Lesson 23: More Than One Witness

Alma 8-12

Purpose: To increase class members’ understanding of the plan of redemption and the power of having more than one witness to testify of gospel truths.

Lesson Development

1. Alma calls the people of Ammonihah to repentance, but they reject him.
2. Amulek preaches to the people of Ammonihah.
3. Amulek contends with Zeezrom and testifies of Christ.
4. Alma further explains Amulek’s words and warns against hard-heartedness.

SCRIPTURE DISCUSSION AND APPLICATION

Let’s start by recapping the narrative of the past few chapters of the Book of Alma, emphasizing the points that will be important for the chapters we look at today.

Alma the Young has been converted with the miraculous intervention of an angel, and he and the sons of King Mosiah have gone from being the “bad boys” of the kingdom to being exemplary young men and trying to right the wrongs they have done. Mosiah’s sons would rather be missionaries than king, so the government is changed from a kingdom to one governed by judges. Alma the Younger is appointed as both the high priest of the church and the chief judge of the Nephite nation, so he governs both church and state.

A man named Nehor comes from somewhere outside of Zarahemla, advocating a new religion. Two of the points where Nehor disagrees with the religion of Alma is his insistence that priests be supported by the people (Alma supports himself), and the belief that at the last day God will save everyone, regardless of their sins (Alma teaches that repentance is a requirement of salvation). I rather think there must be more differences than those two, but these are all that Mormon makes clear in his summary.

Nehor wins many converts to his church – remember, these people are all Nephites (the Lamanites are not involved at first in this dispute) – Mormon doesn’t really give distinct names to the two churches, but for convenience let’s call the church led by Alma “the Christians,” and the church led by Nehor “the Nehors.”

Nehor is brought before Alma because Nehor’s teachings are contrary to the teachings of the Christians. Alma cannot judge Nehor as high priest, because his religious authority extends only over the Christians. Alma cannot act as chief judge and condemn Nehor for false religious teachings, because the law of the state cannot condemn a man for his beliefs.

But Nehor gets into an argument with a Christian who is angered by Nehor’s teachings, and Nehor kills the Christian (Gideon). This is an offense for which Alma as chief judge can condemn Nehor, and he is put to death.

But this isn’t the end of the Nehors. Their church continues to spread, and one of its leaders, Amlici, rises to prominence. He doesn’t limit his influence to preaching; he organizes and equips an army, and goes to war against the Christians and the Nephite government of the judges. He even brings in some Lamanite allies to fight for him in this civil war. It was a costly war, taking tens of thousands of lives in a short time, but eventually the government forces succeed in putting own the rebellion.

You realize that up to this point in the reign of the judges, there has been very little distinction between church and state. Alma the Younger has directed both church and state, and although the rebels have fought the government in a civil war, the division is not just a political one, but a religious one: the forces of Zarahemla against the forces of Amlici, the church of the Christians against the church of the Nehors.

Alma realizes that he can’t do everything well – he can’t govern a rebellious political nation at the same time as he is trying to teach the people of the church to repent and live righteously and keep their baptismal covenant to care for each other. He just can’t do it all. So he resigns his position as chief judge, and devotes himself full time to “setting the churches in order” – perhaps that term means appointing leaders and teaching them their duties, as well as preaching repentance and righteousness to the people as a whole.

Alma sets the churches in order in the lands of Zarahemla and Gideon, then goes to his own home in Zarahemla for a little rest. That ends the 9th year of the reign of the judges, or about 82 B.C. in our calendar.

Early in the 10th year, Alma renews his mission. He goes first to the land or city of Melek, and soon after to the land or city of Ammonihah.

As we read about Alma’s experiences in Ammonihah, we are going to have to acknowledge the politics as well as the religion involved – because just as church and state were intertwined in Zarahemla and in the recent civil war, they are intertwined at Ammonihah. Please keep any political remarks general, about the people of Ammonihah or very generally about politics in the abstract – please be careful not to offend anyone in this class by speaking pointedly about American politics in 2016.

Alma 8:8-10

8 And it came to pass that when Alma had come to the city of Ammonihah he began to preach the word of God unto them.

9 Now Satan had gotten great hold upon the hearts of the people of the city of Ammonihah; therefore they would not hearken unto the words of Alma.

10 Nevertheless Alma labored much in the spirit, wrestling with God in mighty prayer, that he would pour out his Spirit upon the people who were in the city; that he would also grant that he might baptize them unto repentance.

