Post by Helam –
King Amulon, The thought made me sick. The justice of it escapes our people. After Amulon kidnapped, married and used for protection the daughters of the Lamanites, King Laman found something useful in Amulon. He and his brethren – the other wicked priests – were appointed teachers over the people of the Lamanites in the land of Shemlon, Shilom, and the land of Amulon. After we left the lands of Shemlon and Shilom, and following the conquiring of King Noah’s people, Lemhi and his people escaped leaving these lands to the Lamanites who quickly took possession. Our deliverance has been similar to theirs.
I must boast on the greatness and goodness of our God. I will discuss our tribulations later but I must testify the Lord is serious when He says “I, the Lord God, do visit my people in their afflictions.”
King Laman appointed kings and teachers over these lands. These teachers taught everything but the truth. With this new power and authority, Amulon exercises authority, no, more than authority, it was absolute persecution over us. Their children were taught to persecute our children. We were amazed how easily hate is taught. It was no surprise to us. Alma was the only priest who believed the words of Abinadi. Amulon rejected Abinadi and he lived to see Abinadi’s words fulfilled. His guilt and hate have consumed him. He is certainly under the influence of Satan.
As Amulon exercised authority over us, and put tasks upon us, and put task-masters over us, we couldn’t bear it. These afflictions were so great that we cried mightily to God. Even that Amulon denied us. Amulon commanded us to stop our prayers; and he put guards over us to watch us, that who ever they found calling upon God would be put to death. He couldn’t stop us. We poured out our hearts to God.
The voice of the Lord came to us in our afflictions, saying:
“Lift up your heads and be of good comfort, for I know of the covenant which ye have made unto me; and I will covenant with my people and deliver them out of bondage.I will also ease the burdens which are put upon your shoulders, that even you cannot feel them upon your backs, even while you are in bondage; and this will I do that ye may stand as witnesses for me hereafter, and that ye may know of a surety that I, the Lord God, do visit my people in their afflictions.”
That is exactly what happened. The burdens laid on us were made light. The Lord gave us strength so we bore them up with ease. It’s easy to be patient when we know the Lord is with us. I was surprised to see how we could be so cheerful even during our trials. I am not a prophet but I can testify of the Lord’s acceptance of our faithfulness. With our added faith and patience the Lord witnessed to Alma to be of good comfort because the next day He would deliver us out of bondage.
That night Alma directed us to gather our flocks together and our grain and all night we were gathering. The next morning the Lord caused a deep sleep to come upon the Lamanites as well as Amulon’s task masters. All of them were in a profound sleep. United, we departed into the wilderness. We traveled all day and pitched tents by night in a place we called the Valley Alma. We poured out our hearts to God knowing only He could deliver us. Our rest was short lived. The Lord commanded Alma to keep us moving because the Lamanites had awaken and were pursuing us. The Lord told Alma he would stop the Lamanites here but we had to keep moving. After another dozen days marching through the wilderness we arrived in the land of Zarahemla. Our joy was only matched by that of King Mosiah as he welcomed us home.