16 And it came to pass that Alma and Amulek, Amulek having forsaken all his gold, and silver, and his precious things, which were in the land of Ammonihah, for the word of God, he being rejected by those who were once his friends and also by his father and his kindred;

 17 Therefore, after Alma having established the church at Sidom, seeing a great check, yea, seeing that the people were checked as to the pride of their hearts, and began to humble themselves before God, and began to assemble themselves together at their sanctuaries to worship God before the altar,watching and praying continually, that they might be delivered from Satan, and from death, and from destruction—

 18 Now as I said, Alma having seen all these things, therefore he took Amulek and came over to the land of Zarahemla, and took him to his own house, and did administer unto him in his tribulations, and strengthened him in the Lord.

I have always loved these verses and related to them. It is revealed that Amulek gave up everything in his discipleship of Christ. Many of his former friends betrayed him. His family deserted him. Likely, he knew many of those who were burned alive because of the faith that he had taught them. Yet, despite this he stayed faithful.

As he began preaching, he noted that those of his own house had been blessed because of his decision to hearken to the Angel and learn from Alma. Could Amulek still say so after all that had happened? From my experience, I can say that ultimately no sacrifice for the Gospel is really a sacrifice. Because we always received blessings in abundance.

I love how Amulek’s faith never wandered during the turbulent moments. While in prison, he stayed strong and resolute. When he was asked to recant his testimony on pain of death, he refused. And when he was needed to help establish the Church in Sidom, he was right there at Alma’s side.

It was only after these moments that Amulek allowed himself time to grieve and mourn for his loss. And Alma knew of the great pain that his friend and companion suffered, and so he brought Amulek with him and administered to him to strengthen him. When we are converted we can do great and even impossible things. But after the rush of excitement has passed, there comes a time when we each need the strengthening hand of an Alma to help us continue on that pathway.



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