“The Lord Did Deliver Them Out of Bondage by the Power of His Word”

George Reynolds, Janne M. Sjodahl

Alma now traced the difficulties the members of the Church endured since those days at Mormon, when the evil intents of King Noah threatened them with destruction. But, he praised the Lord whose mercy and power had delivered them out of the wicked hands of Noah's people, who, unquestioningly, would have slain them, even as the people of King Noah had only a short time before, burned to death, the Prophet Abinadi.

Neither was that all. Alma reminded them that "they were brought into bondage by the hands of the Lamanites in the wilderness" after escaping the iniquitous rule of Noah at Lehi-Nephi. He also reminded the Saints of the sore captivity of God's people there, but in their new homes in the Land of Helam, he declared that they remained firm to God despite their sufferings, and that many would rather have perished under the burdens imposed by their unrelenting taskmasters than to have wavered in their steadfastness. Again, he said that the Lord had rewarded them for their faithfulness, and again He had delivered them from their unpitying captors. Led by the power of God's word they eventually came to Zarahemla where the main body of the Saints was living, and here amid thanksgiving and praise to God, Alma says that "we began to establish the Church of God throughout this land also."

Commentary on the Book of Mormon, Vol. 3

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