Alma 33 & 34 – What’s the Holdup?

Good questions in Alma 33.

How exactly do we grow this seed of faith Alma spoke of in Chapter 32?

Alma’s answer is both simple and expansive: worship God wherever you are. Pray everywhere — at work, at home, in your closet, in congregation, even when cast out. God has boundless mercy and hears our prayers. Why? Because of His Son. Alma teaches that judgment is turned away because of Christ.

Alma asks the people if they have read the scriptures. I always pause there. How exactly did they read them? Did they have access? Were they scrolls? Metal plates? Bound somehow? It’s irrelevant to the doctrine, but I’m curious. Still, they clearly knew the words of the prophets well enough to be accountable.

That curiosity led me to another question: Why does Alma quote Zenos and Zenock?

It seems to boil down to this:

• God hears humble prayer anywhere.
• Christ has always been the center of worship.
• The way has always been faith — not performance.

The Zoramites were persecuting and being persecuted. Alma reminds them that these ancient prophets were also persecuted — one even stoned to death for teaching of Jesus Christ. Testifying of Christ has never been universally popular. But it has always been true.

Then Alma reminds them of the Israelites who would not look at the brass serpent. Why wouldn’t they look? Because their hearts were hard. That hits me every time. My constant prayer is that the hearts of loved ones who have stepped away from the covenant path will be softened. A hard heart is difficult to penetrate. Only the Lord can do that work.

Alma 33:23 Plant the word in your heart. The word — scriptures and the teachings of prophets. What do we have to do to become a tree springing up unto everlasting life? Plant the word. Study it. Let it sink deep. Nourish it with faith. Then comes the promise: our burdens will be made light through the joy of His Son.

Isn’t that something to work for?

And whose choice is it?

“…and even all this can ye do if ye will.”

What’s the holdup?

There is a promise: Burdens lightened.
There is a cost: Study the word and nourish it with faith.

I love a promise.

Then Amulek stands and says, essentially, “I know.” He testifies:

• Christ will come and take upon Him the transgressions of His people.
• He will atone for the sins of the world — yours, mine, everyone’s.
• His sacrifice fulfills the law of Moses and ends the shedding of animal blood.
• The law always pointed to the last great sacrifice — the Son of God.
• Salvation comes to those who believe on His name.
• Mercy satisfies the demands of justice.

And then that phrase in verse 16 — one I have loved for years — mercy “encircles them in the arms of safety.”

Encircled. Wrapped. Held. In His arms.

I used that phrase in a song I wrote once. When I read it now, I’m transported back to that moment. I have felt those arms of safety. I seek to feel them daily.

Amulek asks: Where do we pray?

• In our fields (our places of employment)
• In our houses — morning, mid-day, and evening
• For power against enemies
• Over our crops and flocks (the proceeds of our daily labor)
• In closets and secret places
• In our hearts continually for our own welfare and for those around us

Are we finished if we pray like that? Not quite.

If we turn away the poor, our prayers are in vain. We become hypocrites. We become as dross — and dross is good for nothing.

Now is the time to prepare to meet God. This life is the day for us to perform our labors.

One note I once wrote in my scriptures simply says: The heart.

Why does the Lord dwell in our hearts? Because the heart is the control center. Everything we think, say, and do flows from it. If our heart is centered on Him, our lives will be centered on Him.

I remember where I was when my heart was not centered on the Savior. It was dark. Unfulfilling. Heavy.

Oh the joy — the deep satisfaction — of knowing God is the center of my life.

Plant the word. Nourish it with faith.
Look and live.

He has made a promise.

And even all this can we do — if we will