Post by Alma –
As I draw near to the end of my days in this probationary state, I feel constrained by the Spirit to record these things, that my children and my brethren might learn wisdom, and consider the goodness and mercy of our God.
For I have lived many years, and in that time, I have served under the reign of four kings among men—and one more, if I may speak plainly, that being the reign of my own selfish desires, which at times did hold sway over me with the chains of sin. But I will speak first of the four kings of this world.
Following a leader by the name of Zeniff, our people departed the land of Zarahemla to inhabit the land of our fathers, the land of Nephi in the heart of Lamanite lands. I served Zeniff, who we considered our king. I was young but I know he fought for us against the Lamanites. He was ambitious but my perception was that he cared for us.
But after him rose his son, even King Noah, and oh, how great was the difference between the father and the son! For Noah rejected the counsels of his father’s priests. He removed them and set up men who would speak flattering words and uphold him in wickedness. I, to my shame, was among them.
I was favored because I supported the lascivious lifestyle offered me. I was one of the young, bright, yet easily tempted followers of wickedness. From a worldly and carnalish standpoint, it was a pleasure, literally a pleasure serving him. Service was pleasure, the pleasure being wine, idleness, pride, and women. I may not have been as lost in the vices of a natural man as others due to the fact that when as King Noah described a prophet by the name of Abinadi as a mad man when he came to call us to repentance, my heart was pierced. It was then that I began to recognize the true power of a king. King Noah not just permitted wickedness, he promoted it in order to surround himself with like-minded, blinded individuals. He elevated those that supported his wickedness. I shamefully was one of those.
I will forever be grateful for the mad man, the prophet Abinadi for heading the call to come give his life to fetch me from utter destruction. Abinadi introduced me to the true King, even my Father in Heaven and His Son, Jesus Christ. King Noah surprised me how quickly he considered me an enemy once I defended Abinadi and chose to turn to God and repent. I ran for my life. Noah sent armies to slay me. Why? Because righteousness cannot be permitted to stand alongside the wicked. The wicked will not tolerate it. They cannot bear the reminder of what they know is right. They will always fight against it. I have learned that a man who knows better will rebel. Those who don’t know better don’t care.
My great King of Heaven led us and protected us and blessed us as we established new cities. When an army of Lamanites stumbled upon our city, and then betrayed an agreement to leave us alone, we fell under the dominion of the King of the Lamanites once again. Ironically, one of the most evil of King Noah’s priests, Amulon, through great deception became our taskmaster. Under his dominion, which was one of persecution and tyranny, we suffered. Yet, it was our Great King in heaven who eased the burdens and eventually delivered us from bondage.
Now, as we serve the fifth king I mentioned to have served, even King Mosiah, I compare him to the others. King Mosiah loves God and he loves the people. His work is to protect the people, teach the people so they may live in freedom according to their own desires. He worked with the people to establish fair laws, laws that protect one another. There is no desire for dominion over others.
Mosiah 17-24 | About 100 B.C.
