Alma explains to Zeezrom that his attempt to discredit Amulek was a plan of the devil, whom he called “thine adversary,” and that God can easily overcome such plans. He explained that after we are resurrected, we will be brought into God’s presence to be judged. A leader in the city, Antionah, then asked how Alma could reconcile his concept of eternal life with a scripture story in Genesis, which indicates that Adam and Eve were cut off from the tree of life. Alma explained that they weren’t ready for eternal life yet, that they needed a period of probabation first, “a time to prepare” (Alma 12:24).
Chapter Outline
- Alma warns Zeezrom (v. 1-6)
- Alma explains Amulek’s testimony to Zeezrom (v. 7-18)
- Alma answers a question from Antionah about eternal life (v. 19-37)
My Takeaways
- We can only learn important truths from God if we open our hearts.
- When we intentionally disobey God, we separate ourselves from Him.
- Sometimes, we think we’re ready for something, but we actually need more time to prepare.
Featured Blog Posts
Psalm 95 and Alma 12-13
Alma doesn’t tell us that he’s quoting from Psalm 95, but during his sermon in Ammonihah, he elaborates on phrases and concepts from that psalm. The central message: repent now, be receptive to God, and He will give you peace and stability.
❖ Alma warns Zeezrom – Alma 12:1-6
Alma 12:5 This Was a Plan of Thine Adversary
5 Now this was a plan of thine adversary, and he hath exercised his power in thee. Now I would that ye should remember that what I say unto thee I say unto all. 6 And behold I say unto you all that this was a snare of the adversary, which he has laid to…
❖ Alma describes the Final Judgment – Alma 12:7-18
What Are the Mysteries of God?
A knowledge of the mysteries of God was important to Nephi. He knew that he was “highly favored of the Lord” because he “had a great knowledge of the goodness and the mysteries of God” (1 Nephi 1:1). His first recorded spiritual experience came because he had “great desires to know of the mysteries of…
He That Will Harden His Heart – Alma 12:9-11
9 And now Alma began to expound these things unto him, saying: It is given unto many to know the mysteries of God; nevertheless they are laid under a strict command that they shall not impart only according to the portion of his word which he doth grant unto the children of men, according to…
What Is “Fruit Meet for Repentance?”
While John the Baptist was preaching in the wilderness in Judea, a group of Saducees and Pharisees traveled to see this popular teacher for themselves. Addressing them directly, he asked why they had come, wryly attributing to them a wiser motive than curiosity: “Who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come?” he…
Virtuous Cycles
President Russell M. Nelson taught that the gospel of Jesus Christ produces a virtuous cycle in our lives. Alma gave one example: as we open our hearts, God reveals truth to us a little at a time. Repeated actions can bring incremental growth over time.
❖ Alma explains eternal life – Alma 12:19-37
What Are the Two “Provocations” Discussed by Alma?
To provoke someone is to incite them to action by arousing a strong emotion, usually anger (Oxford English Dictionary). Psalm 95 describes a provocation. The children of Israel provoked the wrath of God by following Moses reluctantly out of Egypt, by complaining incessantly during their journey, and finally by refusing to enter the promised land because…
Why Did God Prevent Adam and Eve from Partaking of the Tree of Life?
After Adam and Eve were cast out of the Garden of Eden, God placed “cherubim and a flaming sword” on the east side of the Garden of Eden. These heavenly sentinels ensured that Adam and Eve could not approach the tree of life and partake of its fruit (Moses 4:31, Genesis 3:24). Why was that…
What Is a “Probationary State?”
