of abuse that they had once showered on others who professed faith in God. Their conversion was a great consolation to the church and confirmed the people’s faith in honoring the laws of God. Alma and the king’s sons worked hard to repair the injury they’d previously done to the church, by confessing their sins and explaining the prophecies and scriptures to those who wished to receive them. They became great instruments in God’s hands, bringing knowledge and peace to the people of Zarahemla.