THE BOOK OF MOSIAH
CHAPTER 27
Mosiah forbids persecution and enjoins equality—Alma the younger and the four sons of Mosiah seek to destroy the Church—An angel appears and commands them to cease their evil course—Alma is struck dumb—All mankind must be born again to gain salvation—Alma and the sons of Mosiah declare glad tidings. [Probably between 100 and 92 B.C.]
1 AND now it came to pass that the persecutions which were inflicted on the church by the unbelievers became so great that the church began to murmur, and complain to their leaders concerning the matter; [ I wonder if there was some who were persecuting the church while receiving aid from the church. In other words could it be that the people persecuting the church where not laboring with their hands but were living off the backs of the members of the church. They would have known about the Law of Consecration and they could have taken avantage of it for their support only to persecute those who were providing it? ] and they did complain to Alma. [ Why did the members complain to Alma about the persecution? Was it something that he could do something about maybe? They would have a good argument before Alma if they were supporting those who were persecuting them, right. Why should we labor to support those that persecute us? ] And Alma laid the case before their king, Mosiah. And Mosiah consulted with his priests.
2 And it came to pass that king Mosiah sent a proclamation [ Note the two messages sent forth. King Mosiah sends a proclamation that they are not to persecute any more - while Alma tells the members of the church that all must labor with their own hands. ] throughout the land round about that there should not any unbeliever persecute any of those who belonged to the church of God. [ Persecution must have been pretty bad for Mosiah to have done this, remember before that he drew the lines pretty well that he would not get involved in matters of the church. So to have done this there must have been some persecution done to the extent of breaking the laws of government (not the laws of the church) - or at least ones that effected the social system enough that king Mosiah could step in under the law. How do you think that the unbelievers responded when they were told not to persecute the believers? Do you think that life just got better? Do you think the name calling just changed to you big babies you just need daddy to protect you... as the persecution slows what practice is brought up in its place? flattery vs 8 ]
3 And there was a strict command throughout all the churches [ Given the separation of church and state this message would have come from Alma since it was to the church. ] that there should be no persecutions among them, that there should be an equality among all men; [ Equality at least as far as the Lord is concerned - the idea that we are all children.
4 That they should let no pride nor haughtiness disturb their peace; that every man should esteem his neighbor as himself, laboring with their own hands for their support. [ Remember back in Mosiah 18:26-29 Alma instituted the Law of Consecration; were some of the people taking advantage of the system living off the work of others (lazy)? So could it be that a large number of citizens believers and unbelievers alike knew of the Law of Consecration and were taking advantage of it and even more then used the extra time to persecute the saints. How would you feel if you were working hard and your resources were going to a group that was then using them to maintain their lifestyle so they could persecute you? sound familiar? How is this Law of Consecration a very hard law to live? ]
5 Yea, and all their priests and teachers should labor with their own hands for their support, [ Does this suggest that some sort of priestcraft was taking place. ] in all cases save it were in sickness, or in much want; [ And these are the times that charity would come into play. ] and doing these things, they did abound in the grace of God.
6 And there began to be much peace again in the land; and the people began to be very numerous, and began to scatter abroad upon the face of the earth, yea, on the north and on the south, on the east and on the west, building large cities and villages in all quarters of the land. [ 
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7 And the Lord did visit them and prosper them, [ They had his spirit. ] and they became a large and wealthy people.
