Most Helpful Customer Reviews
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3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A Wonderful Movie, September 12, 2006
The story of Alma the Younger is one of my most favorite scripture stories. And I love how they bring the story to life in this delightful animated film.
For those of you who don't know the story very well, Alma is a wicked and rebellious young man who goes around with the four sons of the king himself, spreading false doctrine and leading people away from the church. The king, as well as Alma's father (whose name is also Alma), are deeply concerned about the contention their sons are spreading. They, as well as the members of the church who remain faithful, pray for Alma and his friends to have a change of heart.
While Alma and his friends are going about their iniquitous business, an angel from God appears before them and commands them to stop what they are doing. He convinces them of the true power and almighty authority of God. The encounter with the angel doesn't last long, but all the young men are completely overcome, especially Alma, who totally loses consciousness and cannot move at all. (The scriptures refer to it as being "struck dumb.") Believing him to be dead, his devastated friends gently pick him up and carry his body to his parents.
For the next three days and nights, Alma's parents, as well as the king and his sons and many other people, fast and pray for Alma to receive his strength and arise once more. While they are all fervently praying on his behalf, Alma, though he cannot move physically, is inwardly experiencing the most unspeakable torture for his sins and wrongdoings. He feels so guilty about all the things he's done that he wishes he could somehow cease to exist altogether, so that he wouldn't have to face God and be condemned for his deeds. Eventually he cries out to Jesus, begging for mercy and forgiveness. As he wallows in the utmost sorrow and penitence, Jesus himself comes to him and grants him the forgiveness he so desperately needs and desires. Alma's soul is relieved for the first time in days, and that's when he at last comes to his senses and opens his eyes, much to the delight of his family and friends.
After asking his father and fellow men for forgiveness, Alma and the sons of the king go about the kingdom, striving to repair the damage they'd done and persuade those they've led astray to come back to the church. Some come back to the church, and sadly, others don't; but Alma does his very best. At the very end, the king decides that Alma is worthy enough to receive the gold plates (plates on which the history of their people is written, from the time Lehi left Jerusalem) and keep them safe.
I absolutely love this movie. The animation is wonderful, the actors are superb, the music is flawless, and the overall story is simply priceless. If you haven't seen this movie yet, then you don't know what you're missing. Don't hesitate to go out and purchase it. It's a true keeper.
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