Show Forth His Power

As Alma gave instruction and commandments to his son Helaman, he spoke extensively about the sacred records. Helaman would receive the records and be responsible to continue preserving them and adding his own account. Alma said, “And now remember, my son, that God has entrusted you with these things, which are sacred, which he has kept sacred, and also which he will keep and preserve for a wise purpose in him, that he may show forth his power unto future generations.” He repeated this again saying, “For he promised unto them that he would preserve these things for a wise purpose in him, that he might show forth his power unto future generations.” The holy records were to be preserved by the Lord so that He could show forth His power through them. He explained to Helaman one instance of how the scriptures had already shown their power: “And now behold, one purpose hath he fulfilled, even to the restoration of many thousands of the Lamanites to the knowledge of the truth; and he hath shown forth his power in them, and he will also still show forth his power in them unto future generations; therefore they shall be preserved” (Alma 37:14, 18-19). The holy records had been a means of helping convert thousands of Lamanites to the knowledge of the truth and were indeed a source of great spiritual power for them.

                As I pondered this last verse, I realized that there is an interesting alternative interpretation to it. After describing how thousands of Lamanites were brought to a knowledge of the truth, Alma said, “He hath shown forth his power in them.” What is them referring to? The scriptures is the most obvious answer, and that is surely what was intended. But I think it could also refer to the Lamanites themselves. The Lord indeed showed His power in these new converts as they repented and “were also distinguished for their zeal towards God, and also towards men; for they were perfectly honest and upright in all things; and they were firm in the faith of Christ, even unto the end” (Alma 27:27). When they let their lives be taken by their brethren, their example and faith was so powerful that many of their attackers were converted to the gospel. The last sentence of Alma 37:19 says this, “He will also still show forth his power in them unto future generations; therefore they shall be preserved.” Again the word them here was undoubtedly meant to refer to the scriptures which Alma prophesied would be powerful to future generations and be preserved. But if we understand it as referring to these converted Lamanites it also works: the Lord would show forth His power through these Lamanites even unto future generations. And he would powerfully preserve these new converts and their future generations. That is exactly what happened with the stripling warriors, the sons of the converted Lamanites—they were powerful and were preserved miraculously by the hand of God. And it was this same Helaman who actually led them into battle and saw their unbelievable preservation against all odds. He later declared, “But behold, to my great joy, there had not one soul of them fallen to the earth; yea, and they had fought as if with the strength of God; yea, never were men known to have fought with such miraculous strength” (Alma 56:56). The Lord indeed showed forth His power in them, all because of their trust in Him and in His word.