Page:A dictionary of the Book of Mormon.pdf/363

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353
Zeezrom.

of Zedekiah by the king of Babylon is spoken of in Helaman, 8:21.

ZEEZROM. A distinguished lawyer in the corrupt city of Ammonihah, at the time that Alma and Amulek ministered to its unrepentant people (B. C. 82), Zeezrom led the opposition to the servants of God, and by his subtlety, ingenuity and boldness endeavored to make it appear that they had contradicted themselves in their preaching, and had also spoken disrespectfully of their country's laws. At last, however, he began to feel the power of God, and when he did so he was not so hardened that he was not willing to acknowledge it. At this, his former admirers turned against him, and having reviled and maltreated him, drove him out of the city with other converts. The fugitives fled to a neighboring city, called Sidom, where Zeezrom, overwhelmed with the realization of his iniquities, fell sick of a fever. At last, the glad tidings reached his ears that Alma and Amulek were safe, for he had feared that through his iniquities they had been slain. No sooner did they reach Sidom than he sent for them, for his heart began to take courage. When they entered his presence, he imploringly stretched forth his hands and besought them to heal him. Alma questioned him regarding his faith in Christ, and finding that the good seed had germinated in his bosom and brought forth fruit, this mighty High Priest cried unto the Lord, "O Lord our God, have mercy on this man, and heal him according to his faith, which is in Christ." When Alma had said these words, Zeezrom leaped upon his feet and walked, to the great astonishment of all who witnessed it. Alma then baptized the repentant lawyer, who began from that time forth to preach the glorious message of eternal salvation. His energy, his wisdom, his learning, his talents were now used towards the upbuilding of the kingdom of God, with as much zeal as he had