If Thou Wilt of Thyself Be Cast Off

"8 Now the sons of Mosiah were numbered among the unbelievers; and also one of the sons of Alma was numbered among them, he being called Alma, after his father; nevertheless, he became a very wicked and an idolatrous man. And he was a man of many words, and did speak much flattery to the people; therefore he led many of the people to do after the manner of his iniquities.

9 And he became a great hinderment to the prosperity of the church of God; stealing away the hearts of the people; causing much dissension among the people; giving a chance for the enemy of God to exercise his power over them." (Mosiah 27:8-9)

Alma and Mosiah were very righteous men. Alma led the church and Mosiah was king, and they tried to make sure that the people were fair with one another, and treated each other with respect. There were a number of unbelievers, including some of their children. Alma the Younger (along with the sons of Mosiah) went around specifically with the purpose of trying to hurt the church.

While they were doing this, an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and spoke to them, shaking the earth with his voice. Among other things, the angel told them that it was God's church, and that they shouldn't try to overthrow it. Another thing the angel said was that Alma the elder (and many others) had been praying that Alma the younger and the sons of Mosiah would be brought to the knowledge of the truth.

"...And now I say unto thee, Alma, go thy way, and seek to destroy the church no more, that their prayers may be answered, and this even if thou wilt of thyself be cast off." (Mosiah 27:16)

One thing that I think is pretty poignant is that the angel doesn't seek to take away Alma's agency. He tells him he needs to stop doing what he's doing. He does say that Alma is free to choose to be cast off himself. I think this is a pretty interesting way of putting it. I like that he lays out the consequences of Alma's choices so clearly.

After the angel left, Alma was struck dumb and couldn't move. His friends took him to his father, and Alma the elder knew that he was overcome by God's power.

"And he caused that a multitude should be gathered together that they might witness what the Lord had done for his son, and also for those that were with him." (Mosiah 27:21)

One thing that jumps out at me here. The way the world is today, a lot of parents wish for their children to receive special treatment, or blame external things if their kids struggle or get in trouble. Teachers get blamed for bad grades, coaches get blamed for lost games or less playing time. Justification is made for children's bad behavior and/or lack of respect. I love the word "for" in this last verse. Alma the elder wanted people to witness what the Lord had done FOR his son. Yet here he was, laying there motionless. How many parents would have that kind of faith that their son is being treated well?

"32 And now it came to pass that Alma began from this time forward to teach the people, and those who were with Alma at the time the angel appeared unto them, traveling round about through all the land, publishing to all the people the things which they had heard and seen, and preaching the word of God in much tribulation, being greatly persecuted by those who were unbelievers, being smitten by many of them.

35 And they traveled throughout all the land of Zarahemla, and among all the people who were under the reign of king Mosiah, zealously striving to repair all the injuries which they had done to the church, confessing all their sins, and publishing all the things which they had seen, and explaining the prophecies and the scriptures to all who desired to hear them." (Mosiah 27:32,35)

Alma and the sons of Mosiah were converted. They wanted to fix the problems they had caused in the church, and wanted all their brethren to have the truth, and the beauty of the gospel in their lives. They became great missionaries, going around strengthening the church greatly.

Conversion is about choice. They had the choice to be cast off, but they chose to let God into their hearts and it changed the whole course of their life.

Hopefully, we can make the same choice for our own lives.