View source for Alma the Younger

{{Short description|Prophet in the Book of Mormon}}
{{multiple issues|
{{More citations needed|date=October 2011}}
{{Religious text primary|date=October 2011}}
}}{{Infobox religious biography
| name               = Alma
| image              = Alma Being Carried to His Fathers House, October 1925, cropped to Alma the Younger.png
| alt                = Alma is visible as a young man on a stretcher, his hair down about to his chin. He seems to wear a hat, and a blanket is thrown over his lower torso. His face looks a little gaunt. In the lower portion of the visible image, a friend of Alma (one of the sons of King Mosiah) kneels next to the stretcher and is leaning over by Alma's legs. In the background, the lower half of the body of Alma (the elder), the father of Alma (the younger) is visible.
| caption            = From ''Alma Being Carried to His Father's House'' (October 1925)
| era                = Reign of the judges
| office2            = High priest of the Church
| office1            = Chief judge of the Nephites
| successor1         = Nephihah
| successor2         = [[Helaman]]
| predecessor1       = Office established
| predecessor2       = [[Alma the Elder]]
| children           = {{flatlist|
* [[Helaman]]
* Shiblon
* Corianton
}}
| religion           = 
}}

In the [[Book of Mormon]], '''Alma, the son of Alma''' ({{IPAc-en|ˈ|æ|l|m|ə}}) is a [[Nephite]] [[prophet]] often referred to as '''Alma the Younger''' to distinguish him from his father, who is often referred to as [[Alma the Elder]]. These appellations, "the Younger" and "the Elder," are not used in the Book of Mormon; they are distinctions made by scholars, useful because both individuals were prominent during the same portion of the Book of Mormon's narrative and filled a similar cultural and religious role. Alma is the namesake of the [[Book of Alma]].

==Conversion==
{{Figures in the Book of Mormon}}
Alma the Younger lived in [[Zarahemla]] during the end of the reign of the [[Nephites|Nephite]] King [[King Mosiah II|Mosiah]]. As a young man, he, the four sons of Mosiah, and others wanted to destroy the church and actively persecuted its members. After they were visited personally by an angel and rebuked for their actions, Alma fell into an unconscious state where, for three days and three nights, he lay unable to move until he felt within that he had been forgiven of his sins. He later recounted that he had experienced a vision during unconsciousness, in which he renounced his behavior against the church and subsequently received a glimpse of God sitting on his throne ({{lds|Alma|alma|36|12|22}}). He and those who persecuted church members with him abdicated their role as persecutors and became followers of Jesus.<ref>{{lds|Mosiah|mosiah|27}}</ref>

== Chief judge and high priest ==
Alma the Younger subsequently became the first elected chief judge of the [[Nephites]] as well as their religious leader.

When [[Amlici]] leads his followers in an insurrection against Nephite government, Alma as chief judge serves also as military commander and suppresses the [[Amlicites]] in the Amlicite Civil War.<ref>{{Harvtxt|Austin|2020|pp=153–157, 163}}; {{Harvtxt|Davis|2007|p=50}}.</ref>

== Ministry ==
He observed that the Nephites of the church were becoming increasingly wicked, proud, disdainful of outsiders and neglectful toward the poor and needy ({{lds|Alma|alma|4|11|12}}). When the "unbelievers" began to follow their example, Alma feared the entire people were on the path to self-destruction (Alma 4:11). He resigned his post as chief judge and began traveling from city to city to preach to the Nephites. He began in Zarahemla, where his efforts were successful. A thorough purge of the church leadership and membership took place, with those former insiders and leaders who refused to relinquish their pride being "rejected, and their names blotted out" ({{lds|Alma|alma|6|3}}).

