# Mosiah 27

*Paraphrase*

### The King’s Proclamation

The persecution against the church by nonbelievers got so bad that church members started complaining to their leaders about it. They brought their concerns to Alma, who took the matter to King Mosiah. The king consulted with his priests.

King Mosiah sent out a proclamation throughout the land: nonbelievers were not to persecute anyone who belonged to the church of God. He also issued a strict command to all the churches that there should be no persecution among them. Everyone was to be treated equally. They were not to let pride or arrogance disturb their peace. Everyone should respect their neighbor as much as they respect themselves, and everyone should work with their own hands to support themselves. Even all the priests and teachers were to work with their own hands for their support, except in cases of sickness or serious need. By doing these things, they thrived in God’s grace.

Peace returned to the land. The people grew in numbers and began to spread out across the land—north, south, east, and west—building large cities and villages everywhere. The Lord watched over them and blessed them. They became a large and wealthy people.

### Alma the Younger Leads Many Astray

Now Mosiah’s sons were among the nonbelievers. So was one of Alma’s sons—also named Alma, after his father. But this younger Alma had become wicked and worshiped idols. He was a smooth talker who knew how to flatter people, and he led many into sin. He became a huge obstacle to the church of God. He stole people’s hearts away, caused constant conflict, and gave the enemy of God a foothold among them.

While he was working to destroy the church—going around secretly with Mosiah’s sons, trying to ruin the church and lead God’s people astray, against both God’s commands and the king’s—

### An Angel Appears

while they were out rebelling against God, an angel of the Lord appeared to them. He came down in what looked like a cloud. His voice sounded like thunder, and it shook the ground beneath their feet. They were so stunned that they collapsed to the ground. They couldn’t even understand what he was saying at first.

But he called out again: “Alma, stand up! Why are you persecuting the church of God? The Lord has said, ‘This is my church, and I will establish it. Nothing will destroy it except the sins of my own people.’” Then the angel said: “The Lord has heard the prayers of his people—and especially the prayers of your father, Alma, his servant. He has prayed with deep faith for you, that you might come to know the truth. That’s why I’ve come: to show you the power and authority of God, so that his servants’ prayers might be answered according to their faith. Can you really argue with God’s power? My voice is shaking the earth, isn’t it? You can see me standing here before you. I’ve been sent from God. Go. Remember when your ancestors were held captive in Helam and in the land of Nephi. Remember the great things he did for them—how they were enslaved, and he set them free. Now I’m telling you, Alma: go your way. Stop trying to destroy the church so their prayers can be answered. Otherwise you’ll be cut off.”

Those were the angel’s last words. Then he left. Alma and the others with him collapsed to the ground again. They were overwhelmed. They had seen an angel of the Lord with their own eyes. His voice had been like thunder, shaking the earth. They knew nothing but God’s power could shake the earth like that, as if it might split apart.

### Carried Helpless to His Father

Alma was so stunned he couldn’t speak. He went completely silent. He became so weak he couldn’t even move his hands. His companions had to carry him, helpless, and lay him before his father.

They told his father everything that had happened. His father was filled with joy, because he knew this was God’s power at work. He gathered a large crowd so they could witness what the Lord had done for his son and for those who were with him. He called the priests together, and they began to fast and pray to the Lord their God. They prayed that he would open Alma’s mouth so he could speak again, and that his body would regain its strength—so everyone could see and understand the goodness and glory of God.

### Alma Speaks: Born of the Spirit

After they had fasted and prayed for two days and two nights, Alma’s body regained its strength. He stood up and began to speak to them. He told them to take courage.

“I have turned from my sins,” he said, “and the Lord has set me free. I am born of the Spirit. The Lord told me: ‘Don’t be surprised that all people—men and women, every nation, tribe, language, and people—must be born again. They must be born of God, changed from their sinful, fallen condition into a state of righteousness. They must be redeemed by God and become his sons and daughters.’ That’s how they become new people. Unless they do this, they can’t inherit the kingdom of God. Without this, they’ll be cut off. I know this because I was about to be cut off myself.”

“But after going through terrible suffering, after coming right to the edge of death in my repentance, the Lord in his mercy pulled me back from eternal burning. I am born of God. My soul has been freed from the bitterness and chains of sin. I was in the deepest darkness, but now I see the glorious light of God. My soul was wrecked with endless torment, but I’ve been rescued. My soul is at peace.”

“I rejected my Redeemer. I denied what our ancestors said about him. But now I know he will come, and that he remembers every creature he has made. He will reveal himself to everyone. Every knee will bow and every tongue will confess before him. On the last day, when everyone stands to be judged by him, they will confess that he is God. Those who lived without God in the world will confess that eternal punishment is justified. They will shake and tremble and shrink back from his all-seeing gaze.”

### Repairing the Damage

From that time on, Alma began teaching the people. He and those who were with him when the angel appeared traveled all over the land, telling everyone what they had heard and seen. They preached the word of God despite great hardship. Nonbelievers persecuted them severely and many attacked them. But through it all, they brought deep comfort to the church. They strengthened people’s faith and urged them with patience and great effort to keep God’s commandments.

Four of them were Mosiah’s sons: Ammon, Aaron, Omner, and Himni. They traveled throughout the land of Zarahemla, among all the people under King Mosiah’s rule. They worked passionately to repair all the damage they had done to the church. They confessed all their sins, told everyone what they had seen, and explained the prophecies and scriptures to anyone who wanted to hear. God used them as his instruments to bring many people to the knowledge of the truth—to the knowledge of their Redeemer. How blessed they were! They proclaimed peace. They announced good news. They declared to the people that the Lord reigns.

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*Source: [The Book of Mormon](https://bookofmormon.com/paraphrase/mosiah/27)*
