Alma ended his sermon to the people of Ammonihah with an impressive elaboration on Psalm 95:7-11. Incorporating the topics of premortal life and priesthood authority, he explained how to enter into “the rest of the Lord” (Alma 13).
Tragically, the sermon was followed by an atrocity. The citizens of the community who did not believe Alma’s words brutally murdered those who did—including women and children. They also imprisoned and abused Alma and Amulek, until the Lord intervened on their behalf (Alma 14).
After being freed from prison, Alma and Amulek continued their ministry in Sidom (Alma 15). Shortly after, a Lamanite army destroyed the city of Ammonihah in one day (Alma 16).
Here is a summary of the sermon in Ammonihah: Alma and Amulek’s Sermon in Ammonihah – Alma 9-13.
Here are some blog posts relevant to this week’s chapters:
How to enter into “the rest of the Lord”
- Discovering our unique missions in life: What Is Foreordination?
- Becoming worthy to serve:What Is a “Preparatory Redemption?”
- Organizing the work of God: What Does It Mean to Be Ordained?
- Tangible faith: Why Are Ordinances Important?
- A prince of peace: Who Was Melchizedek?
- Cleansed and sanctified: What Is a High Priest?
- Drawing liberally on the Savior’s power: What Is the Priesthood?
- Repenting every day: Why Is It Important Not to Procrastinate Repentance?
- Overcoming the anxieties, irritations, and disappointments of life: That Ye May Also Enter into That Rest – Alma 13:12-13
Ministering to others effectively
- Trust God’s timing: Our Work Is Not Yet Finished – Alma 14:12-13
- Focus on the root cause, not the symptoms: Seeing a Great Check – Alma 15:17-18
- Seek guidance through revelation: Having Heard That He Had the Spirit of Prophecy – Alma 16:5-6
- Don’t judge the people you teach: Without Any Respect of Persons – Alma 16:13-14, 16-17
- Share the gospel continually: As Many as Would Hear Their Words – Alma 16:14
Blog Posts: June 16-21
Zeezrom
When Amulek stepped forward to affirm the words of Alma in the city of Ammonihah, a number of people criticized him. One of them, a lawyer named Zeezrom, questioned him extensively. But Amulek’s testimony made Zeezrom tremble and Alma’s subsequent words convinced him “more and more of the power of God” (Alma 11:46, Alma 12:7).…
Martyrdom
A martyr is a witness. The word “martyr” appears three times in the King James version of the Bible. It is a translation of the Greek word martus (μάρτυς), which is translated many other places as “witness.” Perhaps standing up for what is right always requires some courage, but when a person is willing to…
“Now Is the Time” – Alma 13:21, Alma 34:33
After teaching the people of Ammonihah about the Fall of Adam and Eve and about how to receive the grace of God, Alma issued a call to action. Extending his arm toward his audience, he proclaimed, “Now is the time to repent, for the day of salvation draweth nigh” (Alma 13:21). He urged the people…
Ministering
Amulek gave up many things when he accepted the call to serve alongside Alma. He left behind “all his gold and silver, and his precious things.” He also gave up relationships with friends and with family, including his own father. He was now homeless, so Alma “took him into his own house, and did administer…
Privilege
I’ve been thinking today about a passage from Alma’s sermon to the people of Ammonihah. Speaking of people who receive “holy callings” from God, he said: And thus they have been called to this holy calling on account of their faith, while others would reject the Spirit of God on account of the hardness of…
No Inequality
Alma’s primary goal when he gave up the office of chief judge was to address the issue of inequality among his people: He saw great inequality among the people, some lifting themselves up with their pride, despising others, turning their backs upon the needy and the naked and those who were hungry, and those who were athirst, and…
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