Alma moved on to the cities of Gideon and Melek, where his call to humility was also well received.  From Melek he traveled three days journey north to [[Ammonihah]], whose inhabitants proved much more hardened than those of the previous three cities.<ref>{{lds|Alma|alma|1|}} - {{lds|Alma|alma|8}}</ref>

In Ammonihah the people were very wicked. They considered themselves superior to outsiders, especially the [[Lamanites]], and gloried in the strength of their city, which they considered indestructible. According to Alma chapter 9, Satan held such control over them that they would not listen to Alma.  While trying to speak to them he was abused and thrown out of the city. Commanded by an angel to return, Alma slipped back into the city through a different route from the south. There he met [[Amulek]], a lapsed believer (Alma 10:5-6) of some social prominence who fed Alma and housed him for a time.  In the city streets, the two of them joined up and preached to the people, where they were challenged by a lawyer named [[Zeezrom]].  After Amulek had silenced Zeezrom through his teaching and aroused his conscience, Alma took his turn, preaching to the people with similar results. When finished, Alma and Amulek were cast into prison and delivered by a miracle.<ref>{{lds|Alma|alma|9}} - {{lds|Alma|alma|14}}</ref> A repentant Zeezrom eventually joined Alma in his missionary work.

Several years later, Alma met up with a man named Korihor, whom the Book of Mormon describes as an [[anti-Christ]]. This Korihor tried to lead the Nephites astray. Alma confronted him, confounding his arguments and miraculously removing Korihor's power of speech. The stricken Korihor signaled acknowledgement that he had acted maliciously, knowing all along that he was wrong and bringing destruction upon others. He was reduced to begging and was eventually run down and killed in a city of Nephite dissenters called [[Zoramites]].<ref>{{lds|Alma|alma|30}}</ref>

These same Zoramites were found to practice things that perverted the ways of the Lord. This led Alma to extend his missionary work to these people. While among them, he was most successful with the poor.<ref>{{lds|Alma|alma|51|31|33}}</ref>

Alma's final instruction was to his sons, [[Helaman]], Shiblon, and Corianton.  He gave each separate lessons, and finally gave the records of the church to Helaman. He then departed, in the 19th year of the reign of the judges (or 73 BC) as if to go to Melek, but was never heard from again. Both [[Mormon (prophet)|Mormon]] and Helaman believed that he was taken up like Moses of old, and buried by the Lord.<ref>{{lds|Alma|alma|36}} - {{lds|Alma|alma|42}}, {{lds|Alma|alma|45}}</ref>

==Descendants==
The Book of Mormon narrative describes several of Alma's notable descendants as shown in the following family tree:
{{Tree chart/start}}
{{Tree chart| | | | | | | | | | | | ALE |ALE = [[Alma the Elder]]}}
{{Tree chart| | | | | | | | | | | | |!| |}}
{{Tree chart| | | | | | | | | | | | ALY |ALY = Alma the Younger}}
{{Tree chart| | | | | | | | |,|-|-|-|+|-|-|-|.|}}
{{Tree chart| | | | | | | | HEL | | SBL | | | COR |HEL = [[Helaman]]|SBL=Shiblon|COR=Corianton}}
{{Tree chart| | | | | | | | |!| |}}
{{Tree chart| | | | | | | | HLH |HLH = Helaman<br/>Son of Helaman}}
{{Tree chart| | | | | | |,|-|^|-|.|}}
{{Tree chart| | | | | | NFI | | LHI |NFI = [[Nephi, son of Helaman|Nephi<br/>Son of Helaman]]|LHI = Lehi<br/>Son of Helaman}}
{{Tree chart| | | | |,|-|^|-|.|}}
{{Tree chart| | | |NFN | | TMN |NFN = [[Nephi the Disciple]]|TMN = Timothy<br/>Son of Nephi}}
{{Tree chart| | | | |!| | | |}}
{{Tree chart| | | |NE4 | | NE4 = [[Nephi, son of Nephi the Disciple|Nephi<br/>Son of Nephi the Disciple]]}}
{{Tree chart| | | | |!| | | |}}
{{Tree chart| | | |AME | | | | |AME = Amos<br/>Son of Nephi}}
{{Tree chart| | |,|-|^|-|.| | | | | |}}
{{Tree chart| |AMY | |AMA | | | |AMY = Amos<br/>Son of Amos|AMA=Ammaron<br/>Son of Amos}}
{{Tree chart/end}}

