Today's Scripture study

Food for Thought

Why does God only allow Priesthood blessings for those who believe and request it?

He IS all-powerful.

Book of Alma son of Alma

Chapter 15

Alma and Amulek go to Sidom and establish a church—Alma heals Zeezrom, who joins the Church—Many are baptized, and the Church prospers—Alma and Amulek go to Zarahemla. About 81 B.C.

http://feastupontheword.org/Alma_9:11-15

Chapter 15

My thoughts

1 And it came to pass that Alma and Amulek were commanded to depart out of that city; and they departed, and came out even into the land of Sidom; and behold, there they found all the people who had departed out of the land of aAmmonihah, who had been bcast out and stoned, because they believed in the words of Alma. 2 And they related unto them all that had happened unto theirawives and children, and also concerning themselves, and of theirbpower of deliverance. 3 And also Zeezrom lay sick at Sidom, with a burning fever, which was caused by the great tribulations of his mind on account of hisawickedness, for he supposed that Alma and Amulek were no more; and he supposed that they had been slain because of his iniquity. And this great sin, and his many other sins, did harrow up his mind until it did become exceedingly sore, having no deliverance; therefore he began to be scorched with a burning heat. 4 Now, when he heard that Alma and Amulek were in the land of Sidom, his heart began to take courage; and he sent a message immediately unto them, desiring them to come unto him. 5 And it came to pass that they went immediately, obeying the message which he had sent unto them; and they went in unto the house unto Zeezrom; and they found him upon his bed, sick, being very low with a burning fever; and his mind also was aexceedingly sore because of his iniquities; and when he saw them he stretched forth his hand, and besought them that they would heal him. 6 And it came to pass that Alma said unto him, taking him by the hand: aBelievest thou in the power of Christ unto salvation? 7 And he answered and said: Yea, I believe all the words that thou hast taught. 8 And Alma said: If thou believest in the redemption of Christ thou canst be ahealed. 9 And he said: Yea, I believe according to thy words. 10 And then Alma cried unto the Lord, saying: O Lord our God, have amercy on this man, and bheal him according to his faith which is in Christ. 11 And when Alma had said these words, aZeezrom leaped upon his feet, and began to walk; and this was done to the great astonishment of all the people; and the knowledge of this went forth throughout all the land of Sidom. 12 And Alma baptized Zeezrom unto the Lord; and he began from that time forth to preach unto the people. 13 And Alma established a church in the land of Sidom, and consecrated apriests and bteachers in the land, to baptize unto the Lord whosoever were desirous to be baptized. 14 And it came to pass that they were many; for they did flock in from all the region round about Sidom, and were baptized. 15 But as to the people that were in the land of Ammonihah, they yet remained a hard-hearted and a stiffnecked people; and they repented not of their sins, aascribing all the power of Alma and Amulek to the devil; for they were of the profession of bNehor, and did not believe in the repentance of their sins. 16 And it came to pass that Alma and Amulek, Amulek havingaforsaken all his gold, and silver, and his precious things, which were in the land of Ammonihah, for the word of God, he beingbrejected by those who were once his friends and also by his father and his kindred; 17 Therefore, after Alma having established the church at Sidom, seeing a great acheck, yea, seeing that the people were checked as to the pride of their hearts, and began to bhumble themselves before God, and began to assemble themselves together at theircsanctuaries to dworship God before the ealtar, fwatching and praying continually, that they might be delivered from Satan, and from gdeath, and from destruction— 18 Now as I said, Alma having seen all these things, therefore he took Amulek and came over to the land of Zarahemla, and took him to his aown house, and did administer unto him in his tribulations, and bstrengthened him in the Lord. 19 And thus ended the tenth year of the reign of the judges over the people of Nephi.

The Lord finally lets them leave this wicked, wicked city. They do as the Lord command them and find the people that had been cast out.  Was Amulek’s family among them? It must have grieved them to have to tell these people that their families were dead. Zeezrom is sick because of the things he has done and because of what he thinks his punishment will be. Even though he had spoken against the prophets, apparently he really cared about people.  He probably just hadn’t discovered this for himself.  He had been so busy enriching himself with wealth and power that he hadn’t taken time to discover what was really important to him. He is truly repentant of what he did. He was happy that they had survived.   His repentance begins to glean rewards. Acts of service.  They are willing to forgive Zeezrom and help him find salvation despite what they know he has done. Zeezrom seeks a priesthood blessing from them and they willing give it. An example to us of how we should act towards those who have wronged us and then later seek repentance.  (unless the spirit warns us otherwise) Alma must make sure that he has truly repented and understands from whence his blessings come. Zeezrom professes to now believe. Healing requires belief/faith.  Why?  God has all power to do all things.  Is it perhaps a function of the laws of Agency.  God will not force His will upon us...even His blessings? Zeezrom professes his belief. At that point, Alma is free to help him and bless him through his priesthood authority/power. The Lord blesses us according to our faith and then that those blessings serve to strengthen the faith of others. So the suffering of Alma, Amulek, and the other believers is not in vain. Even though the people that they originally preached to rejected them, the peoples in the surrounding areas accept them readily. Even with all of the miracles in their community, the people of Ammonihah still reject the gospel. Amulek forsook all that he owned and even his own family for the Lord. Alma makes certain that the church is strong in Sidom with all of the leaders needed before he leaves. Because Amulek has nothing and no family or friends, Alma takes him to his own home. Alma is doing what he should do. Amulek is being blessed for his faith and loyalty through all tribulation.