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

Book of Mormon Commentary
Mosiah Chapter 11
"There began to be much peace again in the land... and they built cities and villages in all quarters of the
land" (156, 157). They then prospered and "became a large and a wealthy people" (158).
SONS OF MOSIAH AND ALMA'S SON CONVERTED, VER. 159-207
Mos 11:163 And as I said unto you, as they were going about rebelling against God, behold, the angel
of the Lord appeared unto them; and he descended as it were in a cloud; and he spake as it were with a
voice of thunder, which caused the earth to shake upon which they stood;
11:163 King Mosiah had four sons: Ammon, Aaron, Omner, and Himni (203). They were led by Alma,
the son of the High Priest Alma, a “wicked and an idolatrous man" (159). He was a fluent speaker and
with much flattery was able to lead away many people (160).
After he was joined by the sons of Mosiah, Alma and his friends greatly hindered the progress of the
church. Their avowed purpose was to destroy the church. It was under these conditions that the angel
came down ''as it were in a cloud" (163). These men were so shocked by this that all five fell to the
earth. The angel cried, “Alma, arise, and stand forth, for why persecuteth thou the church of God?” Then
he continued, "The Lord hath said, This is my church, and I will establish it... Behold, the Lord hath
heard the prayers of his people, and also the prayers of his servant, Alma, who is thy father" (165- 167).
The message was intended for all five to hear, but was addressed to Alma alone. "Can ye dispute the
power of God ?” "Doth not my voice shake the earth?" (170, 171). They were reminded by the angel that
the Lord had delivered their fathers from bondage in the land of Nephi and Helam. Then the angel
departed.
Mos 11:177 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;
11:177 When the angel first spoke, “they fell to the earth” (164). But Alma was commanded to arise.
Doubtless the others also stood, for the record says that all "fell again." Then the conviction came to
them that "nothing save the power of God" could have done this (178). Alma "became dumb" and was
so weak that "he could not move his hands" (179). His companions carried him to his father and told all
that had happened. Alma knew at once that it was the work of God (180, 181). He called the people
together to “witness what the Lord had done" (182). After two days and two nights of prayer and fasting
by the priests, "the limbs of Alma received their strength" (185).
Mos 11:186 For, said he, I have repented of my sins, and have been redeemed of the Lord; behold, I am
born of the Spirit.
11:186 One is reminded of Saul's experience in persecuting the saints as recorded in Acts 8:1-4; 9:1-16.
Alma saw clearly how near he came to being cast off into "an everlasting burning" (190). With joy he
testified, ”My soul hath been redeemed from the gall of bitterness and bonds of iniquity" (191).
Mos 11:200 And now it came to pass that Alma began from this time forward, to teach the people, and
those who were with Alma at the time the angel appeared unto them:
11:200 In this he was joined by the sons of Mosiah. They went about "all the land... preaching the word
of God in much tribulation" (201). Like Paul they would let nothing hinder them, as they strove to
"repair all the injuries which they had done to the church".