Alma 12:1-19 Point 2: The Two Powers

[MaidservantX]

In verse 5 and 6, we hear of the Adversary's power "exercised his power in thee" and "the power of his captivity". The results of that power are also indicated.

In verse 7 is given the contrast . . "the power of God", and the results from it are indicated (one in particular, the power to discern thoughts, is brought forward).

Once again . . . as individuals in this mortal life . . . we are given a choice about the condition we can be in.

Another dynamic here (in verse 7) is thus: "he was convinced more and more of the power of God".

Where are each of us in that conviction? I think I still have more to learn . . . more to be convinced of God's power. I do believe, but I bet I still don't get it. Nephi peptalked Laman and Lemuel regarding the power of God versus the "power of fifty" (1 Nephi). Story after story in the Book of Mormon and other scriptures of what God can and will do (for us). Starting with 1 Nephi, as I mentioned, and culminating in Moroni's farewell essay, the capstone urging of the individual/ modern reader as to his/her 'conviction' of the power of God: Moroni 10:32-33 ""in nowise deny the power of God."

[skalenfehl]

Zeezrom was convinced because Alma confirmed to him that he knew Zeezrom's intentions. Zeezrom was caught with his pants down and became exposed for the fraud that he was. This is what I mentioned in your other post about the power of two witnesses and the fact that two witnesses were testifying to them satisfactory to their very own law. Zeezrom, the brilliant lawyer knew that his gambit failed and his only recourse was to remain in his state of guilt and condemnation or have a change of heart. I think deep down he was not truly evil, but only misled by the glitter of money (all the senums and amnors of sliver, etc). This is why he became racked with guilt to the point that he became very ill. Remember that as soon as Alma proved his faith to be healed, Zeezrom didn't just get out of bed, he lept on his feet and walked around. Whatever kind of man Zeezrom was, he was a man of conviction.

[MaidservantX]

You are right . . . leaped out of bed! Yea . . . Zeezrom is one of my favy's. I can sooo feel with him that moment of freedom and joy! (There are lots of moments of freedom in the Book of Mormon. I love the Book of Mormon!)

[Hemidakota]

Repetitions in the Book of Mormon emphasize the law of witnesses at work within the book. This law is found in Nephi's testimony that he joined Isaiah and his brother Jacob in seeing the Redeemer: "Wherefore, by the words of three, God hath said, I will establish my word. Nevertheless, God sendeth more witnesses, and he proveth all his words" (2 Ne. 11:3). Again, Nephi quotes the Lord as saying, "Know ye not that the testimony of two nations is a witness unto you that I am God, that I remember one nation like unto another?" (2 Ne. 29:8). Near the end of the book, Moroni reaffirms the law of witnesses when he says, "And in the mouth of three witnesses shall these things be established; and the testimony of three, and this work, in the which shall be shown forth the power of God and also his word, of which the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Ghost bear record-and all this shall stand as a testimony against the world at the last day" (Ether 5:4).

Further, the repetitions underscore the relevance of one character or action to people living in a different time. Many persons and actions typify or foreshadow later persons and actions. For example, at one point when his life is threatened, Nephi commands his brothers that they not touch him, for, he says, "I am filled with the power of God, even unto the consuming of my flesh; and whoso shall lay his hands upon me shall wither even as a dried reed" (1 Ne. 17:48). Standing before a hostile king and his court, the prophet Abinadi similarly says, "Touch me not, for God shall smite you if ye lay your hands upon me, for I have not delivered the message which the Lord sent me to deliver" (Mosiah 13:3). Abinadi's face shines "with exceeding luster, even as Moses' did while in the mount of Sinai, while speaking with the Lord” (Mosiah 13:5). This heavenly transfiguration is repeated in the shining faces of the brothers Nephi and Lehi held in prison (Hel. 5:36) and climaxed in the description of the resurrected Jesus: "and the light of his countenance did shine upon them" (3 Ne. 19:25).