Zeezrom
Zeezrom was a lawyer that lived in Ammonihah around 82 B.C.
Contents
First Appearance
Zeezrom appears for the first time in the Book of Mormon in Alma 10:31. Alma and Amulek were preaching to the people of Ammonihiah and it wasn't well received. The lawyers were trying to incite the people against Alma and Amulek so that they could earn money when they were tried in the courts. Zeezrom, an expert lawyer and the lead accuser, wanted to destroy that which was good.
Converses with Amulek
Zeezrom: “Will you answer a few questions?”
Amulek: “Yes, so long as it is not contrary to the Spirit of the Lord.”
Zeezrom: “Deny the existence of God and I will give you this sum of silver.”
Amulek: “Child of hell, why tempt me when you know the righteous will not yield to such? You know that there is a God but you love your money more. You lied, for you would have still retained the silver.”
Zeezrom: “You say there is a true and living God?”
Amulek: “Yes, there is a true and living God.”
Zeezrom: “Is there more than one God?”
Amulek: “No”
Zeezrom: “How do you know these things?”
Amulek: “An angel made them known to me.”
Zeezrom: “Is he that will come the Son of God?”
Amulek: “Yes.”
Zeezrom: “Shall he save his people in their sins?”
Amulek: “No, for it is impossible for him to deny his word”
Zeezrom: “People, he says there is one God, yet he says the Son of God will come, but will not save his people, as though he commands God”.
Amulek: “You have lied saying that I command God because I said he will not save his people in their sins. No unclean thing can inherit the kingdom of heaven so you cannot be saved in your sins.”
Zeezrom: “Is the Son of God the very Eternal Father?”
Amulek: “Yes”
Amulek then taught the people and Zeezrom about Christ, the atonement, death, resurrection, and the judgment of God. The people were astonished and Zeezrom began to tremble under a consciousness of his guilt.
Alma Expounds
With the people of Ammonihah listening, Alma tells Zeezrom that he has not only lied to the people but also to God, for he knows all your thoughts and they are also known to us by his Spirit. The subtle plan of yours was a snare of the devil to catch the people and chain them down in captivity.
Zeezrom trembles even more because he is convinced that Alma and Amulek know his every thought and intention, which they do. Zeezrom now inquires diligently concerning the kingdom of God. Alma teaches in greater detail what Amulek had spoken.
Many of the people believe Alma but the majority are angry and throw Alma and Amulek into prison, to await trial and execution.
Zeezrom Is Healed
Zeezrom was astonished at the words which had been spoken but he also knew the damage he had caused among the people by lying. His soul began to be harrowed up under a consciousness of his own guilt and he felt the pains of hell. He lay sick at Sidom, with a burning fever, caused by the great tribulations of his mind on account of his wickedness, for he thought that Alma and Amulek were dead because of him. His mind had no deliverance from his many sins and he lay sick with a burning fever.
Alma and Amulek were still alive and were commanded to go to Sidon. Zeezrom sent a message to them and they came immediately. He stretched forth his hand, wanting them to heal him:
And it came to pass that Alma said unto him, taking him by the hand: Believest thou in the power of Christ unto salvation?
And he answered and said: Yea, I believe all the words that thou hast taught.
And Alma said: If thou believest in the redemption of Christ thou canst be healed.
And he said: Yea, I believe according to thy words.
And then Alma cried unto the Lord, saying: O Lord our God, have mercy on this man, and heal him according to his faith which is in Christ.[1]
Zeezrom then leaped to his feet, and began to walk. All the people were astonished by this and the knowledge of it spread to all the land of Sidom.
Conclusion
Alma baptized Zeezrom and he began to preach to the people. Zeezrom was one of the missionaries that went to reclaim the apostate Zoramites. Helaman reminded his sons of the words of Amulek to Zeezrom and Aminadab reminded the people they were taught faith in Christ by Alma, Amulek, and Zeezrom.
