Alma 17-22

Thanks to Zena for her lesson! 

This scripture block focuses on the missionary work done by the sons of Mosiah2 among the Lamanites. The missionary stories of Ammon, Aaron, Omner and Himi are both a well-loved and significant aspect of the book of Alma.

In Elder Bednar's talk in the most recent (October 2014) conference, he stated:

“Devoted disciples of Jesus Christ always have been and always will be valiant missionaries ... a missionary is a follower of Christ who testifies of Him as the Redeemer and proclaims the truths of His gospel.”

Elder Bednar further explained that an invitation to hear the gospel was an invitation:

“to hear the restored truths of the gospel of Jesus Christ so you can study, ponder, pray, and come to know for yourself if the things we are sharing with you are true.” 

It seems that much of Elder Bednar's talk rings true for the sons of Mosiah:- after their conversion they became devoted disciples of Christ with Ammon expressing his testimony as follows: "Therefore, let us glory, year, we will glory in the Lord; yea, we will rejoice, for our joy is full;  yea, we will praise our god forever."  In the course of their missionary labours, they invited many, including King Lamoni, to hear and come to know of the gospel of Jesus Christ for himself. 

Commenting on the purpose of an invitation to hear the gospel, Elder Bednar said:

“Many of us as adults behave in precisely the same way when we find a treatment or medication that alleviates pain with which we have long suffered, or we receive counsel that enables us to face challenges with courage and perplexities with patience. Sharing with other people things that are most meaningful to us or have helped us is not unusual at all.”

Ammon, speaking about the experience he and his brothers shared, said "Who could have supposed that our God would have been so merciful as to have snatched us from our awful, sinful, and polluted state? ... Oh then, why did he not consign us to an awful destruction, yea, why did he not let the sword of his justice fall upon us? ... behold, he did not exercise his justice upon us but in his great mercy hath brought us over that everlasting gulf of death and misery, even to the salvation of our souls" (Alma 26:17-20).  In speaking about the conversion of many of the Lamanites, Ammon confirms the similar experience of the Lamanites, who "were in darkness, yea even in the darkest abyss, but behold, how many of them are brought to behold the marvellous light of God" (Alma 26:3).


As we go about and respond to the challenge to share those things that are most meaningful to us, or those things that have helped us to alleviate pain or to face challenges and perplexities, may we, with Ammon, testify "this is the blessing which hath been bestowed upon us, that we have been made instruments in the hands of God to bring about this great work"!