==Intertextuality==
Alma's conversion is reminiscent of that of Saul of Tarsus, or [[Paul the Apostle]], in the [[New Testament]].<ref>{{Harvtxt|Curtis|1990|p=94n10}}; {{Harvtxt|Austin|2020|pp=125–127}}; {{Harvtxt|Austin|2024|p=26}}.</ref> Both persecute the Christian church, abruptly encounter divine figures ([[Jesus]] appears to Saul; an angel confronts Alma) that physically incapacitate them, and upon physically recovering, subsequently convert and commit to Christianity.<ref>{{Harvtxt|Austin|2020|pp=126–127}}.</ref> Literary critic Michael Austin explains that by coexisting, these stories "encourage [readers] to universalize the possibility of conversion" and focus on the role of grace in Christian life.<ref>{{Harvtxt|Austin|2020|p=129}}.</ref>

==Citations==
{{Reflist}}

== Sources ==

* {{Cite book |last=Austin |first=Michael |title=Buried Treasures: Reading the Book of Mormon Again for the First Time |publisher=By Common Consent Press |year=2020 |isbn=978-1-948218-252 |language=en}}
* {{Cite book |last=Austin |first=Michael |title=The Testimony of Two Nations: How the Book of Mormon Reads, and Rereads, the Bible |publisher=University of Illinois Press |year=2024 |isbn=9780252045356 |language=en}}
*{{Cite book |last=Curtis |first=Susan |title=The Word of God: Essays on Mormon Scripture |publisher=Signature Books |year=1990 |isbn=0941214931 |editor-last=Vogel |editor-first=Dan |pages=81–96 |language=en |chapter=Early Nineteenth-century America and the Book of Mormon}}
*{{Cite journal |last=Davis |first=Ryan W. |date=2007 |title=For the Peace of the People: War and Democracy in the Book of Mormon |url=https://scholarlypublishingcollective.org/uip/jbms/article-abstract/16/1/42/275397/For-the-Peace-of-the-People-War-amp-Democracy-in |journal=Journal of Book of Mormon Studies |volume=16 |issue=1 |pages=42–55, 85–86 |jstor=10.5406/jbookmormstud.16.1.0042 |issn=1065-9366}}

