THE BOOK OF ALMA
THE SON OF ALMA
The account of Alma, who was the son of Alma,
the first and chief judge over the people of Nephi, and also the
high priest over the Church. An account of the reign of the judges,
and the wars and contentions among the people. And also an account
of a war between the Nephites and the Lamanites, according to the
record of Alma, the first and chief judge.
Chapter 1
Alma 1:Verse 1
1 NOW it came to pass that in the first year of the
reign of the judges over the people of Nephi, from this time
forward, king Mosiah having gone the way of all the earth, having
warred a good warfare, walking uprightly before God, leaving none
to reign in his stead; nevertheless he had established laws, and
they were acknowledged by the people; therefore they were obliged
to abide by the laws which he had made.
Alma 1:Verse 2
2 And it came to pass that in the first year of the
reign of Alma in the judgment-seat, there was a man brought before
him to be judged, a man who was large, and was noted for his much
strength.
Alma 1:Verse 3
3 And he had gone about among the people, preaching to
them that which he termed to be the word of God, bearing down
against the church; declaring unto the people that every priest and
teacher ought to become popular; and they ought not to labor with
their hands, but that they ought to be supported by the
people.
Alma 1:Verse 4
4 And he also testified unto the people that all
mankind should be saved at the last day, and that they need not
fear nor tremble, but that they might lift up their heads and
rejoice; for the Lord had created all men, and had also redeemed
all men; and, in the end, all men should have eternal life.
Alma 1:Verse 5
5 And it came to pass that he did teach these things so
much that many did believe on his words, even so many that they
began to support him and give him money.
Alma 1:Verse 6
6 And he began to be lifted up in the pride of his
heart, and to wear very costly apparel, yea, and even began to
establish a church after the manner of his preaching.
Alma 1:Verse 7
7 And it came to pass as he was going, to preach to
those who believed on his word, he met a man who belonged to the
church of God, yea, even one of their teachers; and he began to
contend with him sharply, that he might lead away the people of the
church; but the man withstood him, admonishing him with the words
of God.
Alma 1:Verse 8
8 Now the name of the man was Gideon; and it was he who
was an instrument in the hands of God in delivering the people of
Limhi out of bondage.
Alma 1:Verse 9
9 Now, because Gideon withstood him with the words of
God he was wroth with Gideon, and drew his sword and began to smite
him. Now Gideon being stricken with many years, therefore he was
not able to withstand his blows, therefore he was slain by the
sword.
Alma 1:Verse 10
10 And the man who slew him was taken by the people of
the church, and was brought before Alma, to be judged according to
the crimes which he had committed.
Alma 1:Verse 11
11 And it came to pass that he stood before Alma and
pleaded for himself with much boldness.
Alma 1:Verse 12
12 But Alma said unto him: Behold, this is the first
time that priestcraft has been introduced among this people. And
behold, thou art not only guilty of priestcraft, but hast
endeavored to enforce it by the sword; and were priestcraft to be
enforced among this people it would prove their entire
destruction.
Alma 1:Verse 13
13 And thou hast shed the blood of a righteous man,
yea, a man who has done much good among this people; and were we to
spare thee his blood would come upon us for vengeance.
Alma 1:Verse 14
14 Therefore thou art condemned to die, according to
the law which has been given us by Mosiah, our last king; and it
has been acknowledged by this people; therefore this people must
abide by the law.
Alma 1:Verse 15
15 And it came to pass that they took him; and his name
was Nehor; and they carried him upon the top of the hill Manti, and
there he was caused, or rather did acknowledge, between the heavens
and the earth, that what he had taught to the people was contrary
to the word of God; and there he suffered an ignominious
death.
Alma 1:Verse 16
16 Nevertheless, this did not put an end to the
spreading of priestcraft through the land; for there were many who
loved the vain things of the world, and they went forth preaching
false doctrines; and this they did for the sake of riches and
honor.
Alma 1:Verse 17
17 Nevertheless, they durst not lie, if it were known,
for fear of the law, for liars were punished; therefore they
pretended to preach according to their belief; and now the law
could have no power on any man for his belief.
Alma 1:Verse 18
18 And they durst not steal, for fear of the law, for
such were punished; neither durst they rob, nor murder, for he that
murdered was punished unto death.
Alma 1:Verse 19
19 But it came to pass that whosoever did not belong to
the church of God began to persecute those that did belong to the
church of God, and had taken upon them the name of Christ.
Alma 1:Verse 20
20 Yea, they did persecute them, and afflict them with
all manner of words, and this because of their humility; because
they were not proud in their own eyes, and because they did impart
the word of God, one with another, without money and without
price.
Alma 1:Verse 21
21 Now there was a strict law among the people of the
church, that there should not any man, belonging to the church,
arise and persecute those that did not belong to the church, and
that there should be no persecution among themselves.
Alma 1:Verse 22
22 Nevertheless, there were many among them who began
to be proud, and began to contend warmly with their adversaries,
even unto blows; yea, they would smite one another with their
fists.
Alma 1:Verse 23
23 Now this was in the second year of the reign of
Alma, and it was a cause of much affliction to the church; yea, it
was the cause of much trial with the church.
Alma 1:Verse 24
24 For the hearts of many were hardened, and their
names were blotted out, that they were remembered no more among the
people of God. And also many withdrew themselves from among
them.
Alma 1:Verse 25
25 Now this was a great trial to those that did stand
fast in the faith; nevertheless, they were steadfast and immovable
in keeping the commandments of God, and they bore with patience the
persecution which was heaped upon them.
Alma 1:Verse 26
26 And when the priests left their labor to impart the
word of God unto the people, the people also left their labors to
hear the word of God. And when the priest had imparted unto them
the word of God they all returned again diligently unto their
labors; and the priest, not esteeming himself above his hearers,
for the preacher was no better than the hearer, neither was the
teacher any better than the learner; and thus they were all equal,
and they did all labor, every man according to his strength.
Alma 1:Verse 27
27 And they did impart of their substance, every man
according to that which he had, to the poor, and the needy, and the
sick, and the afflicted; and they did not wear costly apparel, yet
they were neat and comely.
Alma 1:Verse 28
28 And thus they did establish the affairs of the
church; and thus they began to have continual peace again,
notwithstanding all their persecutions.
Alma 1:Verse 29
29 And now, because of the steadiness of the church
they began to be exceedingly rich, having abundance of all things
whatsoever they stood in need--an abundance of flocks and herds,
and fatlings of every kind, and also abundance of grain, and of
gold, and of silver, and of precious things, and abundance of silk
and fine-twined linen, and all manner of good homely cloth.
Alma 1:Verse 30
30 And thus, in their prosperous circumstances, they
did not send away any who were naked, or that were hungry, or that
were athirst, or that were sick, or that had not been nourished;
and they did not set their hearts upon riches; therefore they were
liberal to all, both old and young, both bond and free, both male
and female, whether out of the church or in the church, having no
respect to persons as to those who stood in need.
Alma 1:Verse 31
31 And thus they did prosper and become far more
wealthy than those who did not belong to their church.
Alma 1:Verse 32
32 For those who did not belong to their church did
indulge themselves in sorceries, and in idolatry or idleness, and
in babblings, and in envyings and strife; wearing costly apparel;
being lifted up in the pride of their own eyes; persecuting, lying,
thieving, robbing, committing whoredoms, and murdering, and all
manner of wickedness; nevertheless, the law was put in force upon
all those who did transgress it, inasmuch as it was possible.
Alma 1:Verse 33
33 And it came to pass that by thus exercising the law
upon them, every man suffering according to that which he had done,
they became more still, and durst not commit any wickedness if it
were known; therefore, there was much peace among the people of
Nephi until the fifth year of the reign of the judges.
Chapter 2
Alma 2:Verse 1
1 AND it came to pass in the commencement of the fifth
year of their reign there began to be a contention among the
people; for a certain man, being called Amlici, he being a very
cunning man, yea, a wise man as to the wisdom of the world, he
being after the order of the man that slew Gideon by the sword, who
was executed according to the law--
Alma 2:Verse 2
2 Now this Amlici had, by his cunning, drawn away much
people after him; even so much that they began to be very powerful;
and they began to endeavor to establish Amlici to be a king over
the people.
Alma 2:Verse 3
3 Now this was alarming to the people of the church,
and also to all those who had not been drawn away after the
persuasions of Amlici; for they knew that according to their law
that such things must be established by the voice of the
people.
Alma 2:Verse 4
4 Therefore, if it were possible that Amlici should
gain the voice of the people, he, being a wicked man, would deprive
them of their rights and privileges of the church; for it was his
intent to destroy the church of God.
Alma 2:Verse 5
5 And it came to pass that the people assembled
themselves together throughout all the land, every man according to
his mind, whether it were for or against Amlici, in separate
bodies, having much dispute and wonderful contentions one with
another.
Alma 2:Verse 6
6 And thus they did assemble themselves together to
cast in their voices concerning the matter; and they were laid
before the judges.
Alma 2:Verse 7
7 And it came to pass that the voice of the people came
against Amlici, that he was not made king over the people.
Alma 2:Verse 8
8 Now this did cause much joy in the hearts of those
who were against him; but Amlici did stir up those who were in his
favor to anger against those who were not in his favor.
Alma 2:Verse 9
9 And it came to pass that they gathered themselves
together, and did consecrate Amlici to be their king.
Alma 2:Verse 10
10 Now when Amlici was made king over them he commanded
them that they should take up arms against their brethren; and this
he did that he might subject them to him.
Alma 2:Verse 11
11 Now the people of Amlici were distinguished by the
name of Amlici, being called Amlicites; and the remainder were
called Nephites, or the people of God.
Alma 2:Verse 12
12 Therefore the people of the Nephites were aware of
the intent of the Amlicites, and therefore they did prepare to meet
them; yea, they did arm themselves with swords, and with cimeters,
and with bows, and with arrows, and with stones, and with slings,
and with all manner of weapons of war, of every kind.
Alma 2:Verse 13
13 And thus they were prepared to meet the Amlicites at
the time of their coming. And there were appointed captains, and
higher captains, and chief captains, according to their
numbers.
Alma 2:Verse 14
14 And it came to pass that Amlici did arm his men with
all manner of weapons of war of every kind; and he also appointed
rulers and leaders over his people, to lead them to war against
their brethren.
Alma 2:Verse 15
15 And it came to pass that the Amlicites came upon the
hill Amnihu, which was east of the river Sidon, which ran by the
land of Zarahemla, and there they began to make war with the
Nephites.
Alma 2:Verse 16
16 Now Alma, being the chief judge and the governor of
the people of Nephi, therefore he went up with his people, yea,
with his captains, and chief captains, yea, at the head of his
armies, against the Amlicites to battle.
Alma 2:Verse 17
17 And they began to slay the Amlicites upon the hill
east of Sidon. And the Amlicites did contend with the Nephites with
great strength, insomuch that many of the Nephites did fall before
the Amlicites.
Alma 2:Verse 18
18 Nevertheless the Lord did strengthen the hand of the
Nephites, that they slew the Amlicites with great slaughter, that
they began to flee before them.
Alma 2:Verse 19
19 And it came to pass that the Nephites did pursue the
Amlicites all that day, and did slay them with much slaughter,
insomuch that there were slain of the Amlicites twelve thousand
five hundred thirty and two souls; and there were slain of the
Nephites six thousand five hundred sixty and two souls.
Alma 2:Verse 20
20 And it came to pass that when Alma could pursue the
Amlicites no longer he caused that his people should pitch their
tents in the valley of Gideon, the valley being called after that
Gideon who was slain by the hand of Nehor with the sword; and in
this valley the Nephites did pitch their tents for the night.
Alma 2:Verse 21
21 And Alma sent spies to follow the remnant of the
Amlicites, that he might know of their plans and their plots,
whereby he might guard himself against them, that he might preserve
his people from being destroyed.
Alma 2:Verse 22
22 Now those whom he had sent out to watch the camp of
the Amlicites were called Zeram, and Amnor, and Manti, and Limher;
these were they who went out with their men to watch the camp of
the Amlicites.
Alma 2:Verse 23
23 And it came to pass that on the morrow they returned
into the camp of the Nephites in great haste, being greatly
astonished, and struck with much fear, saying:
Alma 2:Verse 24
24 Behold, we followed the camp of the Amlicites, and
to our great astonishment, in the land of Minon, above the land of
Zarahemla, in the course of the land of Nephi, we saw a numerous
host of the Lamanites; and behold, the Amlicites have joined
them;
Alma 2:Verse 25
25 And they are upon our brethren in that land; and
they are fleeing before them with their flocks, and their wives,
and their children, towards our city; and except we make haste they
obtain possession of our city, and our fathers, and our wives, and
our children be slain.
Alma 2:Verse 26
26 And it came to pass that the people of Nephi took
their tents, and departed out of the valley of Gideon towards their
city, which was the city of Zarahemla.
Alma 2:Verse 27
27 And behold, as they were crossing the river Sidon,
the Lamanites and the Amlicites, being as numerous almost, as it
were, as the sands of the sea, came upon them to destroy
them.
Alma 2:Verse 28
28 Nevertheless, the Nephites being strengthened by the
hand of the Lord, having prayed mightily to him that he would
deliver them out of the hands of their enemies, therefore the Lord
did hear their cries, and did strengthen them, and the Lamanites
and the Amlicites did fall before them.
Alma 2:Verse 29
29 And it came to pass that Alma fought with Amlici
with the sword, face to face; and they did contend mightily, one
with another.
Alma 2:Verse 30
30 And it came to pass that Alma, being a man of God,
being exercised with much faith, cried, saying: O Lord, have mercy
and spare my life, that I may be an instrument in thy hands to save
and preserve this people.
Alma 2:Verse 31
31 Now when Alma had said these words he contended
again with Amlici; and he was strengthened, insomuch that he slew
Amlici with the sword.
Alma 2:Verse 32
32 And he also contended with the king of the
Lamanites; but the king of the Lamanites fled back from before Alma
and sent his guards to contend with Alma.
Alma 2:Verse 33
33 But Alma, with his guards, contended with the guards
of the king of the Lamanites until he slew and drove them
back.
Alma 2:Verse 34
34 And thus he cleared the ground, or rather the bank,
which was on the west of the river Sidon, throwing the bodies of
the Lamanites who had been slain into the waters of Sidon, that
thereby his people might have room to cross and contend with the
Lamanites and the Amlicites on the west side of the river
Sidon.
Alma 2:Verse 35
35 And it came to pass that when they had all crossed
the river Sidon that the Lamanites and the Amlicites began to flee
before them, notwithstanding they were so numerous that they could
not be numbered.
Alma 2:Verse 36
36 And they fled before the Nephites towards the
wilderness which was west and north, away beyond the borders of the
land; and the Nephites did pursue them with their might, and did
slay them.
Alma 2:Verse 37
37 Yea, they were met on every hand, and slain and
driven, until they were scattered on the west, and on the north,
until they had reached the wilderness, which was called Hermounts;
and it was that part of the wilderness which was infested by wild
and ravenous beasts.
Alma 2:Verse 38
38 And it came to pass that many died in the wilderness
of their wounds, and were devoured by those beasts and also the
vultures of the air; and their bones have been found, and have been
heaped up on the earth.
Chapter 3
Alma 3:Verse 1
1 AND it came to pass that the Nephites who were not
slain by the weapons of war, after having buried those who had been
slain--now the number of the slain were not numbered, because of
the greatness of their number--after they had finished burying
their dead they all returned to their lands, and to their houses,
and their wives, and their children.
Alma 3:Verse 2
2 Now many women and children had been slain with the
sword, and also many of their flocks and their herds; and also many
of their fields of grain were destroyed, for they were trodden down
by the hosts of men.
Alma 3:Verse 3
3 And now as many of the Lamanites and the Amlicites
who had been slain upon the bank of the river Sidon were cast into
the waters of Sidon; and behold their bones are in the depths of
the sea, and they are many.
Alma 3:Verse 4
4 And the Amlicites were distinguished from the
Nephites, for they had marked themselves with red in their
foreheads after the manner of the Lamanites; nevertheless they had
not shorn their heads like unto the Lamanites.
Alma 3:Verse 5
5 Now the heads of the Lamanites were shorn; and they
were naked, save it were skin which was girded about their loins,
and also their armor, which was girded about them, and their bows,
and their arrows, and their stones, and their slings, and so
forth.
Alma 3:Verse 6
6 And the skins of the Lamanites were dark, according
to the mark which was set upon their fathers, which was a curse
upon them because of their transgression and their rebellion
against their brethren, who consisted of Nephi, Jacob, and Joseph,
and Sam, who were just and holy men.
Alma 3:Verse 7
7 And their brethren sought to destroy them, therefore
they were cursed; and the Lord God set a mark upon them, yea, upon
Laman and Lemuel, and also the sons of Ishmael, and Ishmaelitish
women.
Alma 3:Verse 8
8 And this was done that their seed might be
distinguished from the seed of their brethren, that thereby the
Lord God might preserve his people, that they might not mix and
believe in incorrect traditions which would prove their
destruction.
Alma 3:Verse 9
9 And it came to pass that whosoever did mingle his
seed with that of the Lamanites did bring the same curse upon his
seed.
Alma 3:Verse 10
10 Therefore, whosoever suffered himself to be led away
by the Lamanites was called under that head, and there was a mark
set upon him.
Alma 3:Verse 11
11 And it came to pass that whosoever would not believe
in the tradition of the Lamanites, but believed those records which
were brought out of the land of Jerusalem, and also in the
tradition of their fathers, which were correct, who believed in the
commandments of God and kept them, were called the Nephites, or the
people of Nephi, from that time forth--
Alma 3:Verse 12
12 And it is they who have kept the records which are
true of their people, and also of the people of the
Lamanites.
Alma 3:Verse 13
13 Now we will return again to the Amlicites, for they
also had a mark set upon them; yea, they set the mark upon
themselves, yea, even a mark of red upon their foreheads.
Alma 3:Verse 14
14 Thus the word of God is fulfilled, for these are the
words which he said to Nephi: Behold, the Lamanites have I cursed,
and I will set a mark on them that they and their seed may be
separated from thee and thy seed, from this time henceforth and
forever, except they repent of their wickedness and turn to me that
I may have mercy upon them.
Alma 3:Verse 15
15 And again: I will set a mark upon him that mingleth
his seed with thy brethren, that they may be cursed also.
Alma 3:Verse 16
16 And again: I will set a mark upon him that fighteth
against thee and thy seed.
Alma 3:Verse 17
17 And again, I say he that departeth from thee shall
no more be called thy seed; and I will bless thee, and whomsoever
shall be called thy seed, henceforth and forever; and these were
the promises of the Lord unto Nephi and to his seed.
Alma 3:Verse 18
18 Now the Amlicites knew not that they were fulfilling
the words of God when they began to mark themselves in their
foreheads; nevertheless they had come out in open rebellion against
God; therefore it was expedient that the curse should fall upon
them.
Alma 3:Verse 19
19 Now I would that ye should see that they brought
upon themselves the curse; and even so doth every man that is
cursed bring upon himself his own condemnation.
Alma 3:Verse 20
20 Now it came to pass that not many days after the
battle which was fought in the land of Zarahemla, by the Lamanites
and the Amlicites, that there was another army of the Lamanites
came in upon the people of Nephi, in the same place where the first
army met the Amlicites.
Alma 3:Verse 21
21 And it came to pass that there was an army sent to
drive them out of their land.
Alma 3:Verse 22
22 Now Alma himself being afflicted with a wound did
not go up to battle at this time against the Lamanites;
Alma 3:Verse 23
23 But he sent up a numerous army against them; and
they went up and slew many of the Lamanites, and drove the
remainder of them out of the borders of their land.
Alma 3:Verse 24
24 And then they returned again and began to establish
peace in the land, being troubled no more for a time with their
enemies.
Alma 3:Verse 25
25 Now all these things were done, yea, all these wars
and contentions were commenced and ended in the fifth year of the
reign of the judges.
Alma 3:Verse 26
26 And in one year were thousands and tens of thousands
of souls sent to the eternal world, that they might reap their
rewards according to their works, whether they were good or whether
they were bad, to reap eternal happiness or eternal misery,
according to the spirit which they listed to obey, whether it be a
good spirit or a bad one.
Alma 3:Verse 27
27 For every man receiveth wages of him whom he listeth
to obey, and this according to the words of the spirit of prophecy;
therefore let it be according to the truth. And thus endeth the
fifth year of the reign of the judges.
Chapter 4
Alma 4:Verse 1
1 NOW it came to pass in the sixth year of the reign of
the judges over the people of Nephi, there were no contentions nor
wars in the land of Zarahemla;
Alma 4:Verse 2
2 But the people were afflicted, yea, greatly afflicted
for the loss of their brethren, and also for the loss of their
flocks and herds, and also for the loss of their fields of grain,
which were trodden under foot and destroyed by the Lamanites.
Alma 4:Verse 3
3 And so great were their afflictions that every soul
had cause to mourn; and they believed that it was the judgments of
God sent upon them because of their wickedness and their
abominations; therefore they were awakened to a remembrance of
their duty.
Alma 4:Verse 4
4 And they began to establish the church more fully;
yea, and many were baptized in the waters of Sidon and were joined
to the church of God; yea, they were baptized by the hand of Alma,
who had been consecrated the high priest over the people of the
church, by the hand of his father Alma.
Alma 4:Verse 5
5 And it came to pass in the seventh year of the reign
of the judges there were about three thousand five hundred souls
that united themselves to the church of God and were baptized. And
thus ended the seventh year of the reign of the judges over the
people of Nephi; and there was continual peace in all that
time.
Alma 4:Verse 6
6 And it came to pass in the eighth year of the reign
of the judges, that the people of the church began to wax proud,
because of their exceeding riches, and their fine silks, and their
fine-twined linen, and because of their many flocks and herds, and
their gold and their silver, and all manner of precious things,
which they had obtained by their industry; and in all these things
were they lifted up in the pride of their eyes, for they began to
wear very costly apparel.
Alma 4:Verse 7
7 Now this was the cause of much affliction to Alma,
yea, and to many of the people whom Alma had consecrated to be
teachers, and priests, and elders over the church; yea, many of
them were sorely grieved for the wickedness which they saw had
begun to be among their people.
Alma 4:Verse 8
8 For they saw and beheld with great sorrow that the
people of the church began to be lifted up in the pride of their
eyes, and to set their hearts upon riches and upon the vain things
of the world, that they began to be scornful, one towards another,
and they began to persecute those that did not believe according to
their own will and pleasure.
Alma 4:Verse 9
9 And thus, in this eighth year of the reign of the
judges, there began to be great contentions among the people of the
church; yea, there were envyings, and strife, and malice, and
persecutions, and pride, even to exceed the pride of those who did
not belong to the church of God.
Alma 4:Verse 10
10 And thus ended the eighth year of the reign of the
judges; and the wickedness of the church was a great
stumbling-block to those who did not belong to the church; and thus
the church began to fail in its progress.
Alma 4:Verse 11
11 And it came to pass in the commencement of the ninth
year, Alma saw the wickedness of the church, and he saw also that
the example of the church began to lead those who were unbelievers
on from one piece of iniquity to another, thus bringing on the
destruction of the people.
Alma 4:Verse 12
12 Yea, he saw great inequality among the people, some
lifting themselves up with their pride, despising others, turning
their backs upon the needy and the naked and those who were hungry,
and those who were athirst, and those who were sick and
afflicted.
Alma 4:Verse 13
13 Now this was a great cause for lamentations among
the people, while others were abasing themselves, succoring those
who stood in need of their succor, such as imparting their
substance to the poor and the needy, feeding the hungry, and
suffering all manner of afflictions, for Christ's sake, who should
come according to the spirit of prophecy;
Alma 4:Verse 14
14 Looking forward to that day, thus retaining a
remission of their sins; being filled with great joy because of the
resurrection of the dead, according to the will and power and
deliverance of Jesus Christ from the bands of death.
Alma 4:Verse 15
15 And now it came to pass that Alma, having seen the
afflictions of the humble followers of God, and the persecutions
which were heaped upon them by the remainder of his people, and
seeing all their inequality, began to be very sorrowful;
nevertheless the Spirit of the Lord did not fail him.
Alma 4:Verse 16
16 And he selected a wise man who was among the elders
of the church, and gave him power according to the voice of the
people, that he might have power to enact laws according to the
laws which had been given, and to put them in force according to
the wickedness and the crimes of the people.
Alma 4:Verse 17
17 Now this man's name was Nephihah, and he was
appointed chief judge; and he sat in the judgment-seat to judge and
to govern the people.
Alma 4:Verse 18
18 Now Alma did not grant unto him the office of being
high priest over the church, but he retained the office of high
priest unto himself; but he delivered the judgment-seat unto
Nephihah.
Alma 4:Verse 19
19 And this he did that he himself might go forth among
his people, or among the people of Nephi, that he might preach the
word of God unto them, to stir them up in remembrance of their
duty, and that he might pull down, by the word of God, all the
pride and craftiness and all the contentions which were among his
people, seeing no way that he might reclaim them save it were in
bearing down in pure testimony against them.
Alma 4:Verse 20
20 And thus in the commencement of the ninth year of
the reign of the judges over the people of Nephi, Alma delivered up
the judgment-seat to Nephihah, and confined himself wholly to the
high priesthood of the holy order of God, to the testimony of the
word, according to the spirit of revelation and prophecy.
Chapter 5
Alma 5:Verse 1
1 NOW it came to pass that Alma began to deliver the
word of God unto the people, first in the land of Zarahemla, and
from thence throughout all the land.
Alma 5:Verse 2
2 And these are the words which he spake to the people
in the church which was established in the city of Zarahemla,
according to his own record, saying:
Alma 5:Verse 3
3 I, Alma, having been consecrated by my father, Alma,
to be a high priest over the church of God, he having power and
authority from God to do these things, behold, I say unto you that
he began to establish a church in the land which was in the borders
of Nephi; yea, the land which was called the land of Mormon; yea,
and he did baptize his brethren in the waters of Mormon.
Alma 5:Verse 4
4 And behold, I say unto you, they were delivered out
of the hands of the people of king Noah, by the mercy and power of
God.
Alma 5:Verse 5
5 And behold, after that, they were brought into
bondage by the hands of the Lamanites in the wilderness; yea, I say
unto you, they were in captivity, and again the Lord did deliver
them out of bondage by the power of his word; and we were brought
into this land, and here we began to establish the church of God
throughout this land also.
Alma 5:Verse 6
6 And now behold, I say unto you, my brethren, you that
belong to this church, have you sufficiently retained in
remembrance the captivity of your fathers? Yea, and have you
sufficiently retained in remembrance his mercy and long-suffering
towards them? And moreover, have ye sufficiently retained in
remembrance that he has delivered their souls from hell?
Alma 5:Verse 7
7 Behold, he changed their hearts; yea, he awakened
them out of a deep sleep, and they awoke unto God. Behold, they
were in the midst of darkness; nevertheless, their souls were
illuminated by the light of the everlasting word; yea, they were
encircled about by the bands of death, and the chains of hell, and
an everlasting destruction did await them.
Alma 5:Verse 8
8 And now I ask of you, my brethren, were they
destroyed? Behold, I say unto you, Nay, they were not.
Alma 5:Verse 9
9 And again I ask, were the bands of death broken, and
the chains of hell which encircled them about, were they loosed? I
say unto you, Yea, they were loosed, and their souls did expand,
and they did sing redeeming love. And I say unto you that they are
saved.
Alma 5:Verse 10
10 And now I ask of you on what conditions are they
saved? Yea, what grounds had they to hope for salvation? What is
the cause of their being loosed from the bands of death, yea, and
also the chains of hell?
Alma 5:Verse 11
11 Behold, I can tell you--did not my father Alma
believe in the words which were delivered by the mouth of Abinadi?
And was he not a holy prophet? Did he not speak the words of God,
and my father Alma believe them?
Alma 5:Verse 12
12 And according to his faith there was a mighty change
wrought in his heart. Behold I say unto you that this is all
true.
Alma 5:Verse 13
13 And behold, he preached the word unto your fathers,
and a mighty change was also wrought in their hearts, and they
humbled themselves and put their trust in the true and living God.
And behold, they were faithful until the end; therefore they were
saved.
Alma 5:Verse 14
14 And now behold, I ask of you, my brethren of the
church, have ye spiritually been born of God? Have ye received his
image in your countenances? Have ye experienced this mighty change
in your hearts?
Alma 5:Verse 15
15 Do ye exercise faith in the redemption of him who
created you? Do you look forward with an eye of faith, and view
this mortal body raised in immortality, and this corruption raised
in incorruption, to stand before God to be judged according to the
deeds which have been done in the mortal body?
Alma 5:Verse 16
16 I say unto you, can you imagine to yourselves that
ye hear the voice of the Lord, saying unto you, in that day: Come
unto me ye blessed, for behold, your works have been the works of
righteousness upon the face of the earth?
Alma 5:Verse 17
17 Or do ye imagine to yourselves that ye can lie unto
the Lord in that day, and say--Lord, our works have been righteous
works upon the face of the earth--and that he will save you?
Alma 5:Verse 18
18 Or otherwise, can ye imagine yourselves brought
before the tribunal of God with your souls filled with guilt and
remorse, having a remembrance of all your guilt, yea, a perfect
remembrance of all your wickedness, yea, a remembrance that ye have
set at defiance the commandments of God?
Alma 5:Verse 19
19 I say unto you, can ye look up to God at that day
with a pure heart and clean hands? I say unto you, can you look up,
having the image of God engraven upon your countenances?
Alma 5:Verse 20
20 I say unto you, can ye think of being saved when you
have yielded yourselves to become subjects to the devil?
Alma 5:Verse 21
21 I say unto you, ye will know at that day that ye
cannot be saved; for there can no man be saved except his garments
are washed white; yea, his garments must be purified until they are
cleansed from all stain, through the blood of him of whom it has
been spoken by our fathers, who should come to redeem his people
from their sins.
Alma 5:Verse 22
22 And now I ask of you, my brethren, how will any of
you feel, if ye shall stand before the bar of God, having your
garments stained with blood and all manner of filthiness? Behold,
what will these things testify against you?
Alma 5:Verse 23
23 Behold will they not testify that ye are murderers,
yea, and also that ye are guilty of all manner of wickedness?
Alma 5:Verse 24
24 Behold, my brethren, do ye suppose that such an one
can have a place to sit down in the kingdom of God, with Abraham,
with Isaac, and with Jacob, and also all the holy prophets, whose
garments are cleansed and are spotless, pure and white?
Alma 5:Verse 25
25 I say unto you, Nay; except ye make our Creator a
liar from the beginning, or suppose that he is a liar from the
beginning, ye cannot suppose that such can have place in the
kingdom of heaven; but they shall be cast out for they are the
children of the kingdom of the devil.
Alma 5:Verse 26
26 And now behold, I say unto you, my brethren, if ye
have experienced a change of heart, and if ye have felt to sing the
song of redeeming love, I would ask, can ye feel so now?
Alma 5:Verse 27
27 Have ye walked, keeping yourselves blameless before
God? Could ye say, if ye were called to die at this time, within
yourselves, that ye have been sufficiently humble? That your
garments have been cleansed and made white through the blood of
Christ, who will come to redeem his people from their sins?
Alma 5:Verse 28
28 Behold, are ye stripped of pride? I say unto you, if
ye are not ye are not prepared to meet God. Behold ye must prepare
quickly; for the kingdom of heaven is soon at hand, and such an one
hath not eternal life.
Alma 5:Verse 29
29 Behold, I say, is there one among you who is not
stripped of envy? I say unto you that such an one is not prepared;
and I would that he should prepare quickly, for the hour is close
at hand, and he knoweth not when the time shall come; for such an
one is not found guiltless.
Alma 5:Verse 30
30 And again I say unto you, is there one among you
that doth make a mock of his brother, or that heapeth upon him
persecutions?
Alma 5:Verse 31
31 Wo unto such an one, for he is not prepared, and the
time is at hand that he must repent or he cannot be saved!
Alma 5:Verse 32
32 Yea, even wo unto all ye workers of iniquity;
repent, repent, for the Lord God hath spoken it!
Alma 5:Verse 33
33 Behold, he sendeth an invitation unto all men, for
the arms of mercy are extended towards them, and he saith: Repent,
and I will receive you.
Alma 5:Verse 34
34 Yea, he saith: Come unto me and ye shall partake of
the fruit of the tree of life; yea, ye shall eat and drink of the
bread and the waters of life freely;
Alma 5:Verse 35
35 Yea, come unto me and bring forth works of
righteousness, and ye shall not be hewn down and cast into the
fire--
Alma 5:Verse 36
36 For behold, the time is at hand that whosoever
bringeth forth not good fruit, or whosoever doeth not the works of
righteousness, the same have cause to wail and mourn.
Alma 5:Verse 37
37 O ye workers of iniquity; ye that are puffed up in
the vain things of the world, ye that have professed to have known
the ways of righteousness nevertheless have gone astray, as sheep
having no shepherd, notwithstanding a shepherd hath called after
you and is still calling after you, but ye will not hearken unto
his voice!
Alma 5:Verse 38
38 Behold, I say unto you, that the good shepherd doth
call you; yea, and in his own name he doth call you, which is the
name of Christ; and if ye will not hearken unto the voice of the
good shepherd, to the name by which ye are called, behold, ye are
not the sheep of the good shepherd.
