One Jesus Christ, a Son of God

The focal point of Alma's testimony to his son Helaman in Alma 36 is verses 17-18 as he told how he had cried unto the Savior for help. He recounted, “And it came to pass that as I was thus racked with torment, while I was harrowed up by the memory of my many sins, behold, I remembered also to have heard my father prophesy unto the people concerning the coming of one Jesus Christ, a Son of God, to atone for the sins of the world.” As I pondered this testimony and experience of Alma, I was struck by the fact that ultimately it was his father’s diligence in teaching his son that had provided him access to this most essential lifeline; it was because his father testified to him of Jesus Christ that Alma was knew where to reach out for divine help in this most desperate moment. Surely he was not a very receptive son to his father’s words, and undoubtedly Alma the Elder had been discouraged thinking his son was not listening—that’s what the actions of Alma the Younger had shown. But this father had persisted and made sure his son knew at least that he knew Jesus Christ would atone for the sins of the world.

               This experience of Alma the Younger highlights the need for all of us as parents to testify to our children of where they can turn for help in their lives. Of all the things that we teach them, surely helping them understand that they can turn to God for help in whatever difficulty they are in is one of the most important. In fact, this is exactly what Alma the Younger was trying to teach to his own son Helaman. He bore witness, “And now, O my son Helaman, behold, thou art in thy youth, and therefore, I beseech of thee that thou wilt hear my words and learn of me; for I do know that whosoever shall put their trust in God shall be supported in their trials, and their troubles, and their afflictions, and shall be lifted up at the last day.” And in case Helaman missed that, he testified again, “And I have been supported under trials and troubles of every kind, yea, and in all manner of afflictions; yea, God has delivered me from prison, and from bonds, and from death; yea, and I do put my trust in him, and he will still deliver me” (Alma 36:3,27). Helaman knew from his father how to put his trust in God to deliver him out of his troubles, and oh how he would need this knowledge!

About a dozen years later Helaman found himself as a general in a war leading the stripling warriors, in desperate need of more food and military assistance, barely hanging out against an almost innumerable enemy. But Helaman knew in whom he should trust and surely he thought often on his own father’s words about the power of God to support him in all his trials. He recounted, “We did pour out our souls in prayer to God, that he would strengthen us and deliver us out of the hands of our enemies, yea, and also give us strength that we might retain our cities, and our lands, and our possessions, for the support of our people. Yea, and it came to pass that the Lord our God did visit us with assurances that he would deliver us; yea, insomuch that he did speak peace to our souls, and did grant unto us great faith, and did cause us that we should hope for our deliverance in him.” Despite the incredible challenges they faced, Helaman testified, “We trust God will deliver us, notwithstanding the weakness of our armies, yea, and deliver us out of the hands of our enemies” (Alma 58:10-11,37). And the Lord did indeed deliver them miraculously out of the hands of the Lamanites, no doubt in large measure due to the great faith of Helaman and all of those stripling warriors. Helaman had indeed put his trust in God just as his father had taught him. This story and so many others invite us to consider how well we are teaching our own children of the greatest source of help available to them in life. If my children learn one thing from me, I hope they know that they can turn to God, that they can cry out to “one Jesus Christ, a Son of God” who has atoned for their sins, and He will come to their aid.