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He Did Strengthen Them

During a recent study of the Book of Mormon, I saw something that I have never noticed before. I was reading Alma 2 in which Mormon tells the story of the rise of Amlici, a cunning activist who wanted to be king and to destroy religious liberty among the Nephites. The question is put to a referendum, and Amlici loses the vote. He rises up in rebellion against the will of the people and gathers an army. It comes to battle. The prophet and chief judge, Alma the Younger, leads his forces into battle against the Amlicites. The forces of Amlici are routed, slaughtered, and scattered.

Amlici and his remaining army meet and join up with a Lamanite invasion force and march toward Zarahemla. Alma is apprised of the alliance and rushes toward Zarahemla to stop the overthrow of the capital. The two armies meet at the Sidon River.

The forces of the Lamanites and Amlicites vastly outnumber the Nephites. They attack the Nephites while they are crossing the river, a very vulnerable and dangerous position for Alma’s people to be in. Knowing their weakness, the Nephites “prayed mightily to [the Lord[ that He would deliver them out of the hands of their enemies, therefore the Lord did hear their cries, and did strengthen them, and the Lamanites and Amlicites did fall before them” (Alma 2:28-29).

What is unexpected and wonderful is that Alma, the commander-in-chief, is in the midst of the pitched battle. He squares off with Amlici himself, and they begin to fight face to face. Mormon writes:

“And it came to pass that Alma, being a man of God, being exercised with much faith, cried, saying: O Lord, have mercy and spare my life, that I may be an instrument in thy hands to save and preserve this people. Now when Alma had said these words, he contended again with Amlici and he was strengthened, insomuch that he slew Amlici with the sword” (Alma 2:30-31).

Alma didn’t stop there. He then squared swords with the king of the Lamanites, who hastily retreated and sent his guards to fight Alma. I would presume that the best fighters would comprise those who guard the king. Nonetheless, Alma and his guards, “slew and drove them back” (Alma 2:33).

Then, notwithstanding the Lamanites “were so numerous that they could not be numbered,” they ran, and the Nephits won the day (Alma 2:35).

Alma was in the heat of pitched battle. He prayed to God for strength to beat Amlici. He was physically, mentally, and emotionally strengthened by the Almighty to defeat his opponent. As far as the record shows, Alma was not an experienced fighter. He was not a Captain Moroni, and yet he was out front leading his men into battle. Moreover, he was not a young man. It is likely that he was at the high end of fifty to sixty years of age. He was given the physical strength and power of will to fight the day to victory.

Of all the stories he could have shared from that period, why did Mormon choose that story for us? Perhaps to teach us this principle: If we pray in faith for the strength to beat our enemies and win our battles, it will come. To our bodies, minds, and hearts, strength and power will come! And it does not matter what our enemy may be that day – sufficient unto the day will be the strength thereof, if we pray. Even if my enemy that day is me!

Source:

Alma Chapter 2