Alma 17

We've seen in the last chapters how much Alma has repented and in this chapter we learn how much the sons of Mosiah have repented. For fourteen years they have been doing missionary work among the Lamanites who must be divided into many factions, some large and some small. Mormon describes the Lamanites as a wild, hardened and ferocious people who love to murder, rob and plunder so this isn't your everyday missionary work. Mormon says that the sons of Mosiah had fasted and prayed for the Spirit, that they had searched the scriptures diligently to understand and know the word of God. As a result, they had the spirit of prophecy and revelation and could teach with power and authority. To know and understand requires a solid effort on our parts and what worked for the sons of Mosiah can work for us. The Lord wants us to understand and know because of the great blessings that come from knowing what is true. But he isn't going to give it away without a price. In a way, it's like the temple. Because of its sacredness, we have to be worthy to enter and when we attend on a regular basis we understand more and more what happens there and gain the spiritual knowledge it offers. The first times we go can be confusing and even strange. I think that's because we're looking for things before we're ready to receive them. Sometimes it's better to sit back and feel and let the Holy Ghost do his work in his own time. Even if we don't know at first, we can still feel the peace which is a testimony and knowledge all of its own.

Ammon slays some of the men who scatter the sheep and cuts off the arms of others who attack him. Obviously the Lamanites aren't too bright. They have clubs, he has a sword. That would cause me to hesitate but they are angry because of Ammon has killed some of them with his sling. What makes the difference is their numbers and he's only one. Ammon has allowed himself to adapt to the traditions of the Lamanites by living among them and living with them. He follows their traditions by taking the severed arms to the king as evidence of what he's done. First he impresses them by doing something their way, a lower way, then he will impress them by doing things the Lord's way. Sometimes when in Rome, we have to do what the Romans do in order to gain the trust and love of the people. The key is that what we do never lowers our standards or betrays our religious beliefs so that the people can see a difference. Then they have a choice. If we lower ourselves to their level morally and religiously, we become just like them and their are no differences and no choice to make.