I was praying this week and asking the Lord what I might write an insight on and the thought came to mind to write about Zeezrom. I love this story of faith and repentance as it shows how the Holy Ghost can work on even the most worldly given the right criteria.
In Alma 8 in the Book of Mormon, we read that Alma and Amulek were called of God. They had prepared many days until they were filled with the Holy Ghost and when they had power according to the spirit of revelation and prophecy given unto them they were commanded to teach.(8:25-32)
We learn in chapter 11 that the people of the law received wages for their time in executing the law. Thus they did stir up the people to create work and money. Alma 11:20 states;
“Now, it was for the sole purpose to get gain, because they received their wages according to their employ, therefore, they did stir up the people to riotings, and all manner of disturbances and wickedness, that they might have more employ, that they might get money according to the suits which were brought before them; therefore they did stir up the people against Alma and Amulek.”
Alma 10:15 “Now the lawyers were learned in all the arts and cunning of the people; and this was to enable them that they might be skillful in their profession.”
Verse 31 “And there was one among them whose name was Zeezrom. Now he was the foremost to accuse Amulek and Alma, he being one of the most expert among them, having much business to do among the people.
Alma 11:21 reads “Now Zeezrom was a man who was expert in the devices of the devil, that he might destroy that which was good”.
But Amulek discerns his intentions and in verse 23 says “O thou child of hell, why tempt ye me?” And in verse 25 tells him “thou hast lied before God unto me.” Then again in verse 36 Amulek calls him a liar.
As Amulek teaches the people about the coming of Jesus Christ and the plan of salvation we begin to notice a shift in Zeezrom and in verse 46 we read: “now, when Amulek had finished these words the people began again to be astonished, and also Zeezrom began to tremble.”
And in chapter 12:1 we read, “Now Alma, seeing that the words of Amulek had silenced Zeezrom, for he beheld that Amulek had caught him in his lying and deceiving to destroy him, and seeing that he began to tremble under a consciousness of his guilt, he opened his mouth and began to speak unto him, and to establish the words of Amulek, and to explain things beyond, or to unfold the scriptures beyond that which Amulek had done.”
The criteria which enabled Alma and Amulek success in helping such a wicked and worldly man repent and convert to the Lord includes:
They were given authority to teach
They put in much preparation which enabled spiritual power D&C 11:21; Seek not to declare my word, but first seek to obtain my word, and then shall your tongue be loosed; then, if you desire, you shall have my Spirit and my word, yea, the power of God unto the convincing of men.
D&C 35:24; Keep all the commandments and covenants by which ye are bound; and I will cause the heavens to shake for your good, and Satan shall tremble and Zion shall rejoice upon the hills and flourish.
They were filled with the Holy Ghost
And whatsoever they shall speak when moved upon by the Holy Ghost shall be scripture, shall be the will of the Lord, shall be the mind of the Lord, shall be the word of the Lord, shall be the voice of the Lord, and the power of God unto salvation. (D&C 68:4)
They had the gifts of the spirit of revelation and prophecy
They opened the scriptures and taught the doctrine of Christ; the saving, redeeming power of Jesus Christ which includes, exercising faith in Him, repenting, being baptised, receiving the gift of the HG and enduring to the end.
Preach my Gospel chapter 1 teaches;
The gospel of Jesus Christ is “the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth” (Romans 1:16). For that reason, the message of the Restoration of the gospel needs to be taught by divine power—the power of the Holy Ghost.
The Lord said, “The Spirit shall be given unto you by the prayer of faith; and if ye receive not the Spirit ye shall not teach” (Doctrine and Covenants 42:14; see also 50:13–14, 17–22).
As you teach by the power of the Holy Ghost, He will:
Teach you truth and bring the doctrine you have studied to your remembrance (see John 14:26).
Give you words to speak when you need them (see Doctrine and Covenants 84:85).
Carry your message unto the hearts of the people you teach (see 2 Nephi 33:1).
Help you—and those who receive by the Spirit—to understand each other and be edified and rejoice together (see Doctrine and Covenants 50:17–22).
President M. Russell Ballard taught: “True conversion comes through the power of the Spirit. When the Spirit touches the heart, hearts are changed. When individuals … feel the Spirit working with them, or when they see the evidence of the Lord’s love and mercy in their lives, they are edified and strengthened spiritually and their faith in Him increases. (“Now Is the Time,” Ensign, Nov. 2000, 75).
President David O. McKay (1873–1970) taught that “every member is a missionary.” That is as true today as when it was first declared. President Gordon B. Hinckley (1910–2008) said it this way: “Great is our work, tremendous is our responsibility in helping to find those to teach.
Although we are all asked to be member missionaries, most of us are not currently called and set apart with the Lord’s authority to be missionaries, but the time may come when we will be. As we await the physical separation and are worthy and qualified to help build the New Jerusalem, hopefully we will be called and set apart to assist in the work.
Moses 7:62
“And righteousness will I send down out of heaven; and truth will I send forth out of the earth, to bear testimony of mine Only Begotten; his resurrection from the dead; yea, and also the resurrection of all men; and righteousness and truth will I cause to sweep the earth as with a flood, to gather out mine elect from the four quarters of the earth, unto a place which I shall prepare, an Holy City, that my people may gird up their loins, and be looking forth for the time of my coming; for there shall be my tabernacle, and it shall be called Zion, a New Jerusalem.”
“The Prophet Joseph Smith (1805–44) explained: “And now, I ask, how righteousness and truth are going to sweep the earth as with a flood? I will answer. Men and angels are to be co-workers in bringing to pass this great work, and Zion is to be prepared, even a new Jerusalem, for the elect that are to be gathered from the four quarters of the earth, and to be established an holy city” (Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Joseph Smith [2007], 188–89)
We need to prepare ourselves so we have the spiritual power that Alma and Amulek do. My hope is that in the coming days we may assist in the Lord's building of the New Jerusalem and through the power of the Holy Ghost we may help to gather those of our family and friends who have strayed back into the fold. That they may open their eyes as Zeezrom in Alma 12:7
“Now when Alma had spoken these words, Zeezrom began to tremble more exceedingly, for he was convinced more and more of the power of God; and he was also convinced that Alma and Amulek had a knowledge of him, for he was convinced that they knew the thoughts and intents of his heart; for power was given unto them that they might know of these things according to the spirit of prophecy.”
And that our repentant family and friends might even become as Zeezrom who after being humbled and healed in Alma 14 and 15 became a powerful preacher himself and years later served a mission with Alma and Amulek among the Zoramites (see Alma 31:6).
Pres Nelson Oct 2022
But, my dear brothers and sisters, so many wonderful things are ahead. In coming days, we will see the greatest manifestations of the Savior’s power that the world has ever seen. Between now and the time He returns “with power and great glory,” He will bestow countless privileges, blessings, and miracles upon the faithful. (Overcome the World and Find Rest, Oct 2022)
I pray that some of these greatest manifestations of the Saviour's power might include us receiving a fullness of the Holy Ghost and becoming powerful instruments in the hand of God and beholding the miracle of seeing our repentant family and friends brought into Zion. I pray in the name of Jesus Christ amen
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