Alma 33:1 - 33:5

Alma 33:1 Now after Alma had spoken these words, they sent forth unto him desiring to know whether they should believe in one God, that they might obtain this fruit of which he had spoken, or how they should plant the seed, or the word of which he had spoken, which he said must be planted in their hearts; or in what manner they should begin to exercise their faith.

After Alma’s discourse on what faith is and how it functions in helping one to obtain a testimony of truth, the folks in the crowd wanted to know if they should believe in one God and then how to plant the seed so they could experience the increased confidence that they were doing right.

Alma 33:2 And Alma said unto them: Behold, ye have said that ye could not worship your God because ye are cast out of your synagogues. But behold, I say unto you, if ye suppose that ye cannot worship God, ye do greatly err, and ye ought to search the scriptures; if ye suppose that they have taught you this, ye do not understand them.

First Alma points out that they were wrong about that they could only worship God in the synagogue of which they were not allowed to worship in. If they held this opinion they were either taught wrong or had missed interpreted the scriptures on the matter.

Alma 33:3 Do ye remember to have read what Zenos, the prophet of old, has said concerning prayer or worship?

Alma asks them if they remember writings of the prophet Zenos where he talks about prayer and worship?

Alma 33:4 For he said: Thou art merciful, O God, for thou hast heard my prayer, even when I was in the wilderness; yea, thou wast merciful when I prayed concerning those who were mine enemies, and thou didst turn them to me.

Alma quotes part of a pray that Zenos offered up when Zenos was in the wilderness trying to escape his enemies in which Zenos thanked the Lord for hearing his when in the wilderness.

Alma 33:5 Yea, O God, and thou wast merciful unto me when I did cry unto thee in my field; when I did cry unto thee in my prayer, and thou didst hear me.

In addition, that the Lord granted his prayer that he offered up while he was in his fields.