Book of Mormon Commentary CofC - Odessa, Missouri Community ...

Book of Mormon Commentary
ALMA BECOMES A HIGH PRIEST, VER. 1-27
Mosiah Chapter 11
Mos 11:2 And the Lord did strengthen them, that the people of King Noah could not overtake them, to
destroy them.
11:2 Alma was “warned of the Lord" and fled before Noah's armies. After an eight-day journey they
came to a beautiful land with pure water (4). The people asked Alma to be their king, but he refused, and
gave them the words of the Lord, “Ye shall not esteem one flesh above another" and followed with his
own deduction, “It is not expedient that ye should have a king” (7). There is always a risk of getting a
wicked king like Noah (8). Alma ends his message to them with this charge, "Trust no man to be a king
over you" (14; see also Alma 23:9).
Mos 11:17 And now Alma was their high priest, he being the founder of their church.
11:17 This was not man's doings, for Alma was led by the Spirit of God (9:44, 51). "None received
authority to preach or to teach, except it were by him [Alma] from God" (Mos.11:18).
The people immediately began to prosper, to build cities, and to multiply in the land of Helam (22).
THE LAMANlTES FIND AND ENSLAVE THEM, VER. 28-59
Mos 11:28 For behold, it came to pass that while they were in the land of Helam, yea, in the city of
Helam, while tilling the land round about, behold an army of the Lamanites were in the borders of the
land.
11:28 This was the army sent out after the people of King Limhi which became lost (34). However, the
Lamanites found the priests of Noah at Amulon, a place named after their leader. The lives of the priests
were spared to please their wives, who were Lamanites. These people joined the army in searching for
the land of Nephi. They promised Alma and his people to spare their lives and give them their liberty on
the condition they would show them the way to Nephi. After Alma did that, the Lamanites "would not
keep their promise; but they set guards round about the land of Helam" (41).
Mos 11:47 And now the name of the king of the Lamanites was Laman, being called after the name of
his father; and therefore he was called King Laman.
11:47 He ruled over "a numerous people." They were "friendly one with another" (50). They "'began to
increase in riches, and began to trade one with another... and to be a cunning and a wise people" (52).
Amulon had won favor with King Laman, and was made king over his people (43, 44). When he gained
power he began to "exercise authority ovef' Alma's people, and to persecute them (54). When their
burdens became heavy "they began to cry mightily to God" (57). Amulon forbade them to pray aloud on
pain of death. But they "did pour out their hearts to him; and he did know the thoughts of their hearts"
(59). God's purposes "can not be frustrated" (D. and C. 2:1a). Things were dark and hard for God's
people, but their faith triumphed.
ALMA'S PEOPLE ARE DELIVERED, VER. 60-87
Mos 11:64 Yea, the Lord did strengthen them that they could bear up their burdens with ease, and they
did submit cheerfully and with patience to all the will of the Lord.