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Book of Mormon Commentary
Alma Chapter 14
Just before the prophet suffered martyrdom at the stake, he prophesied: "What you do with me,
after this, shall be as a type and a shadow of things which are to come” (Mosiah 7:110; Alma
14:69). Abinadi was the first to be killed by fire, but many men, women, and children were thus
killed in Ammonihah (Alma 10:45; 14:60-63). This should be "a type of things to come" (69).
Martyrdom for one's faith is a reminder of the sacrifice of the Lamb of God on Calvary, though
crucifix- ion was considered a slower, more ignominious death.
Alma 14:73 And it came to pass that when the Lamanites saw that they could not overpower the
Nephites, they returned again to their own land; and many of them came over to dwell in the land of
Ishmael and the land of Nephi, and did join themselves to the people of God, who were the people of
Anti-Nephi-Lehi;
The excesses and brutality of the Lamanites could no longer be tolerated by many of them, and led
to their shifting of residence and loyalty .These also buried "their weapons of war. ..and they did
walk in the ways of the Lord. ..and they did keep the law of Moses; ...or it was not all fulfilled"
(74) .The historian adds, "The law of Moses did serve to strengthen their faith in Christ” (76). The
sons of Mosiah did "rejoice exceedingly, for the success" since God had answered their prayers,
and "verified his word unto them in every particular" (78)
AMMON BOASTS OF THE POWER OF GOD, VER.79-128
Alma 14:82 And this is the blessing which hath been bestowed upon us, that we have been made
instruments in the hands of God, to bring about this great work.
Ammon was moved to make a speech in which he rehearsed some ways in which God had moved
among the people. Many of the Lamanites had been brought out of "the darkest abyss. ..to behold
the marvelous light of God" (81). ”'They are in the hands of the Lord of the harvest. .. and he will
raise them up at the last day" (87).
Alma 14:90 And it came to pass that when Ammon had said these words, his brother Aaron rebuked
him, saying: Ammon, I fear that thy joy doth carry thee away unto boasting.
Ammon returned, "1 am nothing; ...I will not boast of myself, but I will boast of my God" (92).
"Behold, who can glory too much in the Lord?" (97). He then reviewed his life of rebellion and
"threatenings to destroy his [God's] church"; and now in mercy God had permitted him to know
his mysteries and "bring thousands of souls to repentance” (104). He asked his brethren to recall
that when they proposed to take the gospel to the Lamanites, "they laughed us to scorn" (105).
Alma 14:111 Now when our hearts were depressed, and we were about to turn back, behold, the Lord
comforted us, and said, Go amongst thy brethren, the Lamanites, and bear with patience thine afflictions,
and I will give unto you success.