Last week we read about Ammon teaching the Lamanite King, Lamoni and his Queen along with people who were gathered to the conversion scene by a believing Lamanite woman, named Abish. We also read about Aaron teaching the word of God to King Lamoni’s father, who was king over all the land. These were Lamanites who were steeped in the tradition of believing that the Nephites were thieves and liars and therefore the Lamanites murdered many of the Nephites and introduced many wars.
In this reading, King Lamoni’s father grants religious freedom to all and commands that there should be no more stealing and murdering and such. He also grants Ammon and his brethren access to all communities so they can preach the gospel, and because of this many were converted.
Alma 23:5-7
• Mormon gives us this pre-summary of what will happen with these people.
• This group of people “never did fall away” - this phrase makes it sound like a perfect people who didn’t have any problems. But they did have problems, they just knew who to turn to for help and support.
• They buried their weapons – two kinds – weapons of rebellion against God and weapons used against their brethren. Weapons used in their heart and mind and physical weapons.
We will read and discuss why they never fell away and why they buried their weapons.
Alma 23:17-18
Explanations of the name: Anti-Nephi-Lehi
• No definitive answer, but here are possible explanations:
• Not likely the greek translation of the word “Anti” meaning opposite
• Not likely the Latin translation of the word “Anti” meaning before
• Possibly a proper noun. Instead, Anti appears to be a proper noun in the Nephite-Lamanite language. Consider how many uses there are in the text of the morpheme Anti in Nephite and Lamanite proper nouns: Ani-Anti, Antiomno, Antionah, Antionum, Antiparah, Antipas, and Antipus; perhaps the Nephite monetary unit antion could also be added to this list. (p. 2095) Skousen, Analysis of Textual Variants of the Book of Mormon, Part Four, Alma 21-55 (FARMS, 2007), pp. 2092-2095.
• Also, King Lamoni’s brother, who inherited the whole kingdom from his father, changed his name to AntiLehiNephi, for reasons unknown. The people chose to be known as the people of AntiLehiNephi (24:2, 24:5)
The Anti-Lehi-Nephies learned that other Lamanites were planning to attack the city. This attack comes on the heels of their conversion to the gospel of Jesus Christ. So, in preparation for war, King AntiLehiNephi gives this speech, which begins to explain why they never fell away and buried their weapons. I will ask you the reasons given.
Alma 24:7-11
WHAT ARE THE REASONS OR EVENTS THAT MOTIVATED THESE EX-LAMANITES TO PUT DOWN THEIR WEAPONS?
• Realized they were being loyal to traditions only
• Their hearts were softened (v8)
This declaration that Jesus is the Son of the Living God, that he was, that he is, and that he is to come, is, I think, the core of the gospel of Jesus Christ. A testimony of its truthfulness constitutes the only motive that I have ever been able to find which is strong enough to change the hearts of men from hate and wickedness to peace and righteousness. Rejection of that message, according to the words of the Lord, will bring scourges,. . . until the earth is empty, and the inhabitants thereof are consumed away and utterly destroyed by the brightness of coming. (D&C 5:19-20). “And Ye Shall Bear Record,” Elder Marion G. Romney, Oct 1948 Gen Conf.• They were forgiven of their sin and murders (v10)
• Their guilt was taken away (v10) and they did not want to experience that guilt again.
But before their conversion, remember their state: they were living in what the scriptures call “open rebellion against God.” Their rebellious hearts sentenced them to live “in a state contrary to the nature of happiness” because they had “gone contrary to the nature of God.” When they laid down their weapons of rebellion, they qualified themselves for the Lord’s healing and peace, and so can we. The Savior assures, “If they harden not their hearts, and stiffen not their necks against me, they shall be converted, and I will heal them.” You and I can accept His invitation to “return and repent, and come unto me with full purpose of heart, and I shall heal [you].” We must lay down our weapons of rebellion (and we each know what they are). We must lay down our sin, vanity, and pride. We must give up our desires to follow the world and to be respected and lauded by the world. We must cease fighting against God and instead give our whole hearts to Him, holding nothing back. Then He can heal us. Then He can cleanse us from the venomous sting of sin. “Come Unto Me With Full Purpose of Heart, and I Will Heal You,” Elder Patrick Kearon, Ensign, Nov 2010.• All we could do (refer to 2 Ne 25:23 – For we labor diligently to write, to persuade our children, and also our brethren, to believe in Christ, and to be reconciled to God; for we know that it is by grace that we are saved, after all we can do.) Also note that they would be keeping the law of Moses, which is all they can do at this point in time, but since the atonement is eternal, their sins are removed just as ours are when we properly repent.
Alma 24:15-16
• Hide away our swords as a testimony (A declaration by a witness under oath, as that given before a court or deliberative body.)
• As a testimony that we have NEVER used them HAD THEY USED THEM BEFORE? YES! BUT THEY ARE CLEAN NOW. (does this mean that it is an acknowledgment of past sins forgotten by the Lord and also by them?)
Alma 24:17-19
• Alma 53:11 – “And because of their oath they had been kept from taking up arms against their brethren; for they had taken an oath that they never would shed blood more; and according to their oath they would have perished;”
• V 18 – it being in their view a testimony to God, and also to men
• Vouching and covenanting with God: that rather than take away from a brother they would give up their own lives; and rather than take away from a brother they would give unto him; and rather than spend their days in idleness they would labor abundantly with their hands.
WHAT SORT OF A COVENANT IS THIS? HOW IS THIS COVENANT DIFFERENT FROM OUR BAPTISMAL COVENANT? OR OTHER COVENATNS WE MAKE?
