ALMA 29—WHAT PROMPTED ALMA TO WRITE
THE WORDS IN THIS CHAPTER?
Any careful reader comes away from Alma’s
soliloquy inspired, sobered, instructed, comforted, reminded, and fulfilled.
Whether termed a hymn, a psalm, or a high-priestly benediction, this remarkable
composition was the result of service and struggle, great joy and lamentation.
While this message was certainly written as part of mourning for so many fallen
soldiers, Alma’s words also serve as an exquisite Sabbatical text. As high
priest, Alma is writing this at the beginning of the 49th year (33 years from
Benjain’s speech to the death of Mosiah, and 16 years of judges). Alma 30:5
says that the 16th year of the reign of judges was a year of “continual peace,”
consistent with Sabbatical expectations. During this traditional time, people celebrated,
rejoiced, remembered the past, praised God, and thanked Him for all the things
that He has done, just as Alma does here. Indeed, this text may be best
understood as a high priestly prayer. All this would fit perfectly if this text
was prepared in connection with an important Sabbatical moment. (John W. Welch, Inspiration
and Insights from the Book of Mormon: A Come, Follow Me Commentary [American
Fork, Utah: Covenant Communications, Inc., 2023], 179-80)