Alma 5:Verse 39
39 And now if ye are not the sheep of the good
shepherd, of what fold are ye? Behold, I say unto you, that the
devil is your shepherd, and ye are of his fold; and now, who can
deny this? Behold, I say unto you, whosoever denieth this is a liar
and a child of the devil.
Alma 5:Verse 40
40 For I say unto you that whatsoever is good cometh
from God, and whatsoever is evil cometh from the devil.
Alma 5:Verse 41
41 Therefore, if a man bringeth forth good works he
hearkeneth unto the voice of the good shepherd, and he doth follow
him; but whosoever bringeth forth evil works, the same becometh a
child of the devil, for he hearkeneth unto his voice, and doth
follow him.
Alma 5:Verse 42
42 And whosoever doeth this must receive his wages of
him; therefore, for his wages he receiveth death, as to things
pertaining unto righteousness, being dead unto all good
works.
Alma 5:Verse 43
43 And now, my brethren, I would that ye should hear
me, for I speak in the energy of my soul; for behold, I have spoken
unto you plainly that ye cannot err, or have spoken according to
the commandments of God.
Alma 5:Verse 44
44 For I am called to speak after this manner,
according to the holy order of God, which is in Christ Jesus; yea,
I am commanded to stand and testify unto this people the things
which have been spoken by our fathers concerning the things which
are to come.
Alma 5:Verse 45
45 And this is not all. Do ye not suppose that I know
of these things myself? Behold, I testify unto you that I do know
that these things whereof I have spoken are true. And how do ye
suppose that I know of their surety?
Alma 5:Verse 46
46 Behold, I say unto you they are made known unto me
by the Holy Spirit of God. Behold, I have fasted and prayed many
days that I might know these things of myself. And now I do know of
myself that they are true; for the Lord God hath made them manifest
unto me by his Holy Spirit; and this is the spirit of revelation
which is in me.
Alma 5:Verse 47
47 And moreover, I say unto you that it has thus been
revealed unto me, that the words which have been spoken by our
fathers are true, even so according to the spirit of prophecy which
is in me, which is also by the manifestation of the Spirit of
God.
Alma 5:Verse 48
48 I say unto you, that I know of myself that
whatsoever I shall say unto you, concerning that which is to come,
is true; and I say unto you, that I know that Jesus Christ shall
come, yea, the Son, the Only Begotten of the Father, full of grace,
and mercy, and truth. And behold, it is he that cometh to take away
the sins of the world, yea, the sins of every man who steadfastly
believeth on his name.
Alma 5:Verse 49
49 And now I say unto you that this is the order after
which I am called, yea, to preach unto my beloved brethren, yea,
and every one that dwelleth in the land; yea, to preach unto all,
both old and young, both bond and free; yea, I say unto you the
aged, and also the middle aged, and the rising generation; yea, to
cry unto them that they must repent and be born again.
Alma 5:Verse 50
50 Yea, thus saith the Spirit: Repent, all ye ends of
the earth, for the kingdom of heaven is soon at hand; yea, the Son
of God cometh in his glory, in his might, majesty, power, and
dominion. Yea, my beloved brethren, I say unto you, that the Spirit
saith: Behold the glory of the King of all the earth; and also the
King of heaven shall very soon shine forth among all the children
of men.
Alma 5:Verse 51
51 And also the Spirit saith unto me, yea, crieth unto
me with a mighty voice, saying: Go forth and say unto this
people--Repent, for except ye repent ye can in nowise inherit the
kingdom of heaven.
Alma 5:Verse 52
52 And again I say unto you, the Spirit saith: Behold,
the ax is laid at the root of the tree; therefore every tree that
bringeth not forth good fruit shall be hewn down and cast into the
fire, yea, a fire which cannot be consumed, even an unquenchable
fire. Behold, and remember, the Holy One hath spoken it.
Alma 5:Verse 53
53 And now my beloved brethren, I say unto you, can ye
withstand these sayings; yea, can ye lay aside these things, and
trample the Holy One under your feet; yea, can ye be puffed up in
the pride of your hearts; yea, will ye still persist in the wearing
of costly apparel and setting your hearts upon the vain things of
the world, upon your riches?
Alma 5:Verse 54
54 Yea, will ye persist in supposing that ye are better
one than another; yea, will ye persist in the persecution of your
brethren, who humble themselves and do walk after the holy order of
God, wherewith they have been brought into this church, having been
sanctified by the Holy Spirit, and they do bring forth works which
are meet for repentance--
Alma 5:Verse 55
55 Yea, and will you persist in turning your backs upon
the poor, and the needy, and in withholding your substance from
them?
Alma 5:Verse 56
56 And finally, all ye that will persist in your
wickedness, I say unto you that these are they who shall be hewn
down and cast into the fire except they speedily repent.
Alma 5:Verse 57
57 And now I say unto you, all you that are desirous to
follow the voice of the good shepherd, come ye out from the wicked,
and be ye separate, and touch not their unclean things; and behold,
their names shall be blotted out, that the names of the wicked
shall not be numbered among the names of the righteous, that the
word of God may be fulfilled, which saith: The names of the wicked
shall not be mingled with the names of my people;
Alma 5:Verse 58
58 For the names of the righteous shall be written in
the book of life, and unto them will I grant an inheritance at my
right hand. And now, my brethren, what have ye to say against this?
I say unto you, if ye speak against it, it matters not, for the
word of God must be fulfilled.
Alma 5:Verse 59
59 For what shepherd is there among you having many
sheep doth not watch over them, that the wolves enter not and
devour his flock? And behold, if a wolf enter his flock doth he not
drive him out? Yea, and at the last, if he can, he will destroy
him.
Alma 5:Verse 60
60 And now I say unto you that the good shepherd doth
call after you; and if you will hearken unto his voice he will
bring you into his fold, and ye are his sheep; and he commandeth
you that ye suffer no ravenous wolf to enter among you, that ye may
not be destroyed.
Alma 5:Verse 61
61 And now I, Alma, do command you in the language of
him who hath commanded me, that ye observe to do the words which I
have spoken unto you.
Alma 5:Verse 62
62 I speak by way of command unto you that belong to
the church; and unto those who do not belong to the church I speak
by way of invitation, saying: Come and be baptized unto repentance,
that ye also may be partakers of the fruit of the tree of
life.
Chapter 6
Alma 6:Verse 1
1 AND now it came to pass that after Alma had made an
end of speaking unto the people of the church, which was
established in the city of Zarahemla, he ordained priests and
elders, by laying on his hands according to the order of God, to
preside and watch over the church.
Alma 6:Verse 2
2 And it came to pass that whosoever did not belong to
the church who repented of their sins were baptized unto
repentance, and were received into the church.
Alma 6:Verse 3
3 And it also came to pass that whosoever did belong to
the church that did not repent of their wickedness and humble
themselves before God--I mean those who were lifted up in the pride
of their hearts--the same were rejected, and their names were
blotted out, that their names were not numbered among those of the
righteous.
Alma 6:Verse 4
4 And thus they began to establish the order of the
church in the city of Zarahemla.
Alma 6:Verse 5
5 Now I would that ye should understand that the word
of God was liberal unto all, that none were deprived of the
privilege of assembling themselves together to hear the word of
God.
Alma 6:Verse 6
6 Nevertheless the children of God were commanded that
they should gather themselves together oft, and join in fasting and
mighty prayer in behalf of the welfare of the souls of those who
knew not God.
Alma 6:Verse 7
7 And now it came to pass that when Alma had made these
regulations he departed from them, yea, from the church which was
in the city of Zarahemla, and went over upon the east of the river
Sidon, into the valley of Gideon, there having been a city built,
which was called the city of Gideon, which was in the valley that
was called Gideon, being called after the man who was slain by the
hand of Nehor with the sword.
Alma 6:Verse 8
8 And Alma went and began to declare the word of God
unto the church which was established in the valley of Gideon,
according to the revelation of the truth of the word which had been
spoken by his fathers, and according to the spirit of prophecy
which was in him, according to the testimony of Jesus Christ, the
Son of God, who should come to redeem his people from their sins,
and the holy order by which he was called. And thus it is written.
Amen.
Chapter 7
Alma 7:Verse 1
1 BEHOLD my beloved brethren, seeing that I have been
permitted to come unto you, therefore I attempt to address you in
my language; yea, by my own mouth, seeing that it is the first time
that I have spoken unto you by the words of my mouth, I having been
wholly confined to the judgment-seat, having had much business that
I could not come unto you.
Alma 7:Verse 2
2 And even I could not have come now at this time were
it not that the judgment-seat hath been given to another, to reign
in my stead; and the Lord in much mercy hath granted that I should
come unto you.
Alma 7:Verse 3
3 And behold, I have come having great hopes and much
desire that I should find that ye had humbled yourselves before
God, and that ye had continued in the supplicating of his grace,
that I should find that ye were blameless before him, that I should
find that ye were not in the awful dilemma that our brethren were
in at Zarahemla.
Alma 7:Verse 4
4 But blessed be the name of God, that he hath given me
to know, yea, hath given unto me the exceedingly great joy of
knowing that they are established again in the way of his
righteousness.
Alma 7:Verse 5
5 And I trust, according to the Spirit of God which is
in me, that I shall also have joy over you; nevertheless I do not
desire that my joy over you should come by the cause of so much
afflictions and sorrow which I have had for the brethren at
Zarahemla, for behold, my joy cometh over them after wading through
much affliction and sorrow.
Alma 7:Verse 6
6 But behold, I trust that ye are not in a state of so
much unbelief as were your brethren; I trust that ye are not lifted
up in the pride of your hearts; yea, I trust that ye have not set
your hearts upon riches and the vain things of the world; yea, I
trust that you do not worship idols, but that ye do worship the
true and the living God, and that ye look forward for the remission
of your sins, with an everlasting faith, which is to come.
Alma 7:Verse 7
7 For behold, I say unto you there be many things to
come; and behold, there is one thing which is of more importance
than they all--for behold, the time is not far distant that the
Redeemer liveth and cometh among his people.
Alma 7:Verse 8
8 Behold, I do not say that he will come among us at
the time of his dwelling in his mortal tabernacle; for behold, the
Spirit hath not said unto me that this should be the case. Now as
to this thing I do not know; but this much I do know, that the Lord
God hath power to do all things which are according to his
word.
Alma 7:Verse 9
9 But behold, the Spirit hath said this much unto me,
saying: Cry unto this people, saying--Repent ye, and prepare the
way of the Lord, and walk in his paths, which are straight; for
behold, the kingdom of heaven is at hand, and the Son of God cometh
upon the face of the earth.
Alma 7:Verse 10
10 And behold, he shall be born of Mary, at Jerusalem
which is the land of our forefathers, she being a virgin, a
precious and chosen vessel, who shall be overshadowed and conceive
by the power of the Holy Ghost, and bring forth a son, yea, even
the Son of God.
Alma 7:Verse 11
11 And he shall go forth, suffering pains and
afflictions and temptations of every kind; and this that the word
might be fulfilled which saith he will take upon him the pains and
the sicknesses of his people.
Alma 7:Verse 12
12 And he will take upon him death, that he may loose
the bands of death which bind his people; and he will take upon him
their infirmities, that his bowels may be filled with mercy,
according to the flesh, that he may know according to the flesh how
to succor his people according to their infirmities.
Alma 7:Verse 13
13 Now the Spirit knoweth all things; nevertheless the
Son of God suffereth according to the flesh that he might take upon
him the sins of his people, that he might blot out their
transgressions according to the power of his deliverance; and now
behold, this is the testimony which is in me.
Alma 7:Verse 14
14 Now I say unto you that ye must repent, and be born
again; for the Spirit saith if ye are not born again ye cannot
inherit the kingdom of heaven; therefore come and be baptized unto
repentance, that ye may be washed from your sins, that ye may have
faith on the Lamb of God, who taketh away the sins of the world,
who is mighty to save and to cleanse from all
unrighteousness.
Alma 7:Verse 15
15 Yea, I say unto you come and fear not, and lay aside
every sin, which easily doth beset you, which doth bind you down to
destruction, yea, come and go forth, and show unto your God that ye
are willing to repent of your sins and enter into a covenant with
him to keep his commandments, and witness it unto him this day by
going into the waters of baptism.
Alma 7:Verse 16
16 And whosoever doeth this, and keepeth the
commandments of God from thenceforth, the same will remember that I
say unto him, yea, he will remember that I have said unto him, he
shall have eternal life, according to the testimony of the Holy
Spirit, which testifieth in me.
Alma 7:Verse 17
17 And now my beloved brethren, do you believe these
things? Behold, I say unto you, yea, I know that ye believe them;
and the way that I know that ye believe them is by the
manifestation of the Spirit which is in me. And now because your
faith is strong concerning that, yea, concerning the things which I
have spoken, great is my joy.
Alma 7:Verse 18
18 For as I said unto you from the beginning, that I
had much desire that ye were not in the state of dilemma like your
brethren, even so I have found that my desires have been
gratified.
Alma 7:Verse 19
19 For I perceive that ye are in the paths of
righteousness; I perceive that ye are in the path which leads to
the kingdom of God; yea, I perceive that ye are making his paths
straight.
Alma 7:Verse 20
20 I perceive that it has been made known unto you, by
the testimony of his word, that he cannot walk in crooked paths;
neither doth he vary from that which he hath said; neither hath he
a shadow of turning from the right to the left, or from that which
is right to that which is wrong; therefore, his course is one
eternal round.
Alma 7:Verse 21
21 And he doth not dwell in unholy temples; neither can
filthiness or anything which is unclean be received into the
kingdom of God; therefore I say unto you the time shall come, yea,
and it shall be at the last day, that he who is filthy shall remain
in his filthiness.
Alma 7:Verse 22
22 And now my beloved brethren, I have said these
things unto you that I might awaken you to a sense of your duty to
God, that ye may walk blameless before him, that ye may walk after
the holy order of God, after which ye have been received.
Alma 7:Verse 23
23 And now I would that ye should be humble, and be
submissive and gentle; easy to be entreated; full of patience and
long-suffering; being temperate in all things; being diligent in
keeping the commandments of God at all times; asking for whatsoever
things ye stand in need, both spiritual and temporal; always
returning thanks unto God for whatsoever things ye do
receive.
Alma 7:Verse 24
24 And see that ye have faith, hope, and charity, and
then ye will always abound in good works.
Alma 7:Verse 25
25 And may the Lord bless you, and keep your garments
spotless, that ye may at last be brought to sit down with Abraham,
Isaac, and Jacob, and the holy prophets who have been ever since
the world began, having your garments spotless even as their
garments are spotless, in the kingdom of heaven to go no more
out.
Alma 7:Verse 26
26 And now my beloved brethren, I have spoken these
words unto you according to the Spirit which testifieth in me; and
my soul doth exceedingly rejoice, because of the exceeding
diligence and heed which ye have given unto my word.
Alma 7:Verse 27
27 And now, may the peace of God rest upon you, and
upon your houses and lands, and upon your flocks and herds, and all
that you possess, your women and your children, according to your
faith and good works, from this time forth and forever. And thus I
have spoken. Amen.
Chapter 8
Alma 8:Verse 1
1 AND now it came to pass that Alma returned from the
land of Gideon, after having taught the people of Gideon many
things which cannot be written, having established the order of the
church, according as he had before done in the land of Zarahemla,
yea, he returned to his own house at Zarahemla to rest himself from
the labors which he had performed.
Alma 8:Verse 2
2 And thus ended the ninth year of the reign of the
judges over the people of Nephi.
Alma 8:Verse 3
3 And it came to pass in the commencement of the tenth
year of the reign of the judges over the people of Nephi, that Alma
departed from thence and took his journey over into the land of
Melek, on the west of the river Sidon, on the west by the borders
of the wilderness.
Alma 8:Verse 4
4 And he began to teach the people in the land of Melek
according to the holy order of God, by which he had been called;
and he began to teach the people throughout all the land of
Melek.
Alma 8:Verse 5
5 And it came to pass that the people came to him
throughout all the borders of the land which was by the wilderness
side. And they were baptized throughout all the land;
Alma 8:Verse 6
6 So that when he had finished his work at Melek he
departed thence, and traveled three days' journey on the north of
the land of Melek; and he came to a city which was called
Ammonihah.
Alma 8:Verse 7
7 Now it was the custom of the people of Nephi to call
their lands, and their cities, and their villages, yea, even all
their small villages, after the name of him who first possessed
them; and thus it was with the land of Ammonihah.
Alma 8:Verse 8
8 And it came to pass that when Alma had come to the
city of Ammonihah he began to preach the word of God unto
them.
Alma 8:Verse 9
9 Now Satan had gotten great hold upon the hearts of
the people of the city of Ammonihah; therefore they would not
hearken unto the words of Alma.
Alma 8:Verse 10
10 Nevertheless Alma labored much in the spirit,
wrestling with God in mighty prayer, that he would pour out his
Spirit upon the people who were in the city; that he would also
grant that he might baptize them unto repentance.
Alma 8:Verse 11
11 Nevertheless, they hardened their hearts, saying
unto him: Behold, we know that thou art Alma; and we know that thou
art high priest over the church which thou hast established in many
parts of the land, according to your tradition; and we are not of
thy church, and we do not believe in such foolish traditions.
Alma 8:Verse 12
12 And now we know that because we are not of thy
church we know that thou hast no power over us; and thou hast
delivered up the judgment-seat unto Nephihah; therefore thou art
not the chief judge over us.
Alma 8:Verse 13
13 Now when the people had said this, and withstood all
his words, and reviled him, and spit upon him, and caused that he
should be cast out of their city, he departed thence and took his
journey towards the city which was called Aaron.
Alma 8:Verse 14
14 And it came to pass that while he was journeying
thither, being weighed down with sorrow, wading through much
tribulation and anguish of soul, because of the wickedness of the
people who were in the city of Ammonihah, it came to pass while
Alma was thus weighed down with sorrow, behold an angel of the Lord
appeared unto him, saying:
Alma 8:Verse 15
15 Blessed art thou, Alma; therefore, lift up thy head
and rejoice, for thou hast great cause to rejoice; for thou hast
been faithful in keeping the commandments of God from the time
which thou receivedst thy first message from him. Behold, I am he
that delivered it unto you.
Alma 8:Verse 16
16 And behold, I am sent to command thee that thou
return to the city of Ammonihah, and preach again unto the people
of the city; yea, preach unto them. Yea, say unto them, except they
repent the Lord God will destroy them.
Alma 8:Verse 17
17 For behold, they do study at this time that they may
destroy the liberty of thy people, (for thus saith the Lord) which
is contrary to the statutes, and judgments, and commandments which
he has given unto his people.
Alma 8:Verse 18
18 Now it came to pass that after Alma had received his
message from the angel of the Lord he returned speedily to the land
of Ammonihah. And he entered the city by another way, yea, by the
way which is on the south of the city of Ammonihah.
Alma 8:Verse 19
19 And as he entered the city he was an hungered, and
he said to a man: Will ye give to an humble servant of God
something to eat?
Alma 8:Verse 20
20 And the man said unto him: I am a Nephite, and I
know that thou art a holy prophet of God, for thou art the man whom
an angel said in a vision: Thou shalt receive. Therefore, go with
me into my house and I will impart unto thee of my food; and I know
that thou wilt be a blessing unto me and my house.
Alma 8:Verse 21
21 And it came to pass that the man received him into
his house; and the man was called Amulek; and he brought forth
bread and meat and set before Alma.
Alma 8:Verse 22
22 And it came to pass that Alma ate bread and was
filled; and he blessed Amulek and his house, and he gave thanks
unto God.
Alma 8:Verse 23
23 And after he had eaten and was filled he said unto
Amulek: I am Alma, and am the high priest over the church of God
throughout the land.
Alma 8:Verse 24
24 And behold, I have been called to preach the word of
God among all this people, according to the spirit of revelation
and prophecy; and I was in this land and they would not receive me,
but they cast me out and I was about to set my back towards this
land forever.
Alma 8:Verse 25
25 But behold, I have been commanded that I should turn
again and prophesy unto this people, yea, and to testify against
them concerning their iniquities.
Alma 8:Verse 26
26 And now, Amulek, because thou hast fed me and taken
me in, thou art blessed; for I was an hungered, for I had fasted
many days.
Alma 8:Verse 27
27 And Alma tarried many days with Amulek before he
began to preach unto the people.
Alma 8:Verse 28
28 And it came to pass that the people did wax more
gross in their iniquities.
Alma 8:Verse 29
29 And the word came to Alma, saying: Go; and also say
unto my servant Amulek, go forth and prophesy unto this people,
saying--Repent ye, for thus saith the Lord, except ye repent I will
visit this people in mine anger; yea, and I will not turn my fierce
anger away.
Alma 8:Verse 30
30 And Alma went forth, and also Amulek, among the
people, to declare the words of God unto them; and they were filled
with the Holy Ghost.
Alma 8:Verse 31
31 And they had power given unto them, insomuch that
they could not be confined in dungeons; neither was it possible
that any man could slay them; nevertheless they did not exercise
their power until they were bound in bands and cast into prison.
Now, this was done that the Lord might show forth his power in
them.
Alma 8:Verse 32
32 And it came to pass that they went forth and began
to preach and to prophesy unto the people, according to the spirit
and power which the Lord had given them.
Chapter 9
Alma 9:Verse 1
1 AND again, I, Alma, having been commanded of God that
I should take Amulek and go forth and preach again unto this
people, or the people who were in the city of Ammonihah, it came to
pass as I began to preach unto them, they began to contend with me,
saying:
Alma 9:Verse 2
2 Who art thou? Suppose ye that we shall believe the
testimony of one man, although he should preach unto us that the
earth should pass away?
Alma 9:Verse 3
3 Now they understood not the words which they spake;
for they knew not that the earth should pass away.
Alma 9:Verse 4
4 And they said also: We will not believe thy words if
thou shouldst prophesy that this great city should be destroyed in
one day.
Alma 9:Verse 5
5 Now they knew not that God could do such marvelous
works, for they were a hard-hearted and a stiffnecked people.
Alma 9:Verse 6
6 And they said: Who is God, that sendeth no more
authority than one man among this people, to declare unto them the
truth of such great and marvelous things?
Alma 9:Verse 7
7 And they stood forth to lay their hands on me; but
behold, they did not. And I stood with boldness to declare unto
them, yea, I did boldly testify unto them, saying:
Alma 9:Verse 8
8 Behold, O ye wicked and perverse generation, how have
ye forgotten the tradition of your fathers; yea, how soon ye have
forgotten the commandments of God.
Alma 9:Verse 9
9 Do ye not remember that our father, Lehi, was brought
out of Jerusalem by the hand of God? Do ye not remember that they
were all led by him through the wilderness?
Alma 9:Verse 10
10 And have ye forgotten so soon how many times he
delivered our fathers out of the hands of their enemies, and
preserved them from being destroyed, even by the hands of their own
brethren?
Alma 9:Verse 11
11 Yea, and if it had not been for his matchless power,
and his mercy, and his long-suffering towards us, we should
unavoidably have been cut off from the face of the earth long
before this period of time, and perhaps been consigned to a state
of endless misery and woe.
Alma 9:Verse 12
12 Behold, now I say unto you that he commandeth you to
repent; and except ye repent, ye can in nowise inherit the kingdom
of God. But behold, this is not all--he has commanded you to
repent, or he will utterly destroy you from off the face of the
earth; yea, he will visit you in his anger, and in his fierce anger
he will not turn away.
Alma 9:Verse 13
13 Behold, do ye not remember the words which he spake
unto Lehi, saying that: Inasmuch as ye shall keep my commandments,
ye shall prosper in the land? And again it is said that: Inasmuch
as ye will not keep my commandments ye shall be cut off from the
presence of the Lord.
Alma 9:Verse 14
14 Now I would that ye should remember, that inasmuch
as the Lamanites have not kept the commandments of God, they have
been cut off from the presence of the Lord. Now we see that the
word of the Lord has been verified in this thing, and the Lamanites
have been cut off from his presence, from the beginning of their
transgressions in the land.
Alma 9:Verse 15
15 Nevertheless I say unto you, that it shall be more
tolerable for them in the day of judgment than for you, if ye
remain in your sins, yea, and even more tolerable for them in this
life than for you, except ye repent.
Alma 9:Verse 16
16 For there are many promises which are extended to
the Lamanites; for it is because of the traditions of their fathers
that caused them to remain in their state of ignorance; therefore
the Lord will be merciful unto them and prolong their existence in
the land.
Alma 9:Verse 17
17 And at some period of time they will be brought to
believe in his word, and to know of the incorrectness of the
traditions of their fathers; and many of them will be saved, for
the Lord will be merciful unto all who call on his name.
Alma 9:Verse 18
18 But behold, I say unto you that if ye persist in
your wickedness that your days shall not be prolonged in the land,
for the Lamanites shall be sent upon you; and if ye repent not they
shall come in a time when you know not, and ye shall be visited
with utter destruction; and it shall be according to the fierce
anger of the Lord.
Alma 9:Verse 19
19 For he will not suffer you that ye shall live in
your iniquities, to destroy his people. I say unto you, Nay; he
would rather suffer that the Lamanites might destroy all his people
who are called the people of Nephi, if it were possible that they
could fall into sins and transgressions, after having had so much
light and so much knowledge given unto them of the Lord their
God;
Alma 9:Verse 20
20 Yea, after having been such a highly favored people
of the Lord; yea, after having been favored above every other
nation, kindred, tongue, or people; after having had all things
made known unto them, according to their desires, and their faith,
and prayers, of that which has been, and which is, and which is to
come;
Alma 9:Verse 21
21 Having been visited by the Spirit of God; having
conversed with angels, and having been spoken unto by the voice of
the Lord; and having the spirit of prophecy, and the spirit of
revelation, and also many gifts, the gift of speaking with tongues,
and the gift of preaching, and the gift of the Holy Ghost, and the
gift of translation;
Alma 9:Verse 22
22 Yea, and after having been delivered of God out of
the land of Jerusalem, by the hand of the Lord; having been saved
from famine, and from sickness, and all manner of diseases of every
kind; and they having waxed strong in battle, that they might not
be destroyed; having been brought out of bondage time after time,
and having been kept and preserved until now; and they have been
prospered until they are rich in all manner of things--
Alma 9:Verse 23
23 And now behold I say unto you, that if this people,
who have received so many blessings from the hand of the Lord,
should transgress contrary to the light and knowledge which they do
have, I say unto you that if this be the case, that if they should
fall into transgression, it would be far more tolerable for the
Lamanites than for them.
Alma 9:Verse 24
24 For behold, the promises of the Lord are extended to
the Lamanites, but they are not unto you if ye transgress; for has
not the Lord expressly promised and firmly decreed, that if ye will
rebel against him that ye shall utterly be destroyed from off the
face of the earth?
Alma 9:Verse 25
25 And now for this cause, that ye may not be
destroyed, the Lord has sent his angel to visit many of his people,
declaring unto them that they must go forth and cry mightily unto
this people, saying: Repent ye, for the kingdom of heaven is nigh
at hand;
Alma 9:Verse 26
26 And not many days hence the Son of God shall come in
his glory; and his glory shall be the glory of the Only Begotten of
the Father, full of grace, equity, and truth, full of patience,
mercy, and long-suffering, quick to hear the cries of his people
and to answer their prayers.
Alma 9:Verse 27
27 And behold, he cometh to redeem those who will be
baptized unto repentance, through faith on his name.
Alma 9:Verse 28
28 Therefore, prepare ye the way of the Lord, for the
time is at hand that all men shall reap a reward of their works,
according to that which they have been--if they have been righteous
they shall reap the salvation of their souls, according to the
power and deliverance of Jesus Christ; and if they have been evil
they shall reap the damnation of their souls, according to the
power and captivation of the devil.
Alma 9:Verse 29
29 Now behold, this is the voice of the angel, crying
unto the people.
Alma 9:Verse 30
30 And now, my beloved brethren, for ye are my
brethren, and ye ought to be beloved, and ye ought to bring forth
works which are meet for repentance, seeing that your hearts have
been grossly hardened against the word of God, and seeing that ye
are a lost and a fallen people.
Alma 9:Verse 31
31 Now it came to pass that when I, Alma, had spoken
these words, behold, the people were wroth with me because I said
unto them that they were a hard-hearted and a stiffnecked
people.
Alma 9:Verse 32
32 And also because I said unto them that they were a
lost and a fallen people they were angry with me, and sought to lay
their hands upon me, that they might cast me into prison.
Alma 9:Verse 33
33 But it came to pass that the Lord did not suffer
them that they should take me at that time and cast me into
prison.
Alma 9:Verse 34
34 And it came to pass that Amulek went and stood
forth, and began to preach unto them also. And now the words of
Amulek are not all written, nevertheless a part of his words are
written in this book.
Chapter 10
Alma 10:Verse 1
1 NOW these are the words which Amulek preached unto
the people who were in the land of Ammonihah, saying:
Alma 10:Verse 2
2 I am Amulek; I am the son of Giddonah, who was the
son of Ishmael, who was a descendant of Aminadi; and it was the
same Aminadi who interpreted the writing which was upon the wall of
the temple, which was written by the finger of God.
Alma 10:Verse 3
3 And Aminadi was a descendant of Nephi, who was the
son of Lehi, who came out of the land of Jerusalem, who was a
descendant of Manasseh, who was the son of Joseph who was sold into
Egypt by the hands of his brethren.
Alma 10:Verse 4
4 And behold, I am also a man of no small reputation
among all those who know me; yea, and behold, I have many kindreds
and friends, and I have also acquired much riches by the hand of my
industry.
Alma 10:Verse 5
5 Nevertheless, after all this, I never have known much
of the ways of the Lord, and his mysteries and marvelous power. I
said I never had known much of these things; but behold, I mistake,
for I have seen much of his mysteries and his marvelous power; yea,
even in the preservation of the lives of this people.
Alma 10:Verse 6
6 Nevertheless, I did harden my heart, for I was called
many times and I would not hear; therefore I knew concerning these
things, yet I would not know; therefore I went on rebelling against
God, in the wickedness of my heart, even until the fourth day of
this seventh month, which is in the tenth year of the reign of the
judges.
Alma 10:Verse 7
7 As I was journeying to see a very near kindred,
behold an angel of the Lord appeared unto me and said: Amulek,
return to thine own house, for thou shalt feed a prophet of the
Lord; yea, a holy man, who is a chosen man of God; for he has
fasted many days because of the sins of this people, and he is an
hungered, and thou shalt receive him into thy house and feed him,
and he shall bless thee and thy house; and the blessing of the Lord
shall rest upon thee and thy house.
Alma 10:Verse 8
8 And it came to pass that I obeyed the voice of the
angel, and returned towards my house. And as I was going thither I
found the man whom the angel said unto me: Thou shalt receive into
thy house--and behold it was this same man who has been speaking
unto you concerning the things of God.
Alma 10:Verse 9
9 And the angel said unto me he is a holy man;
wherefore I know he is a holy man because it was said by an angel
of God.
Alma 10:Verse 10
10 And again, I know that the things whereof he hath
testified are true; for behold I say unto you, that as the Lord
liveth, even so has he sent his angel to make these things manifest
unto me; and this he has done while this Alma hath dwelt at my
house.
Alma 10:Verse 11
11 For behold, he hath blessed mine house, he hath
blessed me, and my women, and my children, and my father and my
kinsfolk; yea, even all my kindred hath he blessed, and the
blessing of the Lord hath rested upon us according to the words
which he spake.
Alma 10:Verse 12
12 And now, when Amulek had spoken these words the
people began to be astonished, seeing there was more than one
witness who testified of the things whereof they were accused, and
also of the things which were to come, according to the spirit of
prophecy which was in them.
Alma 10:Verse 13
13 Nevertheless, there were some among them who thought
to question them, that by their cunning devices they might catch
them in their words, that they might find witness against them,
that they might deliver them to their judges that they might be
judged according to the law, and that they might be slain or cast
into prison, according to the crime which they could make appear or
witness against them.
Alma 10:Verse 14
14 Now it was those men who sought to destroy them, who
were lawyers, who were hired or appointed by the people to
administer the law at their times of trials, or at the trials of
the crimes of the people before the judges.
Alma 10:Verse 15
15 Now these lawyers were learned in all the arts and
cunning of the people; and this was to enable them that they might
be skilful in their profession.
Alma 10:Verse 16
16 And it came to pass that they began to question
Amulek, that thereby they might make him cross his words, or
contradict the words which he should speak.
Alma 10:Verse 17
17 Now they knew not that Amulek could know of their
designs. But it came to pass as they began to question him, he
perceived their thoughts, and he said unto them: O ye wicked and
perverse generation, ye lawyers and hypocrites, for ye are laying
the foundations of the devil; for ye are laying traps and snares to
catch the holy ones of God.
Alma 10:Verse 18
18 Ye are laying plans to pervert the ways of the
righteous, and to bring down the wrath of God upon your heads, even
to the utter destruction of this people.
Alma 10:Verse 19
19 Yea, well did Mosiah say, who was our last king,
when he was about to deliver up the kingdom, having no one to
confer it upon, causing that this people should be governed by
their own voices--yea, well did he say that if the time should come
that the voice of this people should choose iniquity, that is, if
the time should come that this people should fall into
transgression, they would be ripe for destruction.
Alma 10:Verse 20
20 And now I say unto you that well doth the Lord judge
of your iniquities; well doth he cry unto this people, by the voice
of his angels: Repent ye, repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at
hand.
