The Lord has a Plan

Alma 14 & 15

I couldn't stop at 14. These two chapters really tell a more complete story. Alma and Amulek are in the city of Ammonihah, imprisoned because of the truths they speak. The people persecute them and keep them bound, thirsty and hungry. The people come into prison and taunt them, spitting upon them and slapping their faces.

What would this look like in today's world? For one, I cannot conceive of such inhumanity to man. It seems like the entire city was in on it. Really? Would there not be indifferent people? In today's world, I would think we'd see more indifference. Just how big was this City of Ammonihah anyway? This is a problem I have in reading the entire Book of Mormon. It seems like the cities would be a lot smaller than anything we call a city today.

Now here is why I can't stop at Chapter 14. What happened to Zeezrom? Zeezrom teaches us one of the more important lessons we can learn in the Book of Mormon about the health of the human body. The body was not meant to carry burdens – i.e. when we lie, our spirit knows it. What happens when we lie? We feel guilt! What does guilt do? With Zeezrom, he was physically ill with a burning fever! Does this give us any clue as to how sensitive the spirit of man really is? I believe it does. The book “The Body Cannot Lie” is a great read on this topic. So this one isn't a hard thing for me to believe at all.

So what about Zeezrom? Alma asks him questions. Here is another evidence that we teach by asking questions.  Does Zeezrom believe in the power of the Savior to heal him. Zeezrom does not hesitate to say he believes all the words of Alma. Then Alma heals him according to his faith. Is this a key? Why are we not healed sometimes when we ask for a blessing. Could it be that we do not have enough faith in the Savior to heal us? Sometimes, maybe. But we must accept the fact that sometimes the Lord has a greater plan for us. For Zeezrom, it was to clean up the mess he had made, i.e. “he began from that time forth to preach unto the people”. I would suggest that is one way we can know if a person truly has repented. When they go forth and use their resources to save others, you can be pretty sure they have embraced the teachings of the gospel.

How does this apply to me today? Maybe not to me personally right now, but I look forward to a day when those I love will make a miraculous change such as Zeezrom. I can only imagine what a beautiful thing that will be because I believe we are all meant for greatness, and that the Lord has great things in store for those who love him. This has been my own experience and I fully expect it for anyone who embraces the gospel and passes it forward.