A great story of commitment and companionship unfolded as Alma [the son of AlmaT resigned his office as chief judge to devote his life to preaching the gospel and establishing the Church among his people.
While on his missionary travels, Alma gained a convert in Amulek, who became not only his ally in the unfriendly city of Ammonihah, but also a fellow laborer in establishing the Church throughout the land.The Book of Mormon account of the partnership of Alma and Amulek, a citizen of Ammonihah, is not extensive. However, from the little information recorded, one may surmise that Alma and Amulek, as companions in the Lord's work, demonstrated true commitment.
Alma and Amulek shared many similarities, some of which are immediately obvious:
First, both were Nephites, and were distantly related. Alma's father was a descendant of Nephi. (Mosiah 17:2.) Amulek was a "son of Giddonah, who was the son of Ishamel, who was a descendant of Aminadi . . . [whoT was a descendant of Nephi. (Alma 10:3-4.)
Second, both Alma and Amulek were well-known among their people. Alma was known throughout Zarahemla as the son of Alma, the Nephite prophet. Amulek was a man of considerable wealth and reputation in Ammonihah, and had many relatives and friends. (Alma 10:4.)
Third, both had been rebellious against the Lord's teachings earlier in their lives. Alma had sought to destroy the Church before his conversion. (Mosiah 27:8-10.) Amulek was not as zealous in his rebellion, but he said: "I did harden my heart . . . I went on rebelling against God. . . . " (Alma 10:6.)
Fourth, Alma and Amulek received angelic visitations. Alma's first was when an angel spoke to him and the sons of Mosiah. (Mosiah 27:11-16.) An angel in a vision had instructed Amulek regarding Alma's forthcoming return visit to the city of Ammonihah. (Alma 8:20.)
In his October 1984 general conference address, Elder Robert B. Harbertson of the First Quorum of the Seventy spoke of the association of Alma and Amulek:
"Alma was a blessing to Amulek and his family while he abided with them, and they loved him deeply. Finally, the word came again to Alma, saying, `Go,' and telling him to call Amulek to travel with him and be his companion in teaching the gospel of Jesus Christ. Amulek obeyed and began his missionary labors with Alma."
`Through the eyes of eternity'
When Alma and Amulek were forced to witness the martyrdom of those who accepted the gospel message, Amulek said to Alma: "How can we witness this awful scene? Therefore let us stretch forth our hands, and exercise the power of God which is in us, and save them from the flames." Alma replied, "The Spirit constraineth me that I must not stretch forth mine hand; for behold the Lord receiveth them up unto himself, in glory; and he doth suffer that they may do this thing, or that the people may do this thing unto them, according to the hardness of their hearts, that the judgments which he shall exercise upon them in his wrath may be just; and the blood of the innocent shall stand as a witness against them, yea, and cry mightily against them at the last day." (Alma 14:11.)
In A Companion to Your Study of the Book of Mormon, Daniel H. Ludlow wrote: It is difficult for mortals - who see events only through eyes that are restricted by time - to see things in their proper relationship so far as the eternities are concerned. Thus, because we as mortals have only limited vision it is understandable why we sometimes desire or wish for things in this life that would not be for our best welfare in the eternities to come. For example, if we had unlimited power and followed our mortal feelings, we would probably never suffer pain, or disease, or even death. But would this be the best thing for us in eternity?
"It appears only natural that Amulek should plead with Alma to exercise the power of the priesthood and save the righteous people from being burned to death. However, Alma, through the impressions of the Spirit, was able to see things through the eyes of eternity. . . ."
Accuser became a convert
Alma and Amulek preached the gospel in Ammonihah, a city where there were "lawyers . . . who were learned in all the arts of cunning of the people." (Alma 10:14-15.) One of the most cunning of those lawyers was Zeezrom, who "was foremost to accuse Amulek and Alma." (Alma 10:31.)
Because Alma and Amulek "testified so plainly against their wickedness," the people of Ammonihah bound them and took them before the chief judge of the land. As the people testified against Alma and Amulek, Zeezrom "was astonished . . . and knew concerning the blindness of the minds, which he had caused among the people by his lying words; and his soul began to be harrowed up under a consciousness of his own guilt; . . ." Zeezrom spoke in defense of Alma and Amulek, saying that he, himself, was guilty but they were spotless before God. The people reviled Zeezrom, asking, "Art thou also possessed with the devil?" They spit on Zeezrom and cast him out. (Alma 14:1-7.)
Alma and Amulek were imprisoned. Worse, they were taken out and forced to witness the martyrdom of their followers - men, women and children who were burned to death. (Please see related article on this page.)
Sometime after Alma and Amulek were returned to the prison, the power of God was upon them and "they rose and stood upon their feet . . . and broke the cords with which they were bound . . . the earth shook mightily, and the walls of the prison were rent in twain, so that . . . the chief judge, and the lawyers, and priests, and teachers, who smote upon Alma and Amulek, were slain by the fall thereof." (Alma 14:23-27.)
Freed from prison, Alma and Amulek went to Sidom, where Zeezrom had also gone after he had repented and was driven from Ammonihah. " . . . Zeezrom lay . . . with a burning fever, which was caused by the great tribulations of his mind on account of his wickedness. . . . " (Alma 15:3.)
Alma and Amulek went to Zeezrom, who was healed by the power of the Lord. "Alma baptized Zeezrom . . . and he began from that time forth to preach unto the people." (Alma 15:12.)
Articles on this page may be used in conjunction with the Gospel Doctrine course of study.
Information compiled by Gerry Avant
Sources: A companion to your study of the Book of Mormon by Daniel H. Ludlow; October 1983 and October 1984 general conference reports.