Alma 10:Verse 21
21 Yea, well doth he cry, by the voice of his angels
that: I will come down among my people, with equity and justice in
my hands.
Alma 10:Verse 22
22 Yea, and I say unto you that if it were not for the
prayers of the righteous, who are now in the land, that ye would
even now be visited with utter destruction; yet it would not be by
flood, as were the people in the days of Noah, but it would be by
famine, and by pestilence, and the sword.
Alma 10:Verse 23
23 But it is by the prayers of the righteous that ye
are spared; now therefore, if ye will cast out the righteous from
among you then will not the Lord stay his hand; but in his fierce
anger he will come out against you; then ye shall be smitten by
famine, and by pestilence, and by the sword; and the time is soon
at hand except ye repent.
Alma 10:Verse 24
24 And now it came to pass that the people were more
angry with Amulek, and they cried out, saying: This man doth revile
against our laws which are just, and our wise lawyers whom we have
selected.
Alma 10:Verse 25
25 But Amulek stretched forth his hand, and cried the
mightier unto them, saying: O ye wicked and perverse generation,
why hath Satan got such great hold upon your hearts? Why will ye
yield yourselves unto him that he may have power over you, to blind
your eyes, that ye will not understand the words which are spoken,
according to their truth?
Alma 10:Verse 26
26 For behold, have I testified against your law? Ye do
not understand; ye say that I have spoken against your law; but I
have not, but I have spoken in favor of your law, to your
condemnation.
Alma 10:Verse 27
27 And now behold, I say unto you, that the foundation
of the destruction of this people is beginning to be laid by the
unrighteousness of your lawyers and your judges.
Alma 10:Verse 28
28 And now it came to pass that when Amulek had spoken
these words the people cried out against him, saying: Now we know
that this man is a child of the devil, for he hath lied unto us;
for he hath spoken against our law. And now he says that he has not
spoken against it.
Alma 10:Verse 29
29 And again, he has reviled against our lawyers, and
our judges.
Alma 10:Verse 30
30 And it came to pass that the lawyers put it into
their hearts that they should remember these things against
him.
Alma 10:Verse 31
31 And there was one among them whose name was Zeezrom.
Now he was the foremost to accuse Amulek and Alma, he being one of
the most expert among them, having much business to do among the
people.
Alma 10:Verse 32
32 Now the object of these lawyers was to get gain; and
they got gain according to their employ.
Chapter 11
Alma 11:Verse 1
1 NOW it was in the law of Mosiah that every man who
was a judge of the law, or those who were appointed to be judges,
should receive wages according to the time which they labored to
judge those who were brought before them to be judged.
Alma 11:Verse 2
2 Now if a man owed another, and he would not pay that
which he did owe, he was complained of to the judge; and the judge
executed authority, and sent forth officers that the man should be
brought before him; and he judged the man according to the law and
the evidences which were brought against him, and thus the man was
compelled to pay that which he owed, or be stripped, or be cast out
from among the people as a thief and a robber.
Alma 11:Verse 3
3 And the judge received for his wages according to his
time--a senine of gold for a day, or a senum of silver, which is
equal to a senine of gold; and this is according to the law which
was given.
Alma 11:Verse 4
4 Now these are the names of the different pieces of
their gold, and of their silver, according to their value. And the
names are given by the Nephites, for they did not reckon after the
manner of the Jews who were at Jerusalem; neither did they measure
after the manner of the Jews; but they altered their reckoning and
their measure, according to the minds and the circumstances of the
people, in every generation, until the reign of the judges, they
having been established by king Mosiah.
Alma 11:Verse 5
5 Now the reckoning is thus--a senine of gold, a seon
of gold, a shum of gold, and a limnah of gold.
Alma 11:Verse 6
6 A senum of silver, an amnor of silver, an ezrom of
silver, and an onti of silver.
Alma 11:Verse 7
7 A senum of silver was equal to a senine of gold, and
either for a measure of barley, and also for a measure of every
kind of grain.
Alma 11:Verse 8
8 Now the amount of a seon of gold was twice the value
of a senine.
Alma 11:Verse 9
9 And a shum of gold was twice the value of a
seon.
Alma 11:Verse 10
10 And a limnah of gold was the value of them
all.
Alma 11:Verse 11
11 And an amnor of silver was as great as two
senums.
Alma 11:Verse 12
12 And an ezrom of silver was as great as four
senums.
Alma 11:Verse 13
13 And an onti was as great as them all.
Alma 11:Verse 14
14 Now this is the value of the lesser numbers of their
reckoning--
Alma 11:Verse 15
15 A shiblon is half of a senum; therefore, a shiblon
for half a measure of barley.
Alma 11:Verse 16
16 And a shiblum is a half of a shiblon.
Alma 11:Verse 17
17 And a leah is the half of a shiblum.
Alma 11:Verse 18
18 Now this is their number, according to their
reckoning.
Alma 11:Verse 19
19 Now an antion of gold is equal to three
shiblons.
Alma 11:Verse 20
20 Now, it was for the sole purpose to get gain,
because they received their wages according to their employ,
therefore, they did stir up the people to riotings, and all manner
of disturbances and wickedness, that they might have more employ,
that they might get money according to the suits which were brought
before them; therefore they did stir up the people against Alma and
Amulek.
Alma 11:Verse 21
21 And this Zeezrom began to question Amulek, saying:
Will ye answer me a few questions which I shall ask you? Now
Zeezrom was a man who was expert in the devices of the devil, that
he might destroy that which was good; therefore, he said unto
Amulek: Will ye answer the questions which I shall put unto
you?
Alma 11:Verse 22
22 And Amulek said unto him: Yea, if it be according to
the Spirit of the Lord, which is in me; for I shall say nothing
which is contrary to the Spirit of the Lord. And Zeezrom said unto
him: Behold, here are six onties of silver, and all these will I
give thee if thou wilt deny the existence of a Supreme Being.
Alma 11:Verse 23
23 Now Amulek said: O thou child of hell, why tempt ye
me? Knowest thou that the righteous yieldeth to no such
temptations?
Alma 11:Verse 24
24 Believest thou that there is no God? I say unto you,
Nay, thou knowest that there is a God, but thou lovest that lucre
more than him.
Alma 11:Verse 25
25 And now thou hast lied before God unto me. Thou
saidst unto me--Behold these six onties, which are of great worth,
I will give unto thee--when thou hadst it in thy heart to retain
them from me; and it was only thy desire that I should deny the
true and living God, that thou mightest have cause to destroy me.
And now behold, for this great evil thou shalt have thy
reward.
Alma 11:Verse 26
26 And Zeezrom said unto him: Thou sayest there is a
true and living God?
Alma 11:Verse 27
27 And Amulek said: Yea, there is a true and living
God.
Alma 11:Verse 28
28 Now Zeezrom said: Is there more than one God?
Alma 11:Verse 29
29 And he answered, No.
Alma 11:Verse 30
30 Now Zeezrom said unto him again: How knowest thou
these things?
Alma 11:Verse 31
31 And he said: An angel hath made them known unto
me.
Alma 11:Verse 32
32 And Zeezrom said again: Who is he that shall come?
Is it the Son of God?
Alma 11:Verse 33
33 And he said unto him, Yea.
Alma 11:Verse 34
34 And Zeezrom said again: Shall he save his people in
their sins? And Amulek answered and said unto him: I say unto you
he shall not, for it is impossible for him to deny his word.
Alma 11:Verse 35
35 Now Zeezrom said unto the people: See that ye
remember these things; for he said there is but one God; yet he
saith that the Son of God shall come, but he shall not save his
people--as though he had authority to command God.
Alma 11:Verse 36
36 Now Amulek saith again unto him: Behold thou hast
lied, for thou sayest that I spake as though I had authority to
command God because I said he shall not save his people in their
sins.
Alma 11:Verse 37
37 And I say unto you again that he cannot save them in
their sins; for I cannot deny his word, and he hath said that no
unclean thing can inherit the kingdom of heaven; therefore, how can
ye be saved, except ye inherit the kingdom of heaven? Therefore, ye
cannot be saved in your sins.
Alma 11:Verse 38
38 Now Zeezrom saith again unto him: Is the Son of God
the very Eternal Father?
Alma 11:Verse 39
39 And Amulek said unto him: Yea, he is the very
Eternal Father of heaven and of earth, and all things which in them
are; he is the beginning and the end, the first and the last;
Alma 11:Verse 40
40 And he shall come into the world to redeem his
people; and he shall take upon him the transgressions of those who
believe on his name; and these are they that shall have eternal
life, and salvation cometh to none else.
Alma 11:Verse 41
41 Therefore the wicked remain as though there had been
no redemption made, except it be the loosing of the bands of death;
for behold, the day cometh that all shall rise from the dead and
stand before God, and be judged according to their works.
Alma 11:Verse 42
42 Now, there is a death which is called a temporal
death; and the death of Christ shall loose the bands of this
temporal death, that all shall be raised from this temporal
death.
Alma 11:Verse 43
43 The spirit and the body shall be reunited again in
its perfect form; both limb and joint shall be restored to its
proper frame, even as we now are at this time; and we shall be
brought to stand before God, knowing even as we know now, and have
a bright recollection of all our guilt.
Alma 11:Verse 44
44 Now, this restoration shall come to all, both old
and young, both bond and free, both male and female, both the
wicked and the righteous; and even there shall not so much as a
hair of their heads be lost; but every thing shall be restored to
its perfect frame, as it is now, or in the body, and shall be
brought and be arraigned before the bar of Christ the Son, and God
the Father, and the Holy Spirit, which is one Eternal God, to be
judged according to their works, whether they be good or whether
they be evil.
Alma 11:Verse 45
45 Now, behold, I have spoken unto you concerning the
death of the mortal body, and also concerning the resurrection of
the mortal body. I say unto you that this mortal body is raised to
an immortal body, that is from death, even from the first death
unto life, that they can die no more; their spirits uniting with
their bodies, never to be divided; thus the whole becoming
spiritual and immortal, that they can no more see corruption.
Alma 11:Verse 46
46 Now, when Amulek had finished these words the people
began again to be astonished, and also Zeezrom began to tremble.
And thus ended the words of Amulek, or this is all that I have
written.
Chapter 12
Alma 12:Verse 1
1 NOW Alma, seeing that the words of Amulek had
silenced Zeezrom, for he beheld that Amulek had caught him in his
lying and deceiving to destroy him, and seeing that he began to
tremble under a consciousness of his guilt, he opened his mouth and
began to speak unto him, and to establish the words of Amulek, and
to explain things beyond, or to unfold the scriptures beyond that
which Amulek had done.
Alma 12:Verse 2
2 Now the words that Alma spake unto Zeezrom were heard
by the people round about; for the multitude was great, and he
spake on this wise:
Alma 12:Verse 3
3 Now Zeezrom, seeing that thou hast been taken in thy
lying and craftiness, for thou hast not lied unto men only but thou
hast lied unto God; for behold, he knows all thy thoughts, and thou
seest that thy thoughts are made known unto us by his Spirit;
Alma 12:Verse 4
4 And thou seest that we know that thy plan was a very
subtle plan, as to the subtlety of the devil, for to lie and to
deceive this people that thou mightest set them against us, to
revile us and to cast us out--
Alma 12:Verse 5
5 Now this was a plan of thine adversary, and he hath
exercised his power in thee. Now I would that ye should remember
that what I say unto thee I say unto all.
Alma 12:Verse 6
6 And behold I say unto you all that this was a snare
of the adversary, which he has laid to catch this people, that he
might bring you into subjection unto him, that he might encircle
you about with his chains, that he might chain you down to
everlasting destruction, according to the power of his
captivity.
Alma 12:Verse 7
7 Now when Alma had spoken these words, Zeezrom began
to tremble more exceedingly, for he was convinced more and more of
the power of God; and he was also convinced that Alma and Amulek
had a knowledge of him, for he was convinced that they knew the
thoughts and intents of his heart; for power was given unto them
that they might know of these things according to the spirit of
prophecy.
Alma 12:Verse 8
8 And Zeezrom began to inquire of them diligently, that
he might know more concerning the kingdom of God. And he said unto
Alma: What does this mean which Amulek hath spoken concerning the
resurrection of the dead, that all shall rise from the dead, both
the just and the unjust, and are brought to stand before God to be
judged according to their works?
Alma 12:Verse 9
9 And now Alma began to expound these things unto him,
saying: It is given unto many to know the mysteries of God;
nevertheless they are laid under a strict command that they shall
not impart only according to the portion of his word which he doth
grant unto the children of men, according to the heed and diligence
which they give unto him.
Alma 12:Verse 10
10 And therefore, he that will harden his heart, the
same receiveth the lesser portion of the word; and he that will not
harden his heart, to him is given the greater portion of the word,
until it is given unto him to know the mysteries of God until he
know them in full.
Alma 12:Verse 11
11 And they that will harden their hearts, to them is
given the lesser portion of the word until they know nothing
concerning his mysteries; and then they are taken captive by the
devil, and led by his will down to destruction. Now this is what is
meant by the chains of hell.
Alma 12:Verse 12
12 And Amulek hath spoken plainly concerning death, and
being raised from this mortality to a state of immortality, and
being brought before the bar of God, to be judged according to our
works.
Alma 12:Verse 13
13 Then if our hearts have been hardened, yea, if we
have hardened our hearts against the word, insomuch that it has not
been found in us, then will our state be awful, for then we shall
be condemned.
Alma 12:Verse 14
14 For our words will condemn us, yea, all our works
will condemn us; we shall not be found spotless; and our thoughts
will also condemn us; and in this awful state we shall not dare to
look up to our God; and we would fain be glad if we could command
the rocks and the mountains to fall upon us to hide us from his
presence.
Alma 12:Verse 15
15 But this cannot be; we must come forth and stand
before him in his glory, and in his power, and in his might,
majesty, and dominion, and acknowledge to our everlasting shame
that all his judgments are just; that he is just in all his works,
and that he is merciful unto the children of men, and that he has
all power to save every man that believeth on his name and bringeth
forth fruit meet for repentance.
Alma 12:Verse 16
16 And now behold, I say unto you then cometh a death,
even a second death, which is a spiritual death; then is a time
that whosoever dieth in his sins, as to a temporal death, shall
also die a spiritual death; yea, he shall die as to things
pertaining unto righteousness.
Alma 12:Verse 17
17 Then is the time when their torments shall be as a
lake of fire and brimstone, whose flame ascendeth up forever and
ever; and then is the time that they shall be chained down to an
everlasting destruction, according to the power and captivity of
Satan, he having subjected them according to his will.
Alma 12:Verse 18
18 Then, I say unto you, they shall be as though there
had been no redemption made; for they cannot be redeemed according
to God's justice; and they cannot die, seeing there is no more
corruption.
Alma 12:Verse 19
19 Now it came to pass that when Alma had made an end
of speaking these words, the people began to be more
astonished;
Alma 12:Verse 20
20 But there was one Antionah, who was a chief ruler
among them, came forth and said unto him: What is this that thou
hast said, that man should rise from the dead and be changed from
this mortal to an immortal state that the soul can never die?
Alma 12:Verse 21
21 What does the scripture mean, which saith that God
placed cherubim and a flaming sword on the east of the garden of
Eden, lest our first parents should enter and partake of the fruit
of the tree of life, and live forever? And thus we see that there
was no possible chance that they should live forever.
Alma 12:Verse 22
22 Now Alma said unto him: This is the thing which I
was about to explain. Now we see that Adam did fall by the
partaking of the forbidden fruit, according to the word of God; and
thus we see, that by his fall, all mankind became a lost and fallen
people.
Alma 12:Verse 23
23 And now behold, I say unto you that if it had been
possible for Adam to have partaken of the fruit of the tree of life
at that time, there would have been no death, and the word would
have been void, making God a liar, for he said: If thou eat thou
shalt surely die.
Alma 12:Verse 24
24 And we see that death comes upon mankind, yea, the
death which has been spoken of by Amulek, which is the temporal
death; nevertheless there was a space granted unto man in which he
might repent; therefore this life became a probationary state; a
time to prepare to meet God; a time to prepare for that endless
state which has been spoken of by us, which is after the
resurrection of the dead.
Alma 12:Verse 25
25 Now, if it had not been for the plan of redemption,
which was laid from the foundation of the world, there could have
been no resurrection of the dead; but there was a plan of
redemption laid, which shall bring to pass the resurrection of the
dead, of which has been spoken.
Alma 12:Verse 26
26 And now behold, if it were possible that our first
parents could have gone forth and partaken of the tree of life they
would have been forever miserable, having no preparatory state; and
thus the plan of redemption would have been frustrated, and the
word of God would have been void, taking none effect.
Alma 12:Verse 27
27 But behold, it was not so; but it was appointed unto
men that they must die; and after death, they must come to
judgment, even that same judgment of which we have spoken, which is
the end.
Alma 12:Verse 28
28 And after God had appointed that these things should
come unto man, behold, then he saw that it was expedient that man
should know concerning the things whereof he had appointed unto
them;
Alma 12:Verse 29
29 Therefore he sent angels to converse with them, who
caused men to behold of his glory.
Alma 12:Verse 30
30 And they began from that time forth to call on his
name; therefore God conversed with men, and made known unto them
the plan of redemption, which had been prepared from the foundation
of the world; and this he made known unto them according to their
faith and repentance and their holy works.
Alma 12:Verse 31
31 Wherefore, he gave commandments unto men, they
having first transgressed the first commandments as to things which
were temporal, and becoming as Gods, knowing good from evil,
placing themselves in a state to act, or being placed in a state to
act according to their wills and pleasures, whether to do evil or
to do good--
Alma 12:Verse 32
32 Therefore God gave unto them commandments, after
having made known unto them the plan of redemption, that they
should not do evil, the penalty thereof being a second death, which
was an everlasting death as to things pertaining unto
righteousness; for on such the plan of redemption could have no
power, for the works of justice could not be destroyed, according
to the supreme goodness of God.
Alma 12:Verse 33
33 But God did call on men, in the name of his Son,
(this being the plan of redemption which was laid) saying: If ye
will repent and harden not your hearts, then will I have mercy upon
you, through mine Only Begotten Son;
Alma 12:Verse 34
34 Therefore, whosoever repenteth, and hardeneth not
his heart, he shall have claim on mercy through mine Only Begotten
Son, unto a remission of his sins; and these shall enter into my
rest.
Alma 12:Verse 35
35 And whosoever will harden his heart and will do
iniquity, behold, I swear in my wrath that he shall not enter into
my rest.
Alma 12:Verse 36
36 And now, my brethren, behold I say unto you, that if
ye will harden your hearts ye shall not enter into the rest of the
Lord; therefore your iniquity provoketh him that he sendeth down
his wrath upon you as in the first provocation, yea, according to
his word in the last provocation as well as the first, to the
everlasting destruction of your souls; therefore, according to his
word, unto the last death, as well as the first.
Alma 12:Verse 37
37 And now, my brethren, seeing we know these things,
and they are true, let us repent, and harden not our hearts, that
we provoke not the Lord our God to pull down his wrath upon us in
these his second commandments which he has given unto us; but let
us enter into the rest of God, which is prepared according to his
word.
Chapter 13
Alma 13:Verse 1
1 AND again, my brethren, I would cite your minds
forward to the time when the Lord God gave these commandments unto
his children; and I would that ye should remember that the Lord God
ordained priests, after his holy order, which was after the order
of his Son, to teach these things unto the people.
Alma 13:Verse 2
2 And those priests were ordained after the order of
his Son, in a manner that thereby the people might know in what
manner to look forward to his Son for redemption.
Alma 13:Verse 3
3 And this is the manner after which they were
ordained--being called and prepared from the foundation of the
world according to the foreknowledge of God, on account of their
exceeding faith and good works; in the first place being left to
choose good or evil; therefore they having chosen good, and
exercising exceedingly great faith, are called with a holy calling,
yea, with that holy calling which was prepared with, and according
to, a preparatory redemption for such.
Alma 13:Verse 4
4 And thus they have been called to this holy calling
on account of their faith, while others would reject the Spirit of
God on account of the hardness of their hearts and blindness of
their minds, while, if it had not been for this they might have had
as great privilege as their brethren.
Alma 13:Verse 5
5 Or in fine, in the first place they were on the same
standing with their brethren; thus this holy calling being prepared
from the foundation of the world for such as would not harden their
hearts, being in and through the atonement of the Only Begotten
Son, who was prepared--
Alma 13:Verse 6
6 And thus being called by this holy calling, and
ordained unto the high priesthood of the holy order of God, to
teach his commandments unto the children of men, that they also
might enter into his rest--
Alma 13:Verse 7
7 This high priesthood being after the order of his
Son, which order was from the foundation of the world; or in other
words, being without beginning of days or end of years, being
prepared from eternity to all eternity, according to his
foreknowledge of all things--
Alma 13:Verse 8
8 Now they were ordained after this manner--being
called with a holy calling, and ordained with a holy ordinance, and
taking upon them the high priesthood of the holy order, which
calling, and ordinance, and high priesthood, is without beginning
or end--
Alma 13:Verse 9
9 Thus they become high priests forever, after the
order of the Son, the Only Begotten of the Father, who is without
beginning of days or end of years, who is full of grace, equity,
and truth. And thus it is. Amen.
Alma 13:Verse 10
10 Now, as I said concerning the holy order, or this
high priesthood, there were many who were ordained and became high
priests of God; and it was on account of their exceeding faith and
repentance, and their righteousness before God, they choosing to
repent and work righteousness rather than to perish;
Alma 13:Verse 11
11 Therefore they were called after this holy order,
and were sanctified, and their garments were washed white through
the blood of the Lamb.
Alma 13:Verse 12
12 Now they, after being sanctified by the Holy Ghost,
having their garments made white, being pure and spotless before
God, could not look upon sin save it were with abhorrence; and
there were many, exceedingly great many, who were made pure and
entered into the rest of the Lord their God.
Alma 13:Verse 13
13 And now, my brethren, I would that ye should humble
yourselves before God, and bring forth fruit meet for repentance,
that ye may also enter into that rest.
Alma 13:Verse 14
14 Yea, humble yourselves even as the people in the
days of Melchizedek, who was also a high priest after this same
order which I have spoken, who also took upon him the high
priesthood forever.
Alma 13:Verse 15
15 And it was this same Melchizedek to whom Abraham
paid tithes; yea, even our father Abraham paid tithes of one-tenth
part of all he possessed.
Alma 13:Verse 16
16 Now these ordinances were given after this manner,
that thereby the people might look forward on the Son of God, it
being a type of his order, or it being his order, and this that
they might look forward to him for a remission of their sins, that
they might enter into the rest of the Lord.
Alma 13:Verse 17
17 Now this Melchizedek was a king over the land of
Salem; and his people had waxed strong in iniquity and abomination;
yea, they had all gone astray; they were full of all manner of
wickedness;
Alma 13:Verse 18
18 But Melchizedek having exercised mighty faith, and
received the office of the high priesthood according to the holy
order of God, did preach repentance unto his people. And behold,
they did repent; and Melchizedek did establish peace in the land in
his days; therefore he was called the prince of peace, for he was
the king of Salem; and he did reign under his father.
Alma 13:Verse 19
19 Now, there were many before him, and also there were
many afterwards, but none were greater; therefore, of him they have
more particularly made mention.
Alma 13:Verse 20
20 Now I need not rehearse the matter; what I have said
may suffice. Behold, the scriptures are before you; if ye will
wrest them it shall be to your own destruction.
Alma 13:Verse 21
21 And now it came to pass that when Alma had said
these words unto them, he stretched forth his hand unto them and
cried with a mighty voice, saying: Now is the time to repent, for
the day of salvation draweth nigh;
Alma 13:Verse 22
22 Yea, and the voice of the Lord, by the mouth of
angels, doth declare it unto all nations; yea, doth declare it,
that they may have glad tidings of great joy; yea, and he doth
sound these glad tidings among all his people, yea, even to them
that are scattered abroad upon the face of the earth; wherefore
they have come unto us.
Alma 13:Verse 23
23 And they are made known unto us in plain terms, that
we may understand, that we cannot err; and this because of our
being wanderers in a strange land; therefore, we are thus highly
favored, for we have these glad tidings declared unto us in all
parts of our vineyard.
Alma 13:Verse 24
24 For behold, angels are declaring it unto many at
this time in our land; and this is for the purpose of preparing the
hearts of the children of men to receive his word at the time of
his coming in his glory.
Alma 13:Verse 25
25 And now we only wait to hear the joyful news
declared unto us by the mouth of angels, of his coming; for the
time cometh, we know not how soon. Would to God that it might be in
my day; but let it be sooner or later, in it I will rejoice.
Alma 13:Verse 26
26 And it shall be made known unto just and holy men,
by the mouth of angels, at the time of his coming, that the words
of our fathers may be fulfilled, according to that which they have
spoken concerning him, which was according to the spirit of
prophecy which was in them.
Alma 13:Verse 27
27 And now, my brethren, I wish from the inmost part of
my heart, yea, with great anxiety even unto pain, that ye would
hearken unto my words, and cast off your sins, and not
procrastinate the day of your repentance;
Alma 13:Verse 28
28 But that ye would humble yourselves before the Lord,
and call on his holy name, and watch and pray continually, that ye
may not be tempted above that which ye can bear, and thus be led by
the Holy Spirit, becoming humble, meek, submissive, patient, full
of love and all long-suffering;
Alma 13:Verse 29
29 Having faith on the Lord; having a hope that ye
shall receive eternal life; having the love of God always in your
hearts, that ye may be lifted up at the last day and enter into his
rest.
Alma 13:Verse 30
30 And may the Lord grant unto you repentance, that ye
may not bring down his wrath upon you, that ye may not be bound
down by the chains of hell, that ye may not suffer the second
death.
Alma 13:Verse 31
31 And Alma spake many more words unto the people,
which are not written in this book.
Chapter 14
Alma 14:Verse 1
1 AND it came to pass after he had made an end of
speaking unto the people many of them did believe on his words, and
began to repent, and to search the scriptures.
Alma 14:Verse 2
2 But the more part of them were desirous that they
might destroy Alma and Amulek; for they were angry with Alma,
because of the plainness of his words unto Zeezrom; and they also
said that Amulek had lied unto them, and had reviled against their
law and also against their lawyers and judges.
Alma 14:Verse 3
3 And they were also angry with Alma and Amulek; and
because they had testified so plainly against their wickedness,
they sought to put them away privily.
Alma 14:Verse 4
4 But it came to pass that they did not; but they took
them and bound them with strong cords, and took them before the
chief judge of the land.
Alma 14:Verse 5
5 And the people went forth and witnessed against
them--testifying that they had reviled against the law, and their
lawyers and judges of the land, and also of all the people that
were in the land; and also testified that there was but one God,
and that he should send his Son among the people, but he should not
save them; and many such things did the people testify against Alma
and Amulek. Now this was done before the chief judge of the
land.
Alma 14:Verse 6
6 And it came to pass that Zeezrom was astonished at
the words which had been spoken; and he also knew concerning the
blindness of the minds, which he had caused among the people by his
lying words; and his soul began to be harrowed up under a
consciousness of his own guilt; yea, he began to be encircled about
by the pains of hell.
Alma 14:Verse 7
7 And it came to pass that he began to cry unto the
people, saying: Behold, I am guilty, and these men are spotless
before God. And he began to plead for them from that time forth;
but they reviled him, saying: Art thou also possessed with the
devil? And they spit upon him, and cast him out from among them,
and also all those who believed in the words which had been spoken
by Alma and Amulek; and they cast them out, and sent men to cast
stones at them.
Alma 14:Verse 8
8 And they brought their wives and children together,
and whosoever believed or had been taught to believe in the word of
God they caused that they should be cast into the fire; and they
also brought forth their records which contained the holy
scriptures, and cast them into the fire also, that they might be
burned and destroyed by fire.
Alma 14:Verse 9
9 And it came to pass that they took Alma and Amulek,
and carried them forth to the place of martyrdom, that they might
witness the destruction of those who were consumed by fire.
Alma 14:Verse 10
10 And when Amulek saw the pains of the women and
children who were consuming in the fire, he also was pained; and he
said unto Alma: How can we witness this awful scene? Therefore let
us stretch forth our hands, and exercise the power of God which is
in us, and save them from the flames.
Alma 14:Verse 11
11 But Alma said unto him: The Spirit constraineth me
that I must not stretch forth mine hand; for behold the Lord
receiveth them up unto himself, in glory; and he doth suffer that
they may do this thing, or that the people may do this thing unto
them, according to the hardness of their hearts, that the judgments
which he shall exercise upon them in his wrath may be just; and the
blood of the innocent shall stand as a witness against them, yea,
and cry mightily against them at the last day.
Alma 14:Verse 12
12 Now Amulek said unto Alma: Behold, perhaps they will
burn us also.
Alma 14:Verse 13
13 And Alma said: Be it according to the will of the
Lord. But, behold, our work is not finished; therefore they burn us
not.
Alma 14:Verse 14
14 Now it came to pass that when the bodies of those
who had been cast into the fire were consumed, and also the records
which were cast in with them, the chief judge of the land came and
stood before Alma and Amulek, as they were bound; and he smote them
with his hand upon their cheeks, and said unto them: After what ye
have seen, will ye preach again unto this people, that they shall
be cast into a lake of fire and brimstone?
Alma 14:Verse 15
15 Behold, ye see that ye had not power to save those
who had been cast into the fire; neither has God saved them because
they were of thy faith. And the judge smote them again upon their
cheeks, and asked: What say ye for yourselves?
Alma 14:Verse 16
16 Now this judge was after the order and faith of
Nehor, who slew Gideon.
Alma 14:Verse 17
17 And it came to pass that Alma and Amulek answered
him nothing; and he smote them again, and delivered them to the
officers to be cast into prison.
Alma 14:Verse 18
18 And when they had been cast into prison three days,
there came many lawyers, and judges, and priests, and teachers, who
were of the profession of Nehor; and they came in unto the prison
to see them, and they questioned them about many words; but they
answered them nothing.
Alma 14:Verse 19
19 And it came to pass that the judge stood before
them, and said: Why do ye not answer the words of this people? Know
ye not that I have power to deliver you up unto the flames? And he
commanded them to speak; but they answered nothing.
Alma 14:Verse 20
20 And it came to pass that they departed and went
their ways, but came again on the morrow; and the judge also smote
them again on their cheeks. And many came forth also, and smote
them, saying: Will ye stand again and judge this people, and
condemn our law? If ye have such great power why do ye not deliver
yourselves?
Alma 14:Verse 21
21 And many such things did they say unto them,
gnashing their teeth upon them, and spitting upon them, and saying:
How shall we look when we are damned?
Alma 14:Verse 22
22 And many such things, yea, all manner of such things
did they say unto them; and thus they did mock them for many days.
And they did withhold food from them that they might hunger, and
water that they might thirst; and they also did take from them
their clothes that they were naked; and thus they were bound with
strong cords, and confined in prison.
Alma 14:Verse 23
23 And it came to pass after they had thus suffered for
many days, (and it was on the twelfth day, in the tenth month, in
the tenth year of the reign of the judges over the people of Nephi)
that the chief judge over the land of Ammonihah and many of their
teachers and their lawyers went in unto the prison where Alma and
Amulek were bound with cords.
Alma 14:Verse 24
24 And the chief judge stood before them, and smote
them again, and said unto them: If ye have the power of God deliver
yourselves from these bands, and then we will believe that the Lord
will destroy this people according to your words.
Alma 14:Verse 25
25 And it came to pass that they all went forth and
smote them, saying the same words, even until the last; and when
the last had spoken unto them the power of God was upon Alma and
Amulek, and they rose and stood upon their feet.
Alma 14:Verse 26
26 And Alma cried, saying: How long shall we suffer
these great afflictions, O Lord? O Lord, give us strength according
to our faith which is in Christ, even unto deliverance. And they
broke the cords with which they were bound; and when the people saw
this, they began to flee, for the fear of destruction had come upon
them.
Alma 14:Verse 27
27 And it came to pass that so great was their fear
that they fell to the earth, and did not obtain the outer door of
the prison; and the earth shook mightily, and the walls of the
prison were rent in twain, so that they fell to the earth; and the
chief judge, and the lawyers, and priests, and teachers, who smote
upon Alma and Amulek, were slain by the fall thereof.
Alma 14:Verse 28
28 And Alma and Amulek came forth out of the prison,
and they were not hurt; for the Lord had granted unto them power,
according to their faith which was in Christ. And they straightway
came forth out of the prison; and they were loosed from their
bands; and the prison had fallen to the earth, and every soul
within the walls thereof, save it were Alma and Amulek, was slain;
and they straightway came forth into the city.
Alma 14:Verse 29
29 Now the people having heard a great noise came
running together by multitudes to know the cause of it; and when
they saw Alma and Amulek coming forth out of the prison, and the
walls thereof had fallen to the earth, they were struck with great
fear, and fled from the presence of Alma and Amulek even as a goat
fleeth with her young from two lions; and thus they did flee from
the presence of Alma and Amulek.
Chapter 15
Alma 15:Verse 1
1 AND it came to pass that Alma and Amulek were
commanded to depart out of that city; and they departed, and came
out even into the land of Sidom; and behold, there they found all
the people who had departed out of the land of Ammonihah, who had
been cast out and stoned, because they believed in the words of
Alma.
Alma 15:Verse 2
2 And they related unto them all that had happened unto
their wives and children, and also concerning themselves, and of
their power of deliverance.
