KnoWhy #115 - Why Did Alma Bless and Thank God After Eating? (Alma 8:22)

After eating the meal Amulek set before him, Alma blessed him and gave thanks to God. Latter-day Saints are accustomed to offering a blessing before meals. Yet, “In Judaism, while a brief blessing is recited before eating, a series of longer blessings . . . follows the meal.” The basis for the practice is found in Deuteronomy 8:10. Against this background, it is clear that Alma the High Priest pronounced a blessing upon Amulek and his household because Amulek had fed and filled him. Alma, having generously received, offers a generous blessing in return. Moreover, Alma’s blessing anticipated the time when the Lord would bestow a blessing after a messianic meal.