You will remember that Alma taught the words of Abinadi to as many as would listen. In the 18th chapter of Mosiah, we read: And now, it came to pass that Alma, who had fled from the servants of king Noah, repented of his sins and iniquities, and went about privately among the people, and began to teach the words of Abinadi— Yea, concerning that which was to come . . . [the coming of Messiah] And as many as would hear his word he did teach. And he taught them privately, that it might not come to the knowledge of the king. And many did believe his words. And it came to pass that as many as did believe him did go forth to a place which was called Mormon, having received its name from the king, being in the borders of the land having been infested, by times or at seasons, by wild beasts. Now, there was in Mormon a fountain of pure water, and Alma resorted thither, there being near the water a thicket of small trees, where he did hide himself in the daytime from the searches of the king. And it came to pass that as many as believed him went thither to hear his words. (verses 1-6)
On one such day, Alma challenged the people to baptism. He has already taught them to love one another and they had done so such that there was no contention among them. Noting the large numbers, Alma said to them: Behold, here are the waters of Mormon (for thus were they called) and now, as ye are desirous to come into the fold of God, and to be called his people, and are willing to bear one another’s burdens, that they may be light; Yea, and are willing to mourn with those that mourn; yea, and comfort those that stand in need of comfort, and to stand as witnesses of God at all times and in all things, and in all places that ye may be in, even until death, that ye may be redeemed of God, and be numbered with those of the first resurrection, that ye may have eternal life—Now I say unto you, if this be the desire of your hearts, what have you against being baptized in the name of the Lord, as a witness before him that ye have entered into a covenant with him, that ye will serve him and keep his commandments, that he may pour out his Spirit more abundantly upon you?
(Mosiah 18: 8-10)
And now when the people had heard these words, they clapped their hands for joy, and exclaimed: This is the desire of our hearts. (v 11)
Let's look at the things he taught them about being a believer and member of the household of God:
- Love one another
- Share one another's burdens
- Share sorrows and give comfort
- Stand as a witness of God in all times, all things, and all places.
He also set apart 50 righteous men to be priests and teacher. He admonished them to teach:
- Nothing save it were the things which he had taught, and which had been spoken by the mouth of the holy prophets. (v 19)
- Nothing save it were repentance and faith on the Lord, who had redeemed his people. (v 20)
- That there should be no contention one with another, but that they should look forward with one eye, having one faith and one baptism, having their hearts knit together in unity and in love one towards another. (v 21)
He commanded them that they should:
- Observe the Sabbath day, and keep it holy, and also every day they should give thanks to the Lord their God. (v 23)
- Labor with their own hands for their support. (v 24) - No paid clergy as had been the case with the priests of Noah
- Set apart [one day a week] that they should gather themselves together to teach the people, and to worship the Lord their God, and also, as often as it was in their power, to assemble themselves together. (v 25)
He commanded the people of the new church to:
- Impart of their substance, every one according to that which he had; if he have more abundantly he should impart more abundantly; and of him that had but little, but little should be required; and to him that had not should be given . . . [according to]their own free will and good desires towards God, and . . . to every needy, naked soul. (v 27, 28)
It wasn't long after this marvelous baptismal service that King Noah found where they were hiding and they were forced to flee. If it were not for their choosing to be true disciples and their making solemn covenants with God in the waters of baptism; they would not have been able to withstand the flight into the wilderness and the challenges that were yet to come.
Text quotes from the Book of Mormon
Additional text copyright August 2103, Gebara Education
Pictures:
Lake Atitlan map from www.gocentralamerica.about.com
Baptizing in the Waters of Mormon from www.lds.org
Lake Atitlan from www.bpvillas.com
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