By suffering as Alma suffered, he joined a myriad of prophets who were persecuted in the name of the Lord. In a way, it is a privilege to be persecuted as the Savior was persecuted. At least this is how Peter and John felt when they were derided by the Sanhedrin, they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name. (Acts 5:41). Obviously they understood the word of the Lord as he had taught them on the mount:
Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.
Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you (Matt 5:10-12).
Wilford Woodruff
"In my early missions, when preaching in the Southern States - Arkansas, Tennessee, and Kentucky - I have waded swamps and rivers and have walked 70 miles or more without eating. In those days we counted it a blessing to go into a place where there was a Latter-day Saint. I went once 150 miles to see one; and when I got there he had apostatized, and tried to kill me. Then, after traveling 72 miles without food, I sat down to eat my meal with a Missouri mobocrat, and he damning and cursing me all the time." (Church News, 5/18/96, p. Z1)
James E. Faust,
"You must know that Lucifer will oppose you, and be prepared for his opposition. Do not be surprised. He wants you to fail…Have courage and go forward. Recognize that the gospel has been preached with some pain and sorrow from the very beginning of time. Do not expect that your experience will be otherwise." (Church News, 5/18/96, p. Z1)