Alma, a Faithful Friend

To me the most powerful example of a friend in the Book of Mormon is Alma (the Younger). Even before he repented of his sins, he was known for his friendship with the sons of Mosiah: “He did go about secretly with the sons of Mosiah seeking to destroy the church.” They were all converted after the angel visited them, and they then went together to preach to the people: “Alma began from this time forward to teach the people, and those who were with Alma at the time the angel appeared unto them, traveling round about through all the land…. And four of them were the sons of Mosiah; and their names were Ammon, and Aaron, and Omner, and Himni” (Mosiah 27:10, 32, 34). The power of their friendship was seen in their reunion after the mission of the sons of Mosiah to the Lamanites: “As Alma was journeying from the land of Gideon southward, away to the land of Manti, behold, to his astonishment, he met with the sons of Mosiah journeying towards the land of Zarahemla. Now these sons of Mosiah were with Alma at the time the angel first appeared unto him; therefore Alma did rejoice exceedingly to see his brethren; and what added more to his joy, they were still his brethren in the Lord” (Alma 17:1-2). Mormon also described this reunification in these words, “And it came to pass that as Ammon was going forth into the land, that he and his brethren met Alma, over in the place of which has been spoken; and behold, this was a joyful meeting…. Now the joy of Alma in meeting his brethren was truly great” (Alma 27:16, 19). Alma was a true friend to the sons of Mosiah, and so their meeting after so many years was filled with joy. Soon thereafter Alma took Ammon, Aaron, and Omner with him to preach to the Zoramites. There was not a trace of competition between these missionaries but Alma declared, “My joy is more full because of the success of my brethren, who have been up to the land of Nephi. Behold, they have labored exceedingly, and have brought forth much fruit; and how great shall be their reward! Now, when I think of the success of these my brethren my soul is carried away, even to the separation of it from the body, as it were, so great is my joy” (Alma 29:14-16). He was a true friend who had great joy for the success of his friends, never comparing himself to them but only rejoicing in their happiness.

            We also see the power of Alma’s friendship in his experiences with Amulek and Zeezrom. When Alma first started his preaching to the people after giving up the judgment seat, he did so alone. But the Lord led him to Amulek in Ammonihah, and the two became missionary companions and devoted friends. We read that Alma “blessed Amulek and his house, and he gave thanks unto God” when he first met him, and then “Alma tarried many days with Amulek before he began to preach unto the people” (Alma 8:22, 27). Amulek later described Alma this way, “He hath blessed mine house, he hath blessed me, and my women, and my children, and my father and my kinsfolk; yea, even all my kindred hath he blessed, and the blessing of the Lord hath rested upon us according to the words which he spake” (Alma 10:11). After their terrible trial in Ammonihah—where Alma and Amulek watched the innocent be murdered and languished in prison for many days—Mormon recorded what Alma did: “Alma having seen all these things, therefore he took Amulek and came over to the land of Zarahemla, and took him to his own house, and did administer unto him in his tribulations, and strengthened him in the Lord” (Alma 15:18). Alma blessed Amulek and his family, tarried with Amulek, suffered with Amulek, and strengthened Amulek in his time of need. Alma was surely a true friend to Amulek, and after these experiences at Ammonihah, Alma continued preaching with his friend.

            Alma also showed what kind of friend he was in the way he treated Zeezrom. Zeezrom originally opposed Amulek and Alma in their preaching to the people of Ammonihah. Mormon described him this way: “Now Zeezrom was a man who was expert in the devices of the devil, that he might destroy that which was good” (Alma 11:21). He tried to humiliate the two missionaries in front of all the people, but Alma and Amulek withstood him with the Spirit of the Lord. Eventually Zeezrom regretted his actions, and he was cast out of the city when he started to stand up for them. When Alma and Amulek eventually left the city, they heard that Zeezrom was suffering in Sidon. We read, “And also Zeezrom lay sick at Sidom, with a burning fever, which was caused by the great tribulations of his mind on account of his wickedness, for he supposed that Alma and Amulek were no more; and he supposed that they had been slain because of his iniquity. And this great sin, and his many other sins, did harrow up his mind until it did become exceedingly sore, having no deliverance; therefore he began to be scorched with a burning heat. Now, when he heard that Alma and Amulek were in the land of Sidom, his heart began to take courage; and he sent a message immediately unto them, desiring them to come unto him.” I love the response of these two men who had once been publicly mocked by Zeezrom: “And it came to pass that they went immediately, obeying the message which he had sent unto them; and they went in unto the house unto Zeezrom; and they found him upon his bed, sick, being very low with a burning fever.” They went immediately to bless this man. When they got there, Alma did not remind Zeezrom of what he had done to them; he did not hold any grudge against him; he did not tell him, “I told you so.” No, Alma simply blessed him and prayed to the Lord for him: “And then Alma cried unto the Lord, saying: O Lord our God, have mercy on this man, and heal him according to his faith which is in Christ. And when Alma had said these words, Zeezrom leaped upon his feet, and began to walk; and this was done to the great astonishment of all the people; and the knowledge of this went forth throughout all the land of Sidom” (Alma 15:10-11). After that Alma baptized Zeezrom and then took him with him on his next mission. Alma was a true friend who went immediately to help even one who had been an enemy. Alma’s life gives us a powerful example of what it means to be a faithful friend.