Alma 17

(All of my own thoughts are in red type 7/20 Green 4/21 orange 7/22 Brown 8/23)

An account of the sons of Mosiah, who rejected their rights to the kingdom for the word of God,  the Gadiantons, on the other hand, seek only for the worldly kingdom and completely rebel against the word of God. Seek ye FIRST the kingdom of God and all these things shall be given you"! and went up to the land of Nephi to preach to the Lamanites; Many "christians" in the world are only preaching "love" and forgetting that preaching repentance is the ultimate form of love because you have to go into "enemy territory" to do it and put your own self in harms way to do so. their sufferings and deliverance—according to the record of Alma.

Comprising chapters 17 through 27.

Chapter 17

The sons of Mosiah have the spirit of prophecy and of revelation This is a gift that comes when you are "Born Again" it seems —They go their several ways to declare the word to the Lamanites—Ammon goes to the land of Ishmael and becomes the servant of King Lamoni One of the most famous "Born Again" stories—Ammon saves the king’s flocks and slays his enemies at the water of Sebus. Verses 1–3, about 77 B.C.; verse 4, about 91–77 B.C.; and verses 5–39, about 91 B.C.

  1 And now it came to pass that as Alma was journeying from the land of Gideon southward, away to the land of ^aManti, behold, to his astonishment, he ^bmet with the ^csons of Mosiah journeying towards the land of Zarahemla.
  2 Now these sons of Mosiah were with Alma at the time the angel ^afirst appeared unto him; Mormon identifies them not by their former sins but by the day of the repentance and conversion therefore Alma did rejoice exceedingly to see his brethren; and what added more to his joy, they were still his brethren in the Lord; There is so much of Nephites not staying faithful, like the city of Ammonihah, it must not feel like a sure thing that people don't fall away or go back to their old ways...Even Mosiah expressed the idea that the son that the people wanted to be a king (who rejected it) might “change” and decide it was his rightful place. yea, and they had waxed strong in the knowledge of the truth; for they were men of a sound understanding and they had ^bsearched the scriptures diligently, that they might know the word of God. Sound:"strong; secure; no defect" -  understanding comes from searching the scriptures diligently to know the word of God. We need “sound” understanding to avoid the deception of the adversary. This last week in Come Follow Me, we learned that the Jews had gone astray because they had set aside the Word of the Lord. Only when King Josiah found a copy of the law hidden in the temple they were rebuilding, and then read it aloud to all the people, did they start to make a turn. Notice they found their "knowledge of the truth" from the scriptures directly...not from the teachings of others.
  3 But this is not all; they had given themselves to much prayer, and ^afasting; therefore they had the spirit of prophecy, and the spirit of revelation, and when they taught, they taught with ^bpower and authority of God. Are these direct fruits of much prayer and fasting?
the Spirit of prophecy
the Spirit of Revelation
Teaching with power and authority of God Have we ever really heard this kind of preaching? So to receive “sound” understanding you need to search the scriptures “diligently” to know the word of God; and pray and fast “much”. I think we underestimate the power of fasting. (read this "The Importance of Fasting" https://cdn2.hubspot.net/hub/151312/file-1493467466-pdf/ebooks/Fasting-eBook-mobile.pdf) I am really connecting with this truth right now. I am trying to practice Intermittent Fasting where you fast 16 hours a day. And then I am only eating twice a day, with no snacking in between. I have watched some videos that teach about the health benefits of fasting. It helps when the "inner justifications" start pounding at the door, to have physical and spiritual reasons to say no. I'm noticing verses like these in the scriptures that connect spiritual knowledge and power with fasting.
  4 And they had been teaching the word of God for the space of fourteen years That is a looooong mission! Were they all single? Did they leave families that long? among the Lamanites, having had much ^asuccess in bringing many to the ^bknowledge of the truth; yea, by the power of their words many were brought before the altar of God, to call on his name and ^cconfess their sins before him. Words have great power when given to you by the power of the Spirit. Were these altars in temples? People have agency, but many only don’t know the truth because they haven't’ “heard” it delivered with “power”.
