Alma's people often gave him cause to mourn. After serving as chief judge for about nine years, he was troubled by the pride and contention among his people, "nevertheless the Spirit of the Lord did not fail him" (Alma 4:15). He began traveling from city to city, preaching the gospel, "seeing no way that he might reclaim them save it were in bearing down in pure testimony against them" (Alma 4:19).
About eight years later, observing "gross wickedness" among the Zoramites (Alma 31:26), Alma assembled a team of missionaries to preach to them. Some people were receptive, but others hardened their hearts. After completing that mission, Alma returned home and was again distraught as he thought about the hardness of so many people's hearts. (See Alma 35:15.) This time, he took a different tack. Instead of going on another preaching tour, "he caused that his sons should be gathered together, that he might give unto them every one his charge, separately, concerning the things pertaining unto righteousness" (Alma 35:16).
If the problem is pervasive why focus on your family, especially if you are the high priest over the church? Why take the time to counsel with your sons when so many other people need your attention?
Mormon tells us that Alma's purpose in meeting with his sons was to "give unto them every one his charge" (Alma 35:16). Alma wasn't just strengthening them for their own sake, but so that they could go forth and serve others more effectively. After these meetings, "the sons of Alma did go forth among the people, to declare the word unto them. And Alma, also, himself, could not rest, and he also went forth" (Alma 43:1). Four powerful preachers is better than one, and so Alma was able to multiply his efforts by dedicating appropriate time to training and encouraging his sons, so that they could help with the work.
Today, I will think about who can help me minister to others. Rather than focus entirely on the people in need of help, I will dedicate some time to recruiting and training others, in order to magnify my efforts to serve the children of God.
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