In ministering to the Saints throughout the various branches of the Nephite Church, Alma proceeded boldly to disseminate Gospel truths among them. Unto his feet, truth was a lamp which made his steps sure; the path of righteouness was his way. Salvation for all in God’s Kingdom was his goal, and Redemption through Jesus Christ, he proclaimed, was Israel’s heritage.
For a long time the Nephites had been at peace with their neighbors, the Lamanites. The Nephites, during this period, had increased in numbers until their borders extended far into every quarter of the earth. They were prosperous in their new callings, and the Lord helped them in every difficulty. They possessed many worldly goods. The Lord blessed the land for their sake, and the fields brought forth abundantly both wheat for food, and grain for their flocks and herds. The Nephites labored diligently to bring new land under cultivation, and the fruit of their labors was garnered in a service which God accepted. They were blessed beyond all measure. As a whole, the Saints in Gideon were a happy and holy people.
But, as is so often the case, many who were relieved of the tasks of every day struggle became indolent and listless to the Holy Spirit’s promptings, and sought no more God’s Kingdom and His righteousness. Some fell asleep; not the sleep of the dead, but to all things pertaining to Life Eternal.
To awaken the laggards to an active interest in the work of the Lord, and to guide them into the right paths, was Alma’s purpose in coming to Gideon. The righteous men and women in Gideon, the Lord had set them apart as His very own, they having exhibited those qualities which made them truly Children of the Most High. And, too, Alma remembering God’s gracious promise to Ancient Israel that He would cause His countenance to shine forth upon all them that put their trust in Him, pronounced anew that blessing. (Numbers 6:23-27)
Now I would that ye should be humble. Alma called upon all to follow those virtues that are distinctive traits of true believers in Christ. He brought his great sermon to a close by appealing directly to the Saints gathered there to walk blamelessly before God, always remembering the Holy Order into which they had been received. Through the sacred rite of Baptism they had been made members of Christ’s Church, and therefore, Alma bade them abjure all evil inclinations, and let God’s glory go before them to illumine the path which leads directly into His eternal Kingdom.
Alma enjoined them, first “Ye should be humble.” To be humble, we understand, means a showing of humility; freedom from pride and arrogance; an act of condescension or lowly service to others (not low). Humility engenders faith, begets hope, and makes charity man’s first consideration for those who have lost their way. To be humble is among the fruits of being a Child of God. To consider one’s self as unimportant or inferior is a faulty interpretation of the term—humble. To abase oneself is not humility, and “low-mindedness is not lowly-mindedness.” A man may see in his lot that which he thinks renders him almost worthless, or of little consequence, but the vision he has of himself does not necessarily make him a humble person. He may rebel at the scene he there presents. He may be full of envy, not humility, and inward wrath may take the place of service to mankind which, after all, is the showing of pure humility whether it be to one, or to the many. Christian humility is best shown by the man who is conscious of his own great worth yet ministers in love to them that may not be blessed so much as he. Such a man is indeed humble.
D. A. Hayes, Ph. D. LL.D., notes, in Hasting’s Dictionary of the Bible, what he considers a classic example of Christian humility. It is found in John 13:3-15.
The Lord, knowing that the Father had given all things into His hands, and that He came from God and would go again unto God, knowing His incomparable superiority to every one in that company, was yet so meek and lowly in heart, so humble in spirit and ready for service, that He girded Himself with a towel and washed the disciples’ feet. The consciousness of His own transcendent worth was in no respect inconsistent with His humility. Genuine humility leads the strong to serve the weak. It never underestimates its own worth, but in utter unselfishness it is ready to sacrifice its own claims at any moment for the general good. Genuine humility loses all of its self-conceit but never loses its self-respect. It is consistent with the highest dignity of character and life. Hence we may call the Incarnation the Humiliation of Christ. He stood at the head of the heavenly hierarchies. He was equal with God. There was no dignity in the universe like unto His. Yet He humbled Himself to become a man. He made of Himself no reputation. He came not to be ministered to, but to minister. He was the Servant of all. There was no humility in the universe like unto His. He never forgot His dignity. When Pilate asked Him if He were a king, He answered him that He was. He stood in kingly majesty before the mob, in kingly serenity before the magistrates; He hung as King upon the cross. Yet He never forgot His humility. Being found in fashion as a man, He humbled Himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. St. Paul exhorts, ‘Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus’ (Ph. 2:5-11). God giveth grace to all who are thus humble (James 4:6).
The Jews, realizing the most important part humbleness plays in God’s heavenly purposes, add to the blessed thought herein imparted:
He guideth the humble in justice, and teaches the humble His way.
To humbleness Alma added other qualities which he hoped would sanctify their lives to accomplishing God’s holy work among His children, and further assured them that if they were guided by these holy promptings then “ye will always abound in good works.” (V. 24)
May the Lord bless you, and keep your garments spotless. (See Comments v. 21, Chapter 5)
Unlike being disheartened as he was at Zarahemla when he found the members of the Church there lifted up in pride and in the vain imaginations of their hearts which almost destroyed their usefulness as Saints, the people of Gideon put gladness into Alma’s heart when he, himself, saw their firmness in keeping God’s commandments, and also that they were steadfastly serving the Lord. In this Alma rejoiced far more than he did upon hearing of their increase in corn and in cattle. The Holy Spirit confirmed in his heart what most he desired to know—that the people of Gideon gave heed to his words, and that henceforth they, with exceeding diligence, would comply with all his teachings
With blessings upon their families and households, upon their flocks and herds, and all that was theirs, Alma left the Saints in Gideon in the care of the teachers and priests whom he had set apart to minister in the ordinances and sacrifices of God’s Church.
But before ending his inspired instructions, Alma besought them God’s most precious gift, Peace, and assured them that in living near unto God, they would also dwell in safety, “from this time forth and forever.”