  5 Now these are the circumstances which attended them in their journeyings, for they had many afflictions; they did suffer much, both in body and in mind, such as hunger, thirst and fatigue, and also much ^alabor in the spirit. Do you know how to labor in the spirit? Alma 8:10 says it could be wrestling with God in mighty prayer. How do you "wrestle" with God in prayer? Is it a debate? Are you wrestling “with” God or “before” God? I would think the natural man part of the wrestle is trying to understand why you are suffering so much when you are doing such a great, selfless work. You pray for protection and deliverance. You wonder if you’re not doing enough or if you are clean enough or if some additional “price” or sacrifice needs to be made. Revelation is real, but it doesn’t always just download every time you ask. While you “wait” for the answer, that is when you “labor” in the spirit. Could also be brought on by fasting. Perhaps that is the "labor of the spirit"
  6 Now these were their journeyings: Having ^ataken leave of their father, Mosiah, in the ^bfirst year of the judges; having ^crefused the kingdom which their father was desirous to confer upon them, and also this was the minds of the people;
  7 Nevertheless they departed out of the land of Zarahemla, and took their swords, and their spears, and their bows, and their arrows, and their slings; and this they did that they might ^aprovide food for themselves while in the wilderness.(not to defend themselves or to war) Meat was obviously an accepted and needed part of their diet.
  8 And thus they departed into the wilderness with their numbers which they had ^aselected, I always forget there were others that went with them to go up to the land of Nephi, to preach the word of God unto the Lamanites.
  9 And it came to pass that they journeyed many days in the wilderness, and they fasted much and ^aprayed much that the Lord would grant unto them a portion of his Spirit to go with them, and abide with them, that they might be an ^binstrument in the hands of God to bring, if it were possible, their brethren, the Lamanites, to the knowledge of the truth, to the knowledge of the baseness of the ^ctraditions of their fathers, which were not correct. This statement seems to frame their view of the Lamanites as not being evil, but blinded by the traditions of their fathers.
 10 And it came to pass that the Lord did ^avisit them with his ^bSpirit, and said unto them: Be ^ccomforted. And they were comforted. Their “much fasting and prayers” were answered with comfort. Another witness to the importance of fasting and the power and blessings and revelation it can bring. I heard one person express the idea that the Holy Ghost's coming as the "comforter" is mostly in response to the persecution and suffering that comes from following Christ. (We think of it mostly in response to sorrow, like when someone dies or we lose something)
 11 And the Lord said unto them also: Go forth among the Lamanites, thy brethren, and establish my word; yet ye shall be ^apatient in long-suffering and afflictions, that ye may show forth good ^bexamples unto them in me, and I will make an instrument of thee in my hands unto the salvation of many souls. How did they hear this? How do you “establish” God’s word? I would think it needs to be received and take root in the hearts of the new converts. They were “comforted” perhaps, because they were told they would suffer affliction and persecution (rejection) but to not give up and to be careful how they responded to this persecution so they would always show a good example. 
 12 And it came to pass that the hearts of the sons of Mosiah, and also those who were with them, took courage to go forth unto the Lamanites to declare unto them the word of God. Seems like they would need this direct assurance to face the Lamanites. given they were told there would be challenge... It was also helpful to know they would have to be patient and that their examples of how they bore it would be important.
 13 And it came to pass when they had arrived in the borders of the land of the Lamanites, that they ^aseparated themselves and departed one from another, trusting in the Lord that they should meet again at the close of their ^bharvest; for they supposed that great was the work which they had undertaken. They each had faith they would find some success.
 14 And assuredly it was great, for they had undertaken to preach the word of God to a ^awild and a hardened and a ferocious people; a people who delighted in murdering the Nephites, and robbing and plundering them; and their hearts were set upon riches, or upon gold and silver, and precious stones; yet they sought to obtain these things by murdering and plundering, that they might not labor for them with their own hands.
 15 Thus they were a very indolent people, many of whom did worship idols, and the ^acurse of God had fallen upon them because of the ^btraditions of their fathers; notwithstanding the promises of the Lord were extended unto them on the conditions of repentance. And thus it is with all God’s children. God loves you unconditionally, but the promises of the Lord are only given if you choose to repent. You don't get them just because he loves you.
