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

Book of Mormon Commentary
Alma Chapter 16
Shortly after Korihor's death, word came to Alma 'that a group of dissenters in Antionum were
being led by Zoram "to bow down to dumb idols'. (78). The Nephites feared that this group would
encourage the Lamanites to attack them. Alma had observed that preaching had a more powerful
effect than the sword, therefore he took Ammon, Aaron, and Omner, but Himni he left to watch
over the church in Zarahemla. He also took Amulek and Zeezrom and his sons Shiblon and
Corianton but left his son Helaman. Alma and his party preached to the Zoramites (83-85).
Alma 16:86 But they had fallen into great errors, for they would not observe to keep the
commandments of God, and his statutes, according to the Law of Moses;
They also omitted daily prayers and "did pervert the ways of the Lord" (87). The brethren were
astonished to find that these people had built synagogues which had a standing place built head
high in the center with room for only one person (89, 90). Whoever desired to worship would go
to this holy stand and pray with a loud voice and outstretched hands. The prayer was memorized,
and called on a spirit god, giving thanks to God, who had "separated us from our brethren
[Nephites]," and their traditions. "We believe that thou hast elected us to be thy holy children"
(91). They did not believe in Christ. All people other than themselves were "elected to be cast by
thy wrath down to hell" (92).
Rameumptom was the name given by the Zoramites to the elevated place in their synagogues
whence they offered up their vainglorious and hypocritical prayers.
Ramoth, high (as in Ramoth Gilead), elevated, a place where one can see and be seen; or, in a
figurative sense, sublime or exalted. Mptom has probably its roots in the Hebrew word translated,
threshold; as we are told that the Philistines' god, Dagon, has a threshold in Ashdod (1 Sam. 5:4,
5). Words with this root are quite common in the Bible. Thus we see how Rameumptom means a
high place to stand upon, a holy stand.
Alma 16:94 And again we thank thee, O God, that we are a chosen and a holy people. Amen.
All the people followed this routine of mounting the holy stand and reciting the prayer; then they
would return to their homes and forget their God for a week.
After Alma and his brethren had witnessed this type of worship in the synagogues, Alma's heart
was grieved. He saw "their hearts were set upon gold, and upon silver, and upon all manner of fine
goods. ..and. ..were lifted up unto great boasting, in their pride" (100, 101). Then he cried out in
prayer for the Zoramites. He pleaded for strength, "that I may bear with mine infirmities (109)
...that I may suffer with patience these afflictions ...because of the iniquity of this people" (111) .
Alma 16:114 O Lord, wilt thou grant unto us that we may have success in bringing them again unto
thee, in Christ?
Alma then prays for power and wisdom to minister to them, for "their souls are precious, and
many of them are our near brethren" (115). The record says that Alma "clapped [laid] his hands
upon all them who were with him; and. ..they were filled with the Holy Spirit" (116, 117). Then
they went their separate ways, taking no thought of "what they should eat, of. ., drink, or. ..put on"
(118). As they traveled they preached in synagogues, houses, and on the streets (121).