8 Now the sons of Mosiah [ Ammon, Aaron, Omner, and Himni see vs 34; and who are the worst? The bishops kids so to speak! ] were numbered among the unbelievers; and also one of the sons of Alma was numbered among them, he being called Alma, [ Alma the younger is the John the Baptist for Satan at this point. ] after his father; nevertheless, he became a very wicked and an idolatrous man. [ Do you get the sense that he is not just a teenager but a little bit more mature? 1st the chapter summary says - Probably between 100 and 92 B.C. we also know that Alma senior died at the age of 82 in 91 B.C. see Mosiah 29:44 so Alma senior is 70 to eighty years old at the time the angel visits Alma younger - So we can conclude that Alma was most likely 40ish. Also - He is using the skills learned over some period of time - like flattery...Also it is not long after this Mosiah 29:45 that Alma dies at the age of 82 this also suggests that Alma the younger may have been even in his forties. Does the fact that he could have been much older when the angel appeared to him bring any more insight to the story? The fact that alma prayed for some considerable time before his prayers were answered. How did being the High Priests son enable Alma to be even more persuasive? 1) because of who he was 2) he had been taught and knew the laws and commands of God so he could attack from a position of understanding. The more you understand the more leverage you have when you try to twist the truth - especially with those who are just coming to understand. ] And he was a man of many words, and did speak much flattery to the people; [ What is flattery? excessive, insincere praise Why is it bad? usually generates pride, puffed up attitude - I am better than you, better than the law,,, How is it used? by making someone feel so good they start to become the law, then they are above the law - they cannot do wrong and therefore have no need to repent - hence no need for a savior. Tell someone he is better than someone else and he will likely believe it. Almost every villain in the Book of Mormon shared two traits: fluency of language and flattery of the people. To name a few: Sherem was “learned, that he had a perfect knowledge of the language of the people; wherefore, he could use much flattery” (see Jacob 7:4) Korihor demonstrated his power of language in an argument with Alma, who said it is better that Korihor be lost than souls be brought down to destruction “by thy lying and by thy flattering words” (Alma 30:47) Amalickiah, the villain of choice in king-men days, was “a man of cunning device and a man of many flattering words” (Alma 46:10) Even Alma the Younger, in his pre-angel-appearance days, “was a man of many words, and did speak much flattery to the people” (Mosiah 27:8) The essence of flattery is telling someone he or she is better than others, which pride-driven disease plagued the Nephites even before the first scrape of their boat on America’s shores. Flattery requires and builds on class distinctions – a shared sense of us versus them, the “them” being anyone the speaker chooses to demonize, especially those who have supposedly failed them in the past. Flatterers in the Book of Mormon enlisted others in their fight against church and/or government by telling their listeners that they deserved better. They gave them a sense of purpose, of being important, of participating in a great event – a sense of Kumbaya togetherness and belonging to something bigger than themselves. ] therefore he led many of the people to do after the manner of his iniquities.
9 And he became a great hinderment to the prosperity of the church of God; stealing away the hearts of the people; causing much dissension among the people; [ How do we even un-awaringly cause dissension among our ward? Gossip, backbiting, judging falsely - judging at all for that matter, Do we even exhort to our own version of flattery?] giving a chance for the enemy of God to exercise his power over them.
10 And now it came to pass that while he was going about to destroy the church of God, [ Alma the younger is the John The Baptist for Satan here- his motive is to destroy the church. Alma 36:14 puts it as murdered many of his children. He is putting effort into this. ] for he did go about secretly [ Is that a clue for us - what are we usually doing when we go about it secretly? If we don't want other to see then it is usually not good - except for Christmas time... ] with the sons of Mosiah seeking to destroy the church, and to lead astray the people of the Lord, or even the king— [ Maybe this provides the reason for doing it secretly if they were going against the King as well. Because if they were caught they could be brought to stand and judged according to the laws of the land. ]
11 And as I said unto you, as they were going about rebelling against God, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared [ How come bad guys always get the angels? Wilford Woodruff made a statement about that "He said one of the apostles said to me years ago, I have prayed for a long time for the Lord to send me an angel. Wilford Woodruff told him that the Lord never would send him an angel to merely gratify that request. The Holy Ghost is what every saint needs and is far more important that a man should have that gift than the administration of an angel." Why does the Angel visit them? outlined in vs 14 - Why do angels visit men? see Moroni 7:30-31] unto them; and he descended as it were in a cloud; and he spake as it were with a voice of thunder, [ It had some force - have you ever been close to a lighting strike and the pop of thunder from it? Mary Roberts field one afternoon - the sound was so strong that our whole house shook to the point I thought that ever window would shatter. ] which caused the earth to shake upon which they stood;
12 And so great was their astonishment, that they fell to the earth, and understood not the words which he spake unto them. [ Why would they not have understood the words of the angel? Could it be because to understand the words of God delivered from the angel would require the spirit to fully understand. Was he so shaken that he was really not listening; but was just in great fear? It does not say that he did not hear them. it only says that he did not understand them. What is the difference? ]
13 Nevertheless he cried again, saying: Alma, arise and stand forth, for why persecutest thou the church of God? [ Alma the son of Alma. ] For the Lord hath said: This is my church, [ In other words; just so we are clear here I am the boss and I will not let you destroy my church - period. Mine elect, my people are those that hear my voice and harden not their hearts D&C 29:7 that my people may gird up their loins, and be looking forth for the time of my coming; for there shall be my tabernacle, and it shall be called Zion, a New Jerusalem. Moses 7:62 - among my people who do repent and are baptized in my name - 3 Nephi 18:16 it is my church, if it so be that they are built upon my gospel - 3 Nephi 27:8 for the works which ye have seen me do that shall ye also do 3 Nephi 27:21] and I will establish it; and nothing shall overthrow it, [ Including you and your friends. There os only one thing that can overthrow it and that is as we see next the transgression of my people, the members of the church. ] save it is the transgression of my people. [ As long as the people maintain their righteousness. The church can be destroyed by the transgression of its members, the culture. It is not the treat from the outside but the treat from within. This is why one of the three pillars of the church is to perfect the saints. What is the lesson for us here?]
