Faith, Covenants, & Love

Alma (the Elder)

One verse in Mosiah 27 caught my eye today; Mosiah 27:14.  The account of the conversion of Alma the Younger is primarily the focus of Mosiah 27. But within this account, I am touched by the example of his father, Alma, most of all.  

Mosiah 27:14 reads: "And again, the angel said: Behold, the Lord hath heard the prayers of his people, and also the prayers of his servant, Alma, who is thy father; for he has prayed with much faith concerning thee that thou mightest be brought to the knowledge of the truth; therefore, for this purpose have I come to convince thee of the power and authority of God, that the prayers of his servants might be answered according to their faith."

I have no doubt that Alma the Younger was foreordained to do a great work.  In Mosiah 27:8-10, he is described as a wicked young man who uses his abilities to influence others to turn away from God.  While he was involved in seeking to destroy the church of God, his father, Alma, has "prayed with much faith" that his son would come to know the truth; to know of God.  Because of Alma's faith, the Lord sends an angel to show Alma the Younger the Lord's power, which he cannot deny. The power from the faith of Alma (the Elder) and his people, was enough that God was moved to answer their prayers.  Alma the Younger goes through a tremendous process of repentance and sincere transformation to become the great man that he was.

There is much to be said for the prayers of the faithful.   Faith in God is a real power.  God moves things and affects people according to the faith we have in Him, and according to His will.  It's real.   I have seen it and I have felt it.  We are also strengthened by the covenants we make with Him.  With those covenants come added strength and power as we are faithful.  We come to trust in God and he honors our trust with the showing forth of his power.  Alma's prayers were an exertion of his faith in God to be able to effect a change in his son.  

It is all a manifestation of love. Alma's love for, and trust in, God. Alma's love for his son. God's love for Alma and a recognition of his faithfulness.  God's love for Alma the Younger. Through Alma the Younger's transformation and maturity, he expresses his love and respect for his father, and develops a trust and love for God.

Although Alma the Younger is the focus of this chapter, I'm grateful to have been affected by the faithfulness of his "dad".