Repentance Story:
He Speaks Again

There was peace in the land of Zarahemla where the people worked with their own hands to provide for themselves and for those who were sick or in need. “And the Lord did visit them and prosper them, and they became a large and wealthy people.”

King Mosiah ruled in righteousness over the whole land and knew that the church of God was true as did most of his people. But his sons, Ammon, Aaron, Omner, and Himni were unbelievers.

Alma the Younger, the son of the prophet, Alma, did not believe in God either. He worshiped idols and with his gifted but crafty tongue he and the sons of Mosiah went about secretly trying to destroy God’s church. Alma flattered the people and caused them to do evil so that Satan had power over a great many of them.

One day as these five young men were working their mischief with the people and rebelling against God, an angel of the Lord appeared to them. He descended in a cloud and spoke to them with a voice of thunder that shook the earth. They were all so frightened that they fell on the ground, and for a little while they were unable to understand the words of the angel.

Then, speaking to Alma, the angel said, “Arise and stand forth, … 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.”

The angel told them that the prayers of Alma’s father and his righteous followers had been answered. He then commanded Alma to “go thy way, and seek to destroy the church no more.” When he had finished talking to them, Alma and those with him fell to the ground again, for now they understood God’s power.

The whole experience was such a shock to Alma that he could not speak. He was too weak to move and his friends had to carry his helpless body to his father. The prophet Alma was overjoyed that the Lord had taught his son such an important lesson.

Then Alma and the other priests prayed and fasted for two days and two nights that young Alma might be able to speak again.

When his strength and voice returned, Alma was changed in mind and heart. He praised the Lord and comforted all those who were concerned about him. “I have repented of my sins,” he said, “and have been redeemed of the Lord; behold I am born of the spirit.”

Then Alma and the sons of Mosiah, who had also repented of their evil ways, “traveled throughout all the land of Zarahemla, zealously striving to repair all the injuries which they had done to the church, confessing all their sins,” and telling everyone of their marvelous experiences. (Mosiah 27.)