Alma 28 - A Time of Solemnity, and a Time of Much Fasting and Prayer

The Nephites defended the people of Ammon from the Lamanites in a massive battle described to be "an one as never had been known among all the people in the land from the time Lehi left Jerusalem" (Alma 28:2). Tens of thousands of people died, and while the Nephites were victorious, I am struck by the fact that so many of them perished, despite the support of the Lord and the justice of their cause. While God aids and supports the righteous, be does not shelter them, or stump others' unrighteous use of agency. 

The grief of the Nephites was tempered by their knowledge of the gospel. "While many thousands of others truly mourn for the loss of their kindred, yet they rejoice and exult in the hope, and even know, according to the promises of the Lord, that they are raised to dwell at the right hand of God, in a state of never-ending happiness" (Alma 28:12). This assurance and hope took away despair, but not the sorrow of their loss. "Yea, the cry of widows mourning for their husbands, and also of fathers mourning for their sons, and the daughter for the brother, yea, the brother for the father; and thus the cry of mourning was heard among all of them, mourning for their kindred who had been slain. And now surely this was a sorrowful day; yea, a time of solemnity, and a time of much fasting and prayer" (Alma 28:5-6). The sorrow of the Nephites reminds me of Christ's reaction to the death of Lazarus. No one could possibly understand the Plan of Salvation more perfectly than Christ. He knew He would atone for all people and enable the resurrection of mankind. Not only did he have a sure testimony of Lazarus' eternal well-being, he also knew of His own power to imminently raise Lazarus from the dead and grant him more years of mortality. And yet, when Jesus saw Mary weeping, and the Jews also weeping which came with her, "he groaned in the spirit, and was troubled, And said, Where have ye laid him? They said unto him, Lord, come and see. Jesus wept" (John 11:33-35). Even the omnipotent son of God felt it in himself to mourn with those that mourn and feel the sorrow of losing a friend. 

The Nephites described this time of loss and devastation as "a sorrowful day; yea, a time of solemnity, and a time of much fasting and prayer" (Alma 28:5-6). Their reaction to an unimaginable tragedy and the loss of their loved ones was faith. Often we think of fasting and prayer as a means to prevent or avoid bad things from happening. The real utility of our faith is not to prevent pain, but to endure it well. Faith empowers us to live a purposeful and joy-filled life. It reframes our understanding of challenges so that we see our growth happen because of, not in spite of the obstacles that may beset us. Alma described a similar mix of suffering and joy in the ministry of Ammon and his brethren "And this is the account of Ammon and his brethren, their journeyings in the land of Nephi, their sufferings in the land, their sorrows, and their afflictions, and their incomprehensible joy, and the reception and safety of the brethren in the land of Jershon" (Alma 28:8). "Incomprehensible joy," not comfort, is the wage of righteousness.

Yesterday I had a conversation with a coworker that has raised a lot of questions for me about the utility of faith. This coworker is a wonderful person, a friendly and helpful colleague, a hard-working and capable employee, and loving and dedicated husband, and a good father. He is generous with his money and makes regular donations to charity and his extended family. And yet he has a deep-seeded suspicion of religion. He is cynical about the motivations of religious leaders and decidedly secular in his world view. Our conversation was filled with his light-hearted mockery of faith, which was not intended to offend, but revealed his skepticism. Based on his experience with various Christian sects, I can see why he would be disenchanted and dismissive. 

I was primarily listening in this conversation and didn't feel a need to rebut his misgivings about religion, but have been thinking about my belief in God and commitment to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. In many important aspects, this coworker may be out-performing me in his civic engagement, professional accomplishment, and charitable giving. It made me realize that the only value my religion can hold for me is its transformative power. If it does not shape who I am and make me a better person in tangible ways it is as "a sounding of brass or a tinkling cymbal" (1 Corinthians 13:1). As I considered his comfortable and happy life devoid of religion, I wondered what he was missing out on by not going to church given all the good he is doing. My mind was filled with the innumerable experiences I have had with the Spirit. I remembered moments of ineffable joy, feelings of certainty and closeness to God, moments of enlightenment and clarity, and a deep sense of love for others. This spiritual dimension and heightened awareness is its own reward. 

"And thus we see how great the inequality of man is because of sin and transgression, and the power of the devil, which comes by the cunning plans which he hath devised to ensnare the hearts of men. And thus we see the great call of diligence of men to labor in the vineyards of the Lord; and thus we see the great reason of sorrow, and also of rejoicing—sorrow because of death and destruction among men, and joy because of the light of Christ unto life" (Alma 28:13-14). 


Application Questions

Is the Gospel working for you? How is your participation in religious practices transforming you into the best version of yourself?

Who do you know who is mourning that could use your faith and expressions of love? 


Image Credit: unknown