In part 16 of this continuing series, Phil expounds on hope, faith, and miracles in the ministry of Ammon, showing how alignment with God’s will prepares individuals to receive salvation by entering into covenant with God by following the doctrine of Christ. Phil explains that hope is the alignment of our will with God’s will, so a man or woman with true hope orients life, desires, and actions toward Jesus Christ and His promises. From that alignment, faith creates the conditions through which God accomplishes His work, and miracles follow not as the goal, but as evidence that individuals have acted upon revelation, while the end goal remains the accomplishment of God’s purposes.

Phil teaches that Ammon’s experiences among the Lamanites reveal this divine pattern. Ammon sought revelation to know where he should serve and acted in faith on what he received, establishing the spiritual foundation for all that followed (Alma 17). Ammon’s deliverance of the king’s servants demonstrated spiritual preparation and divine guidance, using inspired strategy to win hearts and lead them to belief in Christ (Alma 17). Phil outlines how Ammon then brought King Lamoni to a knowledge of things that are just and true, guiding him into the plan of redemption or the doctrine of Christ, whereby men and women become adopted sons and daughters of Christ through the baptism of fire and the Holy Ghost and enter into the rest of the Lord (Alma 18:34–39; D&C 76:53–54).

Phil connects Lamoni’s cry unto the Lord and his repentance to parallel experiences across scripture, showing a consistent pattern of baptism of fire and the Holy Ghost. The episode closes with the reminder that the heavens are open again, and as in ancient days, God continues to extend His covenants and power to all who will offer a broken heart and a contrite spirit and align their lives fully with His will.

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