Dialogue between Alma and Zeezrom pg. 295
Prayer given by Alma pg. 295
Alma speaking to the Nephites pg. 297
The Lord speaks to the Sons of Mosiah pg. 300
Ammon speaks to King Lamoni pg. 301
Dialogue between Ammon and the King's servants pg. 301-302
Dialogue between the King and his servants pg. 303-304
Dialogue between Ammon, the King, and his servants, Ammon bearing testimony pg. 304-305
Dialogue between Ammon and the Queen pg. 306-307
Abish Praying pg. 309
Dialogue between Ammon, King Lamoni, and Lamoni's Father pg. 310-311
Dialogue between Aaron and an Amalekite pg. 313
Dialogue between Aaron and King Lamoni's Father pg. 315-316
King Lamoni's Father prays pg. 316
Aaron speaks to the queen pg. 317Alma 22:18
"Oh God, Aaron hath told me that there is a God; and if there is a God, and if thou art God, wilt thou make thyself known unto me, and I will give away all my sins to know thee, and that I may be raised from the dead, and be saved at the last day."
The tone is really what affects the power of this prayer. The tone of King Lamoni's Father's prayer is an earnest tone full of dedication; it is a tone that conveys he truly wants to know if there is a God. Through his plea to God he shows that he truly wants to believe. His commitment to give away all his sins is proof that he is seriously seeking the truth. He also mentions the last day and how he wants to find the way to be saved. This shows his devotion to following whatever God will manifest to him until his last days.
I like how you mentioned the tone of his speech and how it shows that he is earnestly praying. The tone of a speech can be one of the most important pieces, in my opinion, that helps the reader really connect with the message, as well as the messenger.
ReplyDeleteI have heard (and perhaps said) many prayers that were perfunctory rather than earnest, and I have also heard heartfelt, humble prayers that seemed to pierce the heavens. The difference, I feel, comes not only from the tone, but also from the childlike submissiveness of the prayer. It's easy to start to think that prayer is some sort of a negotiation, "I'll do this, if I can get this temporal blessing", but King Lamoni's prayer had none of this. When this type of earnestness is faked, it's readily apparent, as any kind of negotiation with God as if we are on a level playing field with him instantly destroys are ethos, both with our Father and with any listener or observer.
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