 16 Therefore, this was the ^acause for which the sons of Mosiah had undertaken the work, that perhaps they might bring them unto repentance; that perhaps they might bring them to know of the plan of redemption.
 17 Therefore they separated themselves one from another, and went forth among them, every man alone, according to the word and power of God which was given unto him. Not even in two's. Scary. I wonder why they didn't go in two's "in the mouth of two or three witnesses..."? Maybe they just wanted to cover more territory by splitting up. Alma was alone until he converted Amulek and then they went in two's. Maybe this will happen to these men...
 18 Now Ammon being the chief among them, or rather he did administer unto them, What does this mean? Did he give them blessings? Was he the main “teacher”? and he departed from them, after having ^ablessed them according to their several stations, what were these "stations"? having imparted the word of God unto them, or administered unto them before his departure; Sounds like that was what "ministered" meant - a sort of father's blessing :) I have an the thought that I need to visit the sisters I've been assigned to "minister" to and minister to them by "imparting the word of God" - take a spiritual message to them each month like we used to. The "higher and holier" version of this, is that I don't take the message the church gives me, but pray to know the message the sisters need. and thus they took their several journeys throughout the land.
 19 And Ammon went to the land of ^aIshmael, the land being called after the sons of ^bIshmael, Seems like this is saying Ismael had sons too; or that grandchildren of Ishmael followed Laman and Lemuel. who also became Lamanites.
 20 And as Ammon entered the land of Ishmael, the Lamanites took him and ^abound him, as was their custom to bind all the Nephites who fell into their hands, and carry them before the king; and thus it was left to the pleasure of the king to slay them, or to retain them in captivity, or to cast them into prison, or to cast them out of his land, according to his will and pleasure. That's a lot of power for one man. Also a lot of responsibility. It is also an indication of the lack of respect for human life to just do what ever you want with them only according to your “will and pleasure”.
 21 And thus Ammon was carried before the king who was over the land of Ishmael; and his name was Lamoni; and he was a descendant of Ishmael.
 22 And the king inquired of Ammon if it were his desire to dwell in the land among the Lamanites, or among his people. I wonder why this was his question? Maybe because he was alone. Most Nephites who want to war would not be alone. Perhaps he was puzzled...
 23 And Ammon said unto him: Yea, I desire to ^adwell among this people for a time; yea, and perhaps until the day I die. Ammon was willing to stay there his whole life, if needed to convert them.
 24 And it came to pass that king Lamoni was much pleased with Ammon, and caused that his bands should be loosed; and he would that Ammon should take one of his daughters to wife. That's a little weird. You offer your own daughter after a brief interview with a complete stranger? And a Nephite! This could be a sign to Ammon that the King had the ability to discern that Ammon was a good man; or he could have said it with more cunning, perhaps wanting to bring Ammon in close so he could eventually use his Nephite knowledge to attack the Nephites. Other stories? 
 25 But Ammon said unto him: Nay, but I will be thy servant. Or perhaps it was a test. If he accepted quickly, then he would justify his mistrust of his intentions (or something else) Therefore Ammon became a ^aservant to king Lamoni. And it came to pass that he was set among other servants to watch the flocks of Lamoni, according to the custom of the Lamanites. This could be a test also. Would Ammon steal his flocks?
 26 And after he had been in the service of the king three days, is this significant? as he was with the Lamanitish servants going forth with their flocks to the place of ^awater, which was called the water of Sebus, and all the Lamanites drive their flocks hither, that they may have water— We don't read too often of Lamanites having flocks or farming.
 27 Therefore, as Ammon and the servants of the king were driving forth their flocks to this place of water, behold, a certain number of the Lamanites, notice it was Lamanites who were persecuting the other Lamanites who had been with their flocks to water, stood and ^ascattered the flocks of Ammon and the servants of the king, and they scattered them insomuch that they fled many ways.
 28 Now the servants of the king began to murmur, saying: Now the king will slay us, as he has our brethren because their flocks were scattered by the wickedness of these men. And they began to weep exceedingly, Apparently this king is very flippant with his powers and his reverence for life...saying: Behold, our flocks are scattered already. Were these Lamanites people the king had no rule over? 
