With today’s reading, Alma 1, we enter into the single longest book within the Book of Mormon.
One of the things that strike me about it is its depiction of persecution, first directed against the Church and its members by apostates but then, inappropriately and unrighteously, returned by Church members against their persecutors.
This is a persistent temptation for those who seek to defend the Kingdom, and the contentiousness that it has engendered has essentially ruined many message boards and newspaper comments sections.
The Saints must resist the very human urge to return blow for blow. We should emulate the Savior, who returned not a word when his executioners tormented and tortured him:
He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth. (Isaiah 53:7)
If nothing else, though, we should at least follow the rather cynical advice given at Proverbs 25:21-22:
If thine enemy be hungry, give him bread to eat; and if he be thirsty, give him water to drink: For thou shalt heap coals of fire upon his head, and the Lord shall reward thee.
The same counsel is repeated by the apostle Paul at Romans 2:17-22:
Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men. If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men. Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord. Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head. Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.
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