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Alma, the elder. His faithful servant's petitions, sent His angel to stay the young man's mad career and bring him to a knowledge of the truth. There, overpowered by the presence and message of the angel, he was struck dumb and paralyzed. When the news of this visitation reached his father, he was greatly rejoiced, for he knew it was the power of God. He gathered his people to witness the miracle, and assembled the priests that they might join him in prayer and fasting for his son's perfect restoration. Their prayers were heard; not only were the natural powers of the body restored, but Alma became a changed man, and from thenceforth was a valiant soldier of the cross — a help, a comfort, and a joy to his father, who was now beginning to feel the effects of advancing years.

Before his death, Alma, who had ordained his son a high priest, gave the latter charge concerning all the affairs of the Church, and then, full of years and honor he departed this life. His death took place (B. C. 91) when he was eighty-two years old, five hundred and nine years having passed from the time Lehi and his family left Jerusalem.  ALMA, the younger, was born either in the land of Mormon, when his devout and intrepid father was there organizing the Church of Christ, or after the little colony of Christians had removed to the land of Helam. From a casual observation made in one of his discourses, we are inclined to think it was in the latter place. With his father he came to the land of Zarahemla, and there, as the son of the presiding high priest of the entire Church, he became the associate and companion of the sons of the king. Their course was one too often pursued by the children of the great. They took pleasure in evil-doing; they had no faith in the revelations of God, while they ridiculed, mocked and persecuted those who had. We can well understand the anxiety, the distress, the 