14 And again, the angel said: Behold, the Lord hath heard the prayers of his people, [What were the people praying for? Most likely less persecution. ] and also the prayers of his servant, Alma, who is thy father; [ What was his father praying for? That his son would see the light (Brought to a knowledge of the truth) and repent of their evil ways. How long has Alma been praying for this? These prayers didn't last just a month or even a year especially in the light of the fact that alma was most likely older than just a mere teenager.. Alma didn't give up when he saw the utter destructiveness of his son. His prayers and faith must have gone on tirelessly for several years-maybe even decades. What does that tell us?] for he has prayed with much faith [ Is this the usual way that the Lords answers the prayers - even the most faithful ones - with an angel and a rapid conversion? No it usually comes with great effort over time with the help of many earthly angels. Should we feel bad if we don't get angels for our children? The other thing to think about here is that this really is not an easy prayer to ask - as the Lord usually causes some kind of pain in the process in order to get someone to be humble and change of their own freewill. ] concerning thee that thou mightest be brought to the knowledge of the truth; [ What is the knowledge of the truth? The way things really are - that Jesus is The Christ, he is the only begotten of the Father and as such he is and has been ordained to be the mediator between God and man. see Hel 15:7; JST 1 Tim. 2: 4] therefore, for this purpose [ What was the purpose of the angel being there? It was because his father Alma had prayed that the Lord would intercede to the point that Alma the younger would be brought to a knowledge of the truth. ] have I come to convince thee of the power and authority of God, [ What do we learn from the choice of words here from the angel? interesting choice of words chosen for the message to Alma the younger - convince of the power and authority of God. The angel does not tell Alma what Alma has to do - he allows him to maintain his agency - although the choice clear that the Lord will not permit him to destroy the church either. ] that the prayers of his servants might be answered according to their faith. [ What lesson is there here for us when we pray as parents for wayward children? answered according to our faith, also that the angel did not compel repentance - just convinced him that he should repent - with a little power. ]
15 And now behold, can ye dispute the power of God? For behold, doth not my voice shake the earth? [ You can hear me, my power causes the earth to shake. ] And can ye not also behold me before you? [ You can see me - so how many senses has he involved here in delivering this message? Hearing, feeling, sight - then the spirit of God.] And I am sent from God. [ Now he testifies to him with the power of the spirit. ]
16 Now I say unto thee: [ The Angel is addressing Alma still. ] Go, and remember the captivity of thy fathers in the land of Helam, [ Why is it important to remember? See Alma 36:2, 29 We don't know how old Alma the younger was when this happened; but I am sure he has heard the miraculous story of their deliverance more than once from his father, This is not really completed until Alma 5:3-5] and in the land of Nephi; and remember how great things he has done for them; [ Where have we heard those words before? right off of the title page as one of the purposes of this Book. ] for they were in bondage, and he has delivered them. And now I say unto thee, Alma, go thy way, and seek to destroy the church no more, that their prayers may be answered,[ Who's prayers may be answered? , and moreover I am sent from God not because of your faithfullness but because of your parents prayers and the prayers of the people. ] and this even if thou wilt of thyself be cast off.
17 And now it came to pass that these were the last words which the angel spake unto Alma, and he departed. [ Alma only heard a part of the message because when he heard that he was going to be destroyed he became too afraid. see Alma 36:11 for the rest of the explanation. ]
18 And now Alma and those that were with him fell again to the earth, for great was their astonishment; for with their own eyes they had beheld an angel of the Lord; and his voice was as thunder, which shook the earth; and they knew that there was nothing save the power of God that could shake the earth and cause it to tremble as though it would part asunder.
19 And now the astonishment of Alma was so great that he became dumb, [ In a coma? near death experience? ] that he could not open his mouth; yea, and he became weak, even that he could not move his hands; therefore he was taken by those that were with him, and carried helpless, even until he was laid before his father.
20 And they rehearsed unto his father all that had happened unto them; and his father rejoiced, for he knew that it was the power of God.
21 And he caused that a multitude should be gathered together that they might witness what the Lord had done for his son, and also for those that were with him.
