Scripture Squiggle: Doctrine and Covenants 63:9-10

"But, behold, faith cometh not by signs, but signs follow those that believe.
Yea, signs come by faith, not by the will of men, nor as they please, but by the will of God."


Signs follow those who believe.  This is, of course, the reason that Laman and Lemuel were not converted when the angel appeared to them.  They were shown a sign, but they didn't have any faith.  But what about Alma the younger and the sons of Mosiah?  They, too, were given a sign without first having faith, but they believed and repented of their sins.

In completing our Sunday school reading for this week, my husband and I read the account of the angel appearing to Laman and Lemuel and their subsequent continued murmurings.  Then, the very next morning, my personal reading happened to be the account of Alma and his brethren.  A very stark contrast indeed.

Naturally, I wanted to know what the difference was.  Why did the appearance of an angel convert some but not others?  Before I could learn that, I had to see the similarities:

• Laman and Lemuel, as well as Alma were sinners.  Alma was described as being "a wicked and idolatrous man" while Laman and Lemuel were compared to the Jews in Jerusalem who sought Lehi's life.  Those people were so wicked that the city of Jerusalem was fast approaching destruction.
• Both angelic appearances were in response to persecution.  Laman and Lemuel were persecuting their younger brothers for wanting to keep the Lord's commandments, and Alma and his brethren were persecuting those who belonged to the church of God, attempting to draw them away.
• Both angelic appearances were in response to some one's faith.  In Laman and Lemuel's case, the faith that brought the angel was that of Nephi as he tried to do his best to obey the commandments the Lord had given him through his father.  For Alma and the sons of Mosiah, it was the faith of Alma's father and the members of the church that brought about the angel's visit.
• Both parties were given specific instruction.  Laman and Lemuel were told to return to Jerusalem and Laban would be delivered into their hands.  Alma and his brethren were told to stop persecuting the church of God.
• The angels came to teach them something.  The angel reaffirmed to Laman and Lemuel that their brother was chosen to rule over them, because of their iniquities.  To Alma and the sons of Mosiah, the angel came to convince them of the power and authority of God.
• Everyone involved was well instructed in the gospel.  Laman and Lemuel were frequently counseled by their prophet-father.  Alma was also the son of a prophet, as were Mosiah's sons.  None of them lacked for knowledge about the Lord.

Although there were differences in the messages delivered by the angels, the main difference in the occurrences is how the people who saw the angels reacted.  

According to Nephi's account, Laman and Lemuel didn't react with any shock or surprise when they saw the angel.  The angel's visit didn't ease their anger toward their brothers, although they did stop hitting them with the rod.  In fact, their reaction was a very worldly, natural man response.  They questioned the Lord's power.  How could God possibly deliver Laban to them?  He was so powerful he could slay fifty people.  They had no faith.

Laman and Lemuel's reaction was also one of hard heartedness.  They had been taught on numerous occasions, yet they rejected what they were given, refusing to look inward and recognize their wrong doings.  This angelic visit was no different.  They didn't want to return to Jerusalem.  They continued to murmur as they followed Nephi back, perhaps they hoped that since Laban could slay fifty, that maybe he would slay their brother for them.

Alma and the sons of Mosiah, however, had a different reaction.  First, they were shocked to see and hear the angel, so shocked that they fell to the earth.  And they listened.  They actually heard the words of the angel and let it change them, let it remind them of the teachings they had received from their fathers.  The change wasn't easy, as Alma records.  He suffered pains so great that he actually wished that he did not exist.  But he allowed his experiences to soften his heart, rather than harden it as Laman and Lemuel did.

I hope I can follow Alma's example, and react to chastisements from the Lord with a soft heart and recognize the need to change.

Fictional Story: Alma 31: 21-23

Corianton watched the Zoramite climb down from the high tower, his robe, ornamented with golden thread, shimmered as he moved. The sun sparkled on the man's jangling ringlets and bracelets.

"Wow, that's quite an outfit," Shiblon, Corianton's brother whispered to him.

"Yeah, the man can dress, but he sure is dumb." Corianton replied. "How can he think that he is saved yet in the same breath deny the Redeemer."

Shiblon looked to his father, Alma. "Father, where do they get these strange ideas?"

"Satan is very cunning. These people want to believe that they can be saved without any effort on their part. They want to justify their sins rather than forsake them." Alma's glance fell briefly on Corianton with his last words.

Corianton rolled his eyes. "How stupid. Won't they be surprised come judgement day!"

Alma looked again toward the Rameumptom. The first man had reached the bottom and a second man now ascended the tall ladder that lead to the top of the tower. His clothing was as elaborate as his fellow Zoramite's. When he reached the platform, the man stretched his hands up, as if reaching for heaven and began reciting the same prayer as the previous man.

Corianton snorted. "Not very creative are they?"

"Corianton," Alma chastised, "What have we been commanded concerning judging others?"

