Alma 15
People in this chapter
Alma and Amulek leave Ammonihah and find the believers who had been cast out and stoned in the land of Sidom (v. 1). They tell them what happened to their wives and children. Zeezrom is there too, lying sick with a burning fever, which was caused by the great tribulations of his mind on account of his wickedness (v. 3). He thinks Alma and Amulek have been killed because of him.
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Alma 15:1-5A Burning Fever
1And it came to pass that Alma and Amulek were commanded to depart out of that city; and they departed, and came out even into the land of Sidom; and behold, there they found all the people who had departed out of the land of Ammonihah, who had been cast out and stoned, because they believed in the words of Alma. 2And they related unto them all that had happened unto their wives and children, and also concerning themselves, and of their power of deliverance.
Alma and Amulek are told to leave Ammonihah. In the land of Sidom they find the believers who had been cast out. They tell them what happened to their families.
3And also Zeezrom lay sick at Sidom, with a burning fever, which was caused by the great tribulations of his mind on account of his wickedness, for he supposed that Alma and Amulek were no more; and he supposed that they had been slain because of his iniquity. And this great sin, and his many other sins, did harrow up his mind until it did become exceedingly sore, having no deliverance; therefore he began to be scorched with a burning heat. 4Now, when he heard that Alma and Amulek were in the land of Sidom, his heart began to take courage; and he sent a message immediately unto them, desiring them to come unto him. 5And it came to pass that they went immediately, obeying the message which he had sent unto them; and they went in unto the house unto Zeezrom; and they found him upon his bed, sick, being very low with a burning fever; and his mind also was exceedingly sore because of his iniquities; and when he saw them he stretched forth his hand, and besought them that they would heal him.
Zeezrom is sick with a fever caused by guilt. He believes Alma and Amulek died because of him. When he hears they are alive, he takes courage and sends for them to heal him.
Alma 15:6-12Believest Thou in the Power of Christ?
6And it came to pass that Alma said unto him, taking him by the hand: Believest thou in the power of Christ unto salvation? 7And he answered and said: Yea, I believe all the words that thou hast taught. 8And Alma said: If thou believest in the redemption of Christ thou canst be healed. 9And he said: Yea, I believe according to thy words.
Alma asks Zeezrom whether he believes in the power of Christ. Zeezrom says he believes all Alma has taught. Alma tells him that if he believes in Christ's redemption, he can be healed.
10And then Alma cried unto the Lord, saying: O Lord our God, have mercy on this man, and heal him according to his faith which is in Christ. 11And when Alma had said these words, Zeezrom leaped upon his feet, and began to walk; and this was done to the great astonishment of all the people; and the knowledge of this went forth throughout all the land of Sidom. 12And Alma baptized Zeezrom unto the Lord; and he began from that time forth to preach unto the people.
Zeezrom jumps up and walks, and everyone is amazed. Alma baptizes him, and Zeezrom starts preaching from that day on.
Alma 15:13-19Strengthened in the Lord
13And Alma established a church in the land of Sidom, and consecrated priests and teachers in the land, to baptize unto the Lord whosoever were desirous to be baptized. 14And it came to pass that they were many; for they did flock in from all the region round about Sidom, and were baptized. 15But as to the people that were in the land of Ammonihah, they yet remained a hard-hearted and a stiffnecked people; and they repented not of their sins, ascribing all the power of Alma and Amulek to the devil; for they were of the profession of Nehor, and did not believe in the repentance of their sins.
Alma organizes the church in Sidom, and many people come to be baptized. The people of Ammonihah stay hard-hearted. They follow Nehor's teaching and see no need to repent.
16And it came to pass that Alma and Amulek, Amulek having forsaken all his gold, and silver, and his precious things, which were in the land of Ammonihah, for the word of God, he being rejected by those who were once his friends and also by his father and his kindred; 17Therefore, after Alma having established the church at Sidom, seeing a great check, yea, seeing that the people were checked as to the pride of their hearts, and began to humble themselves before God, and began to assemble themselves together at their sanctuaries to worship God before the altar, watching and praying continually, that they might be delivered from Satan, and from death, and from destruction— 18Now as I said, Alma having seen all these things, therefore he took Amulek and came over to the land of Zarahemla, and took him to his own house, and did administer unto him in his tribulations, and strengthened him in the Lord. 19And thus ended the tenth year of the reign of the judges over the people of Nephi.
Amulek has given up his wealth and been rejected by his friends and his own family. Alma takes him home to Zarahemla, cares for him, and strengthens him in the Lord.
Research trail
Sources & further study
These references support the historical, linguistic, manuscript, and contextual notes in this chapter. Scripture remains the primary text; external sources are provided so readers can inspect the research directly.
- ZeezromThe lawyer of Ammonihah who opposed Alma and Amulek, was healed and converted, and later became a missionary.
- Heal, HealingsPhysical and spiritual healing through faith in Jesus Christ and the power of the priesthood.
- AmulekAlma's missionary companion from Ammonihah.
- NehorThe false teacher whose "profession" the people of Ammonihah followed (v. 15).
- Meek, MeeknessThe Christlike quality Amulek shows in giving up all for the word of God (v. 16).
Where this echoes in Scripture
A Burning Fever
- Alma 14:6-7His soul began to be harrowed up under a consciousness of his own guilt.
- Psalm 32:3-5When I kept silence, my bones waxed old… I acknowledged my sin unto thee… and thou forgavest.
- Alma 36:17-18As I was thus racked with torment… I remembered also to have heard my father prophesy… concerning the coming of one Jesus Christ.Alma's own release from a harrowed mind.
- Alma 11:22Behold, here are six onties of silver, and all these will I give thee if thou wilt deny the existence of a Supreme Being.
Believest Thou in the Power of Christ?
- Matthew 9:28-29Believe ye that I am able to do this?… According to your faith be it unto you.
- Mark 2:5-12Son, thy sins be forgiven thee… Arise, and take up thy bed.
- Isaiah 35:6Then shall the lame man leap as an hart.
- Acts 3:6-8In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk. And he leaping up stood, and walked.
- Helaman 5:41Faith in Christ, who was taught unto you by Alma, and Amulek, and Zeezrom.
Strengthened in the Lord
- Matthew 19:29Every one that hath forsaken houses, or brethren… for my name's sake, shall receive an hundredfold, and shall inherit everlasting life.
- Mosiah 18:9Willing to mourn with those that mourn; yea, and comfort those that stand in need of comfort.
- Alma 8:21And it came to pass that the man received him into his house… and he brought forth bread and meat and set before Alma.
- Alma 1:4All mankind should be saved at the last day, and… they need not fear nor tremble.The teaching of Nehor behind Ammonihah's refusal to repent (v. 15).