President Baird’s Message
I love to read about missionaries in the scriptures. One of my favorite
companionships is Alma and Amulek. We are first introduced to faithful Amulek
in Alma chapter 8. But the stage is set for Alma and Amulek to become
companions as early as Alma chapter 4. As chief judge, Alma observed great
contentions in the land. He further observed that there began to be contentions
among the members of the church. “There were envyings and strife and malice and
persecutions and pride” among the members of the church in such great abundance
that it became a stumbling block to those who did not believe. Alma determined
to give up the judgment seat so that he could go among the people and “preach
the word of God to them”.
Alma enjoyed success along the way but when he reached the
city of Ammonihah the people rejected him and cast him out of the city. The
scriptures record that this great prophet Alma was “weighed down with much
sorrow, wading through much tribulation and anguish of soul…” I have felt that
way sometimes; “weighed down with much sorrow”.
In the midst his disappointment God chose to send Alma back
to Ammonihah. If I were the one being sent back to the place of my failure and
discouragement, I am not so certain I would have gone willingly. Not so Alma,
verse 18 records that, “after Alma had received his message from the angel…he
returned speedily.” Because of his
faithful and decisive action God prepared a wonderful companion to assist and
serve with Alma.
Upon his return to the city Alma was hungry and begged food
of a stranger as recorded in verse 19. What follows is an amazing lesson in
what it means to be a good missionary companion. Amulek readily responds to
Alma. The sequence is amazing—Amulek introduces himself—“I am a Nephite.” He
turns his attention to Alma—“I know that thou art a holy prophet of God.” He
acknowledges his assignment to be his companion—“thou art the man an angel said
in a vision: Thou shalt receive.” Though junior companion Amulek was obviously
the area senior—“Go with me into my house and I will impart unto thee of my
food.” He sets the expectation that this will be a wonderful companionship and
a blessing to himself and his whole family. He then “brought forth bread and
meat and set before Alma.” Alma received gratefully that which was offered—“And
it came to pass that Alma ate bread and was filled.” Alma 8:20, 21.
Some missionaries reflecting on this encounter think. Yes!
That is the kind of companion I need! They might even say—“companion read
this—it will help you to be a better companion.” I am not suggesting this is
the kind of companion you should pray for. Rather, I suggest this the kind of a
companion you should be. Whether a
junior or a senior companion we should all strive to be more like Amulek and
serve our companion with patience and love. Senior companions have a great
responsibility to model this kind of companionship behavior to their junior
companion. When I have been weighed down with sorrow, I have found that service
to others is a sure antidote.
With the kind of greeting Amulek gave to Alma, it would
simply be impossible for Alma to write home to his family—“I met my new
companion—I think this is going to be a rough transfer. I hope God will give me
a lot of patience. I’m really going to need it.” No! He would be writing home,
“I just met Elder/Sister Amulek. I can already tell that he is going to be my
favorite companion ever! I am so blessed to be able to work with a missionary
like him/her.
So there it is. One of the great lessons we learn from
Amulek is how to be a great companion. Ask yourself how you measure up. Ask
what more you can do to make your companion’s life pleasant—filled with the
fruits of the spirit--love, joy, peace. Pray to God and angels will guide you to
be a better companion—to love and serve, to testify and to teach with power.
Your experience can be much more like that of Alma and Amulek. But you must
choose for yourself. If you choose to actively serve your companion like Amulek
did, your mission experience will be a wonderful journey and it will be even
more rewarding—I promise you! When burdens are lifted by a loving companion the
weight on each is cut in half. When joy and success are shared, they are
doubled. In the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