22 And he caused that the priests should assemble themselves together; and they began to fast, and to pray to the Lord their God that he would open the mouth of Alma, that he might speak, and also that his limbs might receive their strength—that the eyes of the people might be opened to see and know of the goodness and glory of God.
23 And it came to pass after they had fasted and prayed for the space of two days and two nights, the limbs of Alma received their strength, and he stood up and began to speak unto them, bidding them to be of good comfort:
24 For, said he, I have repented of my sins, and have been redeemed of the Lord; behold I am born of the Spirit. [ As defined in verse 25 "changed from a carnal and fallen state" - "Now then, when may it be said that one is born of the Spirit? The Prophet Joseph Smith said: “No man can receive the Holy Ghost without receiving revelations. The Holy Ghost is a revelator. (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, p. 328.) I think we would be just as correct if we were to say that revelations from God cannot come to man except by the Holy Ghost. But the Prophet said something else: “Salvation cannot come without revelation.” (Teachings, p. 160.) That’s the understanding thing: without revelation, there’s no salvation. . . . it is in vain for anyone to minister without it. No man is a minister of Jesus Christ without being a Prophet. No man can be a minister of Jesus Christ except he has a testimony of Jesus; and this is the spirit of prophecy. (Teachings, p. 160.)" Born Of The Spirit Harold B. Lee - Stand Ye in Holy Places: Selected Sermons and Writings of President Harold B. Lee. (Salt Lake City: Deseret Book, 1975), p. p.47-65 ]
25 And the Lord said unto me: Marvel not that all mankind, yea, men and women, all nations, kindreds, tongues and people, must be born again; yea, born of God, [Does seeing an angel always change us? What does change us? spirit to spirit Why does the Lord send an angel here and not to our kids when they need it? The Lord always does what is best for us - angels did no good for Lamam and Lemuel. "born again", while the concept of being "born again" is commonly equated with the NT, it does in fact have its source in the OT, cf. Deut. 10:16, Deut. 30:6, Isa. 1:11-18, Jer. 4:4, Jer. 24:7, Ezek. 18:31, Ezek. 36:26. The phrase "born again" is actually only used in two instances in the NT, cf. John 3:3-7, 1 Peter 1:23. It is used more often in the BofM than the NT. ] changed from their carnal and fallen state, to a state of righteousness, being redeemed of God, [ Our Redeemer defined redemption as being brought back into His presence (see Ether 3:13). To be redeemed is to meet our Redeemer! Must there always be a visible, spiritual manifestation before one might be said to be born of the Spirit? I answer no the change that they feel and the change that you see in them is just one example that they are born of the spirit. Note the comments of the Prophet Joseph Smith. This was an editorial in the Times and Seasons: Various and conflicting are the opinions of man with regard to the gift of the Holy Ghost. some people have been in the habit of calling every supernatural manifestation the effects of the spirit of God, whilst there are others that think [there] is no manifestation connected with it at all; and that it is nothing but a mere impulse of the mind, or an inward feeling, impression, or secret testimony or evidence which men possess, and that there is no such thing as an outward manifestation. Then the Prophet said: It is not to be wondered at that men should be ignorant, in a great measure, of the principles of salvation, and more especially of the nature,
office, power, influence, gifts and blessings of the Gift of the Holy Ghost; when we consider that the human family have been enveloped in gross darkness and ignorance for many centuries past without revelation or any just criterion to arrive at a knowledge of the things of God which can only be known by the spirit of God. Hence it not infrequently occurs that when the elders of this church preach to the inhabitants of the world, that if they obey the gospel they shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost, that people expect to see some wonderful manifestation; some great display of power, or some extraordinary miracle performed; and it is often the case that young members in this church, for want of better information, carry along with them their old notions of things and sometimes fall into egregious errors. Then the Prophet follows with this statement: We believe that the Holy Ghost is imparted by the laying on of hands of those in authority, and that the gift of tongues, and also the gift of prophecy, are gifts of the spirit, and are obtained through that medium; but then to say that men always prophesied and spoke in tongues when they had the imposition of hands, would be to state that which is untrue, contrary to the practice of the apostles, and at variance to holy writ. For Paul says: “For to one is given the gift of healing, and again do all prophesy, do all speak with tongues, do all interpret? . . .” (Times and Seasons 1:823.) ”] becoming his sons and daughters; [ Being born again is defined. The same council that King Benjamin gave in Mosiah 5:5-7. ]
office, power, influence, gifts and blessings of the Gift of the Holy Ghost; when we consider that the human family have been enveloped in gross darkness and ignorance for many centuries past without revelation or any just criterion to arrive at a knowledge of the things of God which can only be known by the spirit of God. Hence it not infrequently occurs that when the elders of this church preach to the inhabitants of the world, that if they obey the gospel they shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost, that people expect to see some wonderful manifestation; some great display of power, or some extraordinary miracle performed; and it is often the case that young members in this church, for want of better information, carry along with them their old notions of things and sometimes fall into egregious errors. Then the Prophet follows with this statement: We believe that the Holy Ghost is imparted by the laying on of hands of those in authority, and that the gift of tongues, and also the gift of prophecy, are gifts of the spirit, and are obtained through that medium; but then to say that men always prophesied and spoke in tongues when they had the imposition of hands, would be to state that which is untrue, contrary to the practice of the apostles, and at variance to holy writ. For Paul says: “For to one is given the gift of healing, and again do all prophesy, do all speak with tongues, do all interpret? . . .” (Times and Seasons 1:823.) ”] becoming his sons and daughters; [ Being born again is defined. The same council that King Benjamin gave in Mosiah 5:5-7. ]
26 And thus they become new creatures; [How do we become new creatures? What does that mean? see Moses 6:64-65 ] and unless they do this, [ Put off the natural man. ] they can in nowise inherit the kingdom of God.