What does Alma – or Mormon, as narrator – blame for the resistance of Ammonihah to Alma’s message? [Satan.]

That’s a religious explanation, isn’t it? Satan influences the people, and the people reject the word of God. But let’s look a little closer.

Alma 8:11-12

11 Nevertheless, they hardened their hearts, saying unto him: Behold, we know that thou art Alma; and we know that thou art high priest over the church which thou hast established in many parts of the land, according to your tradition; and we are not of thy church, and we do not believe in such foolish traditions.

12 And now we know that because we are not of thy church we know that thou hast no power over us; and thou hast delivered up the judgment-seat unto Nephihah; therefore thou art not the chief judge over us.

The Ammonihah-ites don’t raise religious objections to Alma, do they? What are their objections based on? [They raise political objections: We aren’t of your church so you have no authority over us; you are no longer chief judge, so you have no political authority over us, either.]

What side in the recent civil war must the Ammonihah-ites have taken? [They are certainly Nehors – although that isn’t stated here (the text here leaves it open to their being anything that wasn’t Christian, or Alma’s church – later evidence, especially in the debate with Zeezrom – Alma 11:34-37 – shows that the Ammonihah-ites share Nehor’s belief that God will save everyone regardless of their sins.

34 And Zeezrom said again: Shall he save his people in their sins? And Amulek answered and said unto him: I say unto you he shall not, for it is impossible for him to deny his word.

35 Now Zeezrom said unto the people: See that ye remember these things; for he said there is but one God; yet he saith that the Son of God shall come, but he shall not save his people—as though he had authority to command God.

36 Now Amulek saith again unto him: Behold thou hast lied, for thou sayest that I spake as though I had authority to command God because I said he shall not save his people in their sins.

37 And I say unto you again that he cannot save them in their sins; for I cannot deny his word, and he hath said that no unclean thing can inherit the kingdom of heaven; therefore, how can ye be saved, except ye inherit the kingdom of heaven? Therefore, ye cannot be saved in your sins.

Can you think of examples in current or recent world history when a division in religion has meant a division in the politics of a nation? [Many examples are possible.] So this is a very realistic human experience, isn’t it?

I’m going to ask a question now for each of you to answer in your own minds – not out loud. Can you think of one particular issue or principle where your religion influences your politics, or perhaps where your politics lead you to resist something your Church does or says? (Is it easier to think of points where your neighbor’s politics contradicts your religion?)

In general – without reference to any specific issue – how do you feel when your religion and your politics agree with each other?

How do you feel, or how do you think you would feel, if your Church acts in a way that isn’t fully in accord with your politics?

Can you imagine your feelings in that case could ever lead you to rebel against the Church or its leaders?

How can you resolve feelings of disappointment, or anger, or hurt, or whatever it is, before your political views damage your faith?

Back to the story –

Alma’s rejection by the Ammonihah-ites is so complete that he leaves the city and heads toward another one. Let’s read what happened:

Alma 8:14-17

14 And it came to pass that while he was journeying thither, being weighed down with sorrow, wading through much tribulation and anguish of soul, because of the wickedness of the people who were in the city of Ammonihah, it came to pass while Alma was thus weighed down with sorrow, behold an angel of the Lord appeared unto him, saying:

15 Blessed art thou, Alma; therefore, lift up thy head and rejoice, for thou hast great cause to rejoice; for thou hast been faithful in keeping the commandments of God from the time which thou receivedst thy first message from him. Behold, I am he that delivered it unto you.

16 And behold, I am sent to command thee that thou return to the city of Ammonihah, and preach again unto the people of the city; yea, preach unto them. Yea, say unto them, except they repent the Lord God will destroy them.

17 For behold, they do study at this time that they may destroy the liberty of thy people, (for thus saith the Lord) which is contrary to the statutes, and judgments, and commandments which he has given unto his people.

How is Alma so lucky – is lucky the right word? – to have two such encounters with an angel? Have you ever wished for such an interview? Why, or why not?

Alma turns around and heads back to Ammonihah.

Alma 8:19-22

19 And as he entered the city he was an hungered, and he said to a man: Will ye give to an humble servant of God something to eat?

20 And the man said unto him: I am a Nephite, and I know that thou art a holy prophet of God, for thou art the man whom an angel said in a vision: Thou shalt receive. Therefore, go with me into my house and I will impart unto thee of my food; and I know that thou wilt be a blessing unto me and my house.

