Alma's Words to His Sons

After serving among the Zoramites in the land of Antionum and brining many of them to the knowledge of the truth, Alma returned to the land of Zarahemla.  Those Zoramites who were not converted “began to mix with the Lamanites and to stir them up also to anger against” the people of Ammon who received the believers of the Zoramites, and “the Zoramites and the Lamanites began to make preparations for war against the people of Ammon, and also against the Nephites.”  This was a dangerous and difficult time among the Nephites as war broke out between the Nephites and the Lamanites.  Alma was deeply concerned about the difficult circumstances as Mormon recorded, “Alma, being grieved for the iniquity of his people, yea for the wars, and the bloodsheds, and the contentions which were among them; and having been to declare the word, or sent to declare the word, among all the people in every city; and seeing that the hearts of the people began to wax hard, and that they began to be offended because of the strictness of the word, his heart was exceedingly sorrowful.”  Because of his worry, he turned first to his family and sought to strengthen them: “Therefore, he caused that his sons should be gathered together, that he might give unto them every one his charge, separately, concerning the things pertaining unto righteousness” (Alma 35:10-16).  He knew that the most important thing to do in that difficult time was to help his family keep the commandments of God.   

We now have recorded in Alma 36-42 the powerful words that he spoke to them and I am so grateful that we do, for much of his testimony to his sons has become well-known passages of scripture that continue to inspire and teach millions around the world.  To Helaman he bore a powerful witness of the power of the Savior to save him from the chains of sin: “I cried within my heart: O Jesus, thou Son of God, have mercy on me, who am in the gall of bitterness, and am encircled about by the everlasting chains of death. And now, behold, when I thought this, I could remember my pains no more; yea, I was harrowed up by the memory of my sins no more. And oh, what joy, and what marvelous light I did behold; yea, my soul was filled with joy as exceeding as was my pain!”  He also testified to Helaman of the power of trusting in the Lord to get us through all of our difficulties: “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” (Alma 36:3,18-20).  I have often thought of this promise and taken comfort in my own difficulties as I have tried to trust in the Lord as he taught.  Surely Helaman clung to this promise as he experienced incredible trials amidst the great war between the Nephites and the Lamanites when he led the stripling warriors. 

Many other passages from Alma’s words to his sons have also become well-known and powerful instructions to Latter-day Saints.  To Helaman Alma also said, “By small and simple things are great things brought to pass; and small means in many instances doth confound the wise. And the Lord God doth work by means to bring about his great and eternal purposes.”  Those words have inspired many of us to keep going in the small things of the gospel, knowing that they will one day bear fruit.  Alma likewise bore witness of the power of sincere prayer in these beautiful words: “Counsel with the Lord in all thy doings, and he will direct thee for good; yea, when thou liest down at night lie down unto the Lord, that he may watch over you in your sleep; and when thou risest in the morning let thy heart be full of thanks unto God; and if ye do these things, ye shall be lifted up at the last day” (Alma 37:6-7,37).  To Shiblon he gave this now famous counsel that still teaches us today: “Use boldness, but not overbearance; and also see that ye bridle all your passions, that ye may be filled with love; see that ye refrain from idleness” (Alma 38:12).  And to Corianton he gave this oft-repeated and comforting teaching about death: “It has been made known unto me by an angel, that the spirits of all men, as soon as they are departed from this mortal body, yea, the spirits of all men, whether they be good or evil, are taken home to that God who gave them life” (Alma 40:11).  In this simple statement about wickedness we are taught where true happiness comes from: “Do not suppose, because it has been spoken concerning restoration, that ye shall be restored from sin to happiness. Behold, I say unto you, wickedness never was happiness” (Alma 41:10).  That truth that Alma expressed so succinctly continues to inspire many to live a life of true happiness by keeping the commandments.  These passages and many others are powerful testimonies of the gospel from Alma’s testimony to his sons.  I’m so grateful that Alma recorded his words so that we could have them to likewise inspire us on the covenant path, and his example can inspire us to likewise teach and testify of the gospel to our own children.