27 I say unto you, unless this be the case, they must be cast off; and this I know, because I was like to be cast off.
28 Nevertheless, after wading through much tribulation, repenting nigh unto death, [Repentance is so easy right? As a father Alma and his people ask and the Lord will sends an angel and then it only takes a few hours - right? Just ask Alma the younger. How much anguish did he go thru to become close to death during his repentance process? How sincere is his repentance if he is close to death because of the grief of his sins? How sincere is our repentance? How easy was Almas repentance process here? What are some of the words he uses to describe the process? snatched from death, pained, harrowed, wading, tribulation, see also Alma 36:15-17 ] the Lord in mercy hath seen fit to snatch me [ Rescue ] out of an everlasting burning, and I am born of God.
29 My soul hath been redeemed from the gall of bitterness and bonds of iniquity. I was in the darkest abyss; but now I behold the marvelous light of God. My soul was racked with eternal torment; but I am snatched, and my soul is pained no more.
30 I rejected my Redeemer, and denied that which had been spoken of by our fathers; but now that they may foresee that he will come, and that he remembereth every creature of his creating, he will make himself manifest unto all.
31 Yea, every knee shall bow, and every tongue confess before him. Yea, even at the last day, when all men shall stand to be judged of him, then shall they confess that he is God; then shall they confess, who live without God in the world, [ instead of then shall they who live without God in the world confess. How could Joseph Smith have known? In Hebrew, the word that marks the beginning of a relative clause (generally translated which or who in English) does not always closely follow the word it refers back to, as it usually does in English. some Book of Mormon passages give the impression of having been translated from Hebrew.(The Maxwell Institute - Hebrew Background of the Book Of Mormon; John A. Tvedtnes) ] that the judgment of an everlasting punishment is just upon them; and they shall quake, and tremble, and shrink beneath the glance of his all-searching eye.
32 And now it came to pass that Alma began from this time forward to teach the people, [ He made a change in his life and then stayed the course] and those who were with Alma at the time the angel appeared unto them, traveling round about through all the land, publishing to all the people the things which they had heard and seen, and preaching the word of God in much tribulation, being greatly persecuted by those who were unbelievers, [Do you suppose Alma & the son's of Mosiah were persecuted to a greater extent since they had been ring leaders before their conversion? Are there any implications for us that we can draw from here? We often here well I can sin and then repent - but even if we get a complete forgiveness from the Lord there may still be others who will be long effected by our examples. Better to be obedient than to repent. ] being smitten by many of them.
33 But notwithstanding all this, they did impart much consolation to the church, confirming their faith, and exhorting them with long-suffering and much travail to keep the commandments of God.
34 And four of them were the sons of Mosiah; and their names were Ammon, and Aaron, and Omner, and Himni; these were the names of the sons of Mosiah.
35 And they traveled throughout all the land of Zarahemla, and among all the people who were under the reign of king Mosiah, zealously striving to repair all the injuries which they had done to the church, confessing all their sins, [ They tried to make it right - restitution -but the task may just be impossible. ] and publishing all the things which they had seen, and explaining the prophecies and the scriptures to all who desired to hear them.
36 And thus they were instruments in the hands of God [What is the lesson here as far as forgiveness is concerned? They moved on with their lives, they knew the Lord had forgiven them and that was all they needed they did not dwell on it. ] in bringing many to the knowledge of the truth, yea, to the knowledge of their Redeemer.