Fifth, we have the testimony of scripture that “some have entertained angels unawares” (Hebrews 13:2), and we might suppose that in many instances angels have sought to entice transgressors from their course in unobserved or less dramatic ways than this appearance to Alma and the sons of Mosiah.
“The Sons of Mosiah”
From this point forward Alma and the four sons of Mosiah-Ammon, Aaron, Omner, and Himni-“labored without ceasing” in the service of God (Alma 36:24). Well might it be said of them as the Apostle Paul said of himself,“I laboured more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me” (1 Corinthians 15:10).
Their devoted labors proved the genuineness of their conversion; truly they brought forth “fruit unto repentance” (Alma 34:30). Thus we apply to them as we do to the Apostle Paul the doctrine of James: “He which converteth the sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins” (James 5:20), the hidden sins belonging to the one doing the labor of conversion. Announcing this principle to those of our day the Lord said:
“For I will forgive you of your sins with this commandment-that you remain steadfast in your minds in solemnity and the spirit of prayer, in bearing testimony to all the world of those things which are communicated unto you” (D&C 84:61).