The philosophies held by, and the techniques used by the missionaries in the Book of Mormon are worthy of examination.

First was Abinadi—courageous Abinadi.  His mission call sent him to a degenerate people who were so steeped in sin that the likelihood of success among them was very small indeed.  He was aware of that at the outset; but he also knew that unless the people repented, they would be destroyed.  They had to be warned.  Indeed, the people could neither be converted nor destroyed unless someone should first warn them, for “…the Lord God will do nothing, but he revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets.”  (Amos 3:7).

Lacking the requisite missionary companion, Abinadi went alone.  There was no one else in king Noah’s whole kingdom who could be called upon to add his testimony to Abinadi’s.  Abinadi knew full well that his efforts would probably fall on deaf ears.  He also knew full well that his efforts would probably cost him his life; but the people had to be told, and possibly, just possibly, the words that he would speak might find root in someone’s heart.

So Abinadi began a general, very public ministry, the effects of which were that the people became angry, and sought to kill him.  (Mosiah 11:27-29).  He hid himself for two years while presumably watching to see what effect his words might have had.  He watched, in disguise (Mosiah 12:1), until it was apparent that no one had listened, and that things were only getting worse.  Then he began what he knew would be his last effort.  He determined that he would deliver the full message.  If he was arrested, so be it.  If he was delivered out of the people’s hands, the Lord would use him elsewhere; but if he was killed for his efforts, he was ready to make the sacrifice.

Obediently, and with power, Abinadi did his duty, and delivered his message.  He was miraculously protected until he had finished.  The Lord then allowed Noah and his priests to kill him that their cups of iniquity might be full, and that the judgments which the Lord would pronounce upon them might be just.

From Abinadi’s point of view, his mission was a failure.  He had made not one convert.  How many modern-day missionaries have thought the same?  Even Gordon B. Hinckley baptized few, if any, people on his mission to England.  Was his mission a failure?  In hindsight he, and we, saw that those years shaped a future prophet.  The missions that he and Abinadi served accomplished objectives other than the winning of converts.

But both missions planted seeds.  One of the seeds Abinadi planted took root in the heart of a young priest in king Noah’s court.  He became Abinadi’s posthumous convert, and the next missionary that I’d like to examine.

Alma was probably about 25 years old.  He was stung by Abinadi’s words, amazed at his courage, a witness to his shining countenance and untouchability until he was through speaking, and sprang to Abinadi’s defense.  His was the only voice to be raised in Abinadi’s favor.  It was a very courageous thing to do since it was obvious that the rest of the priests were of a murderous disposition, but Alma knew that Abinadi had spoken the truth.  His speaking up for Abinadi turned the priests’ and the king’s wrath against him as well.  The king issued a command that Alma should be seized and slain, but Alma turned and ran.  He eluded his pursuers, hid himself in the forest, wrote the words of Abinadi, and underwent a period of deep repentance and conversion.

How Alma was baptized and how he received the priesthood, we don’t know.  Perhaps he was baptized by proper authority before he became a priest of king Noah.  Perhaps he also received the priesthood before he became corrupted by his fellow priests.  Or perhaps he had a Joseph Smith-type experience while in the wilderness through which he received baptism and ordination.  We just don’t know.  But his son, Alma, testified that his father had “power and authority from God.”  (Alma 5:3).

There in the wilderness, Alma also received his mission call.  He was called to go to the same people Abinadi had tried to teach.  Abinadi’s mission had been very public.  Alma chose to make his very private.  He knew certain families and individuals who were likely to look favorably upon his message, so he went privately to them.  Many embraced his message.  These gave him missionary referrals to others who were like-minded and open to the doctrine of Christ.  Each Sabbath day this faithful core group quietly slipped into the forest to listen to Alma near his hiding place.

Alma testified that he had authority from God (Mosiah 18:13), and invited his congregation to be baptized.  That day he baptized 204 souls.  (Mosiah 18:16).  By the time the group was forced to flee before the army of king Noah, it had grown to include about 450 people.  (Mosiah 18:35).

Alma’s was a highly successful mission.  Imagine being able to baptize hundreds of people on your mission, including 204 in one day.  Alma’s experience was similar to that of Heber C. Kimball in England, or to the experiences of some modern missionaries in Latin America and Africa.

Alma’s converts came from the same group of hard-hearted people who had rejected Abinadi.  The lesson here is that we shouldn’t let a previous missionary prejudice our minds in a negative fashion about an area in which we’re called to serve.  Alma’s personality wasn’t Abinadi’s.  His method of teaching wasn’t Abinadi’s.

My home area has sometimes seemed dead and unfruitful; but then there has been a change of missionaries, and things came alive.  Sometimes it’s been because of the enthusiasm of the new set of elders, or because of their strict obedience or hard work.  Sometimes it has been because the elders were replaced by a pair of sisters who were able to reach people that the elders couldn’t.  An increase in missionary activity in an area probably won’t happen, no matter how good the missionaries are, unless the members get involved and help with referrals and fellowshipping.  I’m confident that Alma had that aspect working in his favor, or he couldn’t have been as successful as he was.  He wasn’t able to go out and openly proselyte.

The next missionaries I’d like to examine were the boys in the next generation following Alma.  One of them was Alma’s own son, who with the sons of king Mosiah were rebellious, and even hostile toward the Church and its teachings.  I can’t understand how the sons of these good men could have become so rebellious against that which was nearest and dearest to their fathers’ hearts, but it occurs to me that Alma and Mosiah were fortunate that the boys didn’t simply have a “don’t care” attitude.  Because the young men were up and doing, the Lord was able to work with them.  It’s the lukewarm people who are hardest to work with.  Consider the words in the Book of Revelation written to the church in Laodicea:

I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot:  I would that thou wert cold or hot.

So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth.  (Rev. 3:15-16).

The Lord can work with a missionary who is on fire.  The Lord can turn the heart of a cold person who is a worker of iniquity.  Because he’s already a worker, the Lord can rechannel the person’s energies into works of righteousness.

But what on earth can you do with a lukewarm person?  What can you do with a person who knows the gospel is true, but who is lazy and unwilling to exert himself?  He doesn’t hold Family Home Evening with his children.  He says he’ll go home teaching, but never goes.  He’s reluctant to accept callings, and puts forth little effort when he does.

The Lord can work with a hot person.  He can work with a cold person.  But pity the lukewarm person.  The Lord says descriptively, “I will spue him out of my mouth.”

The Lord rechanneled the efforts of these five young men.  They executed a 180-degree turn.  They became very active missionaries among the Nephites, and brought many to the knowledge of the truth.  (Mosiah 27:32-37).  When they’d finished their mission among the Nephites, they applied for a second one, and desired to go preach among the Lamanites.  They were on fire about the gospel.  They were so thrilled by the feelings they had as missionaries that they preferred being missionaries to being anything else in the world.

Aaron was apparently Mosiah’s eldest son.  He had grown up knowing that it was his position and right to eventually take his father’s place as king of the people, just as his father, grandfather, and great grandfather had been.  Yet when the opportunity was offered to him, he refused it.  He would rather be a missionary.  He would rather do something really hard.  He’d rather suffer, be imprisoned, and risk his life than to be a king.  He’d rather lose his life in the service of the Lord, experience the Lord’s guidance and comfort, and savor the joy that comes from seeing someone understand and embrace the gospel than to have the comforts, honors, and glory of being a king.

To be a missionary is better than being a king.  The payment is better.  A diligent missionary is promised an everlasting kingdom.