The Zoramites and the Rameumptom

Zoramites were wicked

The Zoramites had once belonged to God’s church but had become wicked and were worshipping idols. Alma 31:1, 8–10

Alma preached to the Zoramites

The Nephites did not want the Zoramites to join the Lamanites, so Alma took missionaries with him to preach the word of God to the Zoramites. Alma 31:4–7

Zoramites had a strange way of worshipping

The missionaries were surprised and upset at the way the Zoramites were worshipping in their churches, called synagogues. Alma 31:12

The Rameumptom

They had built a high platform, called the Rameumptom, in the center of the church. There was room for only one person to stand at the top. Alma 31:13, 21

They all said the same prayer

The Zoramites took turns standing there, reaching toward heaven, and crying out loudly a set prayer. Alma 31:14, 20

They didn’t believe in Christ

In this prayer, the Zoramites said that God was only a spirit and had no body and that there would be no Christ. Alma 31:15–16

They thought they were God’s favorite people

They believed that God had chosen only them to be saved in the kingdom of heaven; they gave thanks for being his favorite people. Alma 31:17–18

After church the Zoramites did not think of God for a week

After all the Zoramites had prayed, they went home and did not speak of their God or pray again for a whole week. Alma 31:23

they loved gold and silver

The wealthy Zoramites loved gold and silver, and they boasted about their worldly treasures. Alma was very sad to see how wicked they were. Alma 31:24–25

Alma prayed for the missionaries

Alma prayed for his missionaries and himself to have strength, comfort, and help in their work. Alma 31:26, 32–33

The missionaries filled with the Holy Ghost

After asking to be able to bring the Zoramites back to the truth, Alma and the other missionaries were filled with the Holy Ghost. Alma 31:34–36

They began to preach

The missionaries went out separately to preach. God blessed them with food, drink, and clothing, and with strength in their work. Alma 31:37–38; Alma 32:1

Poor Zoramites not allowed in the church

Poor Zoramites were not allowed inside the churches to worship God. They began to listen to the missionaries. Alma 32:2–3

Many went to Alma

Many came to ask Alma what they should do. Alma told them that they did not need to be inside a church to pray or to worship God. Alma 32:4–5, 9–11

Alma taught them about faith

Alma taught them to have faith in God. Then Amulek told them about Jesus Christ and about God’s plan for all people. Alma 32:17–21; Alma 34:1, 8–9

The Zoramites who believed were thrown out of the city

The missionaries left, and the Zoramites who believed were thrown out of their city. They went to live in the land of Jershon. Alma 35:1–2, 6

People of Ammon helped righteous Zoramites

Although the wicked Zoramites threatened the people of Ammon, who lived in Jershon, they gave the righteous Zoramites food, clothing, and land. Alma 35:8–9

Illustrated by Jerry Thompson