"I'm not judging them," Corianton protested, shaking his head. "They're condemning themselves with their blasphemy."

"I see the contempt in your eyes when you speak. You see these Zoramites as being less than you, sinners that deserve to feel the wrath of the Almighty." Alma paused to watch and listen as another Zoramite began his prayer. "When you condemn them, are you not ascending your own Rameumptom and thanking the Lord that you're saved and they are not?"

"Well, we do have the true gospel, don't we?"

"We do have the true gospel, yes. But we are only following it when we are humble and show charity to those around us. Corianton, these are precious souls, many of them are our brethren. We cannot merely mark them as lost and move on without even trying to bring them back to Christ."

Corianton took a deep breath. "Look at them, Father!" He gestured toward the tower and the people gathered around. "Do you really think they'll listen?"

"We all have our weaknesses, my son." Alma's blue eyes caught his son's gaze and held it. "We are all sinners in need of the Lord's redeeming love to save us. It matters not if they will listen, it only matters that we try, for their sake and our own."

Corianton looked away and said nothing.

"Come my son; climb down from your lofty thoughts, humble yourself. We have a mission to fulfill."

Ficitonal Story: Alma 30:44

Nephihah, the chief judge watched Alma rise from his seat beside him and descend the stairs until he stood level with Korihor. Alma's simple clothing--brown sandals, tan tunic and deep green robe--enhanced Korihor's elaborate dress. As Alma walked around the man, the gold rings on Korihor's bound hands glittered, and although the prisoner had been stripped of his elaborate cape and feathered headdress, Korihor's tunic was made of the finest-twined blue linen with intricate patterns embroidered along the sleeves and hem.

Interesting, Nephihah thought, that Korihor in his fine clothes could accuse Alma of glutting on the labors of the people. Below the dais, Alma stopped in front of Korihor; he held the prisoner's gaze with his piercing blue eyes. Yet Korihor didn't flinch; his eyes smoldered with disdain for the prophet.

"Believest thou that there is a God?" Alma questioned.

"Nay," Korihor snorted with disgust.

Without dropping Korihor's gaze, Alma asked slowly, "Will ye deny again that there is a God, and also deny the Christ? For behold, I say unto you, I know there is a God, and also that Christ shall come. And now what evidence have ye that there is no God, or that Christ cometh not? I say unto you that ye have none, save it be your word only. But behold, I have all things as a testimony that these things are true; and ye also have all things as a testimony unto you that they are true; and will ye deny them? Believest thou that these things are true?"

Alma swept his arms out to encompass the world and raised his head toward the heavens as he spoke. Korihor shook his head and a small smirk sat upon his lips.

The power in Alma's words sent pulses of joy shivering up Nephihah's arms. How can anyone deny God in the face of such testimony?

Whirling around, Alma again faced Korihor; his eyes narrowed at the prisoner. "Behold, I know that thou believest, but thou art possessed with a lying spirit, and ye have put off the Spirit of God that it may have no place in you; but the devil has power over you, and he doth carry you about, working devices that he may destroy the children of God."

Korihor bowed his head in mock humility. "If thou wilt show me a sign, that I may be convinced that there is a God, yea show unto me that he hath power, and then will I be convinced of the truth of thy words."

"Thou hast had signs enough," Alma said, "will ye tempt your God? Will ye say, Show unto me a sign, when ye have the testimony of all these thy brethren, and also all the holy prophets?" He paused and looked around the room at the group of priests and judges gathered in assembly. Alma returned his attention to Korihor. "The scriptures are laid before thee, yea and all things denote there is a God; yea, even the earth, and all things that are upon the face of it, yea, and its motion, yea, and also all the planets which do move in their regular form do witness that there is a Supreme Creator."

Nephihah watched Korihor for a reaction, but he just stood before Alma with his self-satisfied smile. He knows the law cannot lay hold on him for his beliefs.

Alma regarded Korihor with pity. "And yet ye go about, leading away the hearts of this people, testifying unto them there is no God? And yet will ye deny against all these witnesses?"

Korihor barely suppressed a laugh. "Yea, I will deny, except ye shall show me a sign."

Shaking his head, Alma sighed. "Behold, I am grieved because of the hardness of your heart, yea, that ye will still resist the spirit of the truth, that thy soul may be destroyed. But behold, it is better that thy soul should be lost than that thou shouldst be the means of bringing many souls down to destruction, by thy lying and by thy flattering words; therefore if thou shalt deny again, behold God shall smite thee, that thou shalt become dumb, that thou shalt never open thy mouth any more, that thou shalt not deceive this people any more."

The haughtiness in Korihor's eyes faltered. Nephihah thought he detected the faintest tremor in Korihor's voice when he replied. "I do not deny the existence of a God, but I do not believe that there is a God; and I say also, that ye do not know that there is a God; and except ye show me a sign, I will not believe."

