Aaron – Son of King Mosiah
Although Aaron, the second son born to King Mosiah, is not officially named as a Book or Mormon prophet, by a looser definition of the word this Prince of Zarahemla certainly qualifies. We do not have his last words, or many of his sermons for that matter. But Aaron’s example of missionary work, his complete obedience to God, and his untiring efforts to help build the kingdom is quite remarkable. I was not able to in include his words in Last Words for the Last Days, so I wanted to do that here in this blog.
You will recall that Aaron and his brothers, along with Alma (the younger) rebelled against their fathers, the church, and their God. After an angelic messenger convinced the young men of the error of their ways, they all took up the great cause of missionary work (See Mosiah 26-28). In fact, from that point on all five spent the remainder of their lives serving the Lord among the Lamanites at great personal sacrifice – even giving up their rightful seats on the throne. Alma and the brothers separated, were reunited briefly, and then separated again.
In Alma chapters 20 & 21, we learn that Aaron and a certain number of his brethren were taken and cast into prison where they “suffered many things”. Ammon and King Lamoni eventually rescued them, (a must read if you haven’t already – very exciting!) after receiving permission from Lamoni’s father the king of all the land. After a brief period of rest and recovery we learn in Alma chapter 22, that the spirit led Aaron to the land of Nephi, “even to the house of the king which was over all the land of Ishmael.”
“And it came to pass that he went in unto him into the king’s palace, with his brethren, and bowed himself before the king, and said unto him: Behold, O king, we are the brethren of Ammon, whom thou hast delivered out of prison. And now, O king, if thou wilt spare our lives, we will be thy servants (who could refuse and offer like this!) And the king said unto them: Arise, for I will grant unto you your lives, and I will not suffer that ye shall be my servants; but I will insist that ye shall administer unto me; for I have been somewhat troubled in mind…” So Aaron began teaching the great king the plan of salvation.
In Alma 22:13-18 we read: “And Aaron did expound unto him the scriptures from the creation of Adam, laying the fall of man before him, and their carnal state and also the plan of redemption, which was prepared from the foundation of the world, through Christ, for all whosoever would believe on his name.
“And since man had fallen he could not merit anything of himself; but the sufferings and death of Christ atone for their sins, through faith and repentance, and so forth; and that he breaketh the bands of death, that the grave shall have no victory, and that the sting of death should be swallowed up in the hopes of glory; and Aaron did expound all these things unto the king.
“And it came to pass that after Aaron had expounded these things unto him, the king said: What shall I do that I may have this eternal life of which thou hast spoken? Yea, what shall I do that I may be born of God, having this wicked spirit rooted out of my breast, and receive his Spirit, that I may be filled with joy, that I may not be cast off at the last day? Behold, said he, I will give up all that I possess, yea, I will forsake my kingdom, that I may receive this great joy.
“But Aaron said unto him: If thou desirest this thing, if thou wilt bow down before God, yea, if thou wilt repent of all thy sins, and will bow down before God, and call on his name in faith, believing that ye shall receive, then shalt thou receive the hope which thou desirest.
“And it came to pass that when Aaron had said these words, the king did bow down before the Lord, upon his knees; yea, even he did prostrate himself upon the earth, and cried mightily, saying: O 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. And now when the king had said these words, he was struck as if he were dead.”
The rest of the story of the great king’s conversion completes Alma Chapter 22 – and it’s very exciting ending up with the conversion of his entire household. In fact, the great king sent a proclamation throughout all the land, “amongst all his people who were in all his land, who were in all the regions round about” saying that Aaron and his brethren were free to preach the gospel and should not be harmed. As a result of Aaron’s heroic missionary efforts, thousands of Lamanites were converted to the truth.
But image this…what if Aaron had not followed the promptings of the Spirit to go preach the gospel to the king? After all, he had suffered untold atrocities in prison at the hands of the Lamanites. What if he had decided to give up teaching them? And he knew the all-powerful king could have him killed in a heartbeat. What if he didn’t have the courage to do what he knew was right – to go where the Holy Sprite prompted him to go?
We are all given promptings in our lives as well. Do we have the courage to follow Aaron’s example of heeding those promptings wherever they may take us. Thousands of Lamanites owe their soul to this faithful missionary/prophet, and I am personally indebted to him for his great love and example to us all.