It was my privilege a number of years ago to become acquainted with a remarkable man of East Asian origin. He was not only a medical doctor but also a Grand Master who had been trained in the finest traditions of the martial arts. We would talk on occasion about philosophy and religion, and, being extraordinarily articulate (despite his challenging accent), he would unfold for me his themes of vitality and human development by comparing the cultivation of inner strength to the growth of a tree—from the planting of the seed, to the nurturing of the young sapling, to the strengthening of the roots and boughs, and finally to the harvesting of the good fruit. His metaphoric language reminded me of Alma’s superb discourse on faith, where faith is compared to a seed that we can nourish until it rises to maturity as a tree of life (see Alma 32). Therefore, I obtained a copy of the Book of Mormon in the native tongue of my friend and presented it to him, along with an inscription commending it as a truthful text. I suggested that he read Alma 32 and several other marked passages that would provide an introduction to this wonderful book.
Several days later, he returned to me, having studied the identified passages with great interest. He asked a question of great moment—a rhetorical question, as it turned out, since he knew full well of my background and persuasion. He asked, in light of the discourse on faith that I had had him read, “In whom should one have faith?”
That question is the most important question that any person in this life could ever ask. It is the same question that the humbled Zoramites asked Alma and Amulek following the lecture on faith in Alma 32: “whether they should believe in one God [that is, the Father and now also the Son, Jesus Christ], that they might obtain this fruit of which he had spoken” (Alma 33:1). The answer they received was unequivocal. Alma quoted the prophet Zenos: “and it is because of thy Son that thou hast been thus merciful unto me (Alma 33:11). Alma then confirmed this testimony: “Now behold, my brethren, I would ask if ye have read the scriptures? If ye have, how can ye disbelieve on the Son of God?” (Alma 33:14.) He then echoed the words of the prophet Zenock concerning the mercies of God unto His people, “which thou hast bestowed upon them because of thy Son” (Alma 33:16). Moreover, he reminded his listeners that Moses raised a type of the Son of God in the wilderness (see Numbers 21:9) so that all who focused their vision thereon could be healed. Alma then completed his presentation by appealing to the exercise of faith and bestowing this blessing: “And then may God grant unto you that your burdens may be light, through the joy of his Son” (Alma 33:23).
Immediately thereafter Amulek gave his stirring discourse on the infinite Atonement of Jesus Christ—a crowning testimony to the divinity of the Savior and a resounding answer to the question “In whom should we have faith?” (see Alma 34). Indeed, it is only the majesty of the redemptive Atonement “that bringeth about means unto men that they may have faith unto repentance” (Alma 34:15), which repentance can have instant consequences for good, since “immediately shall the great plan of redemption be brought about unto you” (Alma 34:31).
The Book of Mormon is “Another Testament of Jesus Christ” (subtitle to the book as of 1982). It is the most compelling answer to the question “In whom should we have faith?” It is the “marvellous work and a wonder” of which Isaiah spoke prophetically in days of yore (see Isaiah 29:14). It is the handbook of faith in Immanuel, the Son of God, the only source to which mankind can turn for a remission of sins. It is the guidebook of spiritual horticulture that teaches the principles by which the seed of faith can be transformed into a tree “springing up unto everlasting life” (Alma 32:41). It is my sincere hope that my Asian friend and all other honest seekers of truth will find in the Book of Mormon the anchor that secures unto the humble and the valiant the enduring joy and the healing peace of the gospel of Jesus Christ. (Richard J. Allen)