The sons of King Mosiah were stalwart missionaries. They
had not always been so faithful. Initially they had been rebellious and desired
the destruction of the Church. The sons of Mosiah were present when the angel
appeared to Alma the Younger. What a spectacular event this must have been!
Ammon, Aaron, Omner, and Himni wanted to share the joy they experienced because of their
conversion. The scriptures for this lesson start with a chance encounter
between Alma the Younger and the sons of Mosiah, as Alma was travelling
southward from the land of Gideon. It was a joyous reunion, particularly sweet
as all were strong in the gospel.
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| The four sons of King Mosiah |
Alma 17 onwards starts with the reunion and then goes
back in time, to allow the sons of Mosiah to tell the experiences from their
missionary journeys. I have always been impressed by the decision of Ammon, Aaron,
Omner, and Himni, to serve the Lamanites rather than their fellow Nephites. In Alma 17:16
they provide a reason for wanting to do this work: “…perhaps they might bring
them unto repentance; that perhaps they might bring them to know of the plan of
redemption.” In the gospel, we receive so much reassurance, hope, and joy
knowing where we come from, why we are here, and where we are going. It seems
only fair that we share this knowledge with others who have no comprehension of
the answers to these important questions.
Ammon, Aaron, Omner, and Himni had pure motives and a burning
desire to share their spiritual transformation. This reminded me of a story I
read once from a BYU talk by Carlos E. Asay called The
Joyous Obligation of Missionary Work.
He spoke about a young woman he had interviewed as a prospective
missionary. At 17 years of age this young woman had run away from home and
moved in with a man who was corrupt and used her to formalise business deals.
She was his tool in gaining business advantage. After two dreary, sin-filled
years, she suddenly woke up to a realisation of the life she was living. She
questioned what she was doing, how it had impacted on her family, and what she
should do. After wandering the streets aimlessly, she made the decision to
return home, a prodigal daughter. She arrived home to discover that her
parents, brothers, and sisters, were fasting and praying for her to come home. She
worked through a long and difficult repentance process with her bishop. After three long years, she was received back into full fellowship. Her one
desire was to serve as a full-time missionary. She turned down several proposals
because she believed she first had a debt to pay. “I was reclaimed through the
grace of God and I want to do something in return.” I imagine that the sons of
Mosiah must have also felt this same desire to repay a great debt.
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| Elder Carlos E. Asay |
We have heard such wonderful stories about conversion,
how it has changed and transformed lives. The testimonies of new converts can
strengthen our own faith and help motivate us to share the precious truths of
the gospel. The testimony of a convert, Buddhist
Monk Baptized Mormon. Shares Beautiful Testimony, is simple yet powerful. I
have an amazing DVD about the conversion of a member of the mafia to the gospel
of Jesus Christ. The story in this DVD also appeared in LDS Living in 2005, From Mafia to
Mormon, by Mario Facione. This man put his own life on the line to accept the
gospel. The following video tells the story of three people whose lives changed
with their conversion and new-found happiness in the Plan of Salvation.
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| Elder M. Russell Ballard |
In a talk called The
Greatest Generation of Missionaries (Ensign,
November 2002), Elder M. Russell Ballard stated, “What we need now is the
greatest generation of missionaries in the history of the Church…We need
vibrant, thinking, passionate missionaries who know how to listen to and
respond to the whisperings of the Holy Spirit, This isn’t a time for spiritual
weaklings. We cannot send you on a mission to be reactivated, reformed, or to
receive a testimony. We just don’t have time for that. We need you to be filled
with “faith, hope, charity and love, with an eye single to the glory of God” (D&C 4:5).”
I cannot help but think of my missionary "daughter". She is now in the Marshall
Islands, beginning her missionary journey. She has this radiance that comes
with the Spirit, she has a heart as big as the universe, and loves the Lord
with her whole being. She is constantly in my thoughts and prayers.
I spent time considering what I should be doing as a
member missionary. I found a wonderful summary of the story of Ammon and the
conversion of King Lamoni, that outlines a step-by-step approach to missionary
work that we all could follow. This is in the Book
of Mormon: Gospel Study Companion (2007) by M. Wilcox. I have summarised
this lesson as I learned so much from it.
We all have challenges when it comes to missionary work.
