Ammonihah was destroyed in a day, just as the leaders had declared could never happen. (See Alma 9:4.) The Lamanites destroyed it in a surprise attack, when the Nephite army was unprepared. But the Nephite commander successfully drove them out after consulting with Alma, who learned by revelation where the Lamanite army would go. After that, Alma and Amulek resumed their ministry, preaching in all the land.
Chapter Outline
- The Lamanites attack; Ammonihah destroyed in one day (v. 1-3, 9-11)
- Zoram leads the Nephite army to victory (v. 4-8)
- Alma and Amulek preach in all the land (v. 12-21)
My Takeaways
- We are not invincible, even when we’re tempted to do so.
- We can learn crucial information by the spirit of prophecy to help us fulfill our responsibilities.
- We can share the gospel continually and without judgment.
Featured Blog Posts
❖ Ammonihah destroyed – Alma 16:1-3, 9-11
In One Day – Alma 16:9-10
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…
❖ Zoram’s victory – Alma 16:4-8
Having Heard That He Had the Spirit of Prophecy – Alma 16:5-6
5 Therefore, he that had been appointed chief captain over the armies of the Nephites, (and his name was Zoram, and he had two sons, Lehi and Aha)—now Zoram and his two sons, knowing that Alma was high priest over the church, and having heard that he had the spirit of prophecy, therefore they went…
❖ Church established – Alma 16:12-21
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…
Without Any Respect of Persons – Alma 16:13-14, 16-17
13 And Alma and Amulek went forth preaching repentance to the people in their temples, and in their sanctuaries, and also in their synagogues, which were built after the manner of the Jews. 14 And as many as would hear their words, unto them they did impart the word of God, without any respect of…
As Many as Would Hear Their Words – Alma 16:14
14 And as many as would hear their words, unto them they did impart the word of God, without any respect of persons, continually. (Alma 16:14) My favorite word in these verses is “continually.” That is how we need to do missionary work — as a normal part of our everyday lives, not as a…
Receive the Word with Joy
The impact of a message depends on its content, its delivery, and its reception. If your heart is darkened by cynicism, you may fail to receive and appreciate amazing messages from God. We need to learn to receive—and keep receiving—God’s word with joy.
Old Testament Foundations
“Open His Eyes”
When Elisha’s young servant arose early one morning, he was alarmed to see the city Dothan surrounded by horses and chariots. Syria was at war with Israel, and the king of Syria had heard that Elisha was helping the king of Israel, much like Alma would later help Nephite military leaders (2 Kings 6:8-12; see…
“Would God My Lord Were With the Prophet!”
She was a young Israelite woman, who had been captured by the Syrian army and was now a slave in the house of Naaman. She felt empathy toward her master, who was captain of the Syrian army but who was afflicted with leprosy. She said to Naaman’s wife, “Would God my lord were with the prophet that is in…
Thou Shalt Not Commit Adultery
On Mount Sinai, the Lord commanded, “Thou shalt not commit adultery” (Exodus 20:14). The prophet Abinadi reiterated this commandment as he spoke to the priests of King Noah. (See Mosiah 13:22.) A number of years later, priests led by Alma denounced “adultery, and all manner of lasciviousness, crying that these things ought not so to…
New Testament Parallels
No Respecter of Persons
God doesn’t show favoritism. The Greek word prosopolemptes means literally “countenance-taker.” The word appears in our Bible as “respecter of persons.” God doesn’t favor people based on worldly measures of success—and neither should we.
Church History Connections
Follow the Prophet
Two different military leaders asked Alma for guidance on two different occasions. Notice how similar these two stories are: Now Zoram and his two sons, knowing that Alma was high priest over the church, and having heard that he had the spirit of prophecy, therefore they went unto him and desired of him to know…
All Posts Referencing Alma 16
- Receive the Word with Joy (6/30/2024)
- Testimony of Jesus = Spirit of Prophecy (12/30/2023)
- No Respecter of Persons (7/18/2023)
- “Open His Eyes” (7/10/2022)
- “Would God My Lord Were With the Prophet!” (7/6/2022)
- Abram and Lot: No Strife (2/10/2022)
- The Raven, the Dove, and the Olive Leaf, or How Did Noah Know? (2/2/2022)
- Poured Out (10/3/2021)
- Thou Shalt Not Commit Adultery (6/9/2021)
- “Inquire of the Lord” (1/7/2021)
- Sixteen Cities (9/17/2020)
- Follow the Prophet (8/5/2020)
- No Inequality (6/21/2020)
- “He Hath Lied Unto Us” – Alma 10:28, Alma 12:3 (6/12/2020)
- What Does the Book of Mormon Teach About the Resurrection? (4/21/2019)
- Having Heard That He Had the Spirit of Prophecy – Alma 16:5-6 (4/3/2018)
- Without Any Respect of Persons – Alma 16:13-14, 16-17 (2/18/2017)
- In One Day – Alma 16:9-10 (2/17/2017)
- As Many as Would Hear Their Words – Alma 16:14 (6/22/2015)