More Powerful Than the Sword

Mormon described Alma’s reason for going to preach to the apostate Zoramites in this famous verse: “And now, as the preaching of the word had a great tendency to lead the people to do that which was just—yea, it had had more powerful effect upon the minds of the people than the sword, or anything else, which had happened unto them—therefore Alma thought it was expedient that they should try the virtue of the word of God” (Alma 31:5). As alluded to in this podcast, the king of the Lamanites (and father of King Lamoni) showed us the truth of this statement. When Ammon first met him, the king was angry that a Nephite was among his people and sought to kill him: “And he stretched forth his hand to slay Ammon. But Ammon withstood his blows, and also smote his arm that he could not use it. Now when the king saw that Ammon could slay him, he began to plead with Ammon that he would spare his life. But Ammon raised his sword, and said unto him: Behold, I will smite thee except thou wilt grant unto me that my brethren may be cast out of prison. Now the king, fearing he should lose his life, said: If thou wilt spare me I will grant unto thee whatsoever thou wilt ask, even to half of the kingdom” (Alma 20:20-23). The king was literally under threat of the sword and his physical life was at risk, and in that moment he was willing to offer worldly possessions up to half of his kingdom to save it. Later, Aaron taught him the word of God: “And it came to pass that when Aaron saw that the king would believe his words, he began from the creation of Adam, reading the scriptures unto the king—how God created man after his own image, and that God gave him commandments, and that because of transgression, man had fallen. And Aaron did expound unto him the scriptures from the creation of Adam, laying the fall of man before him, and their carnal state and also the plan of redemption, which was prepared from the foundation of the world, through Christ, for all whosoever would believe on his name.” With the scriptures opened to him and the Spirit of the Lord confirming their truth, the king was deeply moved: “And it came to pass that after Aaron had expounded these things unto him, the king said: What shall I do that I may have this eternal life of which thou hast spoken? Yea, what shall I do that I may be born of God, having this wicked spirit rooted out of my breast, and receive his Spirit, that I may be filled with joy, that I may not be cast off at the last day? Behold, said he, I will give up all that I possess, yea, I will forsake my kingdom, that I may receive this great joy” (Alma 22:12-15). Touched by the word of God, he was ready to give up everything, not just half of his kingdom. The word of God indeed had a more powerful effect on him than the sword had had.

               We see something similar with all the other Lamanites who were converted. Samuel the Lamanite later described them to the Nephites in these words: “And behold, ye do know of yourselves, for ye have witnessed it, that as many of them as are brought to the knowledge of the truth, and to know of the wicked and abominable traditions of their fathers, and are led to believe the holy scriptures, yea, the prophecies of the holy prophets, which are written, which leadeth them to faith on the Lord, and unto repentance, which faith and repentance bringeth a change of heart unto them—Therefore, as many as have come to this, ye know of yourselves are firm and steadfast in the faith, and in the thing wherewith they have been made free. And ye know also that they have buried their weapons of war, and they fear to take them up lest by any means they should sin; yea, ye can see that they fear to sin—for behold they will suffer themselves that they be trodden down and slain by their enemies, and will not lift their swords against them, and this because of their faith in Christ” (Helaman 15:7-9). They were indeed more moved by the word of God than the sword. They faced the threat of the sword from their brethren, and were unmoved by it because of the word of God: “Now when the people saw that they were coming against them they went out to meet them, and prostrated themselves before them to the earth, and began to call on the name of the Lord; and thus they were in this attitude when the Lamanites began to fall upon them, and began to slay them with the sword” (Alma 24:21). The Anti-Nephi-Lehies were more motivated by the word of God that had led them to repent than they were by the sword of their brethren hanging over their heads. Indeed, perhaps Alma was thinking of their example as he prepared to go to the Zoramites to preach, learning from their powerful example that indeed the word of God is more powerful than the sword.

               In our dispensation the Lord said this: “Behold, I am God; give heed unto my word, which is quick and powerful, sharper than a two-edged sword, to the dividing asunder of both joints and marrow; therefore give heed unto my words” (Doctrine and Covenants 6:2). Perhaps we should remember these Lamanite converts as we consider how God’s word revealed to us today can be more powerful and long-lasting than the physical weapons and might of men. Our greatest impact in the world will come as we embrace and share the word of God.