In “Come, Follow Me” this week, we read about the hardships Jesus endured for our sake. Beyond suffering for our sins and hurt, He was scourged, spit upon, and mocked as He was crucified. Though we will not feel this to the degree Christ did, believers have faced persecution in every era. Some notable figures, including Paul, even participated in the maltreatment of disciples before learning the truth of Christ’s gospel. In the Book of Mormon we learn that “the persecutions which were inflicted on the church by the unbelievers became…great” during the time of King Mosiah (Mosiah 27:1). Alma (the son of Alma) and the sons of Mosiah even took part in “[leading] many of the people to do…iniquities” (Mosiah 27:8).
But we know that isn’t the end of their story. David Linn depicts Alma’s repentant transformation through his piece “The Conversion of Alma the Younger and the Sons of Mosiah.” Using a triptych format, the artist is able to highlight the process by which Alma and his friends were brought to Christ. Though they began in a state of darkness, light and knowledge were given to them as they were forgiven and healed through Christ’s atoning power. Because of this gift, “they [became] instruments in the hands of God in bringing many to the knowledge of the truth, yea, to the knowledge of their Redeemer” (Mosiah 27:36). That same gift of peace and change is offered to each of us if we’ll turn to our Savior.
-Lucy Lacanienta, Research Assistant