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

Book of Mormon Commentary
Alma Chapter 10
Alma then called upon the Lord for strength for deliverance, and it was granted. They were able to
break the cords. This action filled the tormentors with fear, and they attempted to flee. Instead they
fell to the floor of the prison.
Alma 10:79 And the earth shook mightily, and the walls of the prison were rent in twain, so that they
fell to the earth:
All of those who smote Alma and Amulek were thus slain, but the holy men walked out unhurt
and went into the city (80-83).
The people of the city "having heard a great noise" rushed together to learn the cause of it. Seeing
the prison lying in rubble and Alma and Amulek walking away, the multitude fled from their
presence.
God commanded his two servants to leave the city, so they went to Sidom. Here they found the
believers who had been cast out of Ammonihah and stoned. Then they related to them "all that had
happened unto their wives and children" (88) and to themselves.
Alma 10:89 And also Zeezrom lay sick at Sidom, with a burning fever, which was caused by the great
tribulations of his mind, on account of his wickedness, for he supposed that Alma and Amulek were no
more; and he supposed that they had been slain, by the cause of his iniquity.
He supposed that his words had brought about the death of Alma and Amulek. This sin, and his
other sins “did harrow up his mind, until it did become exceeding sore, having no deliverance,
therefore he began to be scorched with a burning heat”, (90). This is a fairly accurate description
of the fires of hell. When he heard that God's servants had been delivered and were in Sidom, he
took courage and sent for them. When they came he "besought them that they would heal him”,
(94). Alma questioned him as to his faith in Christ and His power to heal. When he had assured
Alma of his faith, " Alma cried unto the Lord, saying, O Lord our God, have mercy on this man,
and heal him according to his faith which is in Christ" (99).
The result was instantaneous and miraculous: "Zeezrom leaped upon his feet, and began to walk"
(100), to the astonishment of the people.
Alma 10:102 And Alma baptized Zeezrom unto the Lord; and he began from that time forth to preach
unto the people.
A wonderful transformation had taken place in this man. Like the apostle Paul a century later,
Zeezrom was turned from a persecutor of the saints to a minister for Christ. "Alma established a
church in the land of Sidom, and consecrated priests and teachers in the land, to baptize unto the
Lord whosoever were desirous to be baptized" (103).
But those who disbelieved ascribed the power exercised by Alma and Amulek to the devil. These
people were disciples of Nehor, who taught that the minister should be popular and remunerated,
that God would save all men in their sins, and that the gratification of pride and lust was thus
justified. Apostle Paul said, "For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but
after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears" (2 Timothy 4:3).
Doubtless there are men today who preach what the congregations wish to hear, for their ears itch
more for the praise of men than for the benediction of God.