Alma the Elder or Alma Sr. (just called Alma in the Book of Mormon, Another Testament of Christ) had once been very evil. He had been one of the wicked priests of King Noah. But Alma believed what Abinadi taught and tried to defend the prophet.
As a result Alma was cast out of the palace and the wicked King Noah sent soldiers out to kill Alma. But Alma hid in the forest and secretly taught people the words of Abinadi. The prophet Abinadi had taught the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
Alma was able to baptize converts in the Waters of Mormon. But eventually the King found out what was going on and he sent soldiers to kill Alma and the converts. But Alma was warned by the Spirit and he and his followers fled into the wilderness and set up their own community many miles away.
The story is long but eventually the Lamanites found where Alma and his people were living and made them into slaves. But Alma and his people were good people and had great faith. They prayed and the Lord made their burdens light. That is what happens sometimes. There are times when the Lord strengthens us so we can handle our trials. And other times He removes the trials.
In fact, eventually, the Lord DID help Alma and his followers escape the Lamanites. Then years later, in the Nephite city of Zarahemla, the son of Alma (called Alma the Younger) decided to rebel against God.
Alma the Younger even sought to destroy the church of God. Alma the Younger persecuted the saints and lived very wickedly. Some of his friends were actually the sons of King Mosiah. Together they were a great hindrance to the progress of the Church.
Alma (Sr.) prayed for his son extensively. We know this because an Angel of God appeared to Alma the Younger and his friends while they were on their way to make more mischief. The angel told Alma to seek no more to destroy the Church of God... even if he wanted himself to be destroyed.
Alma the Younger was struck dumb and weak. He was carried (by his friends) to his father. Alma (Sr.) called the people of the Church together to pray for his son. Alma the Younger was out for three days. During that time he was awake in his mind. He remembered his father's teachings and Alma the Younger cried out to Jesus and he was healed... in both spirit and body.
Alma totally repented and when he came to he declared his conversion to everyone present. This was a great event. Alma the Younger went on to eventually be the High Priest of the Church and the prophet. He traveled to many places to teach the Gospel of Jesus Christ and he did a great deal of good in his life. He was also the Chief Judge for a while. That was like being the Prime Minister or President of the country.
This drawing is of Alma the Younger when the Angel first appeared to him and called him to dependence. This is similar to the experience that Saul/Paul had on the road to Damascus. The difference is that Saul/Paul thought that God WANTED him to persecute the Church. Alma was openly rebelling.
This story goes to help us remember that we all can repent of our sins and go on to serve the Lord. The Lord cares about what you are doing NOW... He does not care about what you did in your past, if you have repented and are trying to do good in the world.
The four people in the foreground are the Sons of Mosiah...
Aaron, Ammon, Omner, and Himni. The drawings after the first one are from older, but recent posts. These two drawings are basically the conversion of Alma the Elder or Alma Senior.
These drawings, in printable form, can be found by clicking on the top button labeled . . . . Religious.
Angel appears to Alma the Younger and his Friends
Abinadi teaches King Noah and the Wicked Priests
(Alma the Elder is on the right.)
Alma baptizes in the Waters of Mormon
(Alma the Younger is the little boy in the center foreground.)
This was a re-posting of the original English post. It is also posted in several other languages.
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