Alma the Elder
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In the Book of Mormon, Alma the Elder (c. 173 B.C. – c. 91 B.C.; BoM Arabic الما Almā) was a Nephite prophet who established the Church of Jesus Christ in the Americas during the reign of the wicked King Noah. One of the Book of Mormon's greatest figures, he is often called "Alma the Elder" to avoid confusion between him and his son Alma, who is often called "Alma the Younger."
Alma was born in about 173 B.C. As a young man, Alma was one of King Noah's corrupt priests in the land of Nephi. In about 148 B.C., a prophet named Abinadi was arrested and brought before Noah and his priests for condemning their idolatry. Abinadi emphatically urged them to repent and obey the gospel of Jesus Christ. Alma was touched by Abinadi's words and began to defend him. The enraged king immediately cast Alma out from his presence and had Abinadi killed. After going into hiding, Alma wrote down Abinadi's words and began to teach them in secret to Noah's people, emphasizing repentance and faith in Christ.
At a hidden retreat in the wilderness called the place of Mormon, Alma baptized his listeners and organized the church of Christ among them. In time, King Noah found out where Alma's congregation was meeting, and sent his army to destroy them. Being warned by God of the army's coming, Alma quickly led his band of approximately 450 converts into the wilderness for eight days, stopping in an uninhabited area which they named the land of Helam. The people of Alma established the city of Helam there and prospered for many years, remaining faithful to God's commandments.
As the years passed, the Lamanites invaded the land of Helam and placed Alma's people under their jurisdiction, taxing them heavily. Finally, in about 120 B.C., Alma's people escaped the Lamanites and were led by God through the wilderness for twelve days until they arrived in the land of Zarahemla, then the chief Nephite population center. The people of Alma joyfully united with the Nephites and helped to strengthen the church of Christ in Zarahemla. Zarahemla's King Mosiah soon authorized Alma to serve as the first high priest over the Church in Zarahemla. Alma continued in this capacity for many years.
Shortly before his death, Alma conferred the office of high priest upon his son, who was also named Alma (often referred to as "Alma the Younger").
The Book of Mormon states that Alma the Elder "lived to fulfil the commandments of God" (Mosiah 29:45). He died in about 91 B.C.
External links
- Lds.org - The official Web site of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (http://www.lds.org)
- Alma the Elder (http://scriptures.lds.org/gsa/almthldr) - The "Alma the Elder" entry in the Guide to the Scriptures at LDS.org