Alma stood up straight and turned away from Korihor. "Then this will I give thee for a sign, that thou shalt be struck dumb, according to my words; and I say, that in the name of God, ye shall be struck dumb, that ye shall no more have utterance.

Korihor opened his mouth to protest, but no sound came out. His lips moved, and his bound hands flew up to hold his throat as if they could force his voice to emerge. Nephihah watched him for a minute and then reached beside his seat for the flat black rock he kept for writing. Grabbing a sharp stone, he wrote upon the surface; then he stepped down to Korihor and allowed him to read the words: Art thou convinced of the power of God? In whom did ye desire that Alma should show forth his sign? Would ye that he should afflict others, to show unto thee a sign? Behold, he has showed unto you a sign; and now will ye dispute more?"

When he finished reading, Korihor gestured for the stone so that he could write. "I always knew there was a God. But behold, the devil hath deceived me." He continued to scratch words onto the surface of the stone, blaming the devil for teaching him the words to say when he deceived the people. "Please, Alma, pray that this curse be taken from me."

Alma thrust the stone away after reading Korihor's words. "If this curse should be taken from thee thou wouldst again lead away the hearts of this people; therefore, it shall be unto thee even as the Lord will."

Korihor's eyes widened with fear. He shook his head and mouthed the word "no" several times. But Alma turned away. "Free him," Alma said to Nephihah. "He will lead no more astray."

Nephihah nodded and one of his officers stepped forward and removed the ropes around Korihor's hands and feet. Korihor rubbed his wrists; he glared at Nephihah and spat in the direction that Alma had departed. Then he raised his head, resumed his look of disdain and marched out of the assembly hall.

Outside, his followers waited. They cheered when they saw him walk out, his bonds removed. Pushing and shoving to be near their leader, his followers gathered around him and waited for him to speak. Korihor smiled, nodded, and pumped his fists in the air, but his people wanted more. Finally, Korihor gave in, he moved his lips and pointed to his throat to indicate that he was dumb, mute, unable to speak.

At first, his followers thought he was just having fun with them, but when it became apparent that Korihor was truly dumb, they began to disperse. When all were gone, and Korihor remained alone, he was left with one thought echoing in his mind: Thou hast had signs enough.

Scripture Squiggle: Alma 33:23

"And now, my brethren, I desire that ye shall plant this word in your hearts, and as it beginneth to swell even so nourish it by your faith. And behold, it will become a tree, springing up in you unto everlasting life. And then may God grant unto you that your burdens may be light, through the joy of his Son. And even all this can ye do if ye will. Amen."

I love Alma's comparison of the word of God to a seed. Working as a ward missionary the past few months, I have found great joy in seeing those who have accepted the gospel grow in their faith and testimony. As they nourish their tender roots in the gospel, they are growing stronger, stretching out and reaching for more light and knowledge. The trials and experiences that they were having before they joined the Church have not disappeared, but as Alma promised, their burdens have become lighter because of their hope in Christ.

We all need to remember to nourish our testimonies to keep them alive and flourishing, for our testimonies will sustain us when life is darkest.

Fictional Story: Alma 14:26

When Alma finished speaking, Amulek felt a warm power flow through his arms. He pressed against the strong cords that encircled his wrists and the ropes snapped apart. Bending down, he tugged on the bonds around his ankles and they, too, broke free. Amulek looked at Alma and saw the pile of torn cords lying on the ground at his feet. He opened his mouth to ask Alma a question but before he could utter a single word a loud rumble shook the prison. The chief judge of Ammonihah and the teachers and lawyers, who only minutes before had smitten them and mocked them as they stood helplessly bound, had now fallen to the earth, frozen into fear, unable to exit the prison.

The prison walls swayed and cracks began to spiderweb through the structure. The men on the floor screamed in terror as pieces of stone and wood crumbled down upon them. Groaning with the Lord's anger, the earth continued to shake until the entire prison lay in ruins; everyone within its walls slain, except for Amulek and Alma.

When they emerged from the dust that rose from the rubble, Amulek turned to Alma. "How did you know that the Lord would answer your prayer to free us, when He chose to take the women and children unto Himself?"

Alma's lips pressed into a thin line at the mention of the martyred believers. "Through the Spirit. The Lord whispered to my soul that our mission is not yet complete. He told me his will, and that is what I prayed for."

Amulek sighed, "Will I ever be so in tune with the Spirit?"

Resting his hand on Amulek's shoulder, Alma replied, "Your testimony is still young. Nurture it, allow it to grow. As you do this, you will learn to recognize the Spirit every time it speaks to you."

A crowd had gathered around them, but as the dust began to settle and the people realized that the chief judge and his fellowmen were dead, they fled in fear from Alma and Amulek. Alma again addressed his companion. "Even now the Spirit speaks. We must leave this city at once."

Amulek nodded, the slightest hint of contentment touched his mouth. "This time, I feel it as well."