Alma 15:Verse 3
3 And also Zeezrom lay sick at Sidom, with a burning
fever, which was caused by the great tribulations of his mind on
account of his wickedness, for he supposed that Alma and Amulek
were no more; and he supposed that they had been slain because of
his iniquity. And this great sin, and his many other sins, did
harrow up his mind until it did become exceedingly sore, having no
deliverance; therefore he began to be scorched with a burning
heat.
Alma 15:Verse 4
4 Now, when he heard that Alma and Amulek were in the
land of Sidom, his heart began to take courage; and he sent a
message immediately unto them, desiring them to come unto
him.
Alma 15:Verse 5
5 And it came to pass that they went immediately,
obeying the message which he had sent unto them; and they went in
unto the house unto Zeezrom; and they found him upon his bed, sick,
being very low with a burning fever; and his mind also was
exceedingly sore because of his iniquities; and when he saw them he
stretched forth his hand, and besought them that they would heal
him.
Alma 15:Verse 6
6 And it came to pass that Alma said unto him, taking
him by the hand: Believest thou in the power of Christ unto
salvation?
Alma 15:Verse 7
7 And he answered and said: Yea, I believe all the
words that thou hast taught.
Alma 15:Verse 8
8 And Alma said: If thou believest in the redemption of
Christ thou canst be healed.
Alma 15:Verse 9
9 And he said: Yea, I believe according to thy
words.
Alma 15:Verse 10
10 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.
Alma 15:Verse 11
11 And when Alma had said these words, Zeezrom leaped
upon his feet, and began to walk; and this was done to the great
astonishment of all the people; and the knowledge of this went
forth throughout all the land of Sidom.
Alma 15:Verse 12
12 And Alma baptized Zeezrom unto the Lord; and he
began from that time forth to preach unto the people.
Alma 15:Verse 13
13 And Alma established a church in the land of Sidom,
and consecrated priests and teachers in the land, to baptize unto
the Lord whosoever were desirous to be baptized.
Alma 15:Verse 14
14 And it came to pass that they were many; for they
did flock in from all the region round about Sidom, and were
baptized.
Alma 15:Verse 15
15 But as to the people that were in the land of
Ammonihah, they yet remained a hard-hearted and a stiffnecked
people; and they repented not of their sins, ascribing all the
power of Alma and Amulek to the devil; for they were of the
profession of Nehor, and did not believe in the repentance of their
sins.
Alma 15:Verse 16
16 And it came to pass that Alma and Amulek, Amulek
having forsaken all his gold, and silver, and his precious things,
which were in the land of Ammonihah, for the word of God, he being
rejected by those who were once his friends and also by his father
and his kindred;
Alma 15:Verse 17
17 Therefore, after Alma having established the church
at Sidom, seeing a great check, yea, seeing that the people were
checked as to the pride of their hearts, and began to humble
themselves before God, and began to assemble themselves together at
their sanctuaries to worship God before the altar, watching and
praying continually, that they might be delivered from Satan, and
from death, and from destruction--
Alma 15:Verse 18
18 Now as I said, Alma having seen all these things,
therefore he took Amulek and came over to the land of Zarahemla,
and took him to his own house, and did administer unto him in his
tribulations, and strengthened him in the Lord.
Alma 15:Verse 19
19 And thus ended the tenth year of the reign of the
judges over the people of Nephi.
Chapter 16
Alma 16:Verse 1
1 AND it came to pass in the eleventh year of the reign
of the judges over the people of Nephi, on the fifth day of the
second month, there having been much peace in the land of
Zarahemla, there having been no wars nor contentions for a certain
number of years, even until the fifth day of the second month in
the eleventh year, there was a cry of war heard throughout the
land.
Alma 16:Verse 2
2 For behold, the armies of the Lamanites had come in
upon the wilderness side, into the borders of the land, even into
the city of Ammonihah, and began to slay the people and destroy the
city.
Alma 16:Verse 3
3 And now it came to pass, before the Nephites could
raise a sufficient army to drive them out of the land, they had
destroyed the people who were in the city of Ammonihah, and also
some around the borders of Noah, and taken others captive into the
wilderness.
Alma 16:Verse 4
4 Now it came to pass that the Nephites were desirous
to obtain those who had been carried away captive into the
wilderness.
Alma 16:Verse 5
5 Therefore, he that had been appointed chief captain
over the armies of the Nephites, (and his name was Zoram, and he
had two sons, Lehi and Aha)--now Zoram and his two sons, knowing
that Alma was high priest over the church, and having heard that he
had the spirit of prophecy, therefore they went unto him and
desired of him to know whither the Lord would that they should go
into the wilderness in search of their brethren, who had been taken
captive by the Lamanites.
Alma 16:Verse 6
6 And it came to pass that Alma inquired of the Lord
concerning the matter. And Alma returned and said unto them:
Behold, the Lamanites will cross the river Sidon in the south
wilderness, away up beyond the borders of the land of Manti. And
behold there shall ye meet them, on the east of the river Sidon,
and there the Lord will deliver unto thee thy brethren who have
been taken captive by the Lamanites.
Alma 16:Verse 7
7 And it came to pass that Zoram and his sons crossed
over the river Sidon, with their armies, and marched away beyond
the borders of Manti into the south wilderness, which was on the
east side of the river Sidon.
Alma 16:Verse 8
8 And they came upon the armies of the Lamanites, and
the Lamanites were scattered and driven into the wilderness; and
they took their brethren who had been taken captive by the
Lamanites, and there was not one soul of them had been lost that
were taken captive. And they were brought by their brethren to
possess their own lands.
Alma 16:Verse 9
9 And thus ended the eleventh year of the judges, the
Lamanites having been driven out of the land, and the people of
Ammonihah were destroyed; yea, every living soul of the
Ammonihahites was destroyed, and also their great city, which they
said God could not destroy, because of its greatness.
Alma 16:Verse 10
10 But behold, in one day it was left desolate; and the
carcases were mangled by dogs and wild beasts of the
wilderness.
Alma 16:Verse 11
11 Nevertheless, after many days their dead bodies were
heaped up upon the face of the earth, and they were covered with a
shallow covering. And now so great was the scent thereof that the
people did not go in to possess the land of Ammonihah for many
years. And it was called Desolation of Nehors; for they were of the
profession of Nehor, who were slain; and their lands remained
desolate.
Alma 16:Verse 12
12 And the Lamanites did not come again to war against
the Nephites until the fourteenth year of the reign of the judges
over the people of Nephi. And thus for three years did the people
of Nephi have continual peace in all the land.
Alma 16:Verse 13
13 And Alma and Amulek went forth preaching repentance
to the people in their temples, and in their sanctuaries, and also
in their synagogues, which were built after the manner of the
Jews.
Alma 16:Verse 14
14 And as many as would hear their words, unto them
they did impart the word of God, without any respect of persons,
continually.
Alma 16:Verse 15
15 And thus did Alma and Amulek go forth, and also many
more who had been chosen for the work, to preach the word
throughout all the land. And the establishment of the church became
general throughout the land, in all the region round about, among
all the people of the Nephites.
Alma 16:Verse 16
16 And there was no inequality among them; the Lord did
pour out his Spirit on all the face of the land to prepare the
minds of the children of men, or to prepare their hearts to receive
the word which should be taught among them at the time of his
coming--
Alma 16:Verse 17
17 That they might not be hardened against the word,
that they might not be unbelieving, and go on to destruction, but
that they might receive the word with joy, and as a branch be
grafted into the true vine, that they might enter into the rest of
the Lord their God.
Alma 16:Verse 18
18 Now those priests who did go forth among the people
did preach against all lyings, and deceivings, and envyings, and
strifes, and malice, and revilings, and stealing, robbing,
plundering, murdering, committing adultery, and all manner of
lasciviousness, crying that these things ought not so to be--
Alma 16:Verse 19
19 Holding forth things which must shortly come; yea,
holding forth the coming of the Son of God, his sufferings and
death, and also the resurrection of the dead.
Alma 16:Verse 20
20 And many of the people did inquire concerning the
place where the Son of God should come; and they were taught that
he would appear unto them after his resurrection; and this the
people did hear with great joy and gladness.
Alma 16:Verse 21
21 And now after the church had been established
throughout all the land--having got the victory over the devil, and
the word of God being preached in its purity in all the land, and
the Lord pouring out his blessings upon the people--thus ended the
fourteenth year of the reign of the judges over the people of
Nephi.
Chapter 17
Alma 17:Verse 1
1 AND now it came to pass that as Alma was journeying
from the land of Gideon southward, away to the land of Manti,
behold, to his astonishment, he met with the sons of Mosiah
journeying towards the land of Zarahemla.
Alma 17:Verse 2
2 Now these sons of Mosiah were with Alma at the time
the angel first appeared unto him; therefore Alma did rejoice
exceedingly to see his brethren; and what added more to his joy,
they were still his brethren in the Lord; yea, and they had waxed
strong in the knowledge of the truth; for they were men of a sound
understanding and they had searched the scriptures diligently, that
they might know the word of God.
Alma 17:Verse 3
3 But this is not all; they had given themselves to
much prayer, and fasting; therefore they had the spirit of
prophecy, and the spirit of revelation, and when they taught, they
taught with power and authority of God.
Alma 17:Verse 4
4 And they had been teaching the word of God for the
space of fourteen years among the Lamanites, having had much
success in bringing many to the knowledge of the truth; yea, by the
power of their words many were brought before the altar of God, to
call on his name and confess their sins before him.
Alma 17:Verse 5
5 Now these are the circumstances which attended them
in their journeyings, for they had many afflictions; they did
suffer much, both in body and in mind, such as hunger, thirst and
fatigue, and also much labor in the spirit.
Alma 17:Verse 6
6 Now these were their journeyings: Having taken leave
of their father, Mosiah, in the first year of the judges; having
refused the kingdom which their father was desirous to confer upon
them, and also this was the minds of the people;
Alma 17:Verse 7
7 Nevertheless they departed out of the land of
Zarahemla, and took their swords, and their spears, and their bows,
and their arrows, and their slings; and this they did that they
might provide food for themselves while in the wilderness.
Alma 17:Verse 8
8 And thus they departed into the wilderness with their
numbers which they had selected, to go up to the land of Nephi, to
preach the word of God unto the Lamanites.
Alma 17:Verse 9
9 And it came to pass that they journeyed many days in
the wilderness, and they fasted much and prayed much that the Lord
would grant unto them a portion of his Spirit to go with them, and
abide with them, that they might be an instrument in the hands of
God to bring, if it were possible, their brethren, the Lamanites,
to the knowledge of the truth, to the knowledge of the baseness of
the traditions of their fathers, which were not correct.
Alma 17:Verse 10
10 And it came to pass that the Lord did visit them
with his Spirit, and said unto them: Be comforted. And they were
comforted.
Alma 17:Verse 11
11 And the Lord said unto them also: Go forth among the
Lamanites, thy brethren, and establish my word; yet ye shall be
patient in long-suffering and afflictions, that ye may show forth
good examples unto them in me, and I will make an instrument of
thee in my hands unto the salvation of many souls.
Alma 17:Verse 12
12 And it came to pass that the hearts of the sons of
Mosiah, and also those who were with them, took courage to go forth
unto the Lamanites to declare unto them the word of God.
Alma 17:Verse 13
13 And it came to pass when they had arrived in the
borders of the land of the Lamanites, that they separated
themselves and departed one from another, trusting in the Lord that
they should meet again at the close of their harvest; for they
supposed that great was the work which they had undertaken.
Alma 17:Verse 14
14 And assuredly it was great, for they had undertaken
to preach the word of God to a wild and a hardened and a ferocious
people; a people who delighted in murdering the Nephites, and
robbing and plundering them; and their hearts were set upon riches,
or upon gold and silver, and precious stones; yet they sought to
obtain these things by murdering and plundering, that they might
not labor for them with their own hands.
Alma 17:Verse 15
15 Thus they were a very indolent people, many of whom
did worship idols, and the curse of God had fallen upon them
because of the traditions of their fathers; notwithstanding the
promises of the Lord were extended unto them on the conditions of
repentance.
Alma 17:Verse 16
16 Therefore, this was the cause for which the sons of
Mosiah had undertaken the work, that perhaps they might bring them
unto repentance; that perhaps they might bring them to know of the
plan of redemption.
Alma 17:Verse 17
17 Therefore they separated themselves one from
another, and went forth among them, every man alone, according to
the word and power of God which was given unto him.
Alma 17:Verse 18
18 Now Ammon being the chief among them, or rather he
did administer unto them, and he departed from them, after having
blessed them according to their several stations, having imparted
the word of God unto them, or administered unto them before his
departure; and thus they took their several journeys throughout the
land.
Alma 17:Verse 19
19 And Ammon went to the land of Ishmael, the land
being called after the sons of Ishmael, who also became
Lamanites.
Alma 17:Verse 20
20 And as Ammon entered the land of Ishmael, the
Lamanites took him and bound him, as was their custom to bind all
the Nephites who fell into their hands, and carry them before the
king; and thus it was left to the pleasure of the king to slay
them, or to retain them in captivity, or to cast them into prison,
or to cast them out of his land, according to his will and
pleasure.
Alma 17:Verse 21
21 And thus Ammon was carried before the king who was
over the land of Ishmael; and his name was Lamoni; and he was a
descendant of Ishmael.
Alma 17:Verse 22
22 And the king inquired of Ammon if it were his desire
to dwell in the land among the Lamanites, or among his
people.
Alma 17:Verse 23
23 And Ammon said unto him: Yea, I desire to dwell
among this people for a time; yea, and perhaps until the day I
die.
Alma 17:Verse 24
24 And it came to pass that king Lamoni was much
pleased with Ammon, and caused that his bands should be loosed; and
he would that Ammon should take one of his daughters to wife.
Alma 17:Verse 25
25 But Ammon said unto him: Nay, but I will be thy
servant. Therefore Ammon became a servant to king Lamoni. And it
came to pass that he was set among other servants to watch the
flocks of Lamoni, according to the custom of the Lamanites.
Alma 17:Verse 26
26 And after he had been in the service of the king
three days, as he was with the Lamanitish servants going forth with
their flocks to the place of water, which was called the water of
Sebus, and all the Lamanites drive their flocks hither, that they
may have water--
Alma 17:Verse 27
27 Therefore, as Ammon and the servants of the king
were driving forth their flocks to this place of water, behold, a
certain number of the Lamanites, who had been with their flocks to
water, stood and scattered the flocks of Ammon and the servants of
the king, and they scattered them insomuch that they fled many
ways.
Alma 17:Verse 28
28 Now the servants of the king began to murmur,
saying: Now the king will slay us, as he has our brethren because
their flocks were scattered by the wickedness of these men. And
they began to weep exceedingly, saying: Behold, our flocks are
scattered already.
Alma 17:Verse 29
29 Now they wept because of the fear of being slain.
Now when Ammon saw this his heart was swollen within him with joy;
for, said he, I will show forth my power unto these my
fellow-servants, or the power which is in me, in restoring these
flocks unto the king, that I may win the hearts of these my
fellow-servants, that I may lead them to believe in my words.
Alma 17:Verse 30
30 And now, these were the thoughts of Ammon, when he
saw the afflictions of those whom he termed to be his
brethren.
Alma 17:Verse 31
31 And it came to pass that he flattered them by his
words, saying: My brethren, be of good cheer and let us go in
search of the flocks, and we will gather them together and bring
them back unto the place of water; and thus we will preserve the
flocks unto the king and he will not slay us.
Alma 17:Verse 32
32 And it came to pass that they went in search of the
flocks, and they did follow Ammon, and they rushed forth with much
swiftness and did head the flocks of the king, and did gather them
together again to the place of water.
Alma 17:Verse 33
33 And those men again stood to scatter their flocks;
but Ammon said unto his brethren: Encircle the flocks round about
that they flee not; and I go and contend with these men who do
scatter our flocks.
Alma 17:Verse 34
34 Therefore, they did as Ammon commanded them, and he
went forth and stood to contend with those who stood by the waters
of Sebus; and they were in number not a few.
Alma 17:Verse 35
35 Therefore they did not fear Ammon, for they supposed
that one of their men could slay him according to their pleasure,
for they knew not that the Lord had promised Mosiah that he would
deliver his sons out of their hands; neither did they know anything
concerning the Lord; therefore they delighted in the destruction of
their brethren; and for this cause they stood to scatter the flocks
of the king.
Alma 17:Verse 36
36 But Ammon stood forth and began to cast stones at
them with his sling; yea, with mighty power he did sling stones
amongst them; and thus he slew a certain number of them insomuch
that they began to be astonished at his power; nevertheless they
were angry because of the slain of their brethren, and they were
determined that he should fall; therefore, seeing that they could
not hit him with their stones, they came forth with clubs to slay
him.
Alma 17:Verse 37
37 But behold, every man that lifted his club to smite
Ammon, he smote off their arms with his sword; for he did withstand
their blows by smiting their arms with the edge of his sword,
insomuch that they began to be astonished, and began to flee before
him; yea, and they were not few in number; and he caused them to
flee by the strength of his arm.
Alma 17:Verse 38
38 Now six of them had fallen by the sling, but he slew
none save it were their leader with his sword; and he smote off as
many of their arms as were lifted against him, and they were not a
few.
Alma 17:Verse 39
39 And when he had driven them afar off, he returned
and they watered their flocks and returned them to the pasture of
the king, and then went in unto the king, bearing the arms which
had been smitten off by the sword of Ammon, of those who sought to
slay him; and they were carried in unto the king for a testimony of
the things which they had done.
Chapter 18
Alma 18:Verse 1
1 AND it came to pass that king Lamoni caused that his
servants should stand forth and testify to all the things which
they had seen concerning the matter.
Alma 18:Verse 2
2 And when they had all testified to the things which
they had seen, and he had learned of the faithfulness of Ammon in
preserving his flocks, and also of his great power in contending
against those who sought to slay him, he was astonished
exceedingly, and said: Surely, this is more than a man. Behold, is
not this the Great Spirit who doth send such great punishments upon
this people, because of their murders?
Alma 18:Verse 3
3 And they answered the king, and said: Whether he be
the Great Spirit or a man, we know not; but this much we do know,
that he cannot be slain by the enemies of the king; neither can
they scatter the king's flocks when he is with us, because of his
expertness and great strength; therefore, we know that he is a
friend to the king. And now, O king, we do not believe that a man
has such great power, for we know he cannot be slain.
Alma 18:Verse 4
4 And now, when the king heard these words, he said
unto them: Now I know that it is the Great Spirit; and he has come
down at this time to preserve your lives, that I might not slay you
as I did your brethren. Now this is the Great Spirit of whom our
fathers have spoken.
Alma 18:Verse 5
5 Now this was the tradition of Lamoni, which he had
received from his father, that there was a Great Spirit.
Notwithstanding they believed in a Great Spirit they supposed that
whatsoever they did was right; nevertheless, Lamoni began to fear
exceedingly, with fear lest he had done wrong in slaying his
servants;
Alma 18:Verse 6
6 For he had slain many of them because their brethren
had scattered their flocks at the place of water; and thus, because
they had had their flocks scattered they were slain.
Alma 18:Verse 7
7 Now it was the practice of these Lamanites to stand
by the waters of Sebus to scatter the flocks of the people, that
thereby they might drive away many that were scattered unto their
own land, it being a practice of plunder among them.
Alma 18:Verse 8
8 And it came to pass that king Lamoni inquired of his
servants, saying: Where is this man that has such great
power?
Alma 18:Verse 9
9 And they said unto him: Behold, he is feeding thy
horses. Now the king had commanded his servants, previous to the
time of the watering of their flocks, that they should prepare his
horses and chariots, and conduct him forth to the land of Nephi;
for there had been a great feast appointed at the land of Nephi, by
the father of Lamoni, who was king over all the land.
Alma 18:Verse 10
10 Now when king Lamoni heard that Ammon was preparing
his horses and his chariots he was more astonished, because of the
faithfulness of Ammon, saying: Surely there has not been any
servant among all my servants that has been so faithful as this
man; for even he doth remember all my commandments to execute
them.
Alma 18:Verse 11
11 Now I surely know that this is the Great Spirit, and
I would desire him that he come in unto me, but I durst not.
Alma 18:Verse 12
12 And it came to pass that when Ammon had made ready
the horses and the chariots for the king and his servants, he went
in unto the king, and he saw that the countenance of the king was
changed; therefore he was about to return out of his
presence.
Alma 18:Verse 13
13 And one of the king's servants said unto him,
Rabbanah, which is, being interpreted, powerful or great king,
considering their kings to be powerful; and thus he said unto him:
Rabbanah, the king desireth thee to stay.
Alma 18:Verse 14
14 Therefore Ammon turned himself unto the king, and
said unto him: What wilt thou that I should do for thee, O king?
And the king answered him not for the space of an hour, according
to their time, for he knew not what he should say unto him.
Alma 18:Verse 15
15 And it came to pass that Ammon said unto him again:
What desirest thou of me? But the king answered him not.
Alma 18:Verse 16
16 And it came to pass that Ammon, being filled with
the Spirit of God, therefore he perceived the thoughts of the king.
And he said unto him: Is it because thou hast heard that I defended
thy servants and thy flocks, and slew seven of their brethren with
the sling and with the sword, and smote off the arms of others, in
order to defend thy flocks and thy servants; behold, is it this
that causeth thy marvelings?
Alma 18:Verse 17
17 I say unto you, what is it, that thy marvelings are
so great? Behold, I am a man, and am thy servant; therefore,
whatsoever thou desirest which is right, that will I do.
Alma 18:Verse 18
18 Now when the king had heard these words, he marveled
again, for he beheld that Ammon could discern his thoughts; but
notwithstanding this, king Lamoni did open his mouth, and said unto
him: Who art thou? Art thou that Great Spirit, who knows all
things?
Alma 18:Verse 19
19 Ammon answered and said unto him: I am not.
Alma 18:Verse 20
20 And the king said: How knowest thou the thoughts of
my heart? Thou mayest speak boldly, and tell me concerning these
things; and also tell me by what power ye slew and smote off the
arms of my brethren that scattered my flocks--
Alma 18:Verse 21
21 And now, if thou wilt tell me concerning these
things, whatsoever thou desirest I will give unto thee; and if it
were needed, I would guard thee with my armies; but I know that
thou art more powerful than all they; nevertheless, whatsoever thou
desirest of me I will grant it unto thee.
Alma 18:Verse 22
22 Now Ammon being wise, yet harmless, he said unto
Lamoni: Wilt thou hearken unto my words, if I tell thee by what
power I do these things? And this is the thing that I desire of
thee.
Alma 18:Verse 23
23 And the king answered him, and said: Yea, I will
believe all thy words. And thus he was caught with guile.
Alma 18:Verse 24
24 And Ammon began to speak unto him with boldness, and
said unto him: Believest thou that there is a God?
Alma 18:Verse 25
25 And he answered, and said unto him: I do not know
what that meaneth.
Alma 18:Verse 26
26 And then Ammon said: Believest thou that there is a
Great Spirit?
Alma 18:Verse 27
27 And he said, Yea.
Alma 18:Verse 28
28 And Ammon said: This is God. And Ammon said unto him
again: Believest thou that this Great Spirit, who is God, created
all things which are in heaven and in the earth?
Alma 18:Verse 29
29 And he said: Yea, I believe that he created all
things which are in the earth; but I do not know the heavens.
Alma 18:Verse 30
30 And Ammon said unto him: The heavens is a place
where God dwells and all his holy angels.
Alma 18:Verse 31
31 And king Lamoni said: Is it above the earth?
Alma 18:Verse 32
32 And Ammon said: Yea, and he looketh down upon all
the children of men; and he knows all the thoughts and intents of
the heart; for by his hand were they all created from the
beginning.
Alma 18:Verse 33
33 And king Lamoni said: I believe all these things
which thou hast spoken. Art thou sent from God?
Alma 18:Verse 34
34 Ammon said unto him: I am a man; and man in the
beginning was created after the image of God, and I am called by
his Holy Spirit to teach these things unto this people, that they
may be brought to a knowledge of that which is just and true;
Alma 18:Verse 35
35 And a portion of that Spirit dwelleth in me, which
giveth me knowledge, and also power according to my faith and
desires which are in God.
Alma 18:Verse 36
36 Now when Ammon had said these words, he began at the
creation of the world, and also the creation of Adam, and told him
all the things concerning the fall of man, and rehearsed and laid
before him the records and the holy scriptures of the people, which
had been spoken by the prophets, even down to the time that their
father, Lehi, left Jerusalem.
Alma 18:Verse 37
37 And he also rehearsed unto them (for it was unto the
king and to his servants) all the journeyings of their fathers in
the wilderness, and all their sufferings with hunger and thirst,
and their travail, and so forth.
Alma 18:Verse 38
38 And he also rehearsed unto them concerning the
rebellions of Laman and Lemuel, and the sons of Ishmael, yea, all
their rebellions did he relate unto them; and he expounded unto
them all the records and scriptures from the time that Lehi left
Jerusalem down to the present time.
Alma 18:Verse 39
39 But this is not all; for he expounded unto them the
plan of redemption, which was prepared from the foundation of the
world; and he also made known unto them concerning the coming of
Christ, and all the works of the Lord did he make known unto
them.
Alma 18:Verse 40
40 And it came to pass that after he had said all these
things, and expounded them to the king, that the king believed all
his words.
Alma 18:Verse 41
41 And he began to cry unto the Lord, saying: O Lord,
have mercy; according to thy abundant mercy which thou hast had
upon the people of Nephi, have upon me, and my people.
Alma 18:Verse 42
42 And now, when he had said this, he fell unto the
earth, as if he were dead.
Alma 18:Verse 43
43 And it came to pass that his servants took him and
carried him in unto his wife, and laid him upon a bed; and he lay
as if he were dead for the space of two days and two nights; and
his wife, and his sons, and his daughters mourned over him, after
the manner of the Lamanites, greatly lamenting his loss.
Chapter 19
Alma 19:Verse 1
1 AND it came to pass that after two days and two
nights they were about to take his body and lay it in a sepulchre,
which they had made for the purpose of burying their dead.
Alma 19:Verse 2
2 Now the queen having heard of the fame of Ammon,
therefore she sent and desired that he should come in unto
her.
Alma 19:Verse 3
3 And it came to pass that Ammon did as he was
commanded, and went in unto the queen, and desired to know what she
would that he should do.
Alma 19:Verse 4
4 And she said unto him: The servants of my husband
have made it known unto me that thou art a prophet of a holy God,
and that thou hast power to do many mighty works in his name;
Alma 19:Verse 5
5 Therefore, if this is the case, I would that ye
should go in and see my husband, for he has been laid upon his bed
for the space of two days and two nights; and some say that he is
not dead, but others say that he is dead and that he stinketh, and
that he ought to be placed in the sepulchre; but as for myself, to
me he doth not stink.
Alma 19:Verse 6
6 Now, this was what Ammon desired, for he knew that
king Lamoni was under the power of God; he knew that the dark veil
of unbelief was being cast away from his mind, and the light which
did light up his mind, which was the light of the glory of God,
which was a marvelous light of his goodness--yea, this light had
infused such joy into his soul, the cloud of darkness having been
dispelled, and that the light of everlasting life was lit up in his
soul, yea, he knew that this had overcome his natural frame, and he
was carried away in God--
Alma 19:Verse 7
7 Therefore, what the queen desired of him was his only
desire. Therefore, he went in to see the king according as the
queen had desired him; and he saw the king, and he knew that he was
not dead.
Alma 19:Verse 8
8 And he said unto the queen: He is not dead, but he
sleepeth in God, and on the morrow he shall rise again; therefore
bury him not.
Alma 19:Verse 9
9 And Ammon said unto her: Believest thou this? And she
said unto him: I have had no witness save thy word, and the word of
our servants; nevertheless I believe that it shall be according as
thou hast said.
Alma 19:Verse 10
10 And Ammon said unto her: Blessed art thou because of
thy exceeding faith; I say unto thee, woman, there has not been
such great faith among all the people of the Nephites.
Alma 19:Verse 11
11 And it came to pass that she watched over the bed of
her husband, from that time even until that time on the morrow
which Ammon had appointed that he should rise.
Alma 19:Verse 12
12 And it came to pass that he arose, according to the
words of Ammon; and as he arose, he stretched forth his hand unto
the woman, and said: Blessed be the name of God, and blessed art
thou.
Alma 19:Verse 13
13 For as sure as thou livest, behold, I have seen my
Redeemer; and he shall come forth, and be born of a woman, and he
shall redeem all mankind who believe on his name. Now, when he had
said these words, his heart was swollen within him, and he sunk
again with joy; and the queen also sunk down, being overpowered by
the Spirit.
Alma 19:Verse 14
14 Now Ammon seeing the Spirit of the Lord poured out
according to his prayers upon the Lamanites, his brethren, who had
been the cause of so much mourning among the Nephites, or among all
the people of God because of their iniquities and their traditions,
he fell upon his knees, and began to pour out his soul in prayer
and thanksgiving to God for what he had done for his brethren; and
he was also overpowered with joy; and thus they all three had sunk
to the earth.
Alma 19:Verse 15
15 Now, when the servants of the king had seen that
they had fallen, they also began to cry unto God, for the fear of
the Lord had come upon them also, for it was they who had stood
before the king and testified unto him concerning the great power
of Ammon.
Alma 19:Verse 16
16 And it came to pass that they did call on the name
of the Lord, in their might, even until they had all fallen to the
earth, save it were one of the Lamanitish women, whose name was
Abish, she having been converted unto the Lord for many years, on
account of a remarkable vision of her father--
Alma 19:Verse 17
17 Thus, having been converted to the Lord, and never
having made it known, therefore, when she saw that all the servants
of Lamoni had fallen to the earth, and also her mistress, the
queen, and the king, and Ammon lay prostrate upon the earth, she
knew that it was the power of God; and supposing that this
opportunity, by making known unto the people what had happened
among them, that by beholding this scene it would cause them to
believe in the power of God, therefore she ran forth from house to
house, making it known unto the people.
Alma 19:Verse 18
18 And they began to assemble themselves together unto
the house of the king. And there came a multitude, and to their
astonishment they beheld the king, and the queen, and their
servants prostrate upon the earth, and they all lay there as though
they were dead; and they also saw Ammon, and behold, he was a
Nephite.
Alma 19:Verse 19
19 And now the people began to murmur among themselves;
some saying that it was a great evil that had come upon them, or
upon the king and his house, because he had suffered that the
Nephite should remain in the land.
Alma 19:Verse 20
20 But others rebuked them, saying: The king hath
brought this evil upon his house, because he slew his servants who
had had their flocks scattered at the waters of Sebus.
Alma 19:Verse 21
21 And they were also rebuked by those men who had
stood at the waters of Sebus and scattered the flocks which
belonged to the king, for they were angry with Ammon because of the
number which he had slain of their brethren at the waters of Sebus,
while defending the flocks of the king.
Alma 19:Verse 22
22 Now, one of them, whose brother had been slain with
the sword of Ammon, being exceedingly angry with Ammon, drew his
sword and went forth that he might let it fall upon Ammon, to slay
him; and as he lifted the sword to smite him, behold, he fell
dead.
Alma 19:Verse 23
23 Now we see that Ammon could not be slain, for the
Lord had said unto Mosiah, his father: I will spare him, and it
shall be unto him according to thy faith--therefore, Mosiah trusted
him unto the Lord.
Alma 19:Verse 24
24 And it came to pass that when the multitude beheld
that the man had fallen dead, who lifted the sword to slay Ammon,
fear came upon them all, and they durst not put forth their hands
to touch him or any of those who had fallen; and they began to
marvel again among themselves what could be the cause of this great
power, or what all these things could mean.
Alma 19:Verse 25
25 And it came to pass that there were many among them
who said that Ammon was the Great Spirit, and others said he was
sent by the Great Spirit;
Alma 19:Verse 26
26 But others rebuked them all, saying that he was a
monster, who had been sent from the Nephites to torment them.
Alma 19:Verse 27
27 And there were some who said that Ammon was sent by
the Great Spirit to afflict them because of their iniquities; and
that it was the Great Spirit that had always attended the Nephites,
who had ever delivered them out of their hands; and they said that
it was this Great Spirit who had destroyed so many of their
brethren, the Lamanites.
Alma 19:Verse 28
28 And thus the contention began to be exceedingly
sharp among them. And while they were thus contending, the woman
servant who had caused the multitude to be gathered together came,
and when she saw the contention which was among the multitude she
was exceedingly sorrowful, even unto tears.
Alma 19:Verse 29
29 And it came to pass that she went and took the queen
by the hand, that perhaps she might raise her from the ground; and
as soon as she touched her hand she arose and stood upon her feet,
and cried with a loud voice, saying: O blessed Jesus, who has saved
me from an awful hell! O blessed God, have mercy on this
people!
Alma 19:Verse 30
30 And when she had said this, she clasped her hands,
being filled with joy, speaking many words which were not
understood; and when she had done this, she took the king, Lamoni,
by the hand, and behold he arose and stood upon his feet.
Alma 19:Verse 31
31 And he, immediately, seeing the contention among his
people, went forth and began to rebuke them, and to teach them the
words which he had heard from the mouth of Ammon; and as many as
heard his words believed, and were converted unto the Lord.
Alma 19:Verse 32
32 But there were many among them who would not hear
his words; therefore they went their way.
