There is a Path to Return

Alma 9 – There is a Path for Our Return

It had to be a great comfort to Alma to have Amulek traveling with him as he preached to the people.

In Verse 17 he said, “And at some period of time (speaking of those who have fallen away from the path of righteousness) they will be brought to believe in his word, and to know of the incorrectness of the traditions of their fathers; and many of them will be saved, for the Lord will be merciful unto all who call on his name.”

I believe this is a promise to all of us.  I think Alma is speaking about covenant people whose forefathers made poor choices.  Just the same, at “some period of time”. . .   We know that the Lord will someday return to earth (Isaiah 40:5) and that ALL flesh shall see it together.  Oh how I pray my wandering children won’t wait for that event, but that somehow the Spirit can have sway with them so that they can have some joy in this life before they realize how poor their choices have been. 

In verses 20-23 Alma tells the people how they have been highly favored of the Lord.  I suspect this is because they have temple blessings.  V20 – all things have been made known to them.  Aren’t all things made known to us in the temple?  V21 - They have been visited by the Spirit of God, heard the voice of the Lord and had the spirit of prophecy as well as many gifts (gifts of the spirit).  Again, I think temple.  They have been delivered.  Alma mentions the famines, sickness, diseases that create bondage and how the Lord has delivered them time after time. (v22).  He tells them they have prospered until they are rich in all manner of things – and then they have transgressed contrary to the light.  How disappointing it is to watch a loved one who has been so abundantly blessed in the ways of the Lord, and then chooses to “go it alone”.  It breaks a parent’s heart to watch and feel so helpless to fix.  But the Lord’s ways are just.  This much I know:  The way for their return was planned long before this world was created.  Our Savior has made way for their return and it is available to them whenever they are ready to make the change that will allow that path to open up.