Alma 17-22: "I Will Make an Instrument of Thee" (July 1-7)

By Paul Anderson on July 1, 2024

When Lamoni's father asked Aaron why his brother Ammon wasn't with him, Aaron replied, "The Spirit of the Lord has called him another way" (Alma 22:4). When the sons of Mosiah and their colleagues had first arrived in the land of the Lamanites, rather than stay together as one group, they had "separated themselves and departed one from another" (Alma 17:13), traveling "whithersoever they were led by the Spirit of the Lord" (Alma 21:16).

Another person who was uniquely called was Abish, a servant of Lamoni's wife who had been converted to the gospel many years earlier "on account of a remarkable vision of her father" (Alma 19:16). When she saw what was happening in Lamoni's house, she ran and gathered a multitude. When the people misunderstood what was happening, she took the unconscious queen by the hand and raised her up from the ground. (See Alma 19:29.) She was uniquely prepared to serve, and she took advantage of the opportunity.

We similarly have specific missions and callings to accomplish and specific people we can touch. If we are willing to be led by the Spirit of the Lord, God will help us find the contributions we can uniquely make.

Here are some other lessons I've learned from the mission of the sons of Mosiah to the Lamanites:

Outline

Alma 17 - Ammon becomes King Lamoni's servant, miraculously saves the king's flocks.
Alma 18 - Ammon teaches Lamoni, who is overwhelmed by the Spirit and falls to the ground.
Alma 19 - Lamoni's wife exercises extraordinary faith. Abish gathers a multitude, many of whom are are also converted.
Alma 20 - Lamoni's father meets Ammon. After initially being angry, he is impressed with Ammon's love for his son.
Alma 21 - Aaron is rejected in a city named Jerusalem and is imprisoned in Middoni. After Ammon and Lamoni deliver him, he continues preaching in other cities.
Alma 22 - Aaron teaches Lamoni's father, who is overwhelmed by the Spirit and converted to the gospel.

Key Themes

We can receive the power of God through consistent prayer, fasting, and scripture study.
Good listening includes allowing people time to gather their thoughts.
How we teach may be as important as what we teach.
Sarcasm and cynicism can prevent us from recognizing truth.
We don't have to be sure that God exists before we begin praying to Him.
Abandoning our sins may be harder than giving up possessions, but that is what we must do in order to receive God's grace.

Connections

When Cornelius tried to worship Peter, the apostle replied, "Stand up; I myself also am a man" (Acts 10:26). Ammon responded similarly when King Lamoni asked if he was the Great Spirit: "Behold, I am a man," he said, "and am thy servant" (Alma 18:17).
When a centurion expressed his faith that Jesus could heal his servant without being physically present, Jesus responded, "I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel" (Matthew 8:10, Luke 7:9). Ammon responded similarly to the expression of faith of Lamoni's wife: "Blessed art thou because of thy exceeding faith; I say unto thee, woman, there has not been such great faith among all the people of the Nephites" (Alma 10:10).

Applications

Be conscientious in fulfilling your responsibilities. Your steady and humble service can have an influence on the people around you.
As a teacher, build upon concepts your students already understand.
Trust the truths you have learned by your own experience. Also, trust the revelations you have received from God.
Keep sharing the gospel, even when you encounter adversity. Don't give up!