The Lord Doth Give Me Exceeding Great Joy in the Fruit of My Labors

George Reynolds, Janne M. Sjodahl

After relating to Helaman the details of his miraculous conversion, Alma continued on by bringing to his son's attention the many fruits that this remarkable incident had brought forth unto him. Not only was he, himself, carried to great heights of joy and gladness, but Alma had, because of God's holy Word that had been imparted unto him, been able to share with others the tasty fruit his labors had borne. With him, the converted ones now enjoyed the savory morsels of divine love which were set before them. They saw eye to eye with Alma; their united purpose was God's glory; their joy was serving Him, their gladness lay in His praise. Their praise was doing His will.

Those to whom Alma had imparted God's holy Word rejoiced with him that to God all honor and glory were due because He had in mercy delivered them from evil. In spite of troubles and trials of every kind, even possible death, and all manner of afflictions, Alma had trusted in the Lord. His thoughts were not unlike those of the Psalmist when the sweet singer of Israel cried:

Let all those that put their trust in Thee rejoice: let them ever shout for joy . . . let them also that love Thy Name be joyful in Thee. (Ps. 5:11)

Let them shout for joy, and be glad, that favor My righteous cause: yea, let them say continually, Let the LORD be magnified, which hath pleasure in the prosperity of His servant. (Ibid. 35:27)

In darkness as in light, in joy as in sorrow, let us trust in the Lord, as did Alma, that even through our tears we may discern His divine blessings, and see all about us the proofs of His providential care over us. As in the past, so in the future, Alma affirmed to Helaman, "I will put my trust in Him, and He will still deliver me."

Alma again impressed upon Helaman the power and might of the Great Jehovah. How in His wisdom and strength He brought "our fathers out of Egypt" and "swallowed up the Egyptians in the Red Sea." Time and time again, Alma had read upon the Plates of Laban how their forefathers had been oppressed by Egyptian taskmasters, and how God in His mercy had ended their affliction. He also read of God's command to Pharaoh, "Let my people go, that they may serve me." (See Ex. 7:16) Of this the Jews, in great thanksgiving and gratitude, note, "With mighty hand and outstreched arm didst God deliver them that they might become a kingdom of priests and a holy people." Not only that but He appointed them "a light unto the nations, so that in time the Earth might be filled with the knowledge of the Lord, even as the waters cover the sea." The work of the Lord is endless. Alma remembered the bondage of his own ancestors who lived in the Land of Lehi-Nephi, and how the Lord delivered them from Lamanite servitude, as also from the grasp of wicked King Noah. The Lord, he reminisced, brought Lehi and his little company out of Jerusalem, thereby saving them from captivity and pagan servitude in Babylon, and in His watchful care has delivered them from such restraints "from time to time even down to the present day." Alma always kept in his mind a recollection of God's power manifest in these things, and urged Helaman do "as I have done." The great lesson that Alma wanted to implant in Helaman's heart, and also in his head, seems to have been: Ye that fear the Lord, trust in the Lord! He will bless them that fear Him, both small and great.

Commentary on the Book of Mormon, Vol. 4

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