Bible Dictionary: Covenant. Sometimes denotes an agreement between persons (1 Sam. 23:18) or nations (1 Sam. 11:1); more often between God and man; but in this latter case it is important to notice that the two parties to the agreement do not stand in the relation of independent and equal contractors. God in his good pleasure fixes the terms, which man accepts. The same word is sometimes rendered “testament.”
What is the source of such moral and spiritual power, and how do we obtain it? The source is God. Our access to that power is through our covenants with Him. A covenant is an agreement between God and man, an accord whose terms are set by God (see Bible Dictionary, “Covenant,” 651). In these divine agreements, God binds Himself to sustain, sanctify, and exalt us in return for our commitment to serve Him and keep His commandments.
We enter into covenants by priesthood ordinances, sacred rituals that God has ordained for us to manifest our commitment.
In the covenant path we find [1] a steady supply of gifts and help, [2]they produce the faith necessary to persevere and to do all things that are expedient in the Lord, [3] the bestowal of divine power.
In all the ordinances, especially those of the temple, we are endowed with power from on high. This “power of godliness” comes in the person and by the influence of the Holy Ghost. The gift of the Holy Ghost is part of the new and everlasting covenant. It is the Holy Ghost that bears witness of your words when you teach and testify. It is the Holy Ghost that, as you speak in hostile venues, puts into your heart what you should say and fulfills the Lord’s promise that “you shall not be confounded before men” (D&C 100:5). It is the Holy Ghost that reveals how you may clear the next seemingly insurmountable hurdle. It is by the Holy Ghost in you that others may feel the pure love of Christ and receive strength to press forward. It is also the Holy Ghost, in His character as the Holy Spirit of Promise, that confirms the validity and efficacy of your covenants and seals God’s promises upon you. “The Power of Covenants,” Elder D. Todd Christofferson, Ensign, May 2009.
After they made this oath or covenant, the Lamanites come to attack and the AntiLehiNephis did not resist them. Over 1,000 of them died, but there were over 1,000 Lamanites who were converted to the Gospel because of this demonstration of love and commitment to the Lord.
Mormon gives one of his “and thus we see” comments in verse 27 that “and thus we see that that the Lord worketh in many ways to the salvation of his people.”
In chapter 25-27 describes how the Lamanite aggression spreads and although at first meeting the Lamanites held back in their persecuations and murders, they came back to the AntiLehiNephis to slay them all. After asking the Lord what to do, Ammon advised the king that if the people of AntiLehiNephi were to join with the Nephites, they would be protected. When they moved all the people to the land of Zarahemla, the Nephite people agreed to give the AntiNephiLehi’s some land and protection in return for a “portion of their substance to assist us that we may maintain our armies.
Alma 27:26-30 (point out indications of commitment to oath)
• Changed name to the people of Ammon (King AntiLehiNephi was no longer in charge?)
• Distinguished for the zeal towards God and men
• Perfectly honest and upright in all things;
• Firm in the faith of Christ, even unto the end
• They never could be prevailed upon to take up arms against their brethren
• They were a zealous AND beloved people, a highly favored people of the Lord
Their zeal towards God likely reflects an eagerness to please God and worship Him with fervor and passion. Their zeal towards men suggests an ardent interest in helping and serving others. Being perfectly upright and honest in all things suggests that they held their covenants firmly and did not rationalize their commitments to God or man. We further know that they taught their children the gospel in their homes. We know that they buried their weapons of war, distancing themselves from temptations. They must have frequently assessed the condition of their spiritually changed hearts. They did not simply assume that all was well. By figuratively examining their changed hearts, they could identify any early hardening or rejection and treat it. “Preserving the Heart’s Mighty Change,” Dale G. Renlund, Nov 2009 Ensign.
WHY DIDN’T THE NEPHITES ENTER INTO THE SAME OATH OR COVENANT AS THE ANTILEHINEPHIS? WHY DON’T WE?
I think Alma answers this questions for us: knowing God’s will for us. The will of the Lord may have been, probably was, different than the will of the Lord for the AntiLehiNephies. Also, were are all progressing at different paces along the path of life. The Nephites were of course still good (they welcomed people who had previously been out to kill them), but recognized the need to protect and respect different people and different situations.
I was really impressed with Alma 29 (I always am) because I recognized this time that he is giving us a recipe to help yield or conform to the will of the Lord.
Alma 29:1-2 Your personal desire/natural man
Alma 29:3 Be content with what the Lord has given you
Alma 29:4-5 Know the laws of God and know God.
Respect the agency of men.
Alma 29:6 Understand your calling and responsibilities regarding your calling.
Alma 29:7-8 Yielding to His will, timing and purpose.
Alma 29:9 You may not know his purposes, but He has given you instructions; obey them in order to be an instrument for his purposes.
Alma 29:10 Remember what the Lord has done for you – count your blessings.
Alma 29:11-13 Remember what the Lord has done for your fathers – other miracles/power of God.
Alma 29:14 Rejoice and respect the callings of others as they are instruments in the Lord’s purposes too.
Alma 29:16 Realize that the desire to bring others to the gospel will be fulfilled, but it won’t all be because of you.
Even though Alma's desire to bring all people to repentance and preach the gospel, was a righteous desire, it apparently wasn't meant for him to fulfill that purpose. He was only meant to fulfill the purpose/calling the Lord gave him. This makes me want to do a better job with what I have been given, because as Alma says: why should I desire more than to perform the work to which I have been called? And if I am called to do more, then I have a new opportunity to learn more or different responsibility. "Line upon line, precept upon precept."
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