Alma 11:21-22 How do we answer?

[MaidservantX]

Zeezrom and Amulek have encountered one another.

These are men from the same community.

They both have a great measure of material success and reputation in that community.

But they are each in very different spiritual conditions.

One difference I notice is that before chapter 10, both men were both going along in their lives as if they were doing right -- if they could each describe themselves as persons were *thinking right *had the right knowledge * were believing right * were dealing with their fellow beings rightly * they were right!

As we know, in chapter 10, Amulek had his wake up call and responded to it. He became willing to acknowledge his weaknesses (that he may not be right!), and to repent of them.

For those of us who know the story, we know that Zeezrom is afforded the very same chance. Zeezrom and Amulek each had a "wake up call" custom made to their souls and circumstances and that would allow them to throw off the shackles of blindness and come to know their loving Father in heaven, and his Son, Jesus Christ.

However, for the moment in verses 21 and 22, Zeezrom has a desire to combat Amulek and Amulek's way of thinking and believing. Amulek actually gives back just about as good as he gets, ha ha ! (v23-25) -- so he is combative as well -- trying to challenge Zeezrom's thinking and believing (in order to deliver Zeezrom).

Zeezrom has a master plan. It's a practiced plan. It starts like this (v21):

"Will you answer a few questions for me?"

Amulek agrees to answer the questions. However, he tells Zeezrom -- and in the process teaches the modern reader -- a key to how he will answer.

How will we answer?

v 22 "Yea, if it be according to the Spirit of the Lord, which is in me; for I will say nothing contrary to the Spirit of the Lord."

That is the key.

Do we give personal experiences?

Do we quote scripture?

Do we provide statistics?

Do we . . . .?

Maybe, maybe not . . . but the key is the Spirit of the Lord. I know we know this, but I think it bears reminder that it is a simple key.

Now, of course, the question then becomes . . . how did the Spirit of the Lord get IN Amulek? That bespeaks of a preparation that took a great deal of time commitment on behalf of Amulek before he ever found himself in the situation with Zeezrom. The process for how the Spirit of the Lord gets IN us is not given in these two verses, but the description of that process is available throughout the scriptures.

[skalenfehl]

You refer to the subsequent chapter, 11, where Zeezrom confronts Amulek. The power of the Lord was already strong with Alma and Amulek from the time they had set forth to Ammonihah.

Alma 8: 29-31

29 And the word came to Alma, saying: Go; and also say unto my servant Amulek, go forth and prophesy unto this people, saying—Repent ye, for thus saith the Lord, except ye repent I will visit this people in mine anger; yea, and I will not turn my fierce anger away.

30 And Alma went forth, and also Amulek, among the people, to declare the words of God unto them; and they were filled with the Holy Ghost.

31 And they had power given unto them, insomuch that they could not be confined in dungeons; neither was it possible that any man could slay them; nevertheless they did not exercise their power until they were bound in bands and cast into prison. Now, this was done that the Lord might show forth his power in them.

They were already given power to prophesy vigorously. Previously in chapter 5 we read how much Alma had fasted and prayed. I strongly believe that serious fasting and praying is a major key in being filled with the Spirit.

Alma 5: 45-47

45 And this is not all. Do ye not suppose that I know of these things myself? Behold, I testify unto you that I do know that these things whereof I have spoken are true. And how do ye suppose that I know of their surety?

46 Behold, I say unto you they are made known unto me by the Holy Spirit of God. Behold, I have fasted and prayed many days that I might know these things of myself. And now I do know of myself that they are true; for the Lord God hath made them manifest unto me by his Holy Spirit; and this is the spirit of revelation which is in me.

47 And moreover, I say unto you that it has thus been revealed unto me, that the words which have been spoken by our fathers are true, even so according to the spirit of prophecy which is in me, which is also by the manifestation of the Spirit of God.

One more thing to note about the fact that Alma was sent specifically to Amulek to testify against this people. They had a law about witnesses:

Alma 9: 6

6 And they said: 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?

But they didn't realize that God had satisfied their own law to their condemnation! Further proof of the wisdom of the Lord being greater than the cunning of the adversary.

Alma 10: 24-26

24 And now it came to pass that the people were more angry with Amulek, and they cried out, saying: This man doth revile against our laws which are just, and our wise lawyers whom we have selected.

25 But Amulek stretched forth his hand, and cried the mightier unto them, saying: O ye wicked and perverse generation, why hath Satan got such great hold upon your hearts? Why will ye yield yourselves unto him that he may have power over you, to blind your eyes, that ye will not understand the words which are spoken, according to their truth?

26 For behold, have I testified against your law? Ye do not understand; ye say that I have spoken against your law; but I have not, but I have spoken in favor of your law, to your condemnation.

Out of the mouth of two or three witness shall every word be established! Consider the following references found throughout the canon of scripture:

1.

Deut. 17: 6

6 At the mouth of two witnesses, or three witnesses, shall he that is worthy of death be put to death; but at the mouth of one witness he shall not be put to death.

2.

Deut. 19: 15

15 ¶ One witness shall not rise up against a man for any iniquity, or for any sin, in any sin that he sinneth: at the mouth of two witnesses, or at the mouth of three witnesses, shall the matter be established.

3.

Matt. 18: 16

16 But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established.

4.

2 Cor. 13: 1

1 This is the third time I am coming to you. In the mouth of two or three witnesses shall every word be established.

5.

D&C 6: 28

28 And now, behold, I give unto you, and also unto my servant Joseph, the keys of this gift, which shall bring to light this ministry; and in the mouth of two or three witnesses shall every word be established.

6.

D&C 42: 81

81 But he or she shall be condemned by the mouth of two witnesses; and the elders shall lay the case before the church, and the church shall lift up their hands against him or her, that they may be dealt with according to the law of God.

7.

D&C 128: 3

3 Now, in relation to this matter, it would be very difficult for one recorder to be present at all times, and to do all the business. To obviate this difficulty, there can be a recorder appointed in each ward of the city, who is well qualified for taking accurate minutes; and let him be very particular and precise in taking the whole proceedings, certifying in his record that he saw with his eyes, and heard with his ears, giving the date, and names, and so forth, and the history of the whole transaction; naming also some three individuals that are present, if there be any present, who can at any time when called upon certify to the same, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established.

Zeezrom thought he was pretty slick trying to catch Amulek with guile but Amulek, filled with the Spirit of the Lord was already ahead of him. No wonder Zeezrom fell ill. He was racked with guilt and condemnation. I gotta love Zeezrom, though. He saw the error of his ways and with great faith just jumped out of his sick bed when he was healed and became baptized and preached to the people afterward (Chapter 15).

Thanks for sharing!

[a-train]

Perhaps some think that the Spirit will simply come upon us 'in that very hour'. But, if we have not the Spirit already, we will not suddenly take it upon us in a moment of struggle.

-a-train