 29 Now they wept because of the fear of being slain. Now when Ammon saw this his heart was swollen within him with joy; for, said he, I will show forth my power unto these my fellow-servants, or the power which is in me, in restoring these flocks unto the king, that I may win the hearts of these my fellow-servants, that I may lead them to ^abelieve in my words. Is there a principle here? Can fear soften hearts? Seems like God uses it that way. Certainly "fear" is a byproduct of war, famine, disease, pestilence, earthquakes, etc.
 30 And now, these were the thoughts of Ammon, when he saw the afflictions of those whom he termed to be his brethren. We need to see all men as our brothers Ammon was able to “see” this situation with an “eye of faith”. He had trust that God was with him in every detail to help him work this “great work”. 
 31 And it came to pass that he flattered them by his words, saying: My brethren, be of good cheer and let us go in search of the flocks, and we will gather them together and bring them back unto the place of water; and thus we will preserve the flocks unto the king and he will not slay us. Was the “flattering” that he didn’t really reveal how they would be able to so easily just go gather them again? Was he trying to set himself as someone they could trust? At least he had an “answer” for their situation and maybe by setting himself up as the leader, if they failed, he’d answer for it.
 32 And it came to pass that they went in search of the flocks, and they did follow Ammon, and they rushed forth with much swiftness and did head the flocks of the king, and did gather them together again to the place of water.
 33 And those men again stood to scatter their flocks; but Ammon said unto his brethren: Encircle the flocks round about that they flee not; and I go and contend with these men who do scatter our flocks.
 34 Therefore, they did as Ammon commanded them, and he went forth and stood to contend with those who stood by the waters of Sebus; and they were in number not a few.
 35 Therefore they did not fear Ammon, for they supposed that one of their men could slay him according to their pleasure, for they knew not that the Lord had promised Mosiah that he would ^adeliver his sons out of their hands; neither did they know anything concerning the Lord; therefore they delighted in the destruction of their brethren; and for this cause they stood to scatter the flocks of the king. These men were Lamanites and scattered the flocks of their own people, knowing that the King would kill his own servants. They thought that was fun!? To be fair, the king seemed to have the same disregard for life...maybe it was revenge for what they king had done to their own family members?
 36 But ^aAmmon stood forth and began to cast stones at them with his sling; yea, with mighty power he did sling stones amongst them; and thus he slew a ^bcertain number of them insomuch that they began to be astonished at his power; nevertheless they were angry because of the slain of their brethren, and they were determined that he should fall; therefore, seeing that they ^ccould not hit him with their stones, they came forth with clubs to slay him. A kind of "David and Goliath" story. Love that they tried to use the same weapon and failed miserably! Direct hit to the ego...
 37 But behold, every man that lifted his club to smite Ammon, he smote off their arms with his sword; for he did withstand their blows by smiting their arms with the edge of his sword, insomuch that they began to be astonished, and began to flee before him; yea, and they were not few in number; and he caused them to flee by the strength of his arm. God's end-time judgement comes by "His arm" figuratively as well...

38 Now six of them had fallen by the sling, but he ^aslew none save it were their leader with his sword; Apparently he could tell who was the leader. I wonder why he got the sword and the others the sling? and he smote off as many of their arms as were lifted against him, and they were not a few. That is one sharp sword! They didn't die from having their arms cut off? Interesting...the men lifted up their "arms" to slay Ammon, and God had Ammon lift up His Own Arm in return to slay them. Ammon's arm represents the "arm" of God. God's arm is His servants here on earth. Isaiah talks a lot about this.
 39 And when he had driven them afar off, he returned and they watered their flocks and returned them to the pasture of the king, and then went in unto the king, Interesting that they finished their “job” before sharing all this with the king. This was a pretty dramatic experience to just continue their day...bearing the arms which had been smitten off by the sword of Ammon, of those who sought to slay him; and they were carried in unto the king for a testimony of the things which they had done. Really gross testimony. But maybe they thought it was so amazing that unless they brought the evidence the King would not believe them.