Alma 13-16 Commentary
The order of the Son of God, the high priesthood, the Melchizedek Priesthood
Alma continues teaching the people in the city of Ammonihah, having taught the plan of redemption, proceeds to teach about a holy order, the order of the Son of God. At first I wondered why Alma would teach the people about the priesthood, following the plan of redemption, and given their state of disbelief. It is possible that the Book of Mormon does not contain all the teachings of Alma and Amulek, but in this context I now understand how the priesthood is a critical part of the plan of redemption. Only through the ordinances of the priesthood is the plan of redemption made accessible to us.
When discussing the priesthood, it is important to remember what this word represents. In chapter 13 Alma teaches us in detail what it means to be a priest. Unfortunately the words 'priest' and 'priesthood', also being used by many churches without the true authority or order, can hide their meaning. The holy order has been copied and perverted by Satan in many ways - a false priesthood establishing a false authority, deceiving many to wander on strange paths. And some claim to take this authority upon themselves for their own benefit, a practice called 'priestcraft' in the Book of Mormon. Many of the people of Ammonihah had succumbed to these false orders, following after the teachings and practice of Nehor (Alma 1: 3-6). But we can see in chapter 16 the ultimate end for those who follow in this false order - the Desolation of Nehors.
The true priesthood is the order of the Son of God, and the sons of God are ordained after this order, "to teach his commandments unto the children of men, that they might also enter into his rest." (Alma 13:6). Those ordained to this order have the responsibility to perform and administer the ordinances that, "thereby the people might look forward (or in our case remember) on the Son of God ... for a remission of their sins..." (Alma 13:16). All the ordinances we receive in the church are to remind us of Christ, they teach us to remember him, from baptism, the sacrament and even the sealing covenant of eternal marriage.
These chapters teach us that the plan of redemption is made accessible to all, even those in the city of Ammonihah whose level of wickedness is difficult to understand no less describe. But out of them were many who were converted to the church of Jesus Christ. Even Zeezrom who, despite his past works, did repent and was accepted into baptism.
The priesthood that was exercised with great power and authority by Alma and Amulek has been restored to us through the prophet Joseph Smith. We have the order of Jesus Christ in our Church, and the ordinances of his holy order are available to all. Those who have joined in this holy order have the responsibility to exemplify the Savior in all they say and do. Thinking on this causes me to feel a great humility, a constant need for repentance, and to ask myself the question, "as a member of the order of the Son of God, by my actions and conversation, could others look forward or remember upon who they depend for a remission of their sins?"
