Alma 29

Chapter Overview

What happens in Alma 29

In one of the most personal and intimate passages in the Book of Mormon, Alma pours out his heart's desire to be an angel and cry repentance to every soul. He then checks himself, submitting to God's wisdom and finding contentment in his own calling, rejoicing in the success of his brethren among the Lamanites.

Scripture

The Wish to Be an Angel

Study note

Alma's cry 'O that I were an angel, and could have the wish of mine heart' reveals a deep pastoral longing to save every soul from sorrow. But almost immediately he corrects himself: 'I am a man, and do sin in my wish; for I ought to be content with the things which the Lord hath allotted unto me.' This self-correction is not self-condemnation but spiritual maturity -- recognizing that God grants to all nations, of their own tongue, teachers to share His word in wisdom. Alma surrenders his grandiose desire and embraces his specific calling.

1 O that I were an angel, and could have the wish of mine heart, that I might go forth and speak with the trump of God, with a voice to shake the earth, and cry repentance unto every people!

2 Yea, I would declare unto every soul, as with the voice of thunder, repentance and the plan of redemption, that they should repent and come unto our God, that there might not be more sorrow upon all the face of the earth.

3 But behold, I am a man, and do sin in my wish; for I ought to be content with the things which the Lord hath allotted unto me.

4 I ought not to harrow up in my desires the firm decree of a just God, for I know that he granteth unto men according to their desire, whether it be unto death or unto life; yea, I know that he allotteth unto men, yea, decreeth unto them decrees which are unalterable, according to their wills, whether they be unto salvation or unto destruction.

5 Yea, and I know that good and evil have come before all men; he that knoweth not good from evil is blameless; but he that knoweth good and evil, to him it is given according to his desires, whether he desireth good or evil, life or death, joy or remorse of conscience.

6 Now, seeing that I know these things, why should I desire more than to perform the work to which I have been called?

7 Why should I desire that I were an angel, that I could speak unto all the ends of the earth?

8 For behold, the Lord doth grant unto all nations, of their own nation and tongue, to teach his word, yea, in wisdom, all that he seeth fit that they should have; therefore we see that the Lord doth counsel in wisdom, according to that which is just and true.

Alma's Joy in the Work of God

Study note

Having submitted to God's will, Alma finds deep satisfaction in doing the work he has been given. His joy multiplies when he sees the success of his brethren Ammon, Aaron, Omner, and Himni among the Lamanites. He remembers the captivity and deliverance of his fathers and declares that the same God who delivered them has now called him to preach. His soul is 'carried away, even to the separation of it from the body' when he contemplates how many thousands have been brought to the truth. Alma models the spiritual discipline of finding contentment in faithfulness rather than in prominence.

9 I know that which the Lord hath commanded me, and I glory in it. I do not glory of myself, but I glory in that which the Lord hath commanded me; yea, and this is my glory, that perhaps I may be an instrument in the hands of God to bring some soul to repentance; and this is my joy.

10 And behold, when I see many of my brethren truly penitent, and coming to the Lord their God, then is my soul filled with joy; then do I remember what the Lord has done for me, yea, even that he hath heard my prayer; yea, then do I remember his merciful arm which he extended towards me.

11 Yea, and I also remember the captivity of my fathers; for I surely do know that the Lord did deliver them out of bondage, and by this did establish his church; yea, the Lord God, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, did deliver them out of bondage.

12 Yea, I have always remembered the captivity of my fathers; and that same God who delivered them out of the hands of the Egyptians did deliver them out of bondage.

13 Yea, and that same God did establish his church among them; yea, and that same God hath called me by a holy calling, to preach the word unto this people, and hath given me much success, in the which my joy is full.

14 But I do not joy in my own success alone, but my joy is more full because of the success of my brethren, who have been up to the land of Nephi.

15 Behold, they have labored exceedingly, and have brought forth much fruit; and how great shall be their reward!

16 Now, when I think of the success of these my brethren my soul is carried away, even to the separation of it from the body, as it were, so great is my joy.

17 And now may God grant unto these, my brethren, that they may sit down in the kingdom of God; yea, and also all those who are the fruit of their labors that they may go no more out, but that they may praise him forever. And may God grant that it may be done according to my words, even as I have spoken. Amen.

Key Themes

Themes in Alma 29

Contentment within one's divine callingGod distributes His work among many servantsJoy in others' success rather than jealousySubmitting personal desires to God's wisdomRemembering past deliverances strengthens present faith

Prophetic Connections

How this chapter points to Christ

Alma 29:8 Acts 2:5-11

Alma's teaching that God grants to every nation, 'of their own nation and tongue,' teachers of His word parallels the Pentecost miracle where the Spirit enabled the gospel to be heard in every language, showing God's desire that all people hear His word in ways they can understand.

Alma 29:1-3 Philippians 4:11-13

Alma's journey from grand longing to contented faithfulness mirrors Paul's testimony that he has learned to be content in whatever state he finds himself, through Christ who strengthens him.

Apply This Today

Living Alma 29

Alma wanted to do more than God asked of him -- and he recognized that even noble desires must be submitted to God's wisdom. There is a subtle temptation to feel that your particular calling is not grand enough, that you should be doing something bigger. Alma's example teaches that faithfulness in your specific assignment, and genuine joy in others' success, is the mark of true discipleship. Bloom where God has planted you.

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