Alma's Example of Priesthood Service

The life and teachings of Alma the Younger are a powerful example of what devoted priesthood service looks like. We see how he balanced important priorities and gave his all in the service of the Lord. He labored diligently both in his secular and spiritual service, to his people and to his family. Alma focused both on missionary work to those who had not joined the church and he also labored for those in the church who had gone astray. He successfully balanced his responsibilities to the church and to his family, taking time to both teach his sons and preach the gospel to the people. I believe there are several important principles about priesthood service that his life and mission exemplify which should inspire each of us in our ministering and responsibilities in the church.

One of Alma’s focuses was the word of God and its power. Alma understood the potential of the scriptures and the word of God to change and motivate the people to repent. When he decided to give up his position as the chief judge because of the wickedness of the people, Mormon recorded that he did it so “that he might preach the word of God unto them, to stir them up in remembrance of their duty, and that he might pull down, by the word of God, all the pride and craftiness and all the contentions which were among his people” (Alma 4:19). His focus was on teaching the people the words of the Lord in the scriptures and given by the Holy Spirit. When he went among the Zoramites, “Alma thought it was expedient that they should try the virtue of the word of God” (Alma 31:5). He taught the poor among this people, “Ye ought to search the scriptures” and he questioned them poignantly, “Do ye believe those scriptures which have been written by them of old?... Now behold, my brethren, I would ask if ye have read the scriptures?” (Alma 33:2, 14) He understood the power of the written word of God and likewise focused on the importance of the scriptures in his teachings to his son Helaman. He presented the records to his son for him to care for and described them this way, “It has hitherto been wisdom in God that these things should be preserved; for behold, they have enlarged the memory of this people, yea, and convinced many of the error of their ways, and brought them to the knowledge of their God unto the salvation of their souls.” He compared the word of God with the Liahona and questioned his son, “And now I say, is there not a type in this thing? For just as surely as this director did bring our fathers, by following its course, to the promised land, shall the words of Christ, if we follow their course, carry us beyond this vale of sorrow into a far better land of promise.” Alma’s life and teachings evidenced the importance of the word of God in bringing souls back to the Lord and his invitation to all of us is to “give heed to the word of Christ” in the scriptures and spoken by the Holy Ghost (Alma 37:8, 44-45). We cannot successful serve in the priesthood without the power of the scriptures.

Another theme in the life of Alma is the importance of humble, fervent prayer. Even after his successes preaching the gospel and bringing souls to Christ, he never lost sight of his total dependence on the Lord. When he served in a secular capacity he petitioned the Lord in these words when he was battling an enemy he prayed powerfully, “O Lord, have mercy and spare my life, that I may be an instrument in thy hands to save and preserve this people” (Alma 2:30). When he visited the people of Ammonihah he “labored much in the spirit, wrestling with God in mighty prayer, that he would pour out his Spirit upon the people who were in the city” (Alma 8:10). When he went among the Zoramites and saw their extreme wickedness, he poured out his heart to God for strength: “O Lord, wilt thou grant unto me that I may have strength, that I may suffer with patience these afflictions which shall come upon me, because of the iniquity of this people. O Lord, wilt thou comfort my soul, and give unto me success” (Alma 31:31-32). He knew that he depended fully on the Lord for help in these missionary labors. He also taught this people that they were to turn to the Lord in fervent prayer according to the words of Zenos: “Do ye remember to have read what Zenos, the prophet of old, has said concerning prayer or worship? For he said: Thou art merciful, O God, for thou hast heard my prayer, even when I was in the wilderness” (Alma 33:3-4). When he taught Helaman he similarly emphasized the importance of prayer: “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” (Alma 37:37). These and many other examples during his priesthood service and teaching show the power of prayer and invite us to not forget the importance of prayer for ourselves and those to whom we minister.