True or False: “Alma taught that faith is like a seed.”
While our gut reaction might be to say, “TRUE” this is in fact “FALSE.” Faith might be like a little seed (the Primary song tells us that it is!) but that is not Alma’s message to the Zoramites in Alma 32-33. Let’s explore a few verses from Alma’s discourse that can open up a powerful window of understanding on what is like a seed.
Alma told the Zoramites, “We will compare the word unto a seed” (Alma 32:28).
This distinction becomes important as the Zoramites want to know “how they should plant the seed, or the word of which he had spoken” (Alma 33:1). Even though “the word” could have multiple meanings, Alma implies he is referring to a specific word. Could this be related to what we read in John 1:1-3, 14? “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made…And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us.”
At the end of Alma’s discourse, he taught that Christ would “come to redeem his people and that he shall suffer and die to atone for their sins; and…he shall rise again from the dead, which shall bring to pass the resurrection” (Alma 33:22). In the very next verse, Alma states, “I desire that ye shall plant this word in your hearts” (Alma 33:23). Thus it appears the word the Zoramites were to plant is that Christ’s sufferings and death atone for our sins, and that his resurrection will bring to pass our own.
How does recognizing that Christ’s suffering, death and Resurrection are the seed and word in Alma 32 change our understanding of Alma’s message? Consider the following phrases from Alma’s discourse with this perspective on the meaning of the seed or the word:
- “Give place, that a seed may be planted in your heart” (Alma 32:28).
- “Nourish the word” (Alma 32:41). To nourish means “to feed and cause to grow.”
- “Because of your diligence and your faith and your patience with the word in nourishing it, that it may take root in you, behold, by and by; and ye shall feast upon this fruit (Alma 32:42).
We are blessed as we follow Alma’s counsel to give place for Christ’s sufferings, death and Resurrection in our hearts. Are we sufficiently nourishing these precious teachings? As we continue to act on Alma’s invitations, we will taste the “most precious” fruit that is “sweet above all that is sweet” (Alma 32:42).
How can we plant and nourish this word? One way I’ve been doing this principle in my life is by learning more about how Calvary connects us to Christ. See more here.