==Further reading==
*{{cite book| last = Welch| first = John| author-link = John W. Welch| title = The Legal Cases in the Book of Mormon| place = Provo, Utah| publisher = [[Brigham Young University Press]]; [[Neal A. Maxwell Institute for Religious Scholarship]]| year = 2011| isbn = 978-0842527125| oclc = 232358237| url = http://publications.maxwellinstitute.byu.edu/book/the-legal-cases-in-the-book-of-mormon/| access-date = 2013-12-18| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20131219092023/http://publications.maxwellinstitute.byu.edu/book/the-legal-cases-in-the-book-of-mormon/| archive-date = 2013-12-19| url-status = dead}}
*{{cite book |chapter-url= http://rsc.byu.edu/archived/living-book-mormon/alma-younger-disciples-quest-become |chapter= Alma the Younger: A Disciple’s Quest to Become |last= Perkins |first= Jerome M. |pages= 151–62 |title= Living the Book of Mormon: Abiding by Its Precepts  |editor1-last= Strathearn  |editor1-first= Gaye  |editor2-first= Charles |editor2-last= Swift |place= Provo, Utah |publisher= [[Religious Studies Center]], [[Brigham Young University]] |year= 2007 |isbn= 978-1-59038-799-3 }}
*{{cite book |chapter-url= http://rsc.byu.edu/archived/living-book-mormon/almas-reform-zarahemla-model-activation |chapter= Alma’s Reform of Zarahemla: A Model for Activation |author-link= Terry B. Ball |last= Ball |first= Terry B. |pages= 186–95 |title= Living the Book of Mormon: Abiding by Its Precepts  |editor1-last= Strathearn  |editor1-first= Gaye  |editor2-first= Charles |editor2-last= Swift |place= Provo, Utah |publisher= [[Religious Studies Center]], [[Brigham Young University]] |year= 2007 |isbn= 978-1-59038-799-3 }}
*{{cite book |chapter-url= https://rsc.byu.edu/archived/book-mormon-alma-testimony-word/9-almas-conversion-reminiscence-his-sermons |chapter= Alma's Conversion: Reminiscence in His Sermons |author-link= S. Kent Brown |last= Brown |first= S. Kent |pages= 141–56 |title= The Book of Mormon: Alma, the Testimony of the Word |editor1-last= Nyman |editor1-first= Monte S. |editor1-link= Monte S. Nyman |editor2-first= Charles D. Jr. |editor2-last= Tate |place= Provo, Utah |publisher= [[Religious Studies Center]], [[Brigham Young University]] |year= 1992 |isbn= 0-8849-4841-2 |access-date= 2014-02-08 |archive-date= 2014-02-21 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20140221170547/https://rsc.byu.edu/archived/book-mormon-alma-testimony-word/9-almas-conversion-reminiscence-his-sermons |url-status= dead }}
* {{Citation |first1= Jeffrey R. |last1= Holland |author-mask= 2 |date=March 1977 |title= Alma, Son of Alma |url= https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/ensign/1977/03/alma-son-of-alma |journal= [[Ensign (LDS magazine)|Ensign]] }}
* [[J. Christopher Conkling]], [http://publications.maxwellinstitute.byu.edu/fullscreen/?pub=1399&index=12 "Alma's Enemies: The Case of the Lamanites, Amlicites, and Mysterious Amalekites"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140427184757/http://publications.maxwellinstitute.byu.edu/fullscreen/?pub=1399&index=12 |date=2014-04-27 }} ''Journal of Book of Mormon Studies'' 14/1 (2005)
* {{citation |contribution-url= http://contentdm.lib.byu.edu/cdm/ref/collection/EoM/id/5462 |contribution= Alma<sub>2</sub> [Alma the Younger] |first= Robert L. |last= Millet |author-link= Robert L. Millet |pages= 33–35 |editor-last= Ludlow |editor-first= Daniel H |editor-link= Daniel H. Ludlow |year= 1992 |title= Encyclopedia of Mormonism |location= New York |publisher= [[Macmillan Publishing]] |isbn= 0-02-879602-0 |oclc= 24502140 |title-link= Encyclopedia of Mormonism }}

{{S-start}}
{{S-bef|before = [[King Mosiah II|Mosiah II]], son of Benjamin, as the last king of the Nephites}}
{{S-ttl|title = [[Nephites#Judges|Chief Judge]] of the [[Nephites]]| years = the 1st-9th years of the [[Nephites#Judges|reign of the judges]],<br />or 92-83 BC.}}
{{S-aft|after = [[List of Book of Mormon people#N|Nephihah]]}}
{{S-bef|before = [[King Mosiah II]], son of Benjamin, as king}}
{{S-ttl|title = [[Nephite]] military leader| years = the 5th-? years of the reign of the judges, or 87-? BC}}
{{S-aft|after = Zoram}}
{{S-bef|before = [[King Mosiah II|Mosiah II]], son of Benjamin}}
{{S-ttl|title = [[Nephite]] [[Plates of Nephi#Caretakers|record keeper]]| years = the 1st-19th years of the reign of the judges,<br />or 91-73 BC}}
{{S-aft|after = [[Helaman]]}}
{{S-end}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Alma, Son Of Alma}}
[[Category:Book of Mormon prophets]]
[[Category:Angelic visionaries]]