Sometimes it is an inactive neighbour, or a rebellious child, or a non-member
colleague. The scriptures in Alma 17-18 provide a pattern to deal with all of
these situations. By following the Lord’s instructions and the way Ammon
carried out his mission, we have a pattern for successful missionary work, as
proselyting or member missionaries.
Step 1: Alma 17:11 –
“…establish my word; yet be patient in long-suffering and afflictions, that ye
may show forth good examples unto them in me.”
Patiently set a good example. Ammon understood and followed the
Lord’s counsel. His brethren were not quite as subtle in their approach to the
Lamanites, and ended up in prison.
Step 2: Alma 17:22-23
– (Ammon responds to the King’s question about wanting to stay with his people.)
“Yea, I desire to dwell among this people for a time; yes, and perhaps until
the day I die”; and,
Alma 17:25 –
(Ammon respectfully rejects the King’s daughter as a wife.) “…but I will be thy
servant.”
Serve. How did Ammon show he was patiently showing a good
example? He chose service. As you serve, the stage is set for missionary work.
Step 3: Alma 17:29 –
(Ammon went out with other servants to look after the King’s flocks. Those who
had previously failed were slain by the King.) “Now they wept because of the
fear of being slain. Now when Ammon saw this his heart was swollen within him
for joy; for, said he, I will show forth my power unto these my
fellow-servants, or the power which is in me…that I may win the hearts of these
my fellow-servants.”
Win hearts. If you set a good example by service, eventually
you win hearts. This leads people to believe.
Step 4: Alma 17:30 –
“And now, these were the thoughts of Ammon, when he saw the afflictions of
those whom he termed to be his brethren.”
Look to others as your brothers and sisters. Ammon felt his
fellow-servants were his brethren. We project our attitude to others. We cannot
look down on others, not matter what their situation. Ammon proceeded to defend
the flocks, cut off the arms of his opponents, and the fellow-servants
collected the arms to take before the King.
Step 5: Alma 18:3 – (The
fellow-servants suggest Ammon may be the Great Spirit.) “Whether he be the
Great Spirit or a man, we know not…we know that he is a friend to the king.”
Be a true friend. Friendship results from winning hearts.
Step 6: Alma 18:5 –
“Notwithstanding they believed in a Great Spirit, they supposed that whatsoever
they did was right; nevertheless, Lamoni began to fear exceedingly, with fear
lest he had done wrong in slaying his servants.”
The awakening of conscience. Many outside of the church believe
their lifestyles are satisfactory. King Lamoni felt the same, yet, his
conscience was pricked. Ammon had not yet spoken about religion, but he had
laid the groundwork for this discussion.
Step 7: Alma 18:8-9
– (King Lamoni wanted to know where Ammon was.) “…he is feeding thy horses”;
and,
Alma 18:10 –
“Surely there has not been any servant among all my servants that has been so
faithful as this man.”
Be a faithful friend. Because of Ammon’s faithfulness, King
Lamoni was now prepared to hear him.
Step 8: Alma 18:11 –
“…I would desire him that he come in unto me, but I durst not”; and,
Alma 18:14 –
(Ammon asked the King what he required of him, and the King could not answer
for an hour.) “…for he knew not what he should say unto him”; and,
Alma 18:16 –
“And it came to pass that Ammon, being filled with the Spirit of God, therefore
he perceived the thoughts of the king.”
With our best, faithful friends, the Spirit will guide us. We
will perceive their thoughts and know when the time and circumstances are right
to speak boldly.
Alma 18:20 –
“How knowest thou the thoughts of my heart? Thou mayest speak boldly…”
Ammon can now preach the gospel.
So the plan for sharing the gospel is: be patient and set a
good example through service. Win hearts and think of them as your brethren. Be
a friend. Awaken their consciences. When they know you area a faithful friend,
they will want to speak to you. They may not know what to say but the Spirit
will move you. Circumstances will be right and you will be able to perceive
their thoughts and be assured that NOW is the time. They may even invite it.
You may speak boldly and share the deep message of your heart.
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| Ammon defending the King's flocks |
This is a plan I can use and I can follow. My commitment
is to make a greater effort to be a member missionary. I love the gospel. I
want to share some of this joy I have in the gospel with those who mean so much
to me as well as to those the Lord has prepared to hear His words.
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