21 And it came to pass that the man received him into his house; and the man was called Amulek; and he brought forth bread and meat and set before Alma.

If you can’t exactly see yourself having a conversation with an angel, can you see yourself as being the answer to someone’s prayers? [Ask for experiences; share personal stories as appropriate. If an appropriate instance was mentioned in a testimony during the previous hour, mention that.]

Really, which do you think would be happier for you – the angelic interview, or knowing the Lord could count on you – to be the one willing to say “Here am I, send me”?

The lesson manual wants us to talk about the importance of witnesses, and note how Amulek’s preaching supported Alma’s preaching, and served as a second witness to the people of Ammonihah. You can read about that in the next several chapters of Alma. I’d like to stay for a moment with our personal experiences of being the answer to someone’s prayers, or having someone be the answer to yours:

How can an experience like Amulek’s, or your own experience, be understood as a witness to the gospel, or to the care God has for each of us?

Is it usually necessary to preach a little sermon at such times, pointing out some gospel principle?

Is it ever necessary to preach that little sermon at such times? [Perhaps; allow class members to mention teaching moments, such as helping someone recognize an answer to prayer when they have been going through times of doubt or struggle.]

In Chapter 11, we see Zeezrom come out to debate gospel teachings with first Amulek, and in Chapter 12 with Alma. Zeezrom is described as a “lawyer.” Does that sound to you like a church position, or a political one? [Could be either, really – we don’t know enough about the system to know that. Perhaps a lawyer in that culture is also a religious figure, one of those who is financially supported by the people, as Nehor preached. At the very least, Zeezrom is knowledgeable in what motivates the Ammonihah-ites, and is a follower of Nehor, and is skillful in arguing his position.]

In any case, Zeezrom tries to trap Amulek by asking him questions about the God who is to come – Jesus Christ – and whether or not he will save people in their sins:

Alma 11:34

34 And Zeezrom said again: Shall he save his people in their sins? And Amulek answered and said unto him: I say unto you he shall not, for it is impossible for him to deny his word.

Zeezrom uses Amulek’s answer to claim that Amulek pretends to be more powerful than God, ordering him not to “save people in their sins,” as the Nehor church claimed God would do. This gives Amulek an opening to teach the truth about this particular principle:

Alma 11:37

37 And I say unto you again that he cannot save them in their sins; for I cannot deny his word, and he hath said that no unclean thing can inherit the kingdom of heaven; therefore, how can ye be saved, except ye inherit the kingdom of heaven? Therefore, ye cannot be saved in your sins.

Amulek is followed in Chapter 12 by Alma, serving as a witness to what Amulek has just taught.

Alma 12:15

12 And Amulek hath spoken plainly concerning death, and being raised from this mortality to a state of immortality, and being brought before the bar of God, to be judged according to our works.

13 Then if our hearts have been hardened, yea, if we have hardened our hearts against the word, insomuch that it has not been found in us, then will our state be awful, for then we shall be condemned.

14 For our words will condemn us, yea, all our works will condemn us; we shall not be found spotless; and our thoughts will also condemn us; and in this awful state we shall not dare to look up to our God; and we would fain be glad if we could command the rocks and the mountains to fall upon us to hide us from his presence.

15 But this cannot be; we must come forth and stand before him in his glory, and in his power, and in his might, majesty, and dominion, and acknowledge to our everlasting shame that all his judgments are just; that he is just in all his works, and that he is merciful unto the children of men, and that he has all power to save every man that believeth on his name and bringeth forth fruit meet for repentance.

The doctrine that Alma and Amulek teach – and the witness each bears of the truthfulness of the other’s teaching – is true doctrine. We recognize it as our own faith and our own knowledge, and see that these two missionaries are servants of the Lord.

In the world of the Book of Mormon, and especially throughout the events in the book of Alma, we see that a division of the people in the matters of religious belief is also reflected by a division of the people in matters of politics. Most of the warfare to come will be between Nephites, although the Lamanites do make appearances, and the sides in the war will be drawn as much according to religious belief as they are according to political preferences of what kind of government a city will have and who will govern them.

The divisions between the Nephites serve, perhaps, as a caution to us in this season of politics: Latter-day Saints, wherever we fall on the political spectrum, must do better than the Nephites did – we must not let political differences divide us as a people, or cause friction among neighbors.

May we always be answers to each others’ prayers, and preserve the fellowship and shared faith that belong to us as Latter-day Saints.