Alma’s Greatest Wish
If I could have my deepest wish, I’d be an angel—able to speak with a voice like God’s trumpet, shaking the earth, calling every people to turn back to him. I’d thunder it to every soul: Turn around! God has a plan to save you! Come back to him, so there’d be no more heartbreak anywhere in the world.
But I’m just a man, and there’s sin even in wishing for more. I should be content with what the Lord has given me. I shouldn’t let my desires run wild against God’s perfect justice. I know he gives people what they want—whether that leads to death or life. He sets unchangeable terms based on what we choose: salvation or destruction. Everyone faces the choice between good and evil. Those who can’t tell the difference aren’t held accountable. But those who can? They get what they want—good or evil, life or death, joy or crushing regret.
Since I know all this, why should I want more than to do the work he’s already called me to? Why wish I were an angel who could reach the whole world? The Lord gives every nation teachers from their own people, speaking their own language. In his wisdom, he gives each nation what they need. His plan is just and true.
Joy in God’s Work
I know what the Lord’s asked me to do, and I take pride in it. Not pride in myself—pride in what he’s called me to. My deepest joy? Being used by God to help even one person turn back to him. When I see my brothers truly repenting and coming back to the Lord, my heart overflows. I remember what the Lord did for me—how he heard my prayer, how he reached out his merciful hand to me.
I remember my ancestors' captivity. I know for certain the Lord freed them from slavery and established his church. The God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob—he delivered them. I’ve never forgotten how my ancestors were held captive. The same God who saved them from the Egyptians freed them from bondage. That same God built his church among them. That same God called me with a sacred calling to preach to this people. He’s given me so much success that my joy is complete.
The Success of His Brothers
But my joy isn’t just about my own work. What fills me even more is the success of my brothers who went to the land of Nephi. They’ve worked incredibly hard and brought in a huge harvest. How great their reward will be! When I think about what they’ve accomplished, my joy is so intense it’s like my soul wants to leave my body.
May God grant that my brothers—and all those they’ve brought to him—will find their place in God’s kingdom. May they never leave it, but praise him forever. May it be just as I’ve said. Amen.
Influences
- 29:1 — 1 Thessalonians 4:16 (KJV)For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:
- 29:3 — Luke 3:14 (KJV)And the soldiers likewise demanded of him, saying, And what shall we do? And he said unto them, Do violence to no man, neither accuse any falsely; and be content with your wages.
- 29:4 — Romans 1:16 (KJV)For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.
- 29:5 — 1 John 4:6 (KJV)We are of God: he that knoweth God heareth us; he that is not of God heareth not us. Hereby know we the spirit of truth, and the spirit of error.
- 29:5 — Romans 9:11 (KJV)(For the children being not yet born, neither having done any good or evil, that the purpose of God according to election might stand, not of works, but of him that calleth;)
- 29:5 — 1 Corinthians 3:22 (KJV)Whether Paul, or Apollos, or Cephas, or the world, or life, or death, or things present, or things to come; all are your's;
- 29:8 — Colossians 4:1 (KJV)Masters, give unto your servants that which is just and equal; knowing that ye also have a Master in heaven.
- 29:10 — John 12:27 (KJV)Now is my soul troubled; and what shall I say? Father, save me from this hour: but for this cause came I unto this hour.
- 29:10 — 2 Timothy 1:4 (KJV)Greatly desiring to see thee, being mindful of thy tears, that I may be filled with joy;
- 29:13 — 1 Corinthians 7:15 (KJV)But if the unbelieving depart, let him depart. A brother or a sister is not under bondage in such cases: but God hath called us to peace.
- 29:13 — 2 Timothy 1:9 (KJV)Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began,
- 29:16 — Matthew 25:40 (KJV)And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.
- 29:17 — Luke 13:29 (KJV)And they shall come from the east, and from the west, and from the north, and from the south, and shall sit down in the kingdom of God.