When Adam and Eve partook of the fruit of the tree of knowledge of good and evil, they became mortal. As the prophet Lehi explained to his sons, everything was static before that time: “If Adam had not transgressed…he would have remained in the garden of Eden. And all things which were created must have…
He Sent Angels – Alma 12:28-30
28 And after God had appointed that these things should come unto man, behold, then he saw that it was expedient that man should know concerning the things whereof he had appointed unto them; 29 Therefore he sent angels to converse with them, who caused men to behold of his glory. 30 And they began…
He Shall Have Claim on Mercy – Alma 12:33-35
33 But God did call on men, in the name of his Son, (this being the plan of redemption which was laid) saying: If ye will repent, and harden not your hearts, then will I have mercy upon you, through mine Only Begotten Son; 34 Therefore, whosoever repenteth, and hardeneth not his heart, he shall…
Old Testament Foundations
“Ye Are Gods”
In one of the Psalms, after urging us to see other people as God sees them, the author (Asaph) makes the following startling assertion: I have said, Ye are gods; and all of you are children of the most High. Psalm 82:6 Most people who believe in God would agree that we are His children. But the first half of…
The Ancient of Days
With the ancient is wisdom; and in length of days understanding. Job 12:12 There are many reasons for us to love and respect Adam and Eve. As the first man and woman on the earth, they pioneered the way for us, learning by experience so many things which we take for granted. They made our mortal experience…
“Spoken with Care”
Jesus said, “Every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment.” (Matthew 12:36). The word “idle” in this passage suggests carelessness or thoughtlessness. The speakers may not have intended to cause harm, but should have known better than to say what they did. A little more caution and restraint could have prevented the damage.…
The Perfect Day
The path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day. Proverbs 4:18 Through the prophet Nephi, the Lord gave the following promise: “Unto him that receiveth I will give more” (2 Nephi 28:30). Alma taught the same principle in the city of Ammonihah: He that will not harden his heart, to him is given the greater portion of the…
New Testament Parallels
Bridling My Tongue
James warns us to watch our words. They can be surprisingly harmful if we’re not careful. We can govern our tongues by (1) managing our thoughts, (2) pausing before speaking, and (3) looking for encouraging and uplifting things to say.
Faith and Works
Paul taught that we are saved through faith, not works. James added that we show our faith by our works. Both statements are true. Faith without works isn’t really faith. Works without faith will not invite God’s power.
Veritas Liberabit Vos
Truth makes us free for at least two reasons. First, when we don’t acknowledge our sins, we are unable to overcome them. Second, increased knowledge brings increased power. God wants to give us more knowledge, so that we can be more free.
Wheat and Tares
In one of the Savior’s parables, a farmer plants wheat in his field. In the middle of the night when no one is watching, his enemy plants tares in the same field. A tare is “an injurious weed resembling wheat when young” (Oxford English Dictionary). When the farmer’s servants realize what has happened, they ask…
Church History Connections
“Many Great and Important Things”
Commenting on the words of Isaiah, the prophet Nephi wrote: Wo be unto him that shall say: We have received the word of God, and we need no more of the word of God, for we have enough! For behold, thus saith the Lord God: I will give unto the children of men line upon line, precept upon precept, here…
A Time to Prepare
In a revelation Joseph Smith received in September 1830, the Lord urged everyone who is willing to listen to Him: …to prepare their hearts and be prepared in all things against the day when tribulation and desolation are sent forth upon the wicked. Doctrine and Covenants 29:8 Alma said that, because Adam and Eve were cast out from the…
