261: The Life and Teachings of Jesus Christ - True Servants vs Miserable Wicked Men Part 15

The Life and Teachings of Jesus Christ - True Servants vs Miserable Wicked Men Part 15

In part 15 of this continuing series, Phil explores what it truly means to walk by faith when covenant discipleship leads not to immediate deliverance, but to sorrow, affliction, and patient endurance. Anchored in the experiences of Alma, Amulek, Nephi, and Lehi, Phil teaches that faith matures as our will becomes aligned with God’s will, and that divine power follows alignment, not demand.

Phil explains that many times, one that enters into covenant with Christ does not find immediate success but must wade through much sorrow and affliction, as illustrated in Alma’s experience in Ammonihah (Alma 8:14–17). He outlines how Alma and Amulek were filled with the Holy Ghost after Alma taught Amulek the doctrine of Christ, Amulek offered a sacrifice of a broken heart and contrite spirit, and both acted on revealed instruction. Alma was given priesthood power to perform the ordinance, and as they obeyed, they were filled with the Holy Ghost and were given power (Moroni 2; Alma 8).

Phil teaches that Amulek’s call required acting on revelation that deeply affected his own family and community, reminding listeners that when someone accepts a call to serve God, they will have to endure great burdens, even greater than they could ever endure except for the support of Jesus Christ (Alma 10). Phil explains, sometimes, exercising faith means refraining from using heavenly power, faithfully witnessing a lamb going quietly to the slaughter without rescue, or being a lamb going quietly to the slaughter so that God’s judgments can be just.

Alma’s imprisonment demonstrates this principle further. Even in extreme deprivation, Alma continued to exercise faith and petitioned the Lord, and only when his faith aligned with God’s timing was he granted power to be freed (Alma 14). Phil teaches, that faith does not compel immediate miracles but acts with patience until faith is aligned with God’s will; when alignment comes, power & miracles comes (Ether 12; Hebrews 11).

Turning to Helaman 5, Phil parallels this pattern with Nephi and Lehi, who endured many days in prison without food. Their hope was aligned fully with the Father’s purpose to bring about a mighty conversion, they were encircled with heavenly fire, the voice of the Lord was heard and deliverance came (Helaman 5). Their great humility was manifest as they focused solely on the Father’s purposes, testifying to us that hope is the alignment of our will with God’s work. (Moses 1:39).

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