The Zoramites and the Rameumptom

The Zoramites had once belonged to God’s church but had become wicked and were worshipping idols. Alma 31:1, 8–10

The Nephites did not want the Zoramites to join the Lamanites, so Alma took missionaries with him to preach the word of God to the Zoramites. Alma 31:4–7

The missionaries were surprised and upset at the way the Zoramites were worshipping in their churches, called synagogues. Alma 31:12

They had built a high platform, called the Rameumptom, in the center of the church. There was room for only one person to stand at the top. Alma 31:13, 21

The Zoramites took turns standing there, reaching toward heaven, and crying out loudly a set prayer. Alma 31:14, 20

In this prayer, the Zoramites said that God was only a spirit and had no body and that there would be no Christ. Alma 31:15–16

They believed that God had chosen only them to be saved in the kingdom of heaven; they gave thanks for being his favorite people. Alma 31:17–18

After all the Zoramites had prayed, they went home and did not speak of their God or pray again for a whole week. Alma 31:23

The wealthy Zoramites loved gold and silver, and they boasted about their worldly treasures. Alma was very sad to see how wicked they were. Alma 31:24–25

Alma prayed for his missionaries and himself to have strength, comfort, and help in their work. Alma 31:26, 32–33

After asking to be able to bring the Zoramites back to the truth, Alma and the other missionaries were filled with the Holy Ghost. Alma 31:34–36

The missionaries went out separately to preach. God blessed them with food, drink, and clothing, and with strength in their work. Alma 31:37–38; Alma 32:1

Poor Zoramites were not allowed inside the churches to worship God. They began to listen to the missionaries. Alma 32:2–3

Many came to ask Alma what they should do. Alma told them that they did not need to be inside a church to pray or to worship God. Alma 32:4–5, 9–11

Alma taught them to have faith in God. Then Amulek told them about Jesus Christ and about God’s plan for all people. Alma 32:17–21; Alma 34:1, 8–9

The missionaries left, and the Zoramites who believed were thrown out of their city. They went to live in the land of Jershon. Alma 35:1–2, 6

Although the wicked Zoramites threatened the people of Ammon, who lived in Jershon, they gave the righteous Zoramites food, clothing, and land. Alma 35:8–9

Illustrated by Jerry Thompson