Infinite Forgiveness

©Darrell Wyatt

While reading this morning, I was once again reminded of the infinite love and forgiveness of God. 

Zeezrom was a lawyer in Ammonihah who, along with a group of unrighteous lawyers, took it upon himself to discredit Alma and Amulek as they went about preaching of Christ.  "Now he was the foremost to accuse Amulek and Alma, he being one of the most expert among them, having much business to do among the people"(Alma 10:31).  Zeezrom played a huge role in the wickedness of the people of Ammonihah.  Eventually, he was converted to believe that the words that Alma and Amulek spoke were true.

And it came to pass that Zeezrom was astonished at the words which had been spoken; and he also knew concerning the blindness of the minds, which he had caused among the people by his lying words; (Alma 14:6)

He tried to convince the people that he had been wrong and that Alma and Amulek were preaching the word of God, and he plead with them to believe.  But it was too late.  The damage had been done.  The people, thinking Zeezrom had gone crazy, cast him out, along with Alma and Amulek and all those who did believe the things that they had been preaching.  So wicked were these people that after they had cast all the followers out, they took their wives and children, along with their holy scriptures, and burned them alive.  The damage that Zeezrom had done was inconceivable. 

Much, much more happened, but I want to skip to where Alma and Amulek finally escaped Ammonihah and went to Sidom. 

...and behold, there they found all the people who had departed out of the land of Ammonihah, who had been cast out and stoned, because they believed in the words of Alma.(Alma 15:1)

Zeezrom was also in Sidom, and he was very ill.  The scriptures say that he became sick, "with a burning fever, which was caused by the great tribulation of his mind on account of his wickedness".  He was sure that Alma and Amulek had been killed "because of his iniquity", and he was wracked with pain and fever because of this.

Now when he heard that Alma and Amulek were in the land of Sidom, his heart began to take courage; and he sent a message immediately unto them, desiring them to come unto him.

And it came to pass that they went immediately, obeying the message which he had sent unto them...(Alma 15:4-5)

This was amazing to me.  Here was a man who, because of the things that he had taught the people of Ammonihah, had caused Alma and Amulek to be tortured and imprisoned and to suffer beyond imagination.  Yet, when he called on them to help him, they went.  Immediately, the verse said.  They did not hesitate in the slightest.  I find that incredible.  When they arrived, they saw that he was sick and he asked them to heal him. To heal him - the guy who, because of his influence, was responsible for an unknown amount of women and children being savagely murdered in front of them.  Again, there was no wish for retribution.  No malice or anger from Alma toward Zeezrom.

And it came to pass that Alma said unto him, taking him by the hand:  Believest thou in the power of Christ unto salvation?

And he answered and said:  Yea, I believe all the words that thou hast taught.

And Alma said:  If thou believest in the redemption of Christ thou canst be healed.

And he said:  Yea, I believe according to thy words.

And then Alma cried unto the Lord, saying:   O Lord our God, have mercy on this man, and heal him according to his faith which is in Christ.

And when Alma had said these words, Zeezrom leaped upon his feet, and began to walk; (Alma 15 6-11)

Wow.  Just as Alma and Amulek responded immediately to the call of Zeezrom for help, the Lord responded immediately to Zeezrom's desire to be healed through Alma's priesthood blessing.  This is such a witness to me that the Lord knows the desires of our hearts and that "as often as [His] people repent will [He] forgive them their trespasses against [Him]"(Mosiah 26:30)

What a lesson this has been for me.  I have never faced the agonizing pains that Alma and Amulek faced.  I have never had someone do something so egregious as Zeezrom had done and then had them ask me for forgiveness.  Yet I sometimes have a hard time forgiving even the tiniest trespasses against me.  (Remember my grudge storage?)  I have learned, once again, that I must forgive every time I am asked forgiveness, and perhaps even before I am asked.  I must not judge.  I must "forgive all men" (D&C 64:10).

Click here to read what I read today: Alma 14

Click here to read what I read today: Alma 15