Alma 13 – 14
I have always been interested in this because of the promises outlined for those who are high priests. Today I realize that some of the things that are said are applicable to the higher priesthood (i.e. the Melchizedek Priesthood) while others are more specifically meant for the office of high priest. Notice the fundamental difference between the two priesthoods – the Aaronic priesthood is given to all men within the covenant people who meet criteria over which they have no control (age and/or lineage) unless they reject it. Of course there is basic worthiness, but the priesthood itself is meant to help prepare them for the higher priesthood. The Melchizedek priesthood is only given after someone has had time to demonstrate some faithfulness. The office of Elder is almost automatic for young men who have grown up in the church and almost automatic after a year of activity within the church for converts, but the office of High Priest is not automatic – it is given based on the faithfulness of the man to what he has been given, and it is given only after the preparatory effects of the Aaronic priesthood and office of Elder have been manifest in the service and life of the man, and it is given based on the needs of the Lord in blessing His people.
Listening to the trial of Alma and Amulek, Zeezrom was dismayed to discover that his very words were used as testimony against them – even after he, himself had come to believe their words. No wonder he felt guilty. The people of Ammonihah then did exactly what Amulek had prophesied would bring their destruction – they cast the righteous from among them. The men they cast out of the city and the women and children they burned along with every copy of scriptural record they could locate. Alma and Amulek no longer testified before these people who had openly rejected all their words of repentance.
Alma and Amulek were delivered from prison more than three months after Amulek received Alma into his home.
Leave a Reply