Alma 19:Verse 33
33 And it came to pass that when Ammon arose he also
administered unto them, and also did all the servants of Lamoni;
and they did all declare unto the people the selfsame thing--that
their hearts had been changed; that they had no more desire to do
evil.
Alma 19:Verse 34
34 And behold, many did declare unto the people that
they had seen angels and had conversed with them; and thus they had
told them things of God, and of his righteousness.
Alma 19:Verse 35
35 And it came to pass that there were many that did
believe in their words; and as many as did believe were baptized;
and they became a righteous people, and they did establish a church
among them.
Alma 19:Verse 36
36 And thus the work of the Lord did commence among the
Lamanites; thus the Lord did begin to pour out his Spirit upon
them; and we see that his arm is extended to all people who will
repent and believe on his name.
Chapter 20
Alma 20:Verse 1
1 AND it came to pass that when they had established a
church in that land, that king Lamoni desired that Ammon should go
with him to the land of Nephi, that he might show him unto his
father.
Alma 20:Verse 2
2 And the voice of the Lord came to Ammon, saying: Thou
shalt not go up to the land of Nephi, for behold, the king will
seek thy life; but thou shalt go to the land of Middoni; for
behold, thy brother Aaron, and also Muloki and Ammah are in
prison.
Alma 20:Verse 3
3 Now it came to pass that when Ammon had heard this,
he said unto Lamoni: Behold, my brother and brethren are in prison
at Middoni, and I go that I may deliver them.
Alma 20:Verse 4
4 Now Lamoni said unto Ammon: I know, in the strength
of the Lord thou canst do all things. But behold, I will go with
thee to the land of Middoni; for the king of the land of Middoni,
whose name is Antiomno, is a friend unto me; therefore I go to the
land of Middoni, that I may flatter the king of the land, and he
will cast thy brethren out of prison. Now Lamoni said unto him: Who
told thee that thy brethren were in prison?
Alma 20:Verse 5
5 And Ammon said unto him: No one hath told me, save it
be God; and he said unto me--Go and deliver thy brethren, for they
are in prison in the land of Middoni.
Alma 20:Verse 6
6 Now when Lamoni had heard this he caused that his
servants should make ready his horses and his chariots.
Alma 20:Verse 7
7 And he said unto Ammon: Come, I will go with thee
down to the land of Middoni, and there I will plead with the king
that he will cast thy brethren out of prison.
Alma 20:Verse 8
8 And it came to pass that as Ammon and Lamoni were
journeying thither, they met the father of Lamoni, who was king
over all the land.
Alma 20:Verse 9
9 And behold, the father of Lamoni said unto him: Why
did ye not come to the feast on that great day when I made a feast
unto my sons, and unto my people?
Alma 20:Verse 10
10 And he also said: Whither art thou going with this
Nephite, who is one of the children of a liar?
Alma 20:Verse 11
11 And it came to pass that Lamoni rehearsed unto him
whither he was going, for he feared to offend him.
Alma 20:Verse 12
12 And he also told him all the cause of his tarrying
in his own kingdom, that he did not go unto his father to the feast
which he had prepared.
Alma 20:Verse 13
13 And now when Lamoni had rehearsed unto him all these
things, behold, to his astonishment, his father was angry with him,
and said: Lamoni, thou art going to deliver these Nephites, who are
sons of a liar. Behold, he robbed our fathers; and now his children
are also come amongst us that they may, by their cunning and their
lyings, deceive us, that they again may rob us of our
property.
Alma 20:Verse 14
14 Now the father of Lamoni commanded him that he
should slay Ammon with the sword. And he also commanded him that he
should not go to the land of Middoni, but that he should return
with him to the land of Ishmael.
Alma 20:Verse 15
15 But Lamoni said unto him: I will not slay Ammon,
neither will I return to the land of Ishmael, but I go to the land
of Middoni that I may release the brethren of Ammon, for I know
that they are just men and holy prophets of the true God.
Alma 20:Verse 16
16 Now when his father had heard these words, he was
angry with him, and he drew his sword that he might smite him to
the earth.
Alma 20:Verse 17
17 But Ammon stood forth and said unto him: Behold,
thou shalt not slay thy son; nevertheless, it were better that he
should fall than thee, for behold, he has repented of his sins; but
if thou shouldst fall at this time, in thine anger, thy soul could
not be saved.
Alma 20:Verse 18
18 And again, it is expedient that thou shouldst
forbear; for if thou shouldst slay thy son, he being an innocent
man, his blood would cry from the ground to the Lord his God, for
vengeance to come upon thee; and perhaps thou wouldst lose thy
soul.
Alma 20:Verse 19
19 Now when Ammon had said these words unto him, he
answered him, saying: I know that if I should slay my son, that I
should shed innocent blood; for it is thou that hast sought to
destroy him.
Alma 20:Verse 20
20 And he stretched forth his hand to slay Ammon. But
Ammon withstood his blows, and also smote his arm that he could not
use it.
Alma 20:Verse 21
21 Now when the king saw that Ammon could slay him, he
began to plead with Ammon that he would spare his life.
Alma 20:Verse 22
22 But Ammon raised his sword, and said unto him:
Behold, I will smite thee except thou wilt grant unto me that my
brethren may be cast out of prison.
Alma 20:Verse 23
23 Now the king, fearing he should lose his life, said:
If thou wilt spare me I will grant unto thee whatsoever thou wilt
ask, even to half of the kingdom.
Alma 20:Verse 24
24 Now when Ammon saw that he had wrought upon the old
king according to his desire, he said unto him: If thou wilt grant
that my brethren may be cast out of prison, and also that Lamoni
may retain his kingdom, and that ye be not displeased with him, but
grant that he may do according to his own desires in whatsoever
thing he thinketh, then will I spare thee; otherwise I will smite
thee to the earth.
Alma 20:Verse 25
25 Now when Ammon had said these words, the king began
to rejoice because of his life.
Alma 20:Verse 26
26 And when he saw that Ammon had no desire to destroy
him, and when he also saw the great love he had for his son Lamoni,
he was astonished exceedingly, and said: Because this is all that
thou hast desired, that I would release thy brethren, and suffer
that my son Lamoni should retain his kingdom, behold, I will grant
unto you that my son may retain his kingdom from this time and
forever; and I will govern him no more--
Alma 20:Verse 27
27 And I will also grant unto thee that thy brethren
may be cast out of prison, and thou and thy brethren may come unto
me, in my kingdom; for I shall greatly desire to see thee. For the
king was greatly astonished at the words which he had spoken, and
also at the words which had been spoken by his son Lamoni,
therefore he was desirous to learn them.
Alma 20:Verse 28
28 And it came to pass that Ammon and Lamoni proceeded
on their journey towards the land of Middoni. And Lamoni found
favor in the eyes of the king of the land; therefore the brethren
of Ammon were brought forth out of prison.
Alma 20:Verse 29
29 And when Ammon did meet them he was exceedingly
sorrowful, for behold they were naked, and their skins were worn
exceedingly because of being bound with strong cords. And they also
had suffered hunger, thirst, and all kinds of afflictions;
nevertheless they were patient in all their sufferings.
Alma 20:Verse 30
30 And, as it happened, it was their lot to have fallen
into the hands of a more hardened and a more stiffnecked people;
therefore they would not hearken unto their words, and they had
cast them out, and had smitten them, and had driven them from house
to house, and from place to place, even until they had arrived in
the land of Middoni; and there they were taken and cast into
prison, and bound with strong cords, and kept in prison for many
days, and were delivered by Lamoni and Ammon.
Chapter 21
Alma 21:Verse 1
1 NOW when Ammon and his brethren separated themselves
in the borders of the land of the Lamanites, behold Aaron took his
journey towards the land which was called by the Lamanites,
Jerusalem, calling it after the land of their fathers' nativity;
and it was away joining the borders of Mormon.
Alma 21:Verse 2
2 Now the Lamanites and the Amalekites and the people
of Amulon had built a great city, which was called Jerusalem.
Alma 21:Verse 3
3 Now the Lamanites of themselves were sufficiently
hardened, but the Amalekites and the Amulonites were still harder;
therefore they did cause the Lamanites that they should harden
their hearts, that they should wax strong in wickedness and their
abominations.
Alma 21:Verse 4
4 And it came to pass that Aaron came to the city of
Jerusalem, and first began to preach to the Amalekites. And he
began to preach to them in their synagogues, for they had built
synagogues after the order of the Nehors; for many of the
Amalekites and the Amulonites were after the order of the
Nehors.
Alma 21:Verse 5
5 Therefore, as Aaron entered into one of their
synagogues to preach unto the people, and as he was speaking unto
them, behold there arose an Amalekite and began to contend with
him, saying: What is that thou hast testified? Hast thou seen an
angel? Why do not angels appear unto us? Behold are not this people
as good as thy people?
Alma 21:Verse 6
6 Thou also sayest, except we repent we shall perish.
How knowest thou the thought and intent of our hearts? How knowest
thou that we have cause to repent? How knowest thou that we are not
a righteous people? Behold, we have built sanctuaries, and we do
assemble ourselves together to worship God. We do believe that God
will save all men.
Alma 21:Verse 7
7 Now Aaron said unto him: Believest thou that the Son
of God shall come to redeem mankind from their sins?
Alma 21:Verse 8
8 And the man said unto him: We do not believe that
thou knowest any such thing. We do not believe in these foolish
traditions. We do not believe that thou knowest of things to come,
neither do we believe that thy fathers and also that our fathers
did know concerning the things which they spake, of that which is
to come.
Alma 21:Verse 9
9 Now Aaron began to open the scriptures unto them
concerning the coming of Christ, and also concerning the
resurrection of the dead, and that there could be no redemption for
mankind save it were through the death and sufferings of Christ,
and the atonement of his blood.
Alma 21:Verse 10
10 And it came to pass as he began to expound these
things unto them they were angry with him, and began to mock him;
and they would not hear the words which he spake.
Alma 21:Verse 11
11 Therefore, when he saw that they would not hear his
words, he departed out of their synagogue, and came over to a
village which was called Ani-Anti, and there he found Muloki
preaching the word unto them; and also Ammah and his brethren. And
they contended with many about the word.
Alma 21:Verse 12
12 And it came to pass that they saw that the people
would harden their hearts, therefore they departed and came over
into the land of Middoni. And they did preach the word unto many,
and few believed on the words which they taught.
Alma 21:Verse 13
13 Nevertheless, Aaron and a certain number of his
brethren were taken and cast into prison, and the remainder of them
fled out of the land of Middoni unto the regions round about.
Alma 21:Verse 14
14 And those who were cast into prison suffered many
things, and they were delivered by the hand of Lamoni and Ammon,
and they were fed and clothed.
Alma 21:Verse 15
15 And they went forth again to declare the word, and
thus they were delivered for the first time out of prison; and thus
they had suffered.
Alma 21:Verse 16
16 And they went forth whithersoever they were led by
the Spirit of the Lord, preaching the word of God in every
synagogue of the Amalekites, or in every assembly of the Lamanites
where they could be admitted.
Alma 21:Verse 17
17 And it came to pass that the Lord began to bless
them, insomuch that they brought many to the knowledge of the
truth; yea, they did convince many of their sins, and of the
traditions of their fathers, which were not correct.
Alma 21:Verse 18
18 And it came to pass that Ammon and Lamoni returned
from the land of Middoni to the land of Ishmael, which was the land
of their inheritance.
Alma 21:Verse 19
19 And king Lamoni would not suffer that Ammon should
serve him, or be his servant.
Alma 21:Verse 20
20 But he caused that there should be synagogues built
in the land of Ishmael; and he caused that his people, or the
people who were under his reign, should assemble themselves
together.
Alma 21:Verse 21
21 And he did rejoice over them, and he did teach them
many things. And he did also declare unto them that they were a
people who were under him, and that they were a free people, that
they were free from the oppressions of the king, his father; for
that his father had granted unto him that he might reign over the
people who were in the land of Ishmael, and in all the land round
about.
Alma 21:Verse 22
22 And he also declared unto them that they might have
the liberty of worshiping the Lord their God according to their
desires, in whatsoever place they were in, if it were in the land
which was under the reign of king Lamoni.
Alma 21:Verse 23
23 And Ammon did preach unto the people of king Lamoni;
and it came to pass that he did teach them all things concerning
things pertaining to righteousness. And he did exhort them daily,
with all diligence; and they gave heed unto his word, and they were
zealous for keeping the commandments of God.
Chapter 22
Alma 22:Verse 1
1 Now, as Ammon was thus teaching the people of Lamoni
continually, we will return to the account of Aaron and his
brethren; for after he departed from the land of Middoni he was led
by the Spirit to the land of Nephi, even to the house of the king
which was over all the land save it were the land of Ishmael; and
he was the father of Lamoni.
Alma 22:Verse 2
2 And it came to pass that he went in unto him into the
king's palace, with his brethren, and bowed himself before the
king, and said unto him: Behold, O king, we are the brethren of
Ammon, whom thou hast delivered out of prison.
Alma 22:Verse 3
3 And now, O king, if thou wilt spare our lives, we
will be thy servants. And the king said unto them: Arise, for I
will grant unto you your lives, and I will not suffer that ye shall
be my servants; but I will insist that ye shall administer unto me;
for I have been somewhat troubled in mind because of the generosity
and the greatness of the words of thy brother Ammon; and I desire
to know the cause why he has not come up out of Middoni with
thee.
Alma 22:Verse 4
4 And Aaron said unto the king: Behold, the Spirit of
the Lord has called him another way; he has gone to the land of
Ishmael, to teach the people of Lamoni.
Alma 22:Verse 5
5 Now the king said unto them: What is this that ye
have said concerning the Spirit of the Lord? Behold, this is the
thing which doth trouble me.
Alma 22:Verse 6
6 And also, what is this that Ammon said--If ye will
repent ye shall be saved, and if ye will not repent, ye shall be
cast off at the last day?
Alma 22:Verse 7
7 And Aaron answered him and said unto him: Believest
thou that there is a God? And the king said: I know that the
Amalekites say that there is a God, and I have granted unto them
that they should build sanctuaries, that they may assemble
themselves together to worship him. And if now thou sayest there is
a God, behold I will believe.
Alma 22:Verse 8
8 And now when Aaron heard this, his heart began to
rejoice, and he said: Behold, assuredly as thou livest, O king,
there is a God.
Alma 22:Verse 9
9 And the king said: Is God that Great Spirit that
brought our fathers out of the land of Jerusalem?
Alma 22:Verse 10
10 And Aaron said unto him: Yea, he is that Great
Spirit, and he created all things both in heaven and in earth.
Believest thou this?
Alma 22:Verse 11
11 And he said: Yea, I believe that the Great Spirit
created all things, and I desire that ye should tell me concerning
all these things, and I will believe thy words.
Alma 22:Verse 12
12 And it came to pass that when Aaron saw that the
king would believe his words, he began from the creation of Adam,
reading the scriptures unto the king--how God created man after his
own image, and that God gave him commandments, and that because of
transgression, man had fallen.
Alma 22:Verse 13
13 And Aaron did expound unto him the scriptures from
the creation of Adam, laying the fall of man before him, and their
carnal state and also the plan of redemption, which was prepared
from the foundation of the world, through Christ, for all whosoever
would believe on his name.
Alma 22:Verse 14
14 And since man had fallen he could not merit anything
of himself; but the sufferings and death of Christ atone for their
sins, through faith and repentance, and so forth; and that he
breaketh the bands of death, that the grave shall have no victory,
and that the sting of death should be swallowed up in the hopes of
glory; and Aaron did expound all these things unto the king.
Alma 22:Verse 15
15 And it came to pass that after Aaron had expounded
these things unto him, the king said: What shall I do that I may
have this eternal life of which thou hast spoken? Yea, what shall I
do that I may be born of God, having this wicked spirit rooted out
of my breast, and receive his Spirit, that I may be filled with
joy, that I may not be cast off at the last day? Behold, said he, I
will give up all that I possess, yea, I will forsake my kingdom,
that I may receive this great joy.
Alma 22:Verse 16
16 But Aaron said unto him: If thou desirest this
thing, if thou wilt bow down before God, yea, if thou wilt repent
of all thy sins, and will bow down before God, and call on his name
in faith, believing that ye shall receive, then shalt thou receive
the hope which thou desirest.
Alma 22:Verse 17
17 And it came to pass that when Aaron had said these
words, the king did bow down before the Lord, upon his knees; yea,
even he did prostrate himself upon the earth, and cried mightily,
saying:
Alma 22:Verse 18
18 O God, Aaron hath told me that there is a God; and
if there is a God, and if thou art God, wilt thou make thyself
known unto me, and I will give away all my sins to know thee, and
that I may be raised from the dead, and be saved at the last day.
And now when the king had said these words, he was struck as if he
were dead.
Alma 22:Verse 19
19 And it came to pass that his servants ran and told
the queen all that had happened unto the king. And she came in unto
the king; and when she saw him lay as if he were dead, and also
Aaron and his brethren standing as though they had been the cause
of his fall, she was angry with them, and commanded that her
servants, or the servants of the king, should take them and slay
them.
Alma 22:Verse 20
20 Now the servants had seen the cause of the king's
fall, therefore they durst not lay their hands on Aaron and his
brethren; and they pled with the queen saying: Why commandest thou
that we should slay these men, when behold one of them is mightier
than us all? Therefore we shall fall before them.
Alma 22:Verse 21
21 Now when the queen saw the fear of the servants she
also began to fear exceedingly, lest there should some evil come
upon her. And she commanded her servants that they should go and
call the people, that they might slay Aaron and his brethren.
Alma 22:Verse 22
22 Now when Aaron saw the determination of the queen,
he, also knowing the hardness of the hearts of the people, feared
lest that a multitude should assemble themselves together, and
there should be a great contention and a disturbance among them;
therefore he put forth his hand and raised the king from the earth,
and said unto him: Stand. And he stood upon his feet, receiving his
strength.
Alma 22:Verse 23
23 Now this was done in the presence of the queen and
many of the servants. And when they saw it they greatly marveled,
and began to fear. And the king stood forth, and began to minister
unto them. And he did minister unto them, insomuch that his whole
household were converted unto the Lord.
Alma 22:Verse 24
24 Now there was a multitude gathered together because
of the commandment of the queen, and there began to be great
murmurings among them because of Aaron and his brethren.
Alma 22:Verse 25
25 But the king stood forth among them and administered
unto them. And they were pacified towards Aaron and those who were
with him.
Alma 22:Verse 26
26 And it came to pass that when the king saw that the
people were pacified, he caused that Aaron and his brethren should
stand forth in the midst of the multitude, and that they should
preach the word unto them.
Alma 22:Verse 27
27 And it came to pass that the king sent a
proclamation throughout all the land, amongst all his people who
were in all his land, who were in all the regions round about,
which was bordering even to the sea, on the east and on the west,
and which was divided from the land of Zarahemla by a narrow strip
of wilderness, which ran from the sea east even to the sea west,
and round about on the borders of the seashore, and the borders of
the wilderness which was on the north by the land of Zarahemla,
through the borders of Manti, by the head of the river Sidon,
running from the east towards the west--and thus were the Lamanites
and the Nephites divided.
Alma 22:Verse 28
28 Now, the more idle part of the Lamanites lived in
the wilderness, and dwelt in tents; and they were spread through
the wilderness on the west, in the land of Nephi; yea, and also on
the west of the land of Zarahemla, in the borders by the seashore,
and on the west in the land of Nephi, in the place of their
fathers' first inheritance, and thus bordering along by the
seashore.
Alma 22:Verse 29
29 And also there were many Lamanites on the east by
the seashore, whither the Nephites had driven them. And thus the
Nephites were nearly surrounded by the Lamanites; nevertheless the
Nephites had taken possession of all the northern parts of the land
bordering on the wilderness, at the head of the river Sidon, from
the east to the west, round about on the wilderness side; on the
north, even until they came to the land which they called
Bountiful.
Alma 22:Verse 30
30 And it bordered upon the land which they called
Desolation, it being so far northward that it came into the land
which had been peopled and been destroyed, of whose bones we have
spoken, which was discovered by the people of Zarahemla, it being
the place of their first landing.
Alma 22:Verse 31
31 And they came from there up into the south
wilderness. Thus the land on the northward was called Desolation,
and the land on the southward was called Bountiful, it being the
wilderness which is filled with all manner of wild animals of every
kind, a part of which had come from the land northward for
food.
Alma 22:Verse 32
32 And now, it was only the distance of a day and a
half's journey for a Nephite, on the line Bountiful and the land
Desolation, from the east to the west sea; and thus the land of
Nephi and the land of Zarahemla were nearly surrounded by water,
there being a small neck of land between the land northward and the
land southward.
Alma 22:Verse 33
33 And it came to pass that the Nephites had inhabited
the land Bountiful, even from the east unto the west sea, and thus
the Nephites in their wisdom, with their guards and their armies,
had hemmed in the Lamanites on the south, that thereby they should
have no more possession on the north, that they might not overrun
the land northward.
Alma 22:Verse 34
34 Therefore the Lamanites could have no more
possessions only in the land of Nephi, and the wilderness round
about. Now this was wisdom in the Nephites--as the Lamanites were
an enemy to them, they would not suffer their afflictions on every
hand, and also that they might have a country whither they might
flee, according to their desires.
Alma 22:Verse 35
35 And now I, after having said this, return again to
the account of Ammon and Aaron, Omner and Himni, and their
brethren.
Chapter 23
Alma 23:Verse 1
1 Behold, now it came to pass that the king of the
Lamanites sent a proclamation among all his people, that they
should not lay their hands on Ammon, or Aaron, or Omner, or Himni,
nor either of their brethren who should go forth preaching the word
of God, in whatsoever place they should be, in any part of their
land.
Alma 23:Verse 2
2 Yea, he sent a decree among them, that they should
not lay their hands on them to bind them, or to cast them into
prison; neither should they spit upon them, nor smite them, nor
cast them out of their synagogues, nor scourge them; neither should
they cast stones at them, but that they should have free access to
their houses, and also their temples, and their sanctuaries.
Alma 23:Verse 3
3 And thus they might go forth and preach the word
according to their desires, for the king had been converted unto
the Lord, and all his household; therefore he sent his proclamation
throughout the land unto his people, that the word of God might
have no obstruction, but that it might go forth throughout all the
land, that his people might be convinced concerning the wicked
traditions of their fathers, and that they might be convinced that
they were all brethren, and that they ought not to murder, nor to
plunder, nor to steal, nor to commit adultery, nor to commit any
manner of wickedness.
Alma 23:Verse 4
4 And now it came to pass that when the king had sent
forth this proclamation, that Aaron and his brethren went forth
from city to city, and from one house of worship to another,
establishing churches, and consecrating priests and teachers
throughout the land among the Lamanites, to preach and to teach the
word of God among them; and thus they began to have great
success.
Alma 23:Verse 5
5 And thousands were brought to the knowledge of the
Lord, yea, thousands were brought to believe in the traditions of
the Nephites; and they were taught the records and prophecies which
were handed down even to the present time.
Alma 23:Verse 6
6 And as sure as the Lord liveth, so sure as many as
believed, or as many as were brought to the knowledge of the truth,
through the preaching of Ammon and his brethren, according to the
spirit of revelation and of prophecy, and the power of God working
miracles in them--yea, I say unto you, as the Lord liveth, as many
of the Lamanites as believed in their preaching, and were converted
unto the Lord, never did fall away.
Alma 23:Verse 7
7 For they became a righteous people; they did lay down
the weapons of their rebellion, that they did not fight against God
any more, neither against any of their brethren.
Alma 23:Verse 8
8 Now, these are they who were converted unto the
Lord:
Alma 23:Verse 9
9 The people of the Lamanites who were in the land of
Ishmael;
Alma 23:Verse 10
10 And also of the people of the Lamanites who were in
the land of Middoni;
Alma 23:Verse 11
11 And also of the people of the Lamanites who were in
the city of Nephi;
Alma 23:Verse 12
12 And also of the people of the Lamanites who were in
the land of Shilom, and who were in the land of Shemlon, and in the
city of Lemuel, and in the city of Shimnilom.
Alma 23:Verse 13
13 And these are the names of the cities of the
Lamanites which were converted unto the Lord; and these are they
that laid down the weapons of their rebellion, yea, all their
weapons of war; and they were all Lamanites.
Alma 23:Verse 14
14 And the Amalekites were not converted, save only
one; neither were any of the Amulonites; but they did harden their
hearts, and also the hearts of the Lamanites in that part of the
land wheresoever they dwelt, yea, and all their villages and all
their cities.
Alma 23:Verse 15
15 Therefore, we have named all the cities of the
Lamanites in which they did repent and come to the knowledge of the
truth, and were converted.
Alma 23:Verse 16
16 And now it came to pass that the king and those who
were converted were desirous that they might have a name, that
thereby they might be distinguished from their brethren; therefore
the king consulted with Aaron and many of their priests, concerning
the name that they should take upon them, that they might be
distinguished.
Alma 23:Verse 17
17 And it came to pass that they called their names
Anti-Nephi-Lehies; and they were called by this name and were no
more called Lamanites.
Alma 23:Verse 18
18 And they began to be a very industrious people; yea,
and they were friendly with the Nephites; therefore, they did open
a correspondence with them, and the curse of God did no more follow
them.
Chapter 24
Alma 24:Verse 1
1 AND it came to pass that the Amalekites and the
Amulonites and the Lamanites who were in the land of Amulon, and
also in the land of Helam, and who were in the land of Jerusalem,
and in fine, in all the land round about, who had not been
converted and had not taken upon them the name of Anti-Nephi-Lehi,
were stirred up by the Amalekites and by the Amulonites to anger
against their brethren.
Alma 24:Verse 2
2 And their hatred became exceedingly sore against
them, even insomuch that they began to rebel against their king,
insomuch that they would not that he should be their king;
therefore, they took up arms against the people of
Anti-Nephi-Lehi.
Alma 24:Verse 3
3 Now the king conferred the kingdom upon his son, and
he called his name Anti-Nephi-Lehi.
Alma 24:Verse 4
4 And the king died in that selfsame year that the
Lamanites began to make preparations for war against the people of
God.
Alma 24:Verse 5
5 Now when Ammon and his brethren and all those who had
come up with him saw the preparations of the Lamanites to destroy
their brethren, they came forth to the land of Midian, and there
Ammon met all his brethren; and from thence they came to the land
of Ishmael that they might hold a council with Lamoni and also with
his brother Anti-Nephi-Lehi, what they should do to defend
themselves against the Lamanites.
Alma 24:Verse 6
6 Now there was not one soul among all the people who
had been converted unto the Lord that would take up arms against
their brethren; nay, they would not even make any preparations for
war; yea, and also their king commanded them that they should
not.
Alma 24:Verse 7
7 Now, these are the words which he said unto the
people concerning the matter: I thank my God, my beloved people,
that our great God has in goodness sent these our brethren, the
Nephites, unto us to preach unto us, and to convince us of the
traditions of our wicked fathers.
Alma 24:Verse 8
8 And behold, I thank my great God that he has given us
a portion of his Spirit to soften our hearts, that we have opened a
correspondence with these brethren, the Nephites.
Alma 24:Verse 9
9 And behold, I also thank my God, that by opening this
correspondence we have been convinced of our sins, and of the many
murders which we have committed.
Alma 24:Verse 10
10 And I also thank my God, yea, my great God, that he
hath granted unto us that we might repent of these things, and also
that he hath forgiven us of those our many sins and murders which
we have committed, and taken away the guilt from our hearts,
through the merits of his Son.
Alma 24:Verse 11
11 And now behold, my brethren, since it has been all
that we could do, (as we were the most lost of all mankind) to
repent of all our sins and the many murders which we have
committed, and to get God to take them away from our hearts, for it
was all we could do to repent sufficiently before God that he would
take away our stain--
Alma 24:Verse 12
12 Now, my best beloved brethren, since God hath taken
away our stains, and our swords have become bright, then let us
stain our swords no more with the blood of our brethren.
Alma 24:Verse 13
13 Behold, I say unto you, Nay, let us retain our
swords that they be not stained with the blood of our brethren; for
perhaps, if we should stain our swords again they can no more be
washed bright through the blood of the Son of our great God, which
shall be shed for the atonement of our sins.
Alma 24:Verse 14
14 And the great God has had mercy on us, and made
these things known unto us that we might not perish; yea, and he
has made these things known unto us beforehand, because he loveth
our souls as well as he loveth our children; therefore, in his
mercy he doth visit us by his angels, that the plan of salvation
might be made known unto us as well as unto future
generations.
Alma 24:Verse 15
15 Oh, how merciful is our God! And now behold, since
it has been as much as we could do to get our stains taken away
from us, and our swords are made bright, let us hide them away that
they may be kept bright, as a testimony to our God at the last day,
or at the day that we shall be brought to stand before him to be
judged, that we have not stained our swords in the blood of our
brethren since he imparted his word unto us and has made us clean
thereby.
Alma 24:Verse 16
16 And now, my brethren, if our brethren seek to
destroy us, behold, we will hide away our swords, yea, even we will
bury them deep in the earth, that they may be kept bright, as a
testimony that we have never used them, at the last day; and if our
brethren destroy us, behold, we shall go to our God and shall be
saved.
Alma 24:Verse 17
17 And now it came to pass that when the king had made
an end of these sayings, and all the people were assembled
together, they took their swords, and all the weapons which were
used for the shedding of man's blood, and they did bury them up
deep in the earth.
Alma 24:Verse 18
18 And this they did, it being in their view a
testimony to God, and also to men, that they never would use
weapons again for the shedding of man's blood; and this they did,
vouching and covenanting with God, that rather than shed the blood
of their brethren they would give up their own lives; and rather
than take away from a brother they would give unto him; and rather
than spend their days in idleness they would labor abundantly with
their hands.
Alma 24:Verse 19
19 And thus we see that, when these Lamanites were
brought to believe and to know the truth, they were firm, and would
suffer even unto death rather than commit sin; and thus we see that
they buried their weapons of peace, or they buried the weapons of
war, for peace.
Alma 24:Verse 20
20 And it came to pass that their brethren, the
Lamanites, made preparations for war, and came up to the land of
Nephi for the purpose of destroying the king, and to place another
in his stead, and also of destroying the people of Anti-Nephi-Lehi
out of the land.
Alma 24:Verse 21
21 Now when the people saw that they were coming
against them they went out to meet them, and prostrated themselves
before them to the earth, and began to call on the name of the
Lord; and thus they were in this attitude when the Lamanites began
to fall upon them, and began to slay them with the sword.
Alma 24:Verse 22
22 And thus without meeting any resistance, they did
slay a thousand and five of them; and we know that they are
blessed, for they have gone to dwell with their God.
Alma 24:Verse 23
23 Now when the Lamanites saw that their brethren would
not flee from the sword, neither would they turn aside to the right
hand or to the left, but that they would lie down and perish, and
praised God even in the very act of perishing under the
sword--
Alma 24:Verse 24
24 Now when the Lamanites saw this they did forbear
from slaying them; and there were many whose hearts had swollen in
them for those of their brethren who had fallen under the sword,
for they repented of the things which they had done.
Alma 24:Verse 25
25 And it came to pass that they threw down their
weapons of war, and they would not take them again, for they were
stung for the murders which they had committed; and they came down
even as their brethren, relying upon the mercies of those whose
arms were lifted to slay them.
Alma 24:Verse 26
26 And it came to pass that the people of God were
joined that day by more than the number who had been slain; and
those who had been slain were righteous people, therefore we have
no reason to doubt but what they were saved.
Alma 24:Verse 27
27 And there was not a wicked man slain among them; but
there were more than a thousand brought to the knowledge of the
truth; thus we see that the Lord worketh in many ways to the
salvation of his people.
Alma 24:Verse 28
28 Now the greatest number of those of the Lamanites
who slew so many of their brethren were Amalekites and Amulonites,
the greatest number of whom were after the order of the
Nehors.
Alma 24:Verse 29
29 Now, among those who joined the people of the Lord,
there were none who were Amalekites or Amulonites, or who were of
the order of Nehor, but they were actual descendants of Laman and
Lemuel.
Alma 24:Verse 30
30 And thus we can plainly discern, that after a people
have been once enlightened by the Spirit of God, and have had great
knowledge of things pertaining to righteousness, and then have
fallen away into sin and transgression, they become more hardened,
and thus their state becomes worse than though they had never known
these things.
Chapter 25
Alma 25:Verse 1
1 AND behold, now it came to pass that those Lamanites
were more angry because they had slain their brethren; therefore
they swore vengeance upon the Nephites; and they did no more
attempt to slay the people of Anti-Nephi-Lehi at that time.
Alma 25:Verse 2
2 But they took their armies and went over into the
borders of the land of Zarahemla, and fell upon the people who were
in the land of Ammonihah and destroyed them.
Alma 25:Verse 3
3 And after that, they had many battles with the
Nephites, in the which they were driven and slain.
Alma 25:Verse 4
4 And among the Lamanites who were slain were almost
all the seed of Amulon and his brethren, who were the priests of
Noah, and they were slain by the hands of the Nephites;
Alma 25:Verse 5
5 And the remainder, having fled into the east
wilderness, and having usurped the power and authority over the
Lamanites, caused that many of the Lamanites should perish by fire
because of their belief--
Alma 25:Verse 6
6 For many of them, after having suffered much loss and
so many afflictions, began to be stirred up in remembrance of the
words which Aaron and his brethren had preached to them in their
land; therefore they began to disbelieve the traditions of their
fathers, and to believe in the Lord, and that he gave great power
unto the Nephites; and thus there were many of them converted in
the wilderness.
