“An Experiment Upon the Word”

Monte S. Nyman

Alma follows his own counsel regarding his words. They could not know at first, but he invites them to experiment upon his words (vv. 24–27). The experiment begins with exercising a particle of faith, or just a desire to believe. As mentioned in the introduction, the experiment is upon the word of God, not on faith (v. 27). In comparing the word to a seed, the seed was to be planted in the heart. Those who plant the seed in the head are doing an intellectual experiment. However, to plant the seed only in the heart may be doing an emotional experience. Those who plant the seed in the heart and through the head or mind will be conducting a spiritual experiment. The Lord “will tell you in your mind and in your heart, by the Holy Ghost” D&C 8:2). The swelling in the breast that tells you it is a good seed (Alma 32:28) also comes by the Holy Ghost. The Holy Ghost will enlarge the soul and enlighten the understanding (v. 28). In the words of the Prophet Joseph Smith, the Holy Ghost is “powerful in expanding the mind, enlightening the understanding, and storing the intellect with present knowledge” (TPJS, 149). Faith has increased, but the knowledge is not perfect (v. 29). The next step in the experiment is the sprouting of the seed and its beginning to grow (v. 30). You have tried the experiment and the growth tells you it is a good seed, for every seed brings forth its own likeness (vv. 31–33).

Book of Mormon Commentary: The Record of Alma

References