CHAPTER 9
MIGHTY PRAYER
"Nevertheless the children of God were commanded
that they should gather themselves together OFT, and join in FASTING AND
MIGHTY PRAYER in behalf of the welfare of the souls of those WHO KNEW NOT
GOD." (Alma 6:6)
Approximately fifteen years after the
magnificent address of King Benjamin a very perplexing problem arose in
the church. A spirit of apostasy began to enter into the youth of the church.
Mosiah was the king. Alma was the prophet. Listen to its description:
Now it came to pass that there were many of
the rising generation that could not understand the words of king Benjamin,
being little children at the time he spake unto his people; and they did
not believe the tradition of their fathers.
They did not believe what had been said concerning
the resurrection of the dead, neither did they believe concerning the coming
of Christ.
And now because of their UNBELIEF they could not
understand the word of God; and their hearts were hardened.
And they would not be baptized; neither would
they join the church. And they were a separate people as to their faith,
and remained so ever after, even in their carnal and sinful state; for
they would not call upon the Lord their God. (Mosiah 26:1-4)
The interesting thing is that part of
that rising, rebellious generation were sons of very important people.
One of them was Alma, the son of the Prophet, Alma. Four of them were Ammon,
Aaron, Omner and Himni. They just happened to be the sons of King Mosiah.
You can imagine the embarrassment the prophet and king felt because of
the conduct of their sons. People were complaining to Alma and King Mosiah
about the situation. Obviously something had to be done. A proclamation
was issued making it illegal to persecute the saints of God. Now these
young men weren't too interested in honoring, obeying and sustaining the
laws of the land. They just went underground and continued persecuting
the church in secret. Passing a law didn't do one bit of good. It didn't
change the hearts of these young men at all. It didn't take the prophet
and the king long to discover that this approach was of little value. It
just didn't work. There must be another approach to this problem. Let's
pick up the story now and see if we can discover what the other approach
was. If there is a workable plan that can be used successfully it should
be shouted from the house tops because there are many thousands in the
Kingdom today that are faced with identically the same problem that Alma
and King Mosiah had in their day.
And as I said unto you, as they were
going about rebelling against God, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared
unto them; and he descended as it were in a cloud; and he spake as it were
with a voice of thunder, which caused the earth to shake upon which they
stood;
And so great was their astonishment, that they
fell to the earth, and understood not the words which he spake unto them.
Nevertheless he cried again, saying: Alma, arise
and stand forth, for why persecutest thou the church of God? For the Lord
hath said: "This is my church, and I will establish it; and nothing shall
overthrow it, SAVE IT IS THE TRANSGRESSION OF MY PEOPLE.
And again, the angel said:
Behold, the Lord hath heard the PRAYERS OF HIS
PEOPLE, and also the PRAYERS OF HIS SERVANT, ALMA, who is thy father; for
he has PRAYED WITH MUCH FAITH CONCERNING THEE that thou mightest
be brought to the knowledge of the truth; therefore, for this purpose have
I come to convince thee of the power and authority of God, that the PRAYERS
OF HIS SERVANTS MIGHT BE ANSWERED ACCORDINGTOTHEIR
FAITH. (Mosiah 27:11-14)
All of this was too much for Alma. He
was struck dumb so that he could not speak or move. In this helpless condition
he was carried and laid helpless before his father. After hearing of the
experience with the angel, Alma, the father, began to rejoice. His faith
had been vindicated. His prayers were answered. How long had he prayed
for this wayward son? How many special fasts had he participated in that
his son might be brought to repentance? The scripture is silent on this
subject but it appears that it went on for several years -- yes, several
years. That should give us confidence. Surely anyone can pay the price
in that length of time if we are burdened with a similar problem. Now let's
continue with the story. Alma was lying there in a helpless state. Alma,
the elder, invited the priests and a multitude that they might witness
the coming event. He invited them all to participate in a special two day
fast.
And it came to pass after they hadfastedand
prayed for the space of two days and two nights, the limbs of Alma
received their strength, and he stood up and began to speak unto them,
bidding them to be of good comfort:
For, said he, I have repented of my sins, and
have been redeemed of the Lord; behold I am born of the Spirit.
And the Lord said unto me: Marvel not that all
mankind, yea, men and women, all nations, kindreds, tongues and people,
must be born again; yea, born of God, changed from their carnal and fallen
state, to a state of righteousness, being redeemed of God, becoming his
sons and daughters. (Mosiah 27.23-25)
Do you see the significance of what has
just taken place? A father, the priests and the people have demonstrated
their concern so much for these five young men that they pray with such
great faith, probably for years, that the Lord finally answered their prayers
by sending an angel to the young men. The angel spoke plainly so that they
could not mistake the message. They were brought to the crossroads, by
the faith and prayers of those who loved them. They had to make a decision.
The responsibility of free agency weighed heavily upon them. The choice
was now theirs. But what had brought them to this point? It was the faith,
fasting and prayers that had been exercised by Alma the prophet, by King
Mosiah, by the priests, and by the rest of the people that had participated
in the two day fast. The five boys made the right decision after they were
brought to the crossroads. They repaired the damage, as well as they could,
and became five of the greatest missionaries in Book of Mormon history.
When we finally discover this principle
and the faith that propels it, a spiritual regeneration will begin to sweep
the church as a flood. Thousands will be reclaimed through this process.
Miracles that took place in the days of Alma will once again be common
place in the church -- if we are willing to pay the price. Fasting, faith
and prayer is the key, along with the instructions that the Lord will give
in each individual case. Is this not the way in which we will become "clean"
from the blood and sins of this generation?
There is no question but what some
can be brought to the crossroads, use their free agency, and go the wrong
direction. But others will choose to return to the fold of Christ like
the sons of Mosiah and Alma the younger. Even if some go the wrong direction
does this lessen our responsibility to "pray and fast" them to the crossroads?
If the one who returns to the fold happens to be your son or daughter it
will be well worth the price -- won't it?
Before concluding I want to focus for
a moment on the following verses from Moroni 2 which indicate yet another
vital application of "mighty prayer
Moroni 2:1-3 The words of Christ, which he spake
unto his disciples, the twelve whom he had chosen, as he laid his hands
upon them -
2 And he called them by name saying: Ye shall
call on the Father in my name, IN MIGHTY PRAYER: and after ye have done
this you shall have power that to him upon whom ye shall lay your hands,
ye
shall give the Holy Ghost; and in my name shall ye give it, for
thus do mine apostles.
3 Now Christ spake these words unto them at the
time of his first appearing; and the multitude heard it not, but the disciples
heard it; and on as many as they laid their hands fell the Holy Ghost.
The account of the occasion on which this
instruction was given is found at 3 Nephi 18:37. See also 19:19-23. Perhaps
those who confirm individuals members of the Church would do well to consider
more seriously the above instruction of the Savior to the twelve during
his visit to them after his resurrection concerning giving the Holy Ghost.
Another interesting verse on the subject
of giving the Holy Ghost is found in Section 55 to William W. Phelps.
D&C 55:3 And on whomsoever
you
shall lay your hands, if they are contrite before me, you shall
have power to give the Holy Ghost.
