Alma's Church - No Inequality (Alma 16:16)

After the Ammonihah mess, the word of God is preached throughout all the land. The church became general throughout all the land (v.15). Remember, the word 'church' in Alma's day had a strong economic aspect to it which I have discussed in previous blogs. In verse 16 of Alma 16, it says:

'And there was no inequality among them; the Lord did pour out his Spirit on all the face of the land to prepare the minds of the children of men, or to prepare their hearts to receive the word which should be taught among them at the time of his coming—'

Some people might define 'no inequality' as some superficial or symbolic equality where we all pretend to have a similar social economic status but it really isn't so. I believe we wrest the scriptures when we think this way. When people became members of church of God in Alma's time, one of the tenants of their belief in Christ, was to help the needy and the poor. This meant to them that those that were prospering took what they needed and willingly gave their surplus to be redistributed to the poor and the needy. It demonstrated their faith in Christ. How? Well, it sure isn't a natural man thing to do! From a natural man perspective it just isn't fair! Christ isn't about fair (the law of Moses is a good example of fairness). The natural man just doesn't believe that a higher power will take care of him (and the society in which he lives) if he will cast off his unbelief and give the law of the gospel a try.

There's a verse in the Doctrine and Covenants that speaks very clearly what will happen when a society decides to follow Christ more fully with regard to temporal matters.
It is found in D&C 78: 5-6. It says,'That you may be equal in the bonds of heavenly things, yea, and earthly things also, for the obtaining of heavenly things. For if ye are not equal in earthly things ye cannot be equal in obtaining heavenly things;'

And in in D&C 70:14 we read, 'Nevertheless, in your temporal things you shall be equal, and this not grudgingly, otherwise the abundance of the manifestations of the Spirit shall be withheld.'

There are great blessings from heaven when a group of people are equal in temporal things. When we are not, the abundance of the manifestations of the Spirit are withheld.

One last verse in D&C 49: 20: 'But it is not given that one man should possess that which is above another, wherefore the world lieth in sin.'

Is it really sin when we possess that which is above another? Our society definitely doesn't see it that way. Do you?

In conclusion, the equality exhibited in church established by Alma brought down the blessings of heaven and many were able to enter in His rest (v.17). This was the state in which the righteous portion of the Nephites were in when Lamanite wars began in earnest. They were prospered temporally, prospered spiritually and prospered with protection and strength beyond their own.