Alma 25:Verse 7
7 And it came to pass that those rulers who were the
remnant of the children of Amulon caused that they should be put to
death, yea, all those that believed in these things.
Alma 25:Verse 8
8 Now this martyrdom caused that many of their brethren
should be stirred up to anger; and there began to be contention in
the wilderness; and the Lamanites began to hunt the seed of Amulon
and his brethren and began to slay them; and they fled into the
east wilderness.
Alma 25:Verse 9
9 And behold they are hunted at this day by the
Lamanites. Thus the words of Abinadi were brought to pass, which he
said concerning the seed of the priests who caused that he should
suffer death by fire.
Alma 25:Verse 10
10 For he said unto them: What ye shall do unto me
shall be a type of things to come.
Alma 25:Verse 11
11 And now Abinadi was the first that suffered death by
fire because of his belief in God; now this is what he meant, that
many should suffer death by fire, according as he had
suffered.
Alma 25:Verse 12
12 And he said unto the priests of Noah that their seed
should cause many to be put to death, in the like manner as he was,
and that they should be scattered abroad and slain, even as a sheep
having no shepherd is driven and slain by wild beasts; and now
behold, these words were verified, for they were driven by the
Lamanites, and they were hunted, and they were smitten.
Alma 25:Verse 13
13 And it came to pass that when the Lamanites saw that
they could not overpower the Nephites they returned again to their
own land; and many of them came over to dwell in the land of
Ishmael and the land of Nephi, and did join themselves to the
people of God, who were the people of Anti-Nephi-Lehi.
Alma 25:Verse 14
14 And they did also bury their weapons of war,
according as their brethren had, and they began to be a righteous
people; and they did walk in the ways of the Lord, and did observe
to keep his commandments and his statutes.
Alma 25:Verse 15
15 Yea, and they did keep the law of Moses; for it was
expedient that they should keep the law of Moses as yet, for it was
not all fulfilled. But notwithstanding the law of Moses, they did
look forward to the coming of Christ, considering that the law of
Moses was a type of his coming, and believing that they must keep
those outward performances until the time that he should be
revealed unto them.
Alma 25:Verse 16
16 Now they did not suppose that salvation came by the
law of Moses; but the law of Moses did serve to strengthen their
faith in Christ; and thus they did retain a hope through faith,
unto eternal salvation, relying upon the spirit of prophecy, which
spake of those things to come.
Alma 25:Verse 17
17 And now behold, Ammon, and Aaron, and Omner, and
Himni, and their brethren did rejoice exceedingly, for the success
which they had had among the Lamanites, seeing that the Lord had
granted unto them according to their prayers, and that he had also
verified his word unto them in every particular.
Chapter 26
Alma 26:Verse 1
1 AND now, these are the words of Ammon to his
brethren, which say thus: My brothers and my brethren, behold I say
unto you, how great reason have we to rejoice; for could we have
supposed when we started from the land of Zarahemla that God would
have granted unto us such great blessings?
Alma 26:Verse 2
2 And now, I ask, what great blessings has he bestowed
upon us? Can ye tell?
Alma 26:Verse 3
3 Behold, I answer for you; for our brethren, the
Lamanites, were in darkness, yea, even in the darkest abyss, but
behold, how many of them are brought to behold the marvelous light
of God! And this is the blessing which hath been bestowed upon us,
that we have been made instruments in the hands of God to bring
about this great work.
Alma 26:Verse 4
4 Behold, thousands of them do rejoice, and have been
brought into the fold of God.
Alma 26:Verse 5
5 Behold, the field was ripe, and blessed are ye, for
ye did thrust in the sickle, and did reap with your might, yea, all
the day long did ye labor; and behold the number of your sheaves!
And they shall be gathered into the garners, that they are not
wasted.
Alma 26:Verse 6
6 Yea, they shall not be beaten down by the storm at
the last day; yea, neither shall they be harrowed up by the
whirlwinds; but when the storm cometh they shall be gathered
together in their place, that the storm cannot penetrate to them;
yea, neither shall they be driven with fierce winds whithersoever
the enemy listeth to carry them.
Alma 26:Verse 7
7 But behold, they are in the hands of the Lord of the
harvest, and they are his; and he will raise them up at the last
day.
Alma 26:Verse 8
8 Blessed be the name of our God; let us sing to his
praise, yea, let us give thanks to his holy name, for he doth work
righteousness forever.
Alma 26:Verse 9
9 For if we had not come up out of the land of
Zarahemla, these our dearly beloved brethren, who have so dearly
beloved us, would still have been racked with hatred against us,
yea, and they would also have been strangers to God.
Alma 26:Verse 10
10 And it came to pass that when Ammon had said these
words, his brother Aaron rebuked him, saying: Ammon, I fear that
thy joy doth carry thee away unto boasting.
Alma 26:Verse 11
11 But Ammon said unto him: I do not boast in my own
strength, nor in my own wisdom; but behold, my joy is full, yea, my
heart is brim with joy, and I will rejoice in my God.
Alma 26:Verse 12
12 Yea, I know that I am nothing; as to my strength I
am weak; therefore I will not boast of myself, but I will boast of
my God, for in his strength I can do all things; yea, behold, many
mighty miracles we have wrought in this land, for which we will
praise his name forever.
Alma 26:Verse 13
13 Behold, how many thousands of our brethren has he
loosed from the pains of hell; and they are brought to sing
redeeming love, and this because of the power of his word which is
in us, therefore have we not great reason to rejoice?
Alma 26:Verse 14
14 Yea, we have reason to praise him forever, for he is
the Most High God, and has loosed our brethren from the chains of
hell.
Alma 26:Verse 15
15 Yea, they were encircled about with everlasting
darkness and destruction; but behold, he has brought them into his
everlasting light, yea, into everlasting salvation; and they are
encircled about with the matchless bounty of his love; yea, and we
have been instruments in his hands of doing this great and
marvelous work.
Alma 26:Verse 16
16 Therefore, let us glory, yea, we will glory in the
Lord; yea, we will rejoice, for our joy is full; yea, we will
praise our God forever. Behold, who can glory too much in the Lord?
Yea, who can say too much of his great power, and of his mercy, and
of his long-suffering towards the children of men? Behold, I say
unto you, I cannot say the smallest part which I feel.
Alma 26:Verse 17
17 Who could have supposed that our God would have been
so merciful as to have snatched us from our awful, sinful, and
polluted state?
Alma 26:Verse 18
18 Behold, we went forth even in wrath, with mighty
threatenings to destroy his church.
Alma 26:Verse 19
19 Oh then, why did he not consign us to an awful
destruction, yea, why did he not let the sword of his justice fall
upon us, and doom us to eternal despair?
Alma 26:Verse 20
20 Oh, my soul, almost as it were, fleeth at the
thought. Behold, he did not exercise his justice upon us, but in
his great mercy hath brought us over that everlasting gulf of death
and misery, even to the salvation of our souls.
Alma 26:Verse 21
21 And now behold, my brethren, what natural man is
there that knoweth these things? I say unto you, there is none that
knoweth these things, save it be the penitent.
Alma 26:Verse 22
22 Yea, he that repenteth and exerciseth faith, and
bringeth forth good works, and prayeth continually without
ceasing--unto such it is given to know the mysteries of God; yea,
unto such it shall be given to reveal things which never have been
revealed; yea, and it shall be given unto such to bring thousands
of souls to repentance, even as it has been given unto us to bring
these our brethren to repentance.
Alma 26:Verse 23
23 Now do ye remember, my brethren, that we said unto
our brethren in the land of Zarahemla, we go up to the land of
Nephi, to preach unto our brethren, the Lamanites, and they laughed
us to scorn?
Alma 26:Verse 24
24 For they said unto us: Do ye suppose that ye can
bring the Lamanites to the knowledge of the truth? Do ye suppose
that ye can convince the Lamanites of the incorrectness of the
traditions of their fathers, as stiffnecked a people as they are;
whose hearts delight in the shedding of blood; whose days have been
spent in the grossest iniquity; whose ways have been the ways of a
transgressor from the beginning? Now my brethren, ye remember that
this was their language.
Alma 26:Verse 25
25 And moreover they did say: Let us take up arms
against them, that we destroy them and their iniquity out of the
land, lest they overrun us and destroy us.
Alma 26:Verse 26
26 But behold, my beloved brethren, we came into the
wilderness not with the intent to destroy our brethren, but with
the intent that perhaps we might save some few of their
souls.
Alma 26:Verse 27
27 Now when our hearts were depressed, and we were
about to turn back, behold, the Lord comforted us, and said: Go
amongst thy brethren, the Lamanites, and bear with patience thine
afflictions, and I will give unto you success.
Alma 26:Verse 28
28 And now behold, we have come, and been forth amongst
them; and we have been patient in our sufferings, and we have
suffered every privation; yea, we have traveled from house to
house, relying upon the mercies of the world--not upon the mercies
of the world alone but upon the mercies of God.
Alma 26:Verse 29
29 And we have entered into their houses and taught
them, and we have taught them in their streets; yea, and we have
taught them upon their hills; and we have also entered into their
temples and their synagogues and taught them; and we have been cast
out, and mocked, and spit upon, and smote upon our cheeks; and we
have been stoned, and taken and bound with strong cords, and cast
into prison; and through the power and wisdom of God we have been
delivered again.
Alma 26:Verse 30
30 And we have suffered all manner of afflictions, and
all this, that perhaps we might be the means of saving some soul;
and we supposed that our joy would be full if perhaps we could be
the means of saving some.
Alma 26:Verse 31
31 Now behold, we can look forth and see the fruits of
our labors; and are they few? I say unto you, Nay, they are many;
yea, and we can witness of their sincerity, because of their love
towards their brethren and also towards us.
Alma 26:Verse 32
32 For behold, they had rather sacrifice their lives
than even to take the life of their enemy; and they have buried
their weapons of war deep in the earth, because of their love
towards their brethren.
Alma 26:Verse 33
33 And now behold I say unto you, has there been so
great love in all the land? Behold, I say unto you, Nay, there has
not, even among the Nephites.
Alma 26:Verse 34
34 For behold, they would take up arms against their
brethren; they would not suffer themselves to be slain. But behold
how many of these have laid down their lives; and we know that they
have gone to their God, because of their love and of their hatred
to sin.
Alma 26:Verse 35
35 Now have we not reason to rejoice? Yea, I say unto
you, there never were men that had so great reason to rejoice as
we, since the world began; yea, and my joy is carried away, even
unto boasting in my God; for he has all power, all wisdom, and all
understanding; he comprehendeth all things, and he is a merciful
Being, even unto salvation, to those who will repent and believe on
his name.
Alma 26:Verse 36
36 Now if this is boasting, even so will I boast; for
this is my life and my light, my joy and my salvation, and my
redemption from everlasting wo. Yea, blessed is the name of my God,
who has been mindful of this people, who are a branch of the tree
of Israel, and has been lost from its body in a strange land; yea,
I say, blessed be the name of my God, who has been mindful of us,
wanderers in a strange land.
Alma 26:Verse 37
37 Now my brethren, we see that God is mindful of every
people, whatsoever land they may be in; yea, he numbereth his
people, and his bowels of mercy are over all the earth. Now this is
my joy, and my great thanksgiving; yea, and I will give thanks unto
my God forever. Amen.
Chapter 27
Alma 27:Verse 1
1 NOW it came to pass that when those Lamanites who had
gone to war against the Nephites had found, after their many
struggles to destroy them, that it was in vain to seek their
destruction, they returned again to the land of Nephi.
Alma 27:Verse 2
2 And it came to pass that the Amalekites, because of
their loss, were exceedingly angry. And when they saw that they
could not seek revenge from the Nephites, they began to stir up the
people in anger against their brethren, the people of
Anti-Nephi-Lehi; therefore they began again to destroy them.
Alma 27:Verse 3
3 Now this people again refused to take their arms, and
they suffered themselves to be slain according to the desires of
their enemies.
Alma 27:Verse 4
4 Now when Ammon and his brethren saw this work of
destruction among those whom they so dearly beloved, and among
those who had so dearly beloved them--for they were treated as
though they were angels sent from God to save them from everlasting
destruction--therefore, when Ammon and his brethren saw this great
work of destruction, they were moved with compassion, and they said
unto the king:
Alma 27:Verse 5
5 Let us gather together this people of the Lord, and
let us go down to the land of Zarahemla to our brethren the
Nephites, and flee out of the hands of our enemies, that we be not
destroyed.
Alma 27:Verse 6
6 But the king said unto them: Behold, the Nephites
will destroy us, because of the many murders and sins we have
committed against them.
Alma 27:Verse 7
7 And Ammon said: I will go and inquire of the Lord,
and if he say unto us, go down unto our brethren, will ye go?
Alma 27:Verse 8
8 And the king said unto him: Yea, if the Lord saith
unto us go, we will go down unto our brethren, and we will be their
slaves until we repair unto them the many murders and sins which we
have committed against them.
Alma 27:Verse 9
9 But Ammon said unto him: It is against the law of our
brethren, which was established by my father, that there should be
any slaves among them; therefore let us go down and rely upon the
mercies of our brethren.
Alma 27:Verse 10
10 But the king said unto him: Inquire of the Lord, and
if he saith unto us go, we will go; otherwise we will perish in the
land.
Alma 27:Verse 11
11 And it came to pass that Ammon went and inquired of
the Lord, and the Lord said unto him:
Alma 27:Verse 12
12 Get this people out of this land, that they perish
not; for Satan has great hold on the hearts of the Amalekites, who
do stir up the Lamanites to anger against their brethren to slay
them; therefore get thee out of this land; and blessed are this
people in this generation, for I will preserve them.
Alma 27:Verse 13
13 And now it came to pass that Ammon went and told the
king all the words which the Lord had said unto him.
Alma 27:Verse 14
14 And they gathered together all their people, yea,
all the people of the Lord, and did gather together all their
flocks and herds, and departed out of the land, and came into the
wilderness which divided the land of Nephi from the land of
Zarahemla, and came over near the borders of the land.
Alma 27:Verse 15
15 And it came to pass that Ammon said unto them:
Behold, I and my brethren will go forth into the land of Zarahemla,
and ye shall remain here until we return; and we will try the
hearts of our brethren, whether they will that ye shall come into
their land.
Alma 27:Verse 16
16 And it came to pass that as Ammon was going forth
into the land, that he and his brethren met Alma, over in the place
of which has been spoken; and behold, this was a joyful
meeting.
Alma 27:Verse 17
17 Now the joy of Ammon was so great even that he was
full; yea, he was swallowed up in the joy of his God, even to the
exhausting of his strength; and he fell again to the earth.
Alma 27:Verse 18
18 Now was not this exceeding joy? Behold, this is joy
which none receiveth save it be the truly penitent and humble
seeker of happiness.
Alma 27:Verse 19
19 Now the joy of Alma in meeting his brethren was
truly great, and also the joy of Aaron, of Omner, and Himni; but
behold their joy was not that to exceed their strength.
Alma 27:Verse 20
20 And now it came to pass that Alma conducted his
brethren back to the land of Zarahemla; even to his own house. And
they went and told the chief judge all the things that had happened
unto them in the land of Nephi, among their brethren, the
Lamanites.
Alma 27:Verse 21
21 And it came to pass that the chief judge sent a
proclamation throughout all the land, desiring the voice of the
people concerning the admitting their brethren, who were the people
of Anti-Nephi-Lehi.
Alma 27:Verse 22
22 And it came to pass that the voice of the people
came, saying: Behold, we will give up the land of Jershon, which is
on the east by the sea, which joins the land Bountiful, which is on
the south of the land Bountiful; and this land Jershon is the land
which we will give unto our brethren for an inheritance.
Alma 27:Verse 23
23 And behold, we will set our armies between the land
Jershon and the land Nephi, that we may protect our brethren in the
land Jershon; and this we do for our brethren, on account of their
fear to take up arms against their brethren lest they should commit
sin; and this their great fear came because of their sore
repentance which they had, on account of their many murders and
their awful wickedness.
Alma 27:Verse 24
24 And now behold, this will we do unto our brethren,
that they may inherit the land Jershon; and we will guard them from
their enemies with our armies, on condition that they will give us
a portion of their substance to assist us that we may maintain our
armies.
Alma 27:Verse 25
25 Now, it came to pass that when Ammon had heard this,
he returned to the people of Anti-Nephi-Lehi, and also Alma with
him, into the wilderness, where they had pitched their tents, and
made known unto them all these things. And Alma also related unto
them his conversion, with Ammon and Aaron, and his brethren.
Alma 27:Verse 26
26 And it came to pass that it did cause great joy
among them. And they went down into the land of Jershon, and took
possession of the land of Jershon; and they were called by the
Nephites the people of Ammon; therefore they were distinguished by
that name ever after.
Alma 27:Verse 27
27 And they were among the people of Nephi, and also
numbered among the people who were of the church of God. And they
were also distinguished for their zeal towards God, and also
towards men; for they were perfectly honest and upright in all
things; and they were firm in the faith of Christ, even unto the
end.
Alma 27:Verse 28
28 And they did look upon shedding the blood of their
brethren with the greatest abhorrence; and they never could be
prevailed upon to take up arms against their brethren; and they
never did look upon death with any degree of terror, for their hope
and views of Christ and the resurrection; therefore, death was
swallowed up to them by the victory of Christ over it.
Alma 27:Verse 29
29 Therefore, they would suffer death in the most
aggravating and distressing manner which could be inflicted by
their brethren, before they would take the sword or cimeter to
smite them.
Alma 27:Verse 30
30 And thus they were a zealous and beloved people, a
highly favored people of the Lord.
Chapter 28
Alma 28:Verse 1
1 AND now it came to pass that after the people of
Ammon were established in the land of Jershon, and a church also
established in the land of Jershon, and the armies of the Nephites
were set round about the land of Jershon, yea, in all the borders
round about the land of Zarahemla; behold the armies of the
Lamanites had followed their brethren into the wilderness.
Alma 28:Verse 2
2 And thus there was a tremendous battle; yea, even
such an one as never had been known among all the people in the
land from the time Lehi left Jerusalem; yea, and tens of thousands
of the Lamanites were slain and scattered abroad.
Alma 28:Verse 3
3 Yea, and also there was a tremendous slaughter among
the people of Nephi; nevertheless, the Lamanites were driven and
scattered, and the people of Nephi returned again to their
land.
Alma 28:Verse 4
4 And now this was a time that there was a great
mourning and lamentation heard throughout all the land, among all
the people of Nephi--
Alma 28:Verse 5
5 Yea, the cry of widows mourning for their husbands,
and also of fathers mourning for their sons, and the daughter for
the brother, yea, the brother for the father; and thus the cry of
mourning was heard among all of them, mourning for their kindred
who had been slain.
Alma 28:Verse 6
6 And now surely this was a sorrowful day; yea, a time
of solemnity, and a time of much fasting and prayer.
Alma 28:Verse 7
7 And thus endeth the fifteenth year of the reign of
the judges over the people of Nephi;
Alma 28:Verse 8
8 And this is the account of Ammon and his brethren,
their journeyings in the land of Nephi, their sufferings in the
land, their sorrows, and their afflictions, and their
incomprehensible joy, and the reception and safety of the brethren
in the land of Jershon. And now may the Lord, the Redeemer of all
men, bless their souls forever.
Alma 28:Verse 9
9 And this is the account of the wars and contentions
among the Nephites, and also the wars between the Nephites and the
Lamanites; and the fifteenth year of the reign of the judges is
ended.
Alma 28:Verse 10
10 And from the first year to the fifteenth has brought
to pass the destruction of many thousand lives; yea, it has brought
to pass an awful scene of bloodshed.
Alma 28:Verse 11
11 And the bodies of many thousands are laid low in the
earth, while the bodies of many thousands are moldering in heaps
upon the face of the earth; yea, and many thousands are mourning
for the loss of their kindred, because they have reason to fear,
according to the promises of the Lord, that they are consigned to a
state of endless wo.
Alma 28:Verse 12
12 While many thousands of others truly mourn for the
loss of their kindred, yet they rejoice and exult in the hope, and
even know, according to the promises of the Lord, that they are
raised to dwell at the right hand of God, in a state of
never-ending happiness.
Alma 28:Verse 13
13 And thus we see how great the inequality of man is
because of sin and transgression, and the power of the devil, which
comes by the cunning plans which he hath devised to ensnare the
hearts of men.
Alma 28:Verse 14
14 And thus we see the great call of diligence of men
to labor in the vineyards of the Lord; and thus we see the great
reason of sorrow, and also of rejoicing--sorrow because of death
and destruction among men, and joy because of the light of Christ
unto life.
Chapter 29
Alma 29:Verse 1
1 O that I were an angel, and could have the wish of
mine heart, that I might go forth and speak with the trump of God,
with a voice to shake the earth, and cry repentance unto every
people!
Alma 29:Verse 2
2 Yea, I would declare unto every soul, as with the
voice of thunder, repentance and the plan of redemption, that they
should repent and come unto our God, that there might not be more
sorrow upon all the face of the earth.
Alma 29:Verse 3
3 But behold, I am a man, and do sin in my wish; for I
ought to be content with the things which the Lord hath allotted
unto me.
Alma 29:Verse 4
4 I ought not to harrow up in my desires, the firm
decree of a just God, for I know that he granteth unto men
according to their desire, whether it be unto death or unto life;
yea, I know that he allotteth unto men, yea, decreeth unto them
decrees which are unalterable, according to their wills, whether
they be unto salvation or unto destruction.
Alma 29:Verse 5
5 Yea, and I know that good and evil have come before
all men; he that knoweth not good from evil is blameless; but he
that knoweth good and evil, to him it is given according to his
desires, whether he desireth good or evil, life or death, joy or
remorse of conscience.
Alma 29:Verse 6
6 Now, seeing that I know these things, why should I
desire more than to perform the work to which I have been
called?
Alma 29:Verse 7
7 Why should I desire that I were an angel, that I
could speak unto all the ends of the earth?
Alma 29:Verse 8
8 For behold, the Lord doth grant unto all nations, of
their own nation and tongue, to teach his word, yea, in wisdom, all
that he seeth fit that they should have; therefore we see that the
Lord doth counsel in wisdom, according to that which is just and
true.
Alma 29:Verse 9
9 I know that which the Lord hath commanded me, and I
glory in it. I do not glory of myself, but I glory in that which
the Lord hath commanded me; yea, and this is my glory, that perhaps
I may be an instrument in the hands of God to bring some soul to
repentance; and this is my joy.
Alma 29:Verse 10
10 And behold, when I see many of my brethren truly
penitent, and coming to the Lord their God, then is my soul filled
with joy; then do I remember what the Lord has done for me, yea,
even that he hath heard my prayer; yea, then do I remember his
merciful arm which he extended towards me.
Alma 29:Verse 11
11 Yea, and I also remember the captivity of my
fathers; for I surely do know that the Lord did deliver them out of
bondage, and by this did establish his church; yea, the Lord God,
the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, did
deliver them out of bondage.
Alma 29:Verse 12
12 Yea, I have always remembered the captivity of my
fathers; and that same God who delivered them out of the hands of
the Egyptians did deliver them out of bondage.
Alma 29:Verse 13
13 Yea, and that same God did establish his church
among them; yea, and that same God hath called me by a holy
calling, to preach the word unto this people, and hath given me
much success, in the which my joy is full.
Alma 29:Verse 14
14 But I do not joy in my own success alone, but my joy
is more full because of the success of my brethren, who have been
up to the land of Nephi.
Alma 29:Verse 15
15 Behold, they have labored exceedingly, and have
brought forth much fruit; and how great shall be their
reward!
Alma 29:Verse 16
16 Now, when I think of the success of these my
brethren my soul is carried away, even to the separation of it from
the body, as it were, so great is my joy.
Alma 29:Verse 17
17 And now may God grant unto these, my brethren, that
they may sit down in the kingdom of God; yea, and also all those
who are the fruit of their labors that they may go no more out, but
that they may praise him forever. And may God grant that it may be
done according to my words, even as I have spoken. Amen.
Chapter 30
Alma 30:Verse 1
1 Behold, now it came to pass that after the people of
Ammon were established in the land of Jershon, yea, and also after
the Lamanites were driven out of the land, and their dead were
buried by the people of the land--
Alma 30:Verse 2
2 Now their dead were not numbered because of the
greatness of their numbers; neither were the dead of the Nephites
numbered--but it came to pass after they had buried their dead, and
also after the days of fasting, and mourning, and prayer, (and it
was in the sixteenth year of the reign of the judges over the
people of Nephi) there began to be continual peace throughout all
the land.
Alma 30:Verse 3
3 Yea, and the people did observe to keep the
commandments of the Lord; and they were strict in observing the
ordinances of God, according to the law of Moses; for they were
taught to keep the law of Moses until it should be fulfilled.
Alma 30:Verse 4
4 And thus the people did have no disturbance in all
the sixteenth year of the reign of the judges over the people of
Nephi.
Alma 30:Verse 5
5 And it came to pass that in the commencement of the
seventeenth year of the reign of the judges, there was continual
peace.
Alma 30:Verse 6
6 But it came to pass in the latter end of the
seventeenth year, there came a man into the land of Zarahemla, and
he was Anti-Christ, for he began to preach unto the people against
the prophecies which had been spoken by the prophets, concerning
the coming of Christ.
Alma 30:Verse 7
7 Now there was no law against a man's belief; for it
was strictly contrary to the commands of God that there should be a
law which should bring men on to unequal grounds.
Alma 30:Verse 8
8 For thus saith the scripture: Choose ye this day,
whom ye will serve.
Alma 30:Verse 9
9 Now if a man desired to serve God, it was his
privilege; or rather, if he believed in God it was his privilege to
serve him; but if he did not believe in him there was no law to
punish him.
Alma 30:Verse 10
10 But if he murdered he was punished unto death; and
if he robbed he was also punished; and if he stole he was also
punished; and if he committed adultery he was also punished; yea,
for all this wickedness they were punished.
Alma 30:Verse 11
11 For there was a law that men should be judged
according to their crimes. Nevertheless, there was no law against a
man's belief; therefore, a man was punished only for the crimes
which he had done; therefore all men were on equal grounds.
Alma 30:Verse 12
12 And this Anti-Christ, whose name was Korihor, (and
the law could have no hold upon him) began to preach unto the
people that there should be no Christ. And after this manner did he
preach, saying:
Alma 30:Verse 13
13 O ye that are bound down under a foolish and a vain
hope, why do ye yoke yourselves with such foolish things? Why do ye
look for a Christ? For no man can know of anything which is to
come.
Alma 30:Verse 14
14 Behold, these things which ye call prophecies, which
ye say are handed down by holy prophets, behold, they are foolish
traditions of your fathers.
Alma 30:Verse 15
15 How do ye know of their surety? Behold, ye cannot
know of things which ye do not see; therefore ye cannot know that
there shall be a Christ.
Alma 30:Verse 16
16 Ye look forward and say that ye see a remission of
your sins. But behold, it is the effect of a frenzied mind; and
this derangement of your minds comes because of the traditions of
your fathers, which lead you away into a belief of things which are
not so.
Alma 30:Verse 17
17 And many more such things did he say unto them,
telling them that there could be no atonement made for the sins of
men, but every man fared in this life according to the management
of the creature; therefore every man prospered according to his
genius, and that every man conquered according to his strength; and
whatsoever a man did was no crime.
Alma 30:Verse 18
18 And thus he did preach unto them, leading away the
hearts of many, causing them to lift up their heads in their
wickedness, yea, leading away many women, and also men, to commit
whoredoms--telling them that when a man was dead, that was the end
thereof.
Alma 30:Verse 19
19 Now this man went over to the land of Jershon also,
to preach these things among the people of Ammon, who were once the
people of the Lamanites.
Alma 30:Verse 20
20 But behold they were more wise than many of the
Nephites; for they took him, and bound him, and carried him before
Ammon, who was a high priest over that people.
Alma 30:Verse 21
21 And it came to pass that he caused that he should be
carried out of the land. And he came over into the land of Gideon,
and began to preach unto them also; and here he did not have much
success, for he was taken and bound and carried before the high
priest, and also the chief judge over the land.
Alma 30:Verse 22
22 And it came to pass that the high priest said unto
him: Why do ye go about perverting the ways of the Lord? Why do ye
teach this people that there shall be no Christ, to interrupt their
rejoicings? Why do ye speak against all the prophecies of the holy
prophets?
Alma 30:Verse 23
23 Now the high priest's name was Giddonah. And Korihor
said unto him: Because I do not teach the foolish traditions of
your fathers, and because I do not teach this people to bind
themselves down under the foolish ordinances and performances which
are laid down by ancient priests, to usurp power and authority over
them, to keep them in ignorance, that they may not lift up their
heads, but be brought down according to thy words.
Alma 30:Verse 24
24 Ye say that this people is a free people. Behold, I
say they are in bondage. Ye say that those ancient prophecies are
true. Behold, I say that ye do not know that they are true.
Alma 30:Verse 25
25 Ye say that this people is a guilty and a fallen
people, because of the transgression of a parent. Behold, I say
that a child is not guilty because of its parents.
Alma 30:Verse 26
26 And ye also say that Christ shall come. But behold,
I say that ye do not know that there shall be a Christ. And ye say
also that he shall be slain for the sins of the world--
Alma 30:Verse 27
27 And thus ye lead away this people after the foolish
traditions of your fathers, and according to your own desires; and
ye keep them down, even as it were in bondage, that ye may glut
yourselves with the labors of their hands, that they durst not look
up with boldness, and that they durst not enjoy their rights and
privileges.
Alma 30:Verse 28
28 Yea, they durst not make use of that which is their
own lest they should offend their priests, who do yoke them
according to their desires, and have brought them to believe, by
their traditions and their dreams and their whims and their visions
and their pretended mysteries, that they should, if they did not do
according to their words, offend some unknown being, who they say
is God--a being who never has been seen or known, who never was nor
ever will be.
Alma 30:Verse 29
29 Now when the high priest and the chief judge saw the
hardness of his heart, yea, when they saw that he would revile even
against God, they would not make any reply to his words; but they
caused that he should be bound; and they delivered him up into the
hands of the officers, and sent him to the land of Zarahemla, that
he might be brought before Alma, and the chief judge who was
governor over all the land.
Alma 30:Verse 30
30 And it came to pass that when he was brought before
Alma and the chief judge, he did go on in the same manner as he did
in the land of Gideon; yea, he went on to blaspheme.
Alma 30:Verse 31
31 And he did rise up in great swelling words before
Alma, and did revile against the priests and teachers, accusing
them of leading away the people after the silly traditions of their
fathers, for the sake of glutting on the labors of the
people.
Alma 30:Verse 32
32 Now Alma said unto him: Thou knowest that we do not
glut ourselves upon the labors of this people; for behold I have
labored even from the commencement of the reign of the judges until
now, with mine own hands for my support, notwithstanding my many
travels round about the land to declare the word of God unto my
people.
Alma 30:Verse 33
33 And notwithstanding the many labors which I have
performed in the church, I have never received so much as even one
senine for my labor; neither has any of my brethren, save it were
in the judgment-seat; and then we have received only according to
law for our time.
Alma 30:Verse 34
34 And now, if we do not receive anything for our
labors in the church, what doth it profit us to labor in the church
save it were to declare the truth, that we may have rejoicings in
the joy of our brethren?
Alma 30:Verse 35
35 Then why sayest thou that we preach unto this people
to get gain, when thou, of thyself, knowest that we receive no
gain? And now, believest thou that we deceive this people, that
causes such joy in their hearts?
Alma 30:Verse 36
36 And Korihor answered him, Yea.
Alma 30:Verse 37
37 And then Alma said unto him: Believest thou that
there is a God?
Alma 30:Verse 38
38 And he answered, Nay.
Alma 30:Verse 39
39 Now Alma said unto him: Will ye deny again that
there is a God, and also deny the Christ? For behold, I say unto
you, I know there is a God, and also that Christ shall come.
Alma 30:Verse 40
40 And now what evidence have ye that there is no God,
or that Christ cometh not? I say unto you that ye have none, save
it be your word only.
Alma 30:Verse 41
41 But, behold, I have all things as a testimony that
these things are true; and ye also have all things as a testimony
unto you that they are true; and will ye deny them? Believest thou
that these things are true?
Alma 30:Verse 42
42 Behold, I know that thou believest, but thou art
possessed with a lying spirit, and ye have put off the Spirit of
God that it may have no place in you; but the devil has power over
you, and he doth carry you about, working devices that he may
destroy the children of God.
Alma 30:Verse 43
43 And now Korihor said unto Alma: If thou wilt show me
a sign, that I may be convinced that there is a God, yea, show unto
me that he hath power, and then will I be convinced of the truth of
thy words.
Alma 30:Verse 44
44 But Alma said unto him: Thou hast had signs enough;
will ye tempt your God? Will ye say, Show unto me a sign, when ye
have the testimony of all these thy brethren, and also all the holy
prophets? The scriptures are laid before thee, yea, and all things
denote there is a God; yea, even the earth, and all things that are
upon the face of it, yea, and its motion, yea, and also all the
planets which move in their regular form do witness that there is a
Supreme Creator.
Alma 30:Verse 45
45 And yet do ye go about, leading away the hearts of
this people, testifying unto them there is no God? And yet will ye
deny against all these witnesses? And he said: Yea, I will deny,
except ye shall show me a sign.
