It was about 74 BC and the 18th year of the reign of the judges when Alma gathered his sons to him. The declining spiritual state of the people concerned ‘Alma the prophet’ so much that ‘Alma the father’ felt the need to instruct his sons. Helaman, the eldest, was called first.

Now, of all things this great and wise father could say to prepare his sons for the world, what would it be?

“My son,” he said, “give ear to my words: for I swear unto you, that inasmuch as ye shall keep the commandments of God ye shall prosper in the land.” (Alma 36:1)

As a father, that I would have expected, but the second most important thing for Alma:

He said, “I would that ye should do as I have done, in remembering the captivity of our fathers, for they were in bondage, and none could deliver them except it was the God of Abraham and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, and he surely did deliver them in their afflictions.” (Alma 36:2)

Now, so much did this principle matter to Alma that he would say it to Helaman again. Why is it so imperative to remember this? The answer: Because Jesus Christ is the God of freedom - both now and forever!

Perhaps it is well to remind us today of the captivity of our fathers.

Remember, if you will, Father Abraham bound to an altar in Ur of the Chaldees, or Joseph in an Egyptian prison, or the tribes of Israel in hard bondage in Egypt, or Father Lehi in flight from Jerusalem.

Remember April 1775 and the slaughter at Lexington, or March 1770 and the Boston Massacre. Remember December 1776 and the Army of Washington trapped against the Delaware. Remember the winter of 1777 and suffering soldiers at Valley Forge.

And again, remember October 30, 1838 and the massacre of martyrs at Hawn’s Mill, Missouri. Remember June 27, 1844 - Joseph and Hyrum at Carthage. Remember February 1846 and Brigham Young and the great exodus of Nauvoo. Remember November 1856 and the Willie and Martin Handcart companies on the high plains of Wyoming.

My friends, remember the captivity of your fathers, and that they were delivered by the Lord Jesus Christ who was, is, and will forever be the God of freedom. Remember this and you too will be free.