All Posts Referencing Alma 12
- Responsive Remnants: Patterns of Righteousness in Sodom and Ammonihah (2/25/2026)
- Alma, Probation, and the Tree of Life (1/24/2026)
- The Fall of Adam and Eve (1/19/2026)
- Seeing the Face of God (8/27/2025)
- “What I Say Unto One I Say Unto All” (8/23/2025)
- That Through Him All Might Be Saved (7/11/2025)
- Biblical References in Doctrine and Covenants 76 (7/8/2025)
- “Let Us Reason” (5/20/2025)
- My Advocate, My Accuser (5/10/2025)
- Avoiding Deception (2/21/2025)
- Prepare to Be Judged (10/31/2024)
- What Is the Second Death? (9/14/2024)
- Psalm 95 and Alma 12-13 (6/27/2024)
- Virtuous Cycles (6/23/2024)
- Arraigned (6/22/2024)
- Traps and Snares (6/21/2024)
- The Plan of Salvation (4/18/2024)
- Mercy (3/26/2024)
- Testimony of Jesus = Spirit of Prophecy (12/30/2023)
- Out of Great Tribulation (12/16/2023)
- Bridling My Tongue (11/17/2023)
- Faith and Works (11/15/2023)
- Wisdom and Foolishness (8/22/2023)
- “They…Stopped Their Ears” (7/15/2023)
- Wedding Garments and Extra Oil (5/21/2023)
- Veritas Liberabit Vos (4/29/2023)
- But If Not… (11/6/2022)
- Past Performance Is Not Necessarily Indicative of Future Results (10/26/2022)
- A Tree of Life (9/4/2022)
- The Book of Psalms and the Book of Mormon (8/27/2022)
- Overcoming Temptation: Lessons from David and Corianton (6/24/2022)
- A Prophet (4/3/2022)
- Hardened Hearts (3/30/2022)
- In Process of Time (1/27/2022)
- An Help, Meet for Him (1/7/2022)
- Glory (12/28/2021)
- The Living Christ and the Book of Mormon (12/26/2021)
- “Many Great and Important Things” (12/7/2021)
- Mother Eve (12/4/2021)
- Knowledge (11/11/2021)
- The Ancient of Days (10/13/2021)
- Wheat and Tares (8/4/2021)
- “Ye Are Gods” (7/11/2021)
- “Spoken with Care” (6/12/2021)
- Brimstone (6/10/2021)
- The Perfect Day (5/11/2021)
- A Time to Prepare (3/28/2021)
- Book of Mormon References in Moroni 6 (12/5/2020)
- “Hid up unto the Lord” – Mormon 1:2, 4:23, 5:12 (10/31/2020)
- Zeezrom (6/16/2020)
- Lost (6/13/2020)
- “He Hath Lied Unto Us” – Alma 10:28, Alma 12:3 (6/12/2020)
- Knowing (6/9/2020)
- What Is a “Remission” of Your Sins? (4/23/2020)
- What Are the Mysteries of God? (1/19/2020)
- What Does the Book of Mormon Reveal? (1/1/2020)
- What Does the Book of Mormon Affirm? (12/28/2019)
- What Are the Roles of Persuasion and Punishment in Motivating Good Behavior? (12/4/2019)
- Why Would God “Inflict” Things on Us? (12/3/2019)
- What Does It Mean to “Cast Out Devils?” (10/24/2019)
- Will We Be Judged by the Apostles? (10/9/2019)
- What Does the Book of Mormon Teach About Diligence? (9/22/2019)
- What Does the Book of Mormon Teach About Education? (8/29/2019)
- What Should I Think About? (8/24/2019)
- How Can I Recognize the Temptations of the Devil? (8/18/2019)
- What Are the Two “Provocations” Discussed by Alma? (7/26/2019)
- What Should I Do When I Feel Guilty? (6/24/2019)
- What Is “Fruit Meet for Repentance?” (6/22/2019)
- What Is the Plan of Redemption? (6/16/2019)
- What Does the Book of Mormon Teach About the Resurrection? (4/21/2019)
- Why Do We Need Prophets? (4/15/2019)
- How Can I Prepare to Hear the Words of Prophets? (4/6/2019)
- Why Did God Prevent Adam and Eve from Partaking of the Tree of Life? (2/10/2019)
- What Is a “Probationary State?” (2/8/2019)
- What Does the Book of Mormon Teach About the Fall of Adam and Eve? (2/6/2019)
- Why Is It Important to Ask Questions? (1/2/2019)
- He Shall Have Claim on Mercy – Alma 12:33-35 (7/12/2018)
- Having No Preparatory State – Alma 12:26-27 (11/6/2017)
- He That Will Not Harden His Heart – Alma 12:9-11 (11/5/2017)
- He That Will Harden His Heart – Alma 12:9-11 (4/27/2016)
- From the Foundation of the World – Alma 12:25 (2/17/2016)
- He Sent Angels – Alma 12:28-30 (1/24/2016)
- “He That Will Not Harden His Heart” – Alma 12:9-11 (1/20/2016)
- “Having No Preparatory State” – Alma 12:26-27 (6/18/2015)
- We Must Come Forth and Stand Before Him – Alma 12:14-15 (6/16/2015)
- Alma 12:5 This Was a Plan of Thine Adversary (11/3/2014)