9 And thus ended the eleventh year of the judges, the Lamanites having been driven out of the land, and the people of Ammonihah were destroyed; yea, every living soul of the Ammonihahites was destroyed, and also their great city, which they said God could not destroy, because of its greatness.
10 But behold, in one day it was left desolate;…
As Mormon relates the tragic story of the destruction of Ammonihah, he points out that the entire city was destroyed in a single day. Just a few chapters earlier, he told how the Ammonihahites had taunted Alma, saying, “We will not believe thy words if thou shouldst prophesy that this great city should be destroyed in one day” (Alma 9:4). I’m not sure why they would say such a thing. It sounds as though they were saying, “No matter how dramatic your pronouncements, no matter how damaging to us your prophecies, we will not listen to you. We refuse to accept anything you say, no matter what it may be.”
Alma prophesied that the city would be destroyed if the people did not repent. But he didn’t say that it would happen in a single day. According to Mormon’s record, it was the people who said that, as they rejected the messenger God had sent to them. The fact that it actually happened in a single day illustrates two principles:
Alma prophesied that the city would be destroyed if the people did not repent. But he didn’t say that it would happen in a single day. According to Mormon’s record, it was the people who said that, as they rejected the messenger God had sent to them. The fact that it actually happened in a single day illustrates two principles:
- If you think you’re invincible, it’s not true.
- Heavenly Father pays attention to what we say.
Today, I will remember the power of God. I will trust Him and seek to submit my will to His. I will remember that any wealth, position, or possessions which I might obtain can be taken from me very quickly, and I will avoid arrogance and stubbornness due to a perception of my own strength.
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