Scripture Commentary — Alma 8:8-32
Alma 8:8-32 — Alma in Ammonihah
- Verse 8
- “…began to preach the word of God…” — First he obtained the word, then he declared it. See Doctrine and Covenants 11:21 (“…seek not to declare my word, but first seek to obtain it…”)
- Verse 9
- “…Satan had great hold upon their hearts…” — How did this happen? See Alma 24:30 (“…fallen away into sin and transgression, they become more hardened…”). How would this feel? We can fall away into sin in two ways: 1) open rebellion 2) complacency. Satan only has that power which we give him!
- “…they would not harken…” — They listened and then rejected. Some aren’t even willing to listen.
- Verse 10
- “Nevertheless…” — He had ample reasons to quit, but he persisted. He preached. He tried.
- “…labored, wrestling…” — WORK! Missionary WORK! Press forward, heart, might, mind, strength, wear out your souls!
- “…in the spirit…” — No chest-thumping or bombastic display; he pled with earnestness, no discouragement evident.
- “…mighty prayer…” — Specific, heartfelt, sincere, direct. He prayed for them even though they had REJECTED him!
- “…baptize…” — Wow! Shoot for the stars! These were incorrigible people.
- Verse 11
- “…hardened their hearts…” — Even more than what was described in verse 9? We can harden our hearts…Satan helps the process along!
- “…foolish…” — There is no place for derision or sarcasm. Matthew 5:22 states, “…whosoever is angry with his brother … shall be in danger of the judgment; and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council; but whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire.”
- “…we do not believe…” — WHOA! A prophet had prayed for them! Was the prophet’s prayer not answered? Agency, the Lord’s time table, patience, etc. Ether 12:6 says, “…faith is things which are hoped for and not seen…”
- Verse 12
- “…no power over us…” — Not entirely true! Alma had stewardship over them, and priesthood responsibility for them.
- Verse 13
- “…withstood…” — the people didn’t just ignore Alma, they contradicted and argued.
- “…reviled…” — revile means to attackwith vile and avusive language
- “…withstood, spit on, reviled, cast out…” — this was a PROPHET! In our day, people have found less physical but equally offensive ways to attack prophets.
- Verse 14
- “…weighed down with sorrow, wading through…” — probably not for himself, but for the hardhearted people. There was no expression of hate, spite, or revenge, but just concern and empathy
- “…an angel appeared…” — often we are rescued only after great trials and tribulations. The angel could have arrived earlier, but Alma was being refined. This verse is a fulfillment of Doctrine and Covenants 88:84 – “…for I will go before your face. I will be on your right hand and on your left, and my Spirit shall be in your hearts, and mine angels round about you, to bear you up.”
- Verse 15
- “…blessed art thou …” — blessed?? He had just been spit on, reviled, ridiculed, cast out! But blessed? What an interesting eternal perspective.
- “…Alma…” — how would it be to have an angel call you by name? Would you feel loved and important? Similar to the Father calling Joseph Smith by his name as the First Vision unfolded.
- “…lift up thy head…” — can we picture Alma’s deep sorrow? Nephi watered his pillow with tears. Jesus wept as He said, “O Jerusalem, how would I have gathered thee…”
- “…great cause to rejoice…” — see comments related to “…blessed…” above
- “…from the time…first message…” — he held fast to the rod through temptations, the abuse of friends, and persecutions. Luke 9:62 applies here, “No man, having put his hand to the plow, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.”
- “I am he…” — imagine the joy of this angel. Consider the difference between his two encounters with Alma!
- Verse 16
- “I am sent…” — who sent him? What conditions led up to this assignment? Imagine the discussions concerning Alma’s life that preceded this appearance. Are we led and directed this personally? Yes. Could this happen to us? Yes.
- “Command…” — a different level!
- “…preach again…” — (see verse 8). The first time he preached the word of God; the second time he preached ‘repentance or else’!
- Verse 17
- “…destroy the liberty…” — they were not just personally wicked, but they were seeking to destroy others. This was hard for Alma, due to Alma 36:16 (“…for three days and three nights was I racked, even with the pains of a damned soul.”
- Verse 18
- “speedily” — obedient, faithful, trusting. He had been spit upon, abused, demeaned. How about us? Do we speedily do His will?
- “…another way…” — Why? Because he needed to encounter Amulek! He was inspired. The Lord plays an intimate and personal role in our lives.
- Verse 19
- “…hungered…” — see verse 26 and 10:7. He was still fasting for these people, even though they had mocked him and spit upon him. How persistent are we?
- “…a man…” — happenstance, just good luck? Amulek was the FIRST person he met! The directed him and will direct us.
- “…servant of God…” — brave invitation? No! He knew by revelation that Amulek would receive him.
- “…humble servant…to eat…” — deep humility, this was the Lord’s anointed.
- Verse 20
- “…a Nephite…” — Why this introduction? Why at the very first? Perhaps because he was proud of his heritage, as follower of Nephi!
- “I know thou art a prophet…” — Personal revelation! We should seek and obtain the same witness concerning our prophet!
- “…blessing to me and my home…” — he is taking a great risk for Alma in a hostile environment.
- Verse 22
- “…blessed Amulek…” — showed great appreciation to this brave saint
- “…gave thanks unto God” — never forgot to express appreciation to the Lord.
- Verse 27
- “…tarried many days…” — Why? Perhaps due to his preparation for his upcoming challenges. Doctrine and Covenants 11:21 tells us to obtain the word before attempting to declare the word. Jacob 1:17 mentions “…having first obtained his errand from the Lord.”“
- Verse 28
- “…waxed more gross…” — they actually studied as to how they could destroy the liberty of the people, displaying the depth of wickedness.
- Verse 29
- “… the word came…” — personal revelation!
- Verse 30
- “…they were filled with the Holy Ghost…” — imagine how that would feel! What great confidence that would bring into their ministry!
- Lessons to be learned–
- Follow the prophet.
- Open your mouths.
- Withstand with courage.
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