Alma was an outsider. The people of Ammonihah knew who he was, but they didn't know him personally, so he was relatively easy to dismiss. "We are not of thy church," some of them said. "Thou hast delivered up the judgment-seat unto Nephihah; therefore thou art not the chief judge over us" (Alma 8:11-12). In other words, we don't have to listen to you any more. You have no authority over us.
When he returned to preach a second time, they marginalized him by pointing out that he was alone: "Suppose ye that we shall believe the testimony of one man? ... Who is God, that sendeth no more authority than one man among this people, to declare unto them the truth of such great and marvelous things?" (Alma 9:2, 6).
So when Amulek, a local citizen "of no small reputation," stepped forward, "the people began to be astonished, seeing there was more than one witness" (Alma 10:2-4, 12). For the skeptics, this was a wake-up call, an opportunity to rethink their assumptions. For the undecided, this was a powerful recommendation. If Amulek believed it, they should at least consider the possibility that it was true.
Amulek didn't have to replicate Alma's testimony. He endorsed Alma's message by sharing his reasons for believing it, including:
- "[An] angel said unto me he is a holy man; wherefore I know he is a holy man because it was said by an angel of God" (Alma 10:9).
- "He hath blessed mine house, ... and the blessing of the Lord hath rested upon us according to the words which he spake" (Alma 10:11).
This testimony from Amulek was impactful because it was personal and because his listeners knew him. It's relatively easy to discount a warning from a stranger. It's harder when one of your friends urges you to take the warning seriously.
Today, I will share my testimony of the gospel with friends and family. I will remember that my experiences with the gospel may help those I know and love to open their hearts to God.
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