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

Book of Mormon Commentary
Alma Chapter 6
AN ANGEL DIRECTS ALMA TO RETURN AND PREACH, VER. 18-42
Alma 6:18 It came to pass that while Alma was thus weighed down with sorrow, behold an angel of the
Lord appeared unto him, saying, Blessed art thou, Alma; therefore lift up thy head and rejoice, for thou
hast great cause to rejoice:
When one is suffering from abuse and discouragement while doing the Lord's work, he needs to
know that the Savior is concerned, and will not permit him "to be tempted above that ye are able"
(1 Corinthians 10:13). Many have testified that it was under conditions of stress that they received
their greatest testimonies of divine power (See Matthew 5:6).
The angel said, "Thou hast great cause to rejoice; for thou hast been faithful in keeping the
commandments of God" (Alma 6:18, 19). No doubt Alma had a consciousness of this, but the
assurance was needed to give him the desire to return to Ammonihah, and to try again to minister
to the people. He was to lift up a warning voice: repent or be destroyed (21). He returned speedily
to the city but entered from the south (23, 24).
Alma 6:25 And as he entered the city he was an hungered, and he said to a man, Will ye give to an
humble servant of God something to eat?
Alma "had fasted many days” (34) and felt a great need for food. Surely this was not just a casual
meeting, but God had directed his course so he would meet this particular man.
Alma 6:26 And the man said unto him, I am a Nephite, and I know that thou art a holy prophet of God,
for thou art the man whom an angel said in a vision, Thou shalt receive;
Amulek had also seen an angel who had a message for him. He was told that he would be asked
for food by a prophet and that he should receive him. 'He promptly invited him to his house to
partake of food and added, "1 know that thou will be a blessing unto me and my house” (27).
After Alma had eaten and was filled, he blessed Amulek and his house and then identified himself.
Alma 6:30 And after he had eaten and was filled, he said unto Amulek, I am Alma, and am the high
priest over the church of God throughout the land.
He told of his effort to preach to the people of that city, but that they "would not receive me, but
they cast me out" (32). He had gone some distance when he was commanded to return "and
prophesy unto this people" and to testify against them for their iniquities (33). The angel said he
was to return and "preach"; however, when God's servants preach with the power of the Holy
Spirit, they are ministering in "the spirit of prophecy" (Revelation 19:10).
Alma 6:35 And Alma tarried many days with Amulek, before he began to preach unto the people.