Repentance ~ No One is Beyond It

The more Amulek taught, the more concerned Zeezrom became.  In the course of his heckling, the prophet and his companion were able to expose the thoughts of Zeezrom's heart.  This probably upset him more than anything else, for how could they know things he had hidden from everyone unless they were, indeed, prophets of God.  Now, when Amulek had finished these words the people began again to be astonished, and also Zeezrom began to tremble.  (Alma 11:46)

Alma confronted Zeezrom in these words:  Now Zeezrom, . . . thou hast not lied unto men only but thou hast lied unto God; for behold, he knows all thy thoughts, and thou seest that thy thoughts are made known unto us by his Spirit;  And thou seest that we know that thy plan . . . This [plan]was a snare of the adversary, which he has laid to catch this people, that he might bring you into subjection unto him, that he might encircle you about with his chains, that he might chain you down to everlasting destruction, according to the power of his captivity. (Alma 12: 3-4, 6)

Now when Alma had spoken these words, Zeezrom began to tremble more exceedingly, for he was convinced more and more of the power of God; and he was also convinced that Alma and Amulek had a knowledge of him, for he was convinced that they knew the thoughts and intents of his heart; for power was given unto them that they might know of these things according to the spirit of prophecy.  And Zeezrom began to inquire of them diligently, that he might know more concerning the kingdom of God. (Alma 12:11-12)
 

Years later, Alma got word that Zeezrom was extremely ill, the illness having been brought on by his grief over his own part in the persecution of Alma and Amulek.  Alma wrote that his sins did harrow up his mind (v. 3) just as Alma's own sins had done to him in his youth. 

When Zeezrom heard that Alma was  near by, he sent for him.  Alma went immediately.  He could see genuine repentance in Zeezrom's eyes and he asked the man if he believed in God and the coming of His Son.  When Zeezrom answered in the affirmative, Alma administered a priesthood blessing and Zeezrom was healed.  So amazing was his recovery that the word went throughout all the land.

 

And Alma baptized Zeezrom unto the Lord; and he [Zeezrom] began from that time forth to preach unto the people. (Alma 15: 12)

 

This was a miracle repentance like Alma's and Saul's/Paul's.  The fact that it didn't involve a theophany tells me that we should not limit the Lord's power to save.  Never give up.

 

What of the other people in Ammonihah who believed the words of the prophet?  We will talk about their fate tomorrow.

 

Text copyright September 2013, Gebara Education

 

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