How Is the Word of God Stronger Than the Sword?

My Come Follow Me studies for this week took me to Alma 30-31 in a lesson titled “The Virtue of the Word of God.” The lesson was introduced by the following information: 

The accounts in Alma 30-31 clearly demonstrate the power of words – for evil and for good. The “flattering” and “great swelling words” of a false teacher named Korihor threatened to bring “many souls down to destruction” (Alma 30:31, 47). Similarly, the teachings of a Nephite dissenter named Zoram led a whole group of people to fall “into great errors” and “pervert the ways of the Lord” (Alma 31:9, 11).

In contrast, Alma had unwavering faith that the word of God would have a “more powerful effect upon the minds of the people than the sword, or anything else” (Alma 31:5). Alma’s words expressed eternal truth and drew upon the powers of Jesus Christ to silence Korihor (see Alma 30:39-50), and they invited His blessing on those who went with him to bring the Zoramites back to the truth (see Alma 31:31-38). These are valuable examples for followers of Christ today when false messages are common. We can find truth by trusting, as Alma did, “the virtue of the word of God” (Alma 31:5).

I feel impressed to discuss a principle found in Alma 31: “God’s word has the power to lead people to righteousness.” This chapter tells us of a group of people who were once Nephites but who had separated themselves from the Nephites.

It so happened that the Zoramites had moved to an area where they were located between the area where most of the Nephites were located and the land of the Lamanites. The leaders of the Nephites thought that a political or military solution was necessary to reclaim the Zoramites before they joined with the Lamanites. However, the prophet Alma thought that they should try “the virtue of the word of God” (Alma 31:5).

5 And now, as the preaching of the word had a great tendency to lead the people to do that which was just – yea, it had had more powerful effect upon the minds of the people than the sword, or anything else, which had happened unto them – therefore Alma thought it was expedient that they should try the virtue of the word of God.

Alma decided to take a group of missionaries to the land of Antionum, the home of the Zoramites. The missionaries included Ammon, Aaron, Omner, Amulek, Zeezrom, Shiblon, and Corianton. The first three were sons of Mosiah, and the last two were sons of Alma.

When they arrived in Antionum, the missionaries were astonished to discover how much the Zoramites had perverted the word of God.

24 Now when Alma saw this his heart was grieved; for he saw that they were a wicked and a perverse people; yea, he saw that their hearts were set upon gold, and upon silver, and upon all manner of find goods.

25 Yea, and he also saw that their hearts were lifted up unto great boasting, in their pride.

Alma lifted up his voice in prayer. He first prayed for the Zoramites that their hearts could be softened and that they could be reclaimed. He next prayed for himself that he would be strengthened and given the power to reclaim the Zoramites. He also prayed for his missionary companions that they would be strengthened and helped to be good missionaries.

The Lord heard the words of the prophet’s prayer and provided for the missionaries that they had food to eat, liquids to drink, and clothes to wear. He also strengthened them against afflictions which were “swallowed up in the joy of Christ” (Alma 31:38).