Book of Mormon Sunday II- Alma 28-34

    After the people of Ammon are situated in Jershon, a mighty struggle with the Lamanites begins. This is a terrible time of war. So many people are killed; it is truly a time of great sorrow. Alma expresses his need to continue preaching when he sees, not just the death and destruction, but the spiritual death amongst those who reject the Savior.

   Alma 28:13 "And thus we see how great the inequality of man is because of sin and transgression, and the power of the devil, which comes by the cunning plans which he hath devised to ensnare the hearts of men. And thus we see the great call of diligence of men to labor in the vineyards of the Lord; and thus we see the great reason of sorrow, and also of rejoicing -- sorrow because of death and destruction among men, and joy because of the light of Christ unto life."

   If Alma could be an angel and cry repentance unto every soul he would do it with all his energy but he is just a man whose next calling it is to judge an Anti-Christ, named Korihor. Korihor's philosophy is very appealing. He speaks to the subject of being "lifted up", out of the shackles of religion and the restraints of a unknown God.

   Alma 30:18 "And thus he did preach unto them, leading away the hearts of many, causing them to lift up their heads in their wickedness, yea, leading away many women, and also men, to commit whoredoms -- telling them that when a man was dead, that was the end thereof."

  The paradox of Korihor calling for people to look up and be brought up out of religious slavery is so chilling when the reality is  that Satan has no desire to elevate man at all.

   Alma 30;60 "And thus we see the end of him who perverteth the ways of the Lord; and thus we see that the devil will not support his children at the last day, but doth speedily drag them down to hell."

  Alma is actually dumbfounded when he hears the audacious statements of Korihor.

   Alma 31:25 "Yea, and he also saw that their hearts were lifted up unto great boasting, in their pride."

   The great missionaries embark again on a journey to save souls. This time they take along, not just the sons of Mosiah, but also the sons of Alma. They are given power and strength through the atonement of Jesus Christ, to be able to go forward on this mission.

   Alma 31:38 "And the Lord provided for them that they should hunger not, neither should they thirst; yea, and he also gave them strength, that they should suffer no manner of afflictions, save it were swallowed up in the joy of Christ. Now this was according to the prayer of Alma; and this because he prayed in faith."

   Alma bears fervent testimony of the Savior, Jesus Christ. He speaks of those in the past who knew of Christ and his atoning power. Even Moses, who used the serpent on his staff to teach the power to heal that comes through our Savior.

   Alma 33:20 "But few understood the meaning of those things, and this because of the hardness of their hearts. But there were many who were so hardened that they would not look, therefore they perished. Now the reason they would not look is because they did not believe that it would heal them."

  The power to heal is known to Alma. He testifies of his own healing and the change of heart he endured. Oh, that I had some of the faith of Alma.