July 2024

The gospel of Jesus Christ is often in contrast with the doctrines of the world. The wicked Zoramites had abandoned the inspired word of God for their own interpretation, neglecting the principles of faith and repentance. Their hardened hearts were not receptive to Alma’s preaching, unlike the poor Zoramites who were eager to learn how the gospel could bring them peace.

Alma knew that the gospel of Jesus Christ was more influential than armies or alliances. Time and time again, his knowledge of the scriptures had strengthened him in his missionary work and helped him lead the Nephites through many trials.

Change is a difficult process, but one that brings both immediate and eternbal rewards. The people taught by Ammon and his brethren were blessed by change and had their hearts filled with joy as their faith in Christ grew. A key decision in their efforts to change was to lay down their “weapons of… rebellion” (Alma 23:7). Doing so eliminated a practice that had kept them separated from the love and power of Jesus Christ.

Too often we doubt our own role in the Lord’s vineyard, telling ourselves our efforts to reach out to others won’t make a difference, or we’ll just be rejected. Many Nephites told Ammon that his brothers would have no success as missionaries to the Lamanites, but Ammon chose to have faith and go forth serving those he came across. Through his humble service to King Lamoni, the Lord softened the hearts of thousands.