Alma 30:Verse 46
46 And now it came to pass that Alma said unto him:
Behold, I am grieved because of the hardness of your heart, yea,
that ye will still resist the spirit of the truth, that thy soul
may be destroyed.
Alma 30:Verse 47
47 But behold, it is better that thy soul should be
lost than that thou shouldst be the means of bringing many souls
down to destruction, by thy lying and by thy flattering words;
therefore if thou shalt deny again, behold God shall smite thee,
that thou shalt become dumb, that thou shalt never open thy mouth
any more, that thou shalt not deceive this people any more.
Alma 30:Verse 48
48 Now Korihor said unto him: I do not deny the
existence of a God, but I do not believe that there is a God; and I
say also, that ye do not know that there is a God; and except ye
show me a sign, I will not believe.
Alma 30:Verse 49
49 Now Alma said unto him: This will I give unto thee
for a sign, that thou shalt be struck dumb, according to my words;
and I say, that in the name of God, ye shall be struck dumb, that
ye shall no more have utterance.
Alma 30:Verse 50
50 Now when Alma had said these words, Korihor was
struck dumb, that he could not have utterance, according to the
words of Alma.
Alma 30:Verse 51
51 And now when the chief judge saw this, he put forth
his hand and wrote unto Korihor, saying: Art thou convinced of the
power of God? In whom did ye desire that Alma should show forth his
sign? Would ye that he should afflict others, to show unto thee a
sign? Behold, he has showed unto you a sign; and now will ye
dispute more?
Alma 30:Verse 52
52 And Korihor put forth his hand and wrote, saying: I
know that I am dumb, for I cannot speak; and I know that nothing
save it were the power of God could bring this upon me; yea, and I
always knew that there was a God.
Alma 30:Verse 53
53 But behold, the devil hath deceived me; for he
appeared unto me in the form of an angel, and said unto me: Go and
reclaim this people, for they have all gone astray after an unknown
God. And he said unto me: There is no God; yea, and he taught me
that which I should say. And I have taught his words; and I taught
them because they were pleasing unto the carnal mind; and I taught
them, even until I had much success, insomuch that I verily
believed that they were true; and for this cause I withstood the
truth, even until I have brought this great curse upon me.
Alma 30:Verse 54
54 Now when he had said this, he besought that Alma
should pray unto God, that the curse might be taken from him.
Alma 30:Verse 55
55 But Alma said unto him: If this curse should be
taken from thee thou wouldst again lead away the hearts of this
people; therefore, it shall be unto thee even as the Lord
will.
Alma 30:Verse 56
56 And it came to pass that the curse was not taken off
of Korihor; but he was cast out, and went about from house to house
begging for his food.
Alma 30:Verse 57
57 Now the knowledge of what had happened unto Korihor
was immediately published throughout all the land; yea, the
proclamation was sent forth by the chief judge to all the people in
the land, declaring unto those who had believed in the words of
Korihor that they must speedily repent, lest the same judgments
would come unto them.
Alma 30:Verse 58
58 And it came to pass that they were all convinced of
the wickedness of Korihor; therefore they were all converted again
unto the Lord; and this put an end to the iniquity after the manner
of Korihor. And Korihor did go about from house to house, begging
food for his support.
Alma 30:Verse 59
59 And it came to pass that as he went forth among the
people, yea, among a people who had separated themselves from the
Nephites and called themselves Zoramites, being led by a man whose
name was Zoram--and as he went forth amongst them, behold, he was
run upon and trodden down, even until he was dead.
Alma 30:Verse 60
60 And thus we see the end of him who perverteth the
ways of the Lord; and thus we see that the devil will not support
his children at the last day, but doth speedily drag them down to
hell.
Chapter 31
Alma 31:Verse 1
1 NOW it came to pass that after the end of Korihor,
Alma having received tidings that the Zoramites were perverting the
ways of the Lord, and that Zoram, who was their leader, was leading
the hearts of the people to bow down to dumb idols, his heart again
began to sicken because of the iniquity of the people.
Alma 31:Verse 2
2 For it was the cause of great sorrow to Alma to know
of iniquity among his people; therefore his heart was exceedingly
sorrowful because of the separation of the Zoramites from the
Nephites.
Alma 31:Verse 3
3 Now the Zoramites had gathered themselves together in
a land which they called Antionum, which was east of the land of
Zarahemla, which lay nearly bordering upon the seashore, which was
south of the land of Jershon, which also bordered upon the
wilderness south, which wilderness was full of the Lamanites.
Alma 31:Verse 4
4 Now the Nephites greatly feared that the Zoramites
would enter into a correspondence with the Lamanites, and that it
would be the means of great loss on the part of the Nephites.
Alma 31:Verse 5
5 And now, as the preaching of the word had a great
tendency to lead the people to do that which was just--yea, it had
had more powerful effect upon the minds of the people than the
sword, or anything else, which had happened unto them--therefore
Alma thought it was expedient that they should try the virtue of
the word of God.
Alma 31:Verse 6
6 Therefore he took Ammon, and Aaron, and Omner; and
Himni he did leave in the church in Zarahemla; but the former three
he took with him, and also Amulek and Zeezrom, who were at Melek;
and he also took two of his sons.
Alma 31:Verse 7
7 Now the eldest of his sons he took not with him, and
his name was Helaman; but the names of those whom he took with him
were Shiblon and Corianton; and these are the names of those who
went with him among the Zoramites, to preach unto them the
word.
Alma 31:Verse 8
8 Now the Zoramites were dissenters from the Nephites;
therefore they had had the word of God preached unto them.
Alma 31:Verse 9
9 But they had fallen into great errors, for they would
not observe to keep the commandments of God, and his statutes,
according to the law of Moses.
Alma 31:Verse 10
10 Neither would they observe the performances of the
church, to continue in prayer and supplication to God daily, that
they might not enter into temptation.
Alma 31:Verse 11
11 Yea, in fine, they did pervert the ways of the Lord
in very many instances; therefore, for this cause, Alma and his
brethren went into the land to preach the word unto them.
Alma 31:Verse 12
12 Now, when they had come into the land, behold, to
their astonishment they found that the Zoramites had built
synagogues, and that they did gather themselves together on one day
of the week, which day they did call the day of the Lord; and they
did worship after a manner which Alma and his brethren had never
beheld;
Alma 31:Verse 13
13 For they had a place built up in the center of their
synagogue, a place for standing, which was high above the head; and
the top thereof would only admit one person.
Alma 31:Verse 14
14 Therefore, whosoever desired to worship must go
forth and stand upon the top thereof, and stretch forth his hands
towards heaven, and cry with a loud voice, saying:
Alma 31:Verse 15
15 Holy, holy God; we believe that thou art God, and we
believe that thou art holy, and that thou wast a spirit, and that
thou art a spirit, and that thou wilt be a spirit forever.
Alma 31:Verse 16
16 Holy God, we believe that thou hast separated us
from our brethren; and we do not believe in the tradition of our
brethren, which was handed down to them by the childishness of
their fathers; but we believe that thou hast elected us to be thy
holy children; and also thou hast made it known unto us that there
shall be no Christ.
Alma 31:Verse 17
17 But thou art the same yesterday, today, and forever;
and thou hast elected us that we shall be saved, whilst all around
us are elected to be cast by thy wrath down to hell; for the which
holiness, O God, we thank thee; and we also thank thee that thou
hast elected us, that we may not be led away after the foolish
traditions of our brethren, which doth bind them down to a belief
of Christ, which doth lead their hearts to wander far from thee,
our God.
Alma 31:Verse 18
18 And again we thank thee, O God, that we are a chosen
and a holy people. Amen.
Alma 31:Verse 19
19 Now it came to pass that after Alma and his brethren
and his sons had heard these prayers, they were astonished beyond
all measure.
Alma 31:Verse 20
20 For behold, every man did go forth and offer up
these same prayers.
Alma 31:Verse 21
21 Now the place was called by them Rameumptom, which,
being interpreted, is the holy stand.
Alma 31:Verse 22
22 Now, from this stand they did offer up, every man,
the selfsame prayer unto God, thanking their God that they were
chosen of him, and that he did not lead them away after the
tradition of their brethren, and that their hearts were not stolen
away to believe in things to come, which they knew nothing
about.
Alma 31:Verse 23
23 Now, after the people had all offered up thanks
after this manner, they returned to their homes, never speaking of
their God again until they had assembled themselves together again
to the holy stand, to offer up thanks after their manner.
Alma 31:Verse 24
24 Now when Alma saw this his heart was grieved; for he
saw that they were a wicked and a perverse people; yea, he saw that
their hearts were set upon gold, and upon silver, and upon all
manner of fine goods.
Alma 31:Verse 25
25 Yea, and he also saw that their hearts were lifted
up unto great boasting, in their pride.
Alma 31:Verse 26
26 And he lifted up his voice to heaven, and cried,
saying: O, how long, O Lord, wilt thou suffer that thy servants
shall dwell here below in the flesh, to behold such gross
wickedness among the children of men?
Alma 31:Verse 27
27 Behold, O God, they cry unto thee, and yet their
hearts are swallowed up in their pride. Behold, O God, they cry
unto thee with their mouths, while they are puffed up, even to
greatness, with the vain things of the world.
Alma 31:Verse 28
28 Behold, O my God, their costly apparel, and their
ringlets, and their bracelets, and their ornaments of gold, and all
their precious things which they are ornamented with; and behold,
their hearts are set upon them, and yet they cry unto thee and
say--We thank thee, O God, for we are a chosen people unto thee,
while others shall perish.
Alma 31:Verse 29
29 Yea, and they say that thou hast made it known unto
them that there shall be no Christ.
Alma 31:Verse 30
30 O Lord God, how long wilt thou suffer that such
wickedness and infidelity shall be among this people? O Lord, wilt
thou give me strength, that I may bear with mine infirmities. For I
am infirm, and such wickedness among this people doth pain my
soul.
Alma 31:Verse 31
31 O Lord, my heart is exceedingly sorrowful; wilt thou
comfort my soul in Christ. O Lord, wilt thou grant unto me that I
may have strength, that I may suffer with patience these
afflictions which shall come upon me, because of the iniquity of
this people.
Alma 31:Verse 32
32 O Lord, wilt thou comfort my soul, and give unto me
success, and also my fellow laborers who are with me--yea, Ammon,
and Aaron, and Omner, and also Amulek and Zeezrom and also my two
sons--yea, even all these wilt thou comfort, O Lord. Yea, wilt thou
comfort their souls in Christ.
Alma 31:Verse 33
33 Wilt thou grant unto them that they may have
strength, that they may bear their afflictions which shall come
upon them because of the iniquities of this people.
Alma 31:Verse 34
34 O Lord, wilt thou grant unto us that we may have
success in bringing them again unto thee in Christ.
Alma 31:Verse 35
35 Behold, O Lord, their souls are precious, and many
of them are our brethren; therefore, give unto us, O Lord, power
and wisdom that we may bring these, our brethren, again unto
thee.
Alma 31:Verse 36
36 Now it came to pass that when Alma had said these
words, that he clapped his hands upon all them who were with him.
And behold, as he clapped his hands upon them, they were filled
with the Holy Spirit.
Alma 31:Verse 37
37 And after that they did separate themselves one from
another, taking no thought for themselves what they should eat, or
what they should drink, or what they should put on.
Alma 31:Verse 38
38 And the Lord provided for them that they should
hunger not, neither should they thirst; yea, and he also gave them
strength, that they should suffer no manner of afflictions, save it
were swallowed up in the joy of Christ. Now this was according to
the prayer of Alma; and this because he prayed in faith.
Chapter 32
Alma 32:Verse 1
1 AND it came to pass that they did go forth, and began
to preach the word of God unto the people, entering into their
synagogues, and into their houses; yea, and even they did preach
the word in their streets.
Alma 32:Verse 2
2 And it came to pass that after much labor among them,
they began to have success among the poor class of people; for
behold, they were cast out of the synagogues because of the
coarseness of their apparel--
Alma 32:Verse 3
3 Therefore they were not permitted to enter into their
synagogues to worship God, being esteemed as filthiness; therefore
they were poor; yea, they were esteemed by their brethren as dross;
therefore they were poor as to things of the world; and also they
were poor in heart.
Alma 32:Verse 4
4 Now, as Alma was teaching and speaking unto the
people upon the hill Onidah, there came a great multitude unto him,
who were those of whom we have been speaking, of whom were poor in
heart, because of their poverty as to the things of the
world.
Alma 32:Verse 5
5 And they came unto Alma; and the one who was the
foremost among them said unto him: Behold, what shall these my
brethren do, for they are despised of all men because of their
poverty, yea, and more especially by our priests; for they have
cast us out of our synagogues which we have labored abundantly to
build with our own hands; and they have cast us out because of our
exceeding poverty; and we have no place to worship our God; and
behold, what shall we do?
Alma 32:Verse 6
6 And now when Alma heard this, he turned him about,
his face immediately towards him, and he beheld with great joy; for
he beheld that their afflictions had truly humbled them, and that
they were in a preparation to hear the word.
Alma 32:Verse 7
7 Therefore he did say no more to the other multitude;
but he stretched forth his hand, and cried unto those whom he
beheld, who were truly penitent, and said unto them:
Alma 32:Verse 8
8 I behold that ye are lowly in heart; and if so,
blessed are ye.
Alma 32:Verse 9
9 Behold thy brother hath said, What shall we do?--for
we are cast out of our synagogues, that we cannot worship our
God.
Alma 32:Verse 10
10 Behold I say unto you, do ye suppose that ye cannot
worship God save it be in your synagogues only?
Alma 32:Verse 11
11 And moreover, I would ask, do ye suppose that ye
must not worship God only once in a week?
Alma 32:Verse 12
12 I say unto you, it is well that ye are cast out of
your synagogues, that ye may be humble, and that ye may learn
wisdom; for it is necessary that ye should learn wisdom; for it is
because that ye are cast out, that ye are despised of your brethren
because of your exceeding poverty, that ye are brought to a
lowliness of heart; for ye are necessarily brought to be
humble.
Alma 32:Verse 13
13 And now, because ye are compelled to be humble
blessed are ye; for a man sometimes, if he is compelled to be
humble, seeketh repentance; and now surely, whosoever repenteth
shall find mercy; and he that findeth mercy and endureth to the end
the same shall be saved.
Alma 32:Verse 14
14 And now, as I said unto you, that because ye were
compelled to be humble ye were blessed, do ye not suppose that they
are more blessed who truly humble themselves because of the
word?
Alma 32:Verse 15
15 Yea, he that truly humbleth himself, and repenteth
of his sins, and endureth to the end, the same shall be
blessed--yea, much more blessed than they who are compelled to be
humble because of their exceeding poverty.
Alma 32:Verse 16
16 Therefore, blessed are they who humble themselves
without being compelled to be humble; or rather, in other words,
blessed is he that believeth in the word of God, and is baptized
without stubbornness of heart, yea, without being brought to know
the word, or even compelled to know, before they will
believe.
Alma 32:Verse 17
17 Yea, there are many who do say: If thou wilt show
unto us a sign from heaven, then we shall know of a surety; then we
shall believe.
Alma 32:Verse 18
18 Now I ask, is this faith? Behold, I say unto you,
Nay; for if a man knoweth a thing he hath no cause to believe, for
he knoweth it.
Alma 32:Verse 19
19 And now, how much more cursed is he that knoweth the
will of God and doeth it not, than he that only believeth, or only
hath cause to believe, and falleth into transgression?
Alma 32:Verse 20
20 Now of this thing ye must judge. Behold, I say unto
you, that it is on the one hand even as it is on the other; and it
shall be unto every man according to his work.
Alma 32:Verse 21
21 And now as I said concerning faith--faith is not to
have a perfect knowledge of things; therefore if ye have faith ye
hope for things which are not seen, which are true.
Alma 32:Verse 22
22 And now, behold, I say unto you, and I would that ye
should remember, that God is merciful unto all who believe on his
name; therefore he desireth, in the first place, that ye should
believe, yea, even on his word.
Alma 32:Verse 23
23 And now, he imparteth his word by angels unto men,
yea, not only men but women also. Now this is not all; little
children do have words given unto them many times, which confound
the wise and the learned.
Alma 32:Verse 24
24 And now, my beloved brethren, as ye have desired to
know of me what ye shall do because ye are afflicted and cast
out--now I do not desire that ye should suppose that I mean to
judge you only according to that which is true--
Alma 32:Verse 25
25 For I do not mean that ye all of you have been
compelled to humble yourselves; for I verily believe that there are
some among you who would humble themselves, let them be in
whatsoever circumstances they might.
Alma 32:Verse 26
26 Now, as I said concerning faith--that it was not a
perfect knowledge--even so it is with my words. Ye cannot know of
their surety at first, unto perfection, any more than faith is a
perfect knowledge.
Alma 32:Verse 27
27 But behold, if ye will awake and arouse your
faculties, even to an experiment upon my words, and exercise a
particle of faith, yea, even if ye can no more than desire to
believe, let this desire work in you, even until ye believe in a
manner that ye can give place for a portion of my words.
Alma 32:Verse 28
28 Now, we will compare the word unto a seed. Now, if
ye give place, that a seed may be planted in your heart, behold, if
it be a true seed, or a good seed, if ye do not cast it out by your
unbelief, that ye will resist the Spirit of the Lord, behold, it
will begin to swell within your breasts; and when you feel these
swelling motions, ye will begin to say within yourselves--It must
needs be that this is a good seed, or that the word is good, for it
beginneth to enlarge my soul; yea, it beginneth to enlighten my
understanding, yea, it beginneth to be delicious to me.
Alma 32:Verse 29
29 Now behold, would not this increase your faith? I
say unto you, Yea; nevertheless it hath not grown up to a perfect
knowledge.
Alma 32:Verse 30
30 But behold, as the seed swelleth, and sprouteth, and
beginneth to grow, then you must needs say that the seed is good;
for behold it swelleth, and sprouteth, and beginneth to grow. And
now, behold, will not this strengthen your faith? Yea, it will
strengthen your faith: for ye will say I know that this is a good
seed; for behold it sprouteth and beginneth to grow.
Alma 32:Verse 31
31 And now, behold, are ye sure that this is a good
seed? I say unto you, Yea; for every seed bringeth forth unto its
own likeness.
Alma 32:Verse 32
32 Therefore, if a seed groweth it is good, but if it
groweth not, behold it is not good, therefore it is cast
away.
Alma 32:Verse 33
33 And now, behold, because ye have tried the
experiment, and planted the seed, and it swelleth and sprouteth,
and beginneth to grow, ye must needs know that the seed is
good.
Alma 32:Verse 34
34 And now, behold, is your knowledge perfect? Yea,
your knowledge is perfect in that thing, and your faith is dormant;
and this because you know, for ye know that the word hath swelled
your souls, and ye also know that it hath sprouted up, that your
understanding doth begin to be enlightened, and your mind doth
begin to expand.
Alma 32:Verse 35
35 O then, is not this real? I say unto you, Yea,
because it is light; and whatsoever is light, is good, because it
is discernible, therefore ye must know that it is good; and now
behold, after ye have tasted this light is your knowledge
perfect?
Alma 32:Verse 36
36 Behold I say unto you, Nay; neither must ye lay
aside your faith, for ye have only exercised your faith to plant
the seed that ye might try the experiment to know if the seed was
good.
Alma 32:Verse 37
37 And behold, as the tree beginneth to grow, ye will
say: Let us nourish it with great care, that it may get root, that
it may grow up, and bring forth fruit unto us. And now behold, if
ye nourish it with much care it will get root, and grow up, and
bring forth fruit.
Alma 32:Verse 38
38 But if ye neglect the tree, and take no thought for
its nourishment, behold it will not get any root; and when the heat
of the sun cometh and scorcheth it, because it hath no root it
withers away, and ye pluck it up and cast it out.
Alma 32:Verse 39
39 Now, this is not because the seed was not good,
neither is it because the fruit thereof would not be desirable; but
it is because your ground is barren, and ye will not nourish the
tree, therefore ye cannot have the fruit thereof.
Alma 32:Verse 40
40 And thus, if ye will not nourish the word, looking
forward with an eye of faith to the fruit thereof, ye can never
pluck of the fruit of the tree of life.
Alma 32:Verse 41
41 But if ye will nourish the word, yea, nourish the
tree as it beginneth to grow, by your faith with great diligence,
and with patience, looking forward to the fruit thereof, it shall
take root; and behold it shall be a tree springing up unto
everlasting life.
Alma 32:Verse 42
42 And because of your diligence and your faith and
your patience with the word in nourishing it, that it may take root
in you, behold, by and by ye shall pluck the fruit thereof, which
is most precious, which is sweet above all that is sweet, and which
is white above all that is white, yea, and pure above all that is
pure; and ye shall feast upon this fruit even until ye are filled,
that ye hunger not, neither shall ye thirst.
Alma 32:Verse 43
43 Then, my brethren, ye shall reap the rewards of your
faith, and your diligence, and patience, and long-suffering,
waiting for the tree to bring forth fruit unto you.
Chapter 33
Alma 33:Verse 1
1 NOW after Alma had spoken these words, they sent
forth unto him desiring to know whether they should believe in one
God, that they might obtain this fruit of which he had spoken, or
how they should plant the seed, or the word of which he had spoken,
which he said must be planted in their hearts; or in what manner
they should begin to exercise their faith.
Alma 33:Verse 2
2 And Alma said unto them: Behold, ye have said that ye
could not worship your God because ye are cast out of your
synagogues. But behold, I say unto you, if ye suppose that ye
cannot worship God, ye do greatly err, and ye ought to search the
scriptures; if ye suppose that they have taught you this, ye do not
understand them.
Alma 33:Verse 3
3 Do ye remember to have read what Zenos, the prophet
of old, has said concerning prayer or worship?
Alma 33:Verse 4
4 For he said: Thou art merciful, O God, for thou hast
heard my prayer, even when I was in the wilderness; yea, thou wast
merciful when I prayed concerning those who were mine enemies, and
thou didst turn them to me.
Alma 33:Verse 5
5 Yea, O God, and thou wast merciful unto me when I did
cry unto thee in my field; when I did cry unto thee in my prayer,
and thou didst hear me.
Alma 33:Verse 6
6 And again, O God, when I did turn to my house thou
didst hear me in my prayer.
Alma 33:Verse 7
7 And when I did turn unto my closet, O Lord, and
prayed unto thee, thou didst hear me.
Alma 33:Verse 8
8 Yea, thou art merciful unto thy children when they
cry unto thee, to be heard of thee and not of men, and thou wilt
hear them.
Alma 33:Verse 9
9 Yea, O God, thou hast been merciful unto me, and
heard my cries in the midst of thy congregations.
Alma 33:Verse 10
10 Yea, and thou hast also heard me when I have been
cast out and have been despised by mine enemies; yea, thou didst
hear my cries, and wast angry with mine enemies, and thou didst
visit them in thine anger with speedy destruction.
Alma 33:Verse 11
11 And thou didst hear me because of mine afflictions
and my sincerity; and it is because of thy Son that thou hast been
thus merciful unto me, therefore I will cry unto thee in all mine
afflictions, for in thee is my joy; for thou hast turned thy
judgments away from me, because of thy Son.
Alma 33:Verse 12
12 And now Alma said unto them: Do ye believe those
scriptures which have been written by them of old?
Alma 33:Verse 13
13 Behold, if ye do, ye must believe what Zenos said;
for, behold he said: Thou hast turned away thy judgments because of
thy Son.
Alma 33:Verse 14
14 Now behold, my brethren, I would ask if ye have read
the scriptures? If ye have, how can ye disbelieve on the Son of
God?
Alma 33:Verse 15
15 For it is not written that Zenos alone spake of
these things, but Zenock also spake of these things--
Alma 33:Verse 16
16 For behold, he said: Thou art angry, O Lord, with
this people, because they will not understand thy mercies which
thou hast bestowed upon them because of thy Son.
Alma 33:Verse 17
17 And now, my brethren, ye see that a second prophet
of old has testified of the Son of God, and because the people
would not understand his words they stoned him to death.
Alma 33:Verse 18
18 But behold, this is not all; these are not the only
ones who have spoken concerning the Son of God.
Alma 33:Verse 19
19 Behold, he was spoken of by Moses; yea, and behold a
type was raised up in the wilderness, that whosoever would look
upon it might live. And many did look and live.
Alma 33:Verse 20
20 But few understood the meaning of those things, and
this because of the hardness of their hearts. But there were many
who were so hardened that they would not look, therefore they
perished. Now the reason they would not look is because they did
not believe that it would heal them.
Alma 33:Verse 21
21 O my brethren, if ye could be healed by merely
casting about your eyes that ye might be healed, would ye not
behold quickly, or would ye rather harden your hearts in unbelief,
and be slothful, that ye would not cast about your eyes, that ye
might perish?
Alma 33:Verse 22
22 If so, wo shall come upon you; but if not so, then
cast about your eyes and begin to believe in the Son of God, that
he will come to redeem his people, and that he shall suffer and die
to atone for their sins; and that he shall rise again from the
dead, which shall bring to pass the resurrection, that all men
shall stand before him, to be judged at the last and judgment day,
according to their works.
Alma 33:Verse 23
23 And now, my brethren, I desire that ye shall plant
this word in your hearts, and as it beginneth to swell even so
nourish it by your faith. And behold, it will become a tree,
springing up in you unto everlasting life. And then may God grant
unto you that your burdens may be light, through the joy of his
Son. And even all this can ye do if ye will. Amen.
Chapter 34
Alma 34:Verse 1
1 AND now it came to pass that after Alma had spoken
these words unto them he sat down upon the ground, and Amulek arose
and began to teach them, saying:
Alma 34:Verse 2
2 My brethren, I think that it is impossible that ye
should be ignorant of the things which have been spoken concerning
the coming of Christ, who is taught by us to be the Son of God;
yea, I know that these things were taught unto you bountifully
before your dissension from among us.
Alma 34:Verse 3
3 And as ye have desired of my beloved brother that he
should make known unto you what ye should do, because of your
afflictions; and he hath spoken somewhat unto you to prepare your
minds; yea, and he hath exhorted you unto faith and to
patience--
Alma 34:Verse 4
4 Yea, even that ye would have so much faith as even to
plant the word in your hearts, that ye may try the experiment of
its goodness.
Alma 34:Verse 5
5 And we have beheld that the great question which is
in your minds is whether the word be in the Son of God, or whether
there shall be no Christ.
Alma 34:Verse 6
6 And ye also beheld that my brother has proved unto
you, in many instances, that the word is in Christ unto
salvation.
Alma 34:Verse 7
7 My brother has called upon the words of Zenos, that
redemption cometh through the Son of God, and also upon the words
of Zenock; and also he has appealed unto Moses, to prove that these
things are true.
Alma 34:Verse 8
8 And now, behold, I will testify unto you of myself
that these things are true. Behold, I say unto you, that I do know
that Christ shall come among the children of men, to take upon him
the transgressions of his people, and that he shall atone for the
sins of the world; for the Lord God hath spoken it.
Alma 34:Verse 9
9 For it is expedient that an atonement should be made;
for according to the great plan of the Eternal God there must be an
atonement made, or else all mankind must unavoidably perish; yea,
all are hardened; yea, all are fallen and are lost, and must perish
except it be through the atonement which it is expedient should be
made.
Alma 34:Verse 10
10 For it is expedient that there should be a great and
last sacrifice; yea, not a sacrifice of man, neither of beast,
neither of any manner of fowl; for it shall not be a human
sacrifice; but it must be an infinite and eternal sacrifice.
Alma 34:Verse 11
11 Now there is not any man that can sacrifice his own
blood which will atone for the sins of another. Now, if a man
murdereth, behold will our law, which is just, take the life of his
brother? I say unto you, Nay.
Alma 34:Verse 12
12 But the law requireth the life of him who hath
murdered; therefore there can be nothing which is short of an
infinite atonement which will suffice for the sins of the
world.
Alma 34:Verse 13
13 Therefore, it is expedient that there should be a
great and last sacrifice, and then shall there be, or it is
expedient there should be, a stop to the shedding of blood; then
shall the law of Moses be fulfilled; yea, it shall be all
fulfilled, every jot and tittle, and none shall have passed
away.
Alma 34:Verse 14
14 And behold, this is the whole meaning of the law,
every whit pointing to that great and last sacrifice; and that
great and last sacrifice will be the Son of God, yea, infinite and
eternal.
Alma 34:Verse 15
15 And thus he shall bring salvation to all those who
shall believe on his name; this being the intent of this last
sacrifice, to bring about the bowels of mercy, which overpowereth
justice, and bringeth about means unto men that they may have faith
unto repentance.
Alma 34:Verse 16
16 And thus mercy can satisfy the demands of justice,
and encircles them in the arms of safety, while he that exercises
no faith unto repentance is exposed to the whole law of the demands
of justice; therefore only unto him that has faith unto repentance
is brought about the great and eternal plan of redemption.
Alma 34:Verse 17
17 Therefore may God grant unto you, my brethren, that
ye may begin to exercise your faith unto repentance, that ye begin
to call upon his holy name, that he would have mercy upon
you;
Alma 34:Verse 18
18 Yea, cry unto him for mercy; for he is mighty to
save.
Alma 34:Verse 19
19 Yea, humble yourselves, and continue in prayer unto
him.
Alma 34:Verse 20
20 Cry unto him when ye are in your fields, yea, over
all your flocks.
Alma 34:Verse 21
21 Cry unto him in your houses, yea, over all your
household, both morning, mid-day, and evening.
Alma 34:Verse 22
22 Yea, cry unto him against the power of your
enemies.
Alma 34:Verse 23
23 Yea, cry unto him against the devil, who is an enemy
to all righteousness.
Alma 34:Verse 24
24 Cry unto him over the crops of your fields, that ye
may prosper in them.
Alma 34:Verse 25
25 Cry over the flocks of your fields, that they may
increase.
Alma 34:Verse 26
26 But this is not all; ye must pour out your souls in
your closets, and your secret places, and in your wilderness.
Alma 34:Verse 27
27 Yea, and when you do not cry unto the Lord, let your
hearts be full, drawn out in prayer unto him continually for your
welfare, and also for the welfare of those who are around
you.
Alma 34:Verse 28
28 And now behold, my beloved brethren, I say unto you,
do not suppose that this is all; for after ye have done all these
things, if ye turn away the needy, and the naked, and visit not the
sick and afflicted, and impart of your substance, if ye have, to
those who stand in need--I say unto you, if ye do not any of these
things, behold, your prayer is vain, and availeth you nothing, and
ye are as hypocrites who do deny the faith.
Alma 34:Verse 29
29 Therefore, if ye do not remember to be charitable,
ye are as dross, which the refiners do cast out, (it being of no
worth) and is trodden under foot of men.
Alma 34:Verse 30
30 And now, my brethren, I would that, after ye have
received so many witnesses, seeing that the holy scriptures testify
of these things, ye come forth and bring fruit unto
repentance.
Alma 34:Verse 31
31 Yea, I would that ye would come forth and harden not
your hearts any longer; for behold, now is the time and the day of
your salvation; and therefore, if ye will repent and harden not
your hearts, immediately shall the great plan of redemption be
brought about unto you.
Alma 34:Verse 32
32 For behold, this life is the time for men to prepare
to meet God; yea, behold the day of this life is the day for men to
perform their labors.
Alma 34:Verse 33
33 And now, as I said unto you before, as ye have had
so many witnesses, therefore, I beseech of you that ye do not
procrastinate the day of your repentance until the end; for after
this day of life, which is given us to prepare for eternity,
behold, if we do not improve our time while in this life, then
cometh the night of darkness wherein there can be no labor
performed.
Alma 34:Verse 34
34 Ye cannot say, when ye are brought to that awful
crisis, that I will repent, that I will return to my God. Nay, ye
cannot say this; for that same spirit which doth possess your
bodies at the time that ye go out of this life, that same spirit
will have power to possess your body in that eternal world.
Alma 34:Verse 35
35 For behold, if ye have procrastinated the day of
your repentance even until death, behold, ye have become subjected
to the spirit of the devil, and he doth seal you his; therefore,
the Spirit of the Lord hath withdrawn from you, and hath no place
in you, and the devil hath all power over you; and this is the
final state of the wicked.
Alma 34:Verse 36
36 And this I know, because the Lord hath said he
dwelleth not in unholy temples, but in the hearts of the righteous
doth he dwell; yea, and he has also said that the righteous shall
sit down in his kingdom, to go no more out; but their garments
should be made white through the blood of the Lamb.
Alma 34:Verse 37
37 And now, my beloved brethren, I desire that ye
should remember these things, and that ye should work out your
salvation with fear before God, and that ye should no more deny the
coming of Christ;
Alma 34:Verse 38
38 That ye contend no more against the Holy Ghost, but
that ye receive it, and take upon you the name of Christ; that ye
humble yourselves even to the dust, and worship God, in whatsoever
place ye may be in, in spirit and in truth; and that ye live in
thanksgiving daily, for the many mercies and blessings which he
doth bestow upon you.
Alma 34:Verse 39
39 Yea, and I also exhort you, my brethren, that ye be
watchful unto prayer continually, that ye may not be led away by
the temptations of the devil, that he may not overpower you, that
ye may not become his subjects at the last day; for behold, he
rewardeth you no good thing.
