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| Artist: James H. Fullner |
My thoughts trail back to the beginning of the story of the sons of Mosiah.
They wanted to go amongst the Lamanite people to teach the gospel that they dearly loved. Remember their parting? How difficult it must have been to leave each other especially as they were embarking on unfamiliar enemy territory.
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| Image from: LDS Book of Mormon Student Seminary Manual |
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| Image from: mormonchannel.org |
On the other hand, as these brethren parted ways, Aaron took his journey towards the land called by the Lamanites, Jerusalem, named after their forefather's original birthplace. This city, Jerusalem was impressive. It had been built by the hands of the Lamanites, Amalekites and the Amulonites. The Lamanites themselves were a very hardened group, but the Amalekites and Amulonites were even harder! These people were strong in wickedness and abominations. Just Aaron's luck that he would find himself in this most wicked city among these most wicked people!?
However, Aaron was filled with the Holy Ghost and armed with his precious testimony. He began to preach in the Lamanite synagogues.
Aaron entered into one of these synagogues to teach and preach. There rose up an Amalekite who began to argue with him asking him many questions. Can you picture that this guy with loads of questions speaking to Aaron in a very prideful and huffy manner? Remember that Aaron was just a young man too, which adds even more drama to the story.
The Amalekite questions:
"What is that thou hast testified?
Hast thou seen an angel?
Why do not angels appear unto us?
Behold are not THIS people as good as THY people?
Thou also sayest, except we repent we shall perish.
How knowest thou the thought and intent of our hearts?
How knowest thou that we have cause to repent?
How knowest thou that we are not a righteous people?
Behold, we have built sanctuaries and we do assemble ourselves together to worship God.
We do believe that God will save all men.
Alma 21:5-6
Having the spirit wrapped around him, Aaron could have lost his cool, been afraid or been tongue-tied, but instead he asked a simple question of the Amalekite:
"Believest thou that the Son of God shall come to redeem mankind from their sins?" Alma 21:7
The Amalekite replied: "We do not believe that thou knowest any such thing. We do not believe in these foolish traditions. We do not believe that thou knowest of things to come, neither do we believe that thy fathers and also that our fathers did know concerning the things which they spake, of that which is to come." Alma 21:8
With complete composure, Aaron calmly opened the Scriptures and spoke concerning the coming of Christ, and spoke concerning the resurrection of the dead. He testified that there could be no redemption for mankind except thru the death and sufferings of Jesus Christ and thru the atonement of his blood. As Aaron spoke of these sacred teachings, the group began to be VERY angry with him. They began to mock him and they would not listen to any of the words he spoke.
Aaron realized that his preaching was falling on deaf ears. He left their synagogue and went to a village called Ani-Anti. There he found Muloki, his friend, along with Ammah and his brethren, preaching the word of God. They were contending with many about the Word of God in that place, as well.
These guys realized they were getting nowhere fast and so they traveled into the land of Middoni. There they did preach the word of God to many people, but few believed their words. Can you imagine their discouragement? Can you imagine their disappointment?
At this point, to make matters worse, Aaron and some of his companions were taken into prison. The remainder fled out of Middoni into the lands round about.
Aaron and his companions suffered greatly in prison until they were delivered by the hand of his brother Ammon and King Lamoni.
If it were me, I would have been re-thinking my plan to teach among the Lamanites. Not a lot of success had come Aaron's way to this point. But did he give up? NO! He went forth again declaring the word of God in EVERY synagogue of the Amalekites and in every assembly of the Lamanites were they could be admitted. And guess what began to happen??
"And it came to pass that the Lord began to bless them, insomuch that they brought many to the knowledge of the truth; yea, they did convince many of their sins, and of the traditions of their fathers, which were not correct." Alma 21:17
This is a major principle alert! These guys had not had much success to this point. But they DID NOT give up. Even after prison, they kept teaching and preaching and what happened? Things began to change. The Lord began to bless them and people started listening, learning and becoming teachable. In our lives, when things may not be going well, we can't give up. As we continue with our righteous endeavors, the Lord will bless us!
Let's talk about Ammon for a moment:
AMMON and King Lamoni went back to Ishmael. King Lamoni caused that synagogues should be built in his land and he taught his people that they should assemble together often. He taught them many righteous things. He declared that they were a free people. Free from the oppressions of his father, the King and from himself. He also taught them that they could have freedom to worship the Lord their God according to their own desires, in whatever way they chose. Ammon taught King Lamoni's people as well. He taught them ALL things pertaining to righteousness. He did preach to them every day with diligence, and the beautiful part was that they listened. They were "zealous for keeping the commandments of God." Alma 21:23
While Ammon continued teaching King Lamoni's people, let's return to AARON. Aaron was led by the Spirit to the land of Nephi, to a very important house. To the house of the father of King Lamoni. The BIG head honcho of all the land. Remember this had been the King who had originally tried to kill Ammon!
Don't you find it interesting that the spirit is leading Aaron right to him. Aaron went into the King's palace and explained who he and his brethren were. Aaron stated they they would be the King's servants. The King told them that they didn't need to be his servants, but he did have one insistent request... Oh, no what would that request be??
Would Aaron be thrown back in prison? Would the King try to kill Aaron as he had previously tried to kill his brother?
PRINCIPLE POWER:
1. When life is difficult, do not give up. Have faith. Heavenly Father will bless our lives. Sometimes we have to learn patience, long suffering and courage as part of the plan for our life.
2. We need to remember to ask for help from Heavenly Father! When in doubt, PRAY!
3. Don't be afraid to approach someone about the Gospel. Aaron approached the powerful King because the Spirit directed him to. When the Spirit directs me, do I hesitate, ignore or listen and act?
4. Do not give up on dreams. The sons of Mosiah had a big dream. They could have lost their confidence and courage in the face of adversity, but they did not. They were buoyed up by the strength of the Lord and GREAT and incredible things happened in the end.
