Alma 23-29

1. Alma 23-29 Anti-Nephi- Lehies Anti: Means in the face of or facing, as one facing a mirror and by extension either one who opposes or one who imitates (Hugh Nibley). Reciprocal, mutual action or relationship (Webster Dictionary). “The name “Anti” of “Anti-Nephi-Lehi” may be a reflex of the Egyptian nty “he of, the one of.” Thus, rather than having the sense “against,” it has the meaning “the one of Nephi and Lehi” (Stephen D. Ricks, “Anti-Nephi-Lehi,” in Dennis L. Largey, ed., Book of Mormon Reference Companion [2003], 67).

2. Anti-Nephi-Lehies 1. Buried their weapons of war 2. Never fell away 3. New Name (Semitic custom) 4. Willing to die instead of war Alma 24:17-19 It is possible that this interesting incident could have served as the source of the “bury the hatchet” tradition of showing peace which was common practice among some of the tribes of American Indians when Columbus and other white men came to their lands (Ludlow, 1976).

3. Alma 24:21-22, 26 & 28:1-12 Death of the Righteous! The Prophet Joseph Smith taught: “The only difference between the old and the young dying is, one lives longer in heaven and eternal light and glory than the other, and is freed a little sooner from this miserable, wicked world” (HC, 4:554).

4. Joseph later said, “More painful to me are the thoughts of annihilation than death. If I have no expectation of seeing my father, mother, brothers, sisters and friends again, my heart would burst in a moment and I should go down to my grave. The expectation of seeing my friends in the morning of the first resurrection cheers my soul and makes me bear up against the evils of life. It is like taking a long journey, and on their return we meet them with increase joy” (HC 5:362).

5. Alma 24:30Much to gain! Everything to lose! Joseph Smith explained this position in a conversation with Isaac Behunin. Isaac said, “If I should leave this church I would not do as those men have done: I would go to some remote place where Mormonism had never been heard of, settle down, and no one would ever learn that I knew anything about it.” Joseph replied, “Brother Behunin, you don’t know what you would do. No doubt these men once thought as you do. Before you joined this Church you stood on neutral ground. When the gospel was preached, good and evil were set before you. You could choose either or neither. There were two opposite masters inviting you to serve them. When you joined this Church you enlisted to serve God. When you did that you left the neutral ground, and you never can get back on to it. Should you forsake the Master you enlisted to serve, it will be by the instigation of the evil one, and you will follow his dictation and be his servant” (Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Joseph Smith [2007], 324).

6. Alma 25:11Abinadi was right! Many should suffer death by fire! 1. Abinadi (Mosiah 17:20) 2. King Noah (Mosiah 19:20) 3. The righteous Nephites of Ammonihah (Alma 14:8) 4. The righteous Lamanites in the “east wilderness” (Alma 25:5) 5. The wicked at the Second Coming (D&C 63:34)

7. Alma 25:13-16 The “Law of Moses” a “School Master to Christ” (Galations 3:24) Alma 26:1-16, 30, 35-37 “How great reason have we to rejoice…My heart is brim with joy.” “I know of no joy on earth that can compare with that which comes to the heart of the man who is an instrument in the hands of God of saving some soul” (Heber J. Grant, in C.R., October 1922, 188). Alma 26:3 “Abyss” – bottomless pit!

8. Alma 26:5 “Sheaves” = “Converts!” Quantities of stalks and heads of grain bound together. “Garners” = “Temples?” Alma 26:10-13 “For in his strength I can do all things!” (Philippians 4:13) Alma 26:35-36 “I will boast in my God”

9. Alma 26:27-28 “Missionary Work is still hard” What can we do when we feel depressed and ready “to turn back?” “There are times when you simply have to righteously hang on and outlast the devil until his depressive spirit leaves you… “To press on in noble endeavors, even while surrounded by a cloud of depression, will eventually bring you out on top into the sunshine” (Ezra Taft Benson, Teachings, 396).

10. “And then on that day as I read, the Spirit testified to me again, and the words remain with me even today: No one but a missionary could have written this story. Joseph Smith could never have known what it was like to be a missionary to the Lamanites, for no one he knew had ever done such a thing before” (Elder R. Burton Howard, “Ammon: Reflections on Faith and Testimony,” in Heroes from the Book of Mormon [1995], 124-25).

11. Elder Wilford Woodruff related an experience he had with persecution in his missionary work. “I was going to fill an appointment in a place which I had not before visited, called Howcross. When I arrived at the place, I found a vast assembly of people. The house, yard, and street was thronged, and among the number a mob was collected, determined to break up the meeting. However, I rose and preached the gospel unto the people, many of whom could hear notwithstanding there was much confusion created by the mob. When I closed, a number wished to be baptized, and I told those who had made the request, that notwithstanding the desperation of the mob, if they had the faith to be baptized, I had the faith enough to administer the ordinance unto them.

12. We walked to the pool, which was surrounded by the mob armed with stones. I walked into the water with my mind stayed on God and baptized five persons while they were pelting my body with stones, one of which hit me on the head and came very near knocking me down. I received no lasting injury. I complied with the request of my brethren, and left the field of labor for a season to meet with my brethren, the Twelve in Preston. When I left Herefordshire, I had labored one month and five days, and had baptized forty preachers, and about 120 members making 160 in all (Times and Seasons, 1 March, 1841, 329-30). Alma 27:27-28 “Wow!, the People of Ammon”

13. Alma 27:27 What difference does it make to have “zeal towards God?” “We cannot stand idly by, being merely an interested spectator, rather than a participating member, and still receive the blessing of eternal life” (Delbert L. Stapley, Ensign, January 1974, 45). Revelation 3:15-16; D&C 58:27. Alma 27:28 “They never did look upon death with any degree of terror.” “The expectation of seeing my friends in the morning of the resurrection cheers my soul and makes me bear up against the evils of life” (Joseph Smith, Teachings, 296).

14. Alma 29 “Alma’s Soliloquy” Alma’s prayer is that he might have even greater power to preach the Word than he has hitherto had. He has already had great success (Alma 26:13). Soliloquy = Speaking to oneself! Alma 29:1-4 I ought to be content with the things which the Lord hath allotted unto me. “Righteous desires need to be relentless, therefore, because, said Brigham Young, ‘the men and women, who desire to obtain seats in the celestial kingdom, will find that they must battle every day’ (JD, 11:14).

15. What does our desire to achieve have to do with what God will ultimately grant us? “The prophet and his leaders seek to educate our very desires, for God finally gives to each man the desires of his heart” (Neal A. Maxwell, Of One Heart, 3). Alma 29:15 What blessings come to those who have “labored exceedingly” in missionary work? (James 5:20) “By reclaiming an erring brother, we save both him and ourselves. Our sins are hidden (remitted) because we ministered for the salvation and blessing of another member of the kingdom” (Bruce R. McConkie D.N.T.C., 3:279). “Each good deed, each testimony, each proselyting effort, each safeguard thrown about others is like a blanket over one’s own sins” (Spencer W. Kimball, Faith Precedes the Miracle, 184).