The rest of chapter 23, as well as chapter 24, is the story of the people of Alma being greatly tried and tested, even though they had made covenants with the Lord and tried to live by them. The purpose of mortality is twofold: to gain a body and learn to control it, and to be tested. This is accomplished by trials and tribulations, tragedy, and temptation. Sometimes the test is filled with contradiction, as in Alma’s case; sometimes the purpose of the test is to teach us that none can deliver us except the Lord, again as was the case with Alma and his people (23:23).
Regarding contradiction, when people experience unnerving, unfair, and unjust circumstances in their lives, they may know that they are in good company. Refer back to the statement of the Prophet Joseph Smith regarding the contradictions Christ suffered (see commentary at Mosiah 3:7). This has to be one of the great principles of mortality. We, like Jesus, suffer contradictions as part of our probation on this earth; there is no doubt of that. It is what we do in the face of those contradictions, how we react, that demonstrates our commitment to God and thus determines our place in eternity.
As the patriarch Abraham learned, the contradictions of mortality serve a great purpose. Not only do they act as the Lord’s refining fire but they precede great and marvelous blessings. Said Moroni, a prophet who knew a great deal about trials, tribulations, and contradictions, “Ye receive no witness until after the trial of your faith” (Ether 12:6). We can state the principle in another way: the greater the contradiction, faithfully endured, the greater the blessing enjoyed afterward.
Alma and his people did finally escape their bondage and awful circumstances with the Lord’s help. They ended up in Zarahemla, where they were received joyfully by King Mosiah II.
“The Lord Trieth Their Patience and Their Faith”
The rest of chapter 23, as well as chapter 24, is the story of the people of Alma being greatly tried and tested, even though they had made covenants with the Lord and tried to live by them. The purpose of mortality is twofold: to gain a body and learn to control it, and to be tested. This is accomplished by trials and tribulations, tragedy, and temptation. Sometimes the test is filled with contradiction, as in Alma’s case; sometimes the purpose of the test is to teach us that none can deliver us except the Lord, again as was the case with Alma and his people (23:23).
Regarding contradiction, when people experience unnerving, unfair, and unjust circumstances in their lives, they may know that they are in good company. Refer back to the statement of the Prophet Joseph Smith regarding the contradictions Christ suffered (see commentary at Mosiah 3:7). This has to be one of the great principles of mortality. We, like Jesus, suffer contradictions as part of our probation on this earth; there is no doubt of that. It is what we do in the face of those contradictions, how we react, that demonstrates our commitment to God and thus determines our place in eternity.
As the patriarch Abraham learned, the contradictions of mortality serve a great purpose. Not only do they act as the Lord’s refining fire but they precede great and marvelous blessings. Said Moroni, a prophet who knew a great deal about trials, tribulations, and contradictions, “Ye receive no witness until after the trial of your faith” (Ether 12:6). We can state the principle in another way: the greater the contradiction, faithfully endured, the greater the blessing enjoyed afterward.
Alma and his people did finally escape their bondage and awful circumstances with the Lord’s help. They ended up in Zarahemla, where they were received joyfully by King Mosiah II.