Alma's Inclusivity and Gideonite Receptivity
Book of Mormon Notes - Tuesday, August 15, 2023, Alma 6
The beginning of this chapter might prove difficult for modern fans of popular terms such as “inclusivity,” “tolerance,” “equality,” “diversity,” and so forth. But Mormon also sheds light on what real inclusion means.
In essence, those who repented of their sins and were baptized were received into the Church, and those who did not repent of their wickedness (e.g. the pride mentioned in the previous chapter) and humble themselves before God were rejected, had their names blotted out, and were not numbered among those of the righteous. Was this intolerance? Lack of inclusivity? Inequality? Lack of diversity?
No. The doctrine of Christ is eternal and consistent and it is we who chose whether or not to learn it, follow it, and implement it in our lives. We choose whether or not we will repent and be baptized. We chose whether or not we will be received into the Church. Mormon then makes sure to remind us just how inclusive the Gospel of Jesus Christ is, in the real sense of inclusivity:
Now I would that ye should understand that the word of God was liberal unto all, that none were deprived of the privilege of assembling themselves together to hear the word of God. (Alma 6:5)
It is a privilege to assemble together to hear the word of God, and the word of God is liberal unto all. It is up to us whether or not we will hearken to the word of God and assemble with the saints. It is a privilege to strive to know God, and in Alma’s time as well as today, the children of God gathered oft and join in fasting and mighty prayer in behalf of the welfare of the souls of those who knew not God. This is real tolerance, inclusivity, diversity, equality, and especially mercy. Those who repent, are baptized, and received into the Church are not trying to make some kind of an exclusive social club. They are striving to live the Gospel and to invite others to enjoy the same blessings that they experience by living the Gospel.
By preaching the word of God and bearing down in pure testimony against the people, Alma set in order the Church in Zarahemla. But he had more work to do in the regions around Zarahemla. Alma crossed the River Sidon, maybe by boat, and descended into the valley of Gideon. A city had been built there that was named after the great Zenephite hero Gideon. Alma’s message to the people in Gideon was much more commendatory than his message to the people in Zarahemla. Whereas many of the people in Zarahemla had been lifted in pride, the people of Gideon were more humble. I wonder what made the difference between these two cities and therefore the difference between these two directly quoted sermons from Alma.
One thing that comes immediately to mind is that Zarahemla was a large city, the capital, and that it was somewhat of a melting pot - a mixture of the Mulekites, the people of King Mosiah, the Zenephites, Alma’s people, and so forth. It was a thriving metropolis. It seems like the city of Gideon, down in the valley, was more of a suburb. The city folk were prideful, the country folk were not. I’m sure that this is an over-simplification of the problem, but there might be some truth to it. Furthermore, I think that the character of the founder of the city, or at least the character of the person after whom the city was named, may have influenced the city for good. Gideon was a good man, a righteous man, a hero, and one who had served God and his people. He had by the word of God resisted Nehor, and even suffered a martyr’s death. Perhaps the people of the city of Gideon were more apt to do that which Alma had to remind the people of Zarahemla to do, namely, to remember the captivity of their fathers. Perhaps the people of Gideon took courage from Gideon’s example and were more prepared to receive the word of God that Alma came to deliver.
Whatever the case, both Alma and the people of Gideon, the preacher and the hearers, were ready for the word of God. Thus Alma could reveal more truth to them because they were better prepared to receive it. The revelation of the truth of the word, the spirit of prophecy, and the testimony of Jesus Christ propelled Alma forward in his mission to the Gideonites, and they were happy and prepared to receive him. And we are the modern beneficiaries of Alma’s message to the Gideonites, a message that contains much valuable truth regarding the life, ministry, mission, and sacrifice of Jesus Christ.
And one thing to take note of at the end of chapter six is that Alma’s testimony of Jesus Christ, the Son of God, was that He would come to redeem His people from their sins. This emphasis on redemption from sin will be important in later chapters in the Book of Alma.