Alma 34:Verse 40
40 And now my beloved brethren, I would exhort you to
have patience, and that ye bear with all manner of afflictions;
that ye do not revile against those who do cast you out because of
your exceeding poverty, lest ye become sinners like unto
them;
Alma 34:Verse 41
41 But that ye have patience, and bear with those
afflictions, with a firm hope that ye shall one day rest from all
your afflictions.
Chapter 35
Alma 35:Verse 1
1 NOW it came to pass that after Amulek had made an end
of these words, they withdrew themselves from the multitude and
came over into the land of Jershon.
Alma 35:Verse 2
2 Yea, and the rest of the brethren, after they had
preached the word unto the Zoramites, also came over into the land
of Jershon.
Alma 35:Verse 3
3 And it came to pass that after the more popular part
of the Zoramites had consulted together concerning the words which
had been preached unto them, they were angry because of the word,
for it did destroy their craft; therefore they would not hearken
unto the words.
Alma 35:Verse 4
4 And they sent and gathered together throughout all
the land all the people, and consulted with them concerning the
words which had been spoken.
Alma 35:Verse 5
5 Now their rulers and their priests and their teachers
did not let the people know concerning their desires; therefore
they found out privily the minds of all the people.
Alma 35:Verse 6
6 And it came to pass that after they had found out the
minds of all the people, those who were in favor of the words which
had been spoken by Alma and his brethren were cast out of the land;
and they were many; and they came over also into the land of
Jershon.
Alma 35:Verse 7
7 And it came to pass that Alma and his brethren did
minister unto them.
Alma 35:Verse 8
8 Now the people of the Zoramites were angry with the
people of Ammon who were in Jershon, and the chief ruler of the
Zoramites, being a very wicked man, sent over unto the people of
Ammon desiring them that they should cast out of their land all
those who came over from them into their land.
Alma 35:Verse 9
9 And he breathed out many threatenings against them.
And now the people of Ammon did not fear their words; therefore
they did not cast them out, but they did receive all the poor of
the Zoramites that came over unto them; and they did nourish them,
and did clothe them, and did give unto them lands for their
inheritance; and they did administer unto them according to their
wants.
Alma 35:Verse 10
10 Now this did stir up the Zoramites to anger against
the people of Ammon, and they began to mix with the Lamanites and
to stir them up also to anger against them.
Alma 35:Verse 11
11 And thus the Zoramites and the Lamanites began to
make preparations for war against the people of Ammon, and also
against the Nephites.
Alma 35:Verse 12
12 And thus ended the seventeenth year of the reign of
the judges over the people of Nephi.
Alma 35:Verse 13
13 And the people of Ammon departed out of the land of
Jershon, and came over into the land of Melek, and gave place in
the land of Jershon for the armies of the Nephites, that they might
contend with the armies of the Lamanites and the armies of the
Zoramites; and thus commenced a war betwixt the Lamanites and the
Nephites, in the eighteenth year of the reign of the judges; and an
account shall be given of their wars hereafter.
Alma 35:Verse 14
14 And Alma, and Ammon, and their brethren, and also
the two sons of Alma returned to the land of Zarahemla, after
having been instruments in the hands of God of bringing many of the
Zoramites to repentance; and as many as were brought to repentance
were driven out of their land; but they have lands for their
inheritance in the land of Jershon, and they have taken up arms to
defend themselves, and their wives, and children, and their
lands.
Alma 35:Verse 15
15 Now Alma, being grieved for the iniquity of his
people, yea for the wars, and the bloodsheds, and the contentions
which were among them; and having been to declare the word, or sent
to declare the word, among all the people in every city; and seeing
that the hearts of the people began to wax hard, and that they
began to be offended because of the strictness of the word, his
heart was exceedingly sorrowful.
Alma 35:Verse 16
16 Therefore, he caused that his sons should be
gathered together, that he might give unto them every one his
charge, separately, concerning the things pertaining unto
righteousness. And we have an account of his commandments, which he
gave unto them according to his own record.
Chapter 36
Alma 36:Verse 1
1 MY son, 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:Verse 2
2 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:Verse 3
3 And now, O my son Helaman, behold, thou art in thy
youth, and therefore, I beseech of thee that thou wilt hear my
words and learn of me; for I do know that whosoever shall put their
trust in God shall be supported in their trials, and their
troubles, and their afflictions, and shall be lifted up at the last
day.
Alma 36:Verse 4
4 And I would not that ye think that I know of
myself--not of the temporal but of the spiritual, not of the carnal
mind but of God.
Alma 36:Verse 5
5 Now, behold, I say unto you, if I had not been born
of God I should not have known these things; but God has, by the
mouth of his holy angel, made these things known unto me, not of
any worthiness of myself;
Alma 36:Verse 6
6 For I went about with the sons of Mosiah, seeking to
destroy the church of God; but behold, God sent his holy angel to
stop us by the way.
Alma 36:Verse 7
7 And behold, he spake unto us, as it were the voice of
thunder, and the whole earth did tremble beneath our feet; and we
all fell to the earth, for the fear of the Lord came upon us.
Alma 36:Verse 8
8 But behold, the voice said unto me: Arise. And I
arose and stood up, and beheld the angel.
Alma 36:Verse 9
9 And he said unto me: If thou wilt of thyself be
destroyed, seek no more to destroy the church of God.
Alma 36:Verse 10
10 And it came to pass that I fell to the earth; and it
was for the space of three days and three nights that I could not
open my mouth, neither had I the use of my limbs.
Alma 36:Verse 11
11 And the angel spake more things unto me, which were
heard by my brethren, but I did not hear them; for when I heard the
words--If thou wilt be destroyed of thyself, seek no more to
destroy the church of God--I was struck with such great fear and
amazement lest perhaps I should be destroyed, that I fell to the
earth and I did hear no more.
Alma 36:Verse 12
12 But I was racked with eternal torment, for my soul
was harrowed up to the greatest degree and racked with all my
sins.
Alma 36:Verse 13
13 Yea, I did remember all my sins and iniquities, for
which I was tormented with the pains of hell; yea, I saw that I had
rebelled against my God, and that I had not kept his holy
commandments.
Alma 36:Verse 14
14 Yea, and I had murdered many of his children, or
rather led them away unto destruction; yea, and in fine so great
had been my iniquities, that the very thought of coming into the
presence of my God did rack my soul with inexpressible
horror.
Alma 36:Verse 15
15 Oh, thought I, that I could be banished and become
extinct both soul and body, that I might not be brought to stand in
the presence of my God, to be judged of my deeds.
Alma 36:Verse 16
16 And now, for three days and for three nights was I
racked, even with the pains of a damned soul.
Alma 36:Verse 17
17 And it came to pass that as I was thus racked with
torment, while I was harrowed up by the memory of my many sins,
behold, I remembered also to have heard my father prophesy unto the
people concerning the coming of one Jesus Christ, a Son of God, to
atone for the sins of the world.
Alma 36:Verse 18
18 Now, as my mind caught hold upon this thought, I
cried within my heart: O Jesus, thou Son of God, have mercy on me,
who am in the gall of bitterness, and am encircled about by the
everlasting chains of death.
Alma 36:Verse 19
19 And now, behold, when I thought this, I could
remember my pains no more; yea, I was harrowed up by the memory of
my sins no more.
Alma 36:Verse 20
20 And oh, what joy, and what marvelous light I did
behold; yea, my soul was filled with joy as exceeding as was my
pain!
Alma 36:Verse 21
21 Yea, I say unto you, my son, that there could be
nothing so exquisite and so bitter as were my pains. Yea, and again
I say unto you, my son, that on the other hand, there can be
nothing so exquisite and sweet as was my joy.
Alma 36:Verse 22
22 Yea, methought I saw, even as our father Lehi saw,
God sitting upon his throne, surrounded with numberless concourses
of angels, in the attitude of singing and praising their God; yea,
and my soul did long to be there.
Alma 36:Verse 23
23 But behold, my limbs did receive their strength
again, and I stood upon my feet, and did manifest unto the people
that I had been born of God.
Alma 36:Verse 24
24 Yea, and from that time even until now, I have
labored without ceasing, that I might bring souls unto repentance;
that I might bring them to taste of the exceeding joy of which I
did taste; that they might also be born of God, and be filled with
the Holy Ghost.
Alma 36:Verse 25
25 Yea, and now behold, O my son, the Lord doth give me
exceedingly great joy in the fruit of my labors;
Alma 36:Verse 26
26 For because of the word which he has imparted unto
me, behold, many have been born of God, and have tasted as I have
tasted, and have seen eye to eye as I have seen; therefore they do
know of these things of which I have spoken, as I do know; and the
knowledge which I have is of God.
Alma 36:Verse 27
27 And I have been supported under trials and troubles
of every kind, yea, and in all manner of afflictions; yea, God has
delivered me from prison, and from bonds, and from death; yea, and
I do put my trust in him, and he will still deliver me.
Alma 36:Verse 28
28 And I know that he will raise me up at the last day,
to dwell with him in glory; yea, and I will praise him forever, for
he has brought our fathers out of Egypt, and he has swallowed up
the Egyptians in the Red Sea; and he led them by his power into the
promised land; yea, and he has delivered them out of bondage and
captivity from time to time.
Alma 36:Verse 29
29 Yea, and he has also brought our fathers out of the
land of Jerusalem; and he has also, by his everlasting power,
delivered them out of bondage and captivity, from time to time even
down to the present day; and I have always retained in remembrance
their captivity; yea, and ye also ought to retain in remembrance,
as I have done, their captivity.
Alma 36:Verse 30
30 But behold, my son, this is not all; for ye ought to
know as I do know, that inasmuch as ye shall keep the commandments
of God ye shall prosper in the land; and ye ought to know also,
that inasmuch as ye will not keep the commandments of God ye shall
be cut off from his presence. Now this is according to his
word.
Chapter 37
Alma 37:Verse 1
1 AND now, my son Helaman, I command you that ye take
the records which have been entrusted with me;
Alma 37:Verse 2
2 And I also command you that ye keep a record of this
people, according as I have done, upon the plates of Nephi, and
keep all these things sacred which I have kept, even as I have kept
them; for it is for a wise purpose that they are kept.
Alma 37:Verse 3
3 And these plates of brass, which contain these
engravings, which have the records of the holy scriptures upon
them, which have the genealogy of our forefathers, even from the
beginning--
Alma 37:Verse 4
4 Behold, it has been prophesied by our fathers, that
they should be kept and handed down from one generation to another,
and be kept and preserved by the hand of the Lord until they should
go forth unto every nation, kindred, tongue, and people, that they
shall know of the mysteries contained thereon.
Alma 37:Verse 5
5 And now behold, if they are kept they must retain
their brightness; yea, and they will retain their brightness; yea,
and also shall all the plates which do contain that which is holy
writ.
Alma 37:Verse 6
6 Now ye may suppose that this is foolishness in me;
but behold I say unto you, that by small and simple things are
great things brought to pass; and small means in many instances
doth confound the wise.
Alma 37:Verse 7
7 And the Lord God doth work by means to bring about
his great and eternal purposes; and by very small means the Lord
doth confound the wise and bringeth about the salvation of many
souls.
Alma 37:Verse 8
8 And now, it has hitherto been wisdom in God that
these things should be preserved; for behold, they have enlarged
the memory of this people, yea, and convinced many of the error of
their ways, and brought them to the knowledge of their God unto the
salvation of their souls.
Alma 37:Verse 9
9 Yea, I say unto you, were it not for these things
that these records do contain, which are on these plates, Ammon and
his brethren could not have convinced so many thousands of the
Lamanites of the incorrect tradition of their fathers; yea, these
records and their words brought them unto repentance; that is, they
brought them to the knowledge of the Lord their God, and to rejoice
in Jesus Christ their Redeemer.
Alma 37:Verse 10
10 And who knoweth but what they will be the means of
bringing many thousands of them, yea, and also many thousands of
our stiffnecked brethren, the Nephites, who are now hardening their
hearts in sin and iniquities, to the knowledge of their
Redeemer?
Alma 37:Verse 11
11 Now these mysteries are not yet fully made known
unto me; therefore I shall forbear.
Alma 37:Verse 12
12 And it may suffice if I only say they are preserved
for a wise purpose, which purpose is known unto God; for he doth
counsel in wisdom over all his works, and his paths are straight,
and his course is one eternal round.
Alma 37:Verse 13
13 O remember, remember, my son Helaman, how strict are
the commandments of God. And he said: If ye will keep my
commandments ye shall prosper in the land--but if ye keep not his
commandments ye shall be cut off from his presence.
Alma 37:Verse 14
14 And now remember, my son, that God has entrusted you
with these things, which are sacred, which he has kept sacred, and
also which he will keep and preserve for a wise purpose in him,
that he may show forth his power unto future generations.
Alma 37:Verse 15
15 And now behold, I tell you by the spirit of
prophecy, that if ye transgress the commandments of God, behold,
these things which are sacred shall be taken away from you by the
power of God, and ye shall be delivered up unto Satan, that he may
sift you as chaff before the wind.
Alma 37:Verse 16
16 But if ye keep the commandments of God, and do with
these things which are sacred according to that which the Lord doth
command you, (for you must appeal unto the Lord for all things
whatsoever ye must do with them) behold, no power of earth or hell
can take them from you, for God is powerful to the fulfilling of
all his words.
Alma 37:Verse 17
17 For he will fulfil all his promises which he shall
make unto you, for he has fulfilled his promises which he has made
unto our fathers.
Alma 37:Verse 18
18 For he promised unto them that he would preserve
these things for a wise purpose in him, that he might show forth
his power unto future generations.
Alma 37:Verse 19
19 And now behold, one purpose hath he fulfilled, even
to the restoration of many thousands of the Lamanites to the
knowledge of the truth; and he hath shown forth his power in them,
and he will also still show forth his power in them unto future
generations; therefore they shall be preserved.
Alma 37:Verse 20
20 Therefore I command you, my son Helaman, that ye be
diligent in fulfilling all my words, and that ye be diligent in
keeping the commandments of God as they are written.
Alma 37:Verse 21
21 And now, I will speak unto you concerning those
twenty-four plates, that ye keep them, that the mysteries and the
works of darkness, and their secret works, or the secret works of
those people who have been destroyed, may be made manifest unto
this people; yea, all their murders, and robbings, and their
plunderings, and all their wickedness and abominations, may be made
manifest unto this people; yea, and that ye preserve these
interpreters.
Alma 37:Verse 22
22 For behold, the Lord saw that his people began to
work in darkness, yea, work secret murders and abominations;
therefore the Lord said, if they did not repent they should be
destroyed from off the face of the earth.
Alma 37:Verse 23
23 And the Lord said: I will prepare unto my servant
Gazelem, a stone, which shall shine forth in darkness unto light,
that I may discover unto my people who serve me, that I may
discover unto them the works of their brethren, yea, their secret
works, their works of darkness, and their wickedness and
abominations.
Alma 37:Verse 24
24 And now, my son, these interpreters were prepared
that the word of God might be fulfilled, which he spake,
saying:
Alma 37:Verse 25
25 I will bring forth out of darkness unto light all
their secret works and their abominations; and except they repent I
will destroy them from off the face of the earth; and I will bring
to light all their secrets and abominations, unto every nation that
shall hereafter possess the land.
Alma 37:Verse 26
26 And now, my son, we see that they did not repent;
therefore they have been destroyed, and thus far the word of God
has been fulfilled; yea, their secret abominations have been
brought out of darkness and made known unto us.
Alma 37:Verse 27
27 And now, my son, I command you that ye retain all
their oaths, and their covenants, and their agreements in their
secret abominations; yea, and all their signs and their wonders ye
shall keep from this people, that they know them not, lest
peradventure they should fall into darkness also and be
destroyed.
Alma 37:Verse 28
28 For behold, there is a curse upon all this land,
that destruction shall come upon all those workers of darkness,
according to the power of God, when they are fully ripe; therefore
I desire that this people might not be destroyed.
Alma 37:Verse 29
29 Therefore ye shall keep these secret plans of their
oaths and their covenants from this people, and only their
wickedness and their murders and their abominations shall ye make
known unto them; and ye shall teach them to abhor such wickedness
and abominations and murders; and ye shall also teach them that
these people were destroyed on account of their wickedness and
abominations and their murders.
Alma 37:Verse 30
30 For behold, they murdered all the prophets of the
Lord who came among them to declare unto them concerning their
iniquities; and the blood of those whom they murdered did cry unto
the Lord their God for vengeance upon those who were their
murderers; and thus the judgments of God did come upon these
workers of darkness and secret combinations.
Alma 37:Verse 31
31 Yea, and cursed be the land forever and ever unto
those workers of darkness and secret combinations, even unto
destruction, except they repent before they are fully ripe.
Alma 37:Verse 32
32 And now, my son, remember the words which I have
spoken unto you; trust not those secret plans unto this people, but
teach them an everlasting hatred against sin and iniquity.
Alma 37:Verse 33
33 Preach unto them repentance, and faith on the Lord
Jesus Christ; teach them to humble themselves and to be meek and
lowly in heart; teach them to withstand every temptation of the
devil, with their faith on the Lord Jesus Christ.
Alma 37:Verse 34
34 Teach them to never be weary of good works, but to
be meek and lowly in heart; for such shall find rest to their
souls.
Alma 37:Verse 35
35 O, remember, my son, and learn wisdom in thy youth;
yea, learn in thy youth to keep the commandments of God.
Alma 37:Verse 36
36 Yea, and cry unto God for all thy support; yea, let
all thy doings be unto the Lord, and whithersoever thou goest let
it be in the Lord; yea, let all thy thoughts be directed unto the
Lord; yea, let the affections of thy heart be placed upon the Lord
forever.
Alma 37:Verse 37
37 Counsel with the Lord in all thy doings, and he will
direct thee for good; yea, when thou liest down at night lie down
unto the Lord, that he may watch over you in your sleep; and when
thou risest in the morning let thy heart be full of thanks unto
God; and if ye do these things, ye shall be lifted up at the last
day.
Alma 37:Verse 38
38 And now, my son, I have somewhat to say concerning
the thing which our fathers call a ball, or director--or our
fathers called it Liahona, which is, being interpreted, a compass;
and the Lord prepared it.
Alma 37:Verse 39
39 And behold, there cannot any man work after the
manner of so curious a workmanship. And behold, it was prepared to
show unto our fathers the course which they should travel in the
wilderness.
Alma 37:Verse 40
40 And it did work for them according to their faith in
God; therefore, if they had faith to believe that God could cause
that those spindles should point the way they should go, behold, it
was done; therefore they had this miracle, and also many other
miracles wrought by the power of God, day by day.
Alma 37:Verse 41
41 Nevertheless, because those miracles were worked by
small means it did show unto them marvelous works. They were
slothful, and forgot to exercise their faith and diligence and then
those marvelous works ceased, and they did not progress in their
journey;
Alma 37:Verse 42
42 Therefore, they tarried in the wilderness, or did
not travel a direct course, and were afflicted with hunger and
thirst, because of their transgressions.
Alma 37:Verse 43
43 And now, my son, I would that ye should understand
that these things are not without a shadow; for as our fathers were
slothful to give heed to this compass (now these things were
temporal) they did not prosper; even so it is with things which are
spiritual.
Alma 37:Verse 44
44 For behold, it is as easy to give heed to the word
of Christ, which will point to you a straight course to eternal
bliss, as it was for our fathers to give heed to this compass,
which would point unto them a straight course to the promised
land.
Alma 37:Verse 45
45 And now I say, is there not a type in this thing?
For just as surely as this director did bring our fathers, by
following its course, to the promised land, shall the words of
Christ, if we follow their course, carry us beyond this vale of
sorrow into a far better land of promise.
Alma 37:Verse 46
46 O my son, do not let us be slothful because of the
easiness of the way; for so was it with our fathers; for so was it
prepared for them, that if they would look they might live; even so
it is with us. The way is prepared, and if we will look we may live
forever.
Alma 37:Verse 47
47 And now, my son, see that ye take care of these
sacred things, yea, see that ye look to God and live. Go unto this
people and declare the word, and be sober. My son, farewell.
Chapter 38
Alma 38:Verse 1
1 MY son, give ear to my words, for I say unto you,
even as I said unto Helaman, that inasmuch as ye shall keep the
commandments of God ye shall prosper in the land; and inasmuch as
ye will not keep the commandments of God ye shall be cut off from
his presence.
Alma 38:Verse 2
2 And now, my son, I trust that I shall have great joy
in you, because of your steadiness and your faithfulness unto God;
for as you have commenced in your youth to look to the Lord your
God, even so I hope that you will continue in keeping his
commandments; for blessed is he that endureth to the end.
Alma 38:Verse 3
3 I say unto you, my son, that I have had great joy in
thee already, because of thy faithfulness and thy diligence, and
thy patience and thy long-suffering among the people of the
Zoramites.
Alma 38:Verse 4
4 For I know that thou wast in bonds; yea, and I also
know that thou wast stoned for the word's sake; and thou didst bear
all these things with patience because the Lord was with thee; and
now thou knowest that the Lord did deliver thee.
Alma 38:Verse 5
5 And now my son, Shiblon, I would that ye should
remember, that as much as ye shall put your trust in God even so
much ye shall be delivered out of your trials, and your troubles,
and your afflictions, and ye shall be lifted up at the last
day.
Alma 38:Verse 6
6 Now, my son, I would not that ye should think that I
know these things of myself, but it is the Spirit of God which is
in me which maketh these things known unto me; for if I had not
been born of God I should not have known these things.
Alma 38:Verse 7
7 But behold, the Lord in his great mercy sent his
angel to declare unto me that I must stop the work of destruction
among his people; yea, and I have seen an angel face to face, and
he spake with me, and his voice was as thunder, and it shook the
whole earth.
Alma 38:Verse 8
8 And it came to pass that I was three days and three
nights in the most bitter pain and anguish of soul; and never,
until I did cry out unto the Lord Jesus Christ for mercy, did I
receive a remission of my sins. But behold, I did cry unto him and
I did find peace to my soul.
Alma 38:Verse 9
9 And now, my son, I have told you this that ye may
learn wisdom, that ye may learn of me that there is no other way or
means whereby man can be saved, only in and through Christ. Behold,
he is the life and the light of the world. Behold, he is the word
of truth and righteousness.
Alma 38:Verse 10
10 And now, as ye have begun to teach the word even so
I would that ye should continue to teach; and I would that ye would
be diligent and temperate in all things.
Alma 38:Verse 11
11 See that ye are not lifted up unto pride; yea, see
that ye do not boast in your own wisdom, nor of your much
strength.
Alma 38:Verse 12
12 Use boldness, but not overbearance; and also see
that ye bridle all your passions, that ye may be filled with love;
see that ye refrain from idleness.
Alma 38:Verse 13
13 Do not pray as the Zoramites do, for ye have seen
that they pray to be heard of men, and to be praised for their
wisdom.
Alma 38:Verse 14
14 Do not say: O God, I thank thee that we are better
than our brethren; but rather say: O Lord, forgive my unworthiness,
and remember my brethren in mercy--yea, acknowledge your
unworthiness before God at all times.
Alma 38:Verse 15
15 And may the Lord bless your soul, and receive you at
the last day into his kingdom, to sit down in peace. Now go, my
son, and teach the word unto this people. Be sober. My son,
farewell.
Chapter 39
Alma 39:Verse 1
1 AND now, my son, I have somewhat more to say unto
thee than what I said unto thy brother; for behold, have ye not
observed the steadiness of thy brother, his faithfulness, and his
diligence in keeping the commandments of God? Behold, has he not
set a good example for thee?
Alma 39:Verse 2
2 For thou didst not give so much heed unto my words as
did thy brother, among the people of the Zoramites. Now this is
what I have against thee; thou didst go on unto boasting in thy
strength and thy wisdom.
Alma 39:Verse 3
3 And this is not all, my son. Thou didst do that which
was grievous unto me; for thou didst forsake the ministry, and did
go over into the land of Siron among the borders of the Lamanites,
after the harlot Isabel.
Alma 39:Verse 4
4 Yea, she did steal away the hearts of many; but this
was no excuse for thee, my son. Thou shouldst have tended to the
ministry wherewith thou wast entrusted.
Alma 39:Verse 5
5 Know ye not, my son, that these things are an
abomination in the sight of the Lord; yea, most abominable above
all sins save it be the shedding of innocent blood or denying the
Holy Ghost?
Alma 39:Verse 6
6 For behold, if ye deny the Holy Ghost when it once
has had place in you, and ye know that ye deny it, behold, this is
a sin which is unpardonable; yea, and whosoever murdereth against
the light and knowledge of God, it is not easy for him to obtain
forgiveness; yea, I say unto you, my son, that it is not easy for
him to obtain a forgiveness.
Alma 39:Verse 7
7 And now, my son, I would to God that ye had not been
guilty of so great a crime. I would not dwell upon your crimes, to
harrow up your soul, if it were not for your good.
Alma 39:Verse 8
8 But behold, ye cannot hide your crimes from God; and
except ye repent they will stand as a testimony against you at the
last day.
Alma 39:Verse 9
9 Now my son, I would that ye should repent and forsake
your sins, and go no more after the lusts of your eyes, but cross
yourself in all these things; for except ye do this ye can in
nowise inherit the kingdom of God. Oh, remember, and take it upon
you, and cross yourself in these things.
Alma 39:Verse 10
10 And I command you to take it upon you to counsel
with your elder brothers in your undertakings; for behold, thou art
in thy youth, and ye stand in need to be nourished by your
brothers. And give heed to their counsel.
Alma 39:Verse 11
11 Suffer not yourself to be led away by any vain or
foolish thing; suffer not the devil to lead away your heart again
after those wicked harlots. Behold, O my son, how great iniquity ye
brought upon the Zoramites; for when they saw your conduct they
would not believe in my words.
Alma 39:Verse 12
12 And now the Spirit of the Lord doth say unto me:
Command thy children to do good, lest they lead away the hearts of
many people to destruction; therefore I command you, my son, in the
fear of God, that ye refrain from your iniquities;
Alma 39:Verse 13
13 That ye turn to the Lord with all your mind, might,
and strength; that ye lead away the hearts of no more to do
wickedly; but rather return unto them, and acknowledge your faults
and that wrong which ye have done.
Alma 39:Verse 14
14 Seek not after riches nor the vain things of this
world; for behold, you cannot carry them with you.
Alma 39:Verse 15
15 And now, my son, I would say somewhat unto you
concerning the coming of Christ. Behold, I say unto you, that it is
he that surely shall come to take away the sins of the world; yea,
he cometh to declare glad tidings of salvation unto his
people.
Alma 39:Verse 16
16 And now, my son, this was the ministry unto which ye
were called, to declare these glad tidings unto this people, to
prepare their minds; or rather that salvation might come unto them,
that they may prepare the minds of their children to hear the word
at the time of his coming.
Alma 39:Verse 17
17 And now I will ease your mind somewhat on this
subject. Behold, you marvel why these things should be known so
long beforehand. Behold, I say unto you, is not a soul at this time
as precious unto God as a soul will be at the time of his
coming?
Alma 39:Verse 18
18 Is it not as necessary that the plan of redemption
should be made known unto this people as well as unto their
children?
Alma 39:Verse 19
19 Is it not as easy at this time for the Lord to send
his angel to declare these glad tidings unto us as unto our
children, or as after the time of his coming?
Chapter 40
Alma 40:Verse 1
1 NOW my son, here is somewhat more I would say unto
thee; for I perceive that thy mind is worried concerning the
resurrection of the dead.
Alma 40:Verse 2
2 Behold, I say unto you, that there is no
resurrection--or, I would say, in other words, that this mortal
does not put on immortality, this corruption does not put on
incorruption--until after the coming of Christ.
Alma 40:Verse 3
3 Behold, he bringeth to pass the resurrection of the
dead. But behold, my son, the resurrection is not yet. Now, I
unfold unto you a mystery; nevertheless, there are many mysteries
which are kept, that no one knoweth them save God himself. But I
show unto you one thing which I have inquired diligently of God
that I might know--that is concerning the resurrection.
Alma 40:Verse 4
4 Behold, there is a time appointed that all shall come
forth from the dead. Now when this time cometh no one knows; but
God knoweth the time which is appointed.
Alma 40:Verse 5
5 Now, whether there shall be one time, or a second
time, or a third time, that men shall come forth from the dead, it
mattereth not; for God knoweth all these things; and it sufficeth
me to know that this is the case--that there is a time appointed
that all shall rise from the dead.
Alma 40:Verse 6
6 Now there must needs be a space betwixt the time of
death and the time of the resurrection.
Alma 40:Verse 7
7 And now I would inquire what becometh of the souls of
men from this time of death to the time appointed for the
resurrection?
Alma 40:Verse 8
8 Now whether there is more than one time appointed for
men to rise it mattereth not; for all do not die at once, and this
mattereth not; all is as one day with God, and time only is
measured unto men.
Alma 40:Verse 9
9 Therefore, there is a time appointed unto men that
they shall rise from the dead; and there is a space between the
time of death and the resurrection. And now, concerning this space
of time, what becometh of the souls of men is the thing which I
have inquired diligently of the Lord to know; and this is the thing
of which I do know.
Alma 40:Verse 10
10 And when the time cometh when all shall rise, then
shall they know that God knoweth all the times which are appointed
unto man.
Alma 40:Verse 11
11 Now, concerning the state of the soul between death
and the resurrection--Behold, it has been made known unto me by an
angel, that the spirits of all men, as soon as they are departed
from this mortal body, yea, the spirits of all men, whether they be
good or evil, are taken home to that God who gave them life.
Alma 40:Verse 12
12 And then shall it come to pass, that the spirits of
those who are righteous are received into a state of happiness,
which is called paradise, a state of rest, a state of peace, where
they shall rest from all their troubles and from all care, and
sorrow.
Alma 40:Verse 13
13 And then shall it come to pass, that the spirits of
the wicked, yea, who are evil--for behold, they have no part nor
portion of the Spirit of the Lord; for behold, they chose evil
works rather than good; therefore the spirit of the devil did enter
into them, and take possession of their house--and these shall be
cast out into outer darkness; there shall be weeping, and wailing,
and gnashing of teeth, and this because of their own iniquity,
being led captive by the will of the devil.
Alma 40:Verse 14
14 Now this is the state of the souls of the wicked,
yea, in darkness, and a state of awful, fearful looking for the
fiery indignation of the wrath of God upon them; thus they remain
in this state, as well as the righteous in paradise, until the time
of their resurrection.
Alma 40:Verse 15
15 Now, there are some that have understood that this
state of happiness and this state of misery of the soul, before the
resurrection, was a first resurrection. Yea, I admit it may be
termed a resurrection, the raising of the spirit or the soul and
their consignation to happiness or misery, according to the words
which have been spoken.
Alma 40:Verse 16
16 And behold, again it hath been spoken, that there is
a first resurrection, a resurrection of all those who have been, or
who are, or who shall be, down to the resurrection of Christ from
the dead.
Alma 40:Verse 17
17 Now, we do not suppose that this first resurrection,
which is spoken of in this manner, can be the resurrection of the
souls and their consignation to happiness or misery. Ye cannot
suppose that this is what it meaneth.
Alma 40:Verse 18
18 Behold, I say unto you, Nay; but it meaneth the
reuniting of the soul with the body, of those from the days of Adam
down to the resurrection of Christ.
Alma 40:Verse 19
19 Now, whether the souls and the bodies of those of
whom has been spoken shall all be reunited at once, the wicked as
well as the righteous, I do not say; let it suffice, that I say
that they all come forth; or in other words, their resurrection
cometh to pass before the resurrection of those who die after the
resurrection of Christ.
Alma 40:Verse 20
20 Now, my son, I do not say that their resurrection
cometh at the resurrection of Christ; but behold, I give it as my
opinion, that the souls and the bodies are reunited, of the
righteous, at the resurrection of Christ, and his ascension into
heaven.
Alma 40:Verse 21
21 But whether it be at his resurrection or after, I do
not say; but this much I say, that there is a space between death
and the resurrection of the body, and a state of the soul in
happiness or in misery until the time which is appointed of God
that the dead shall come forth, and be reunited, both soul and
body, and be brought to stand before God, and be judged according
to their works.
Alma 40:Verse 22
22 Yea, this bringeth about the restoration of those
things of which has been spoken by the mouths of the
prophets.
Alma 40:Verse 23
23 The soul shall be restored to the body, and the body
to the soul; yea, and every limb and joint shall be restored to its
body; yea, even a hair of the head shall not be lost; but all
things shall be restored to their proper and perfect frame.
Alma 40:Verse 24
24 And now, my son, this is the restoration of which
has been spoken by the mouths of the prophets--
Alma 40:Verse 25
25 And then shall the righteous shine forth in the
kingdom of God.
Alma 40:Verse 26
26 But behold, an awful death cometh upon the wicked;
for they die as to things pertaining to things of righteousness;
for they are unclean, and no unclean thing can inherit the kingdom
of God; but they are cast out, and consigned to partake of the
fruits of their labors or their works, which have been evil; and
they drink the dregs of a bitter cup.
Chapter 41
Alma 41:Verse 1
1 AND now, my son, I have somewhat to say concerning
the restoration of which has been spoken; for behold, some have
wrested the scriptures, and have gone far astray because of this
thing. And I perceive that thy mind has been worried also
concerning this thing. But behold, I will explain it unto
thee.
Alma 41:Verse 2
2 I say unto thee, my son, that the plan of restoration
is requisite with the justice of God; for it is requisite that all
things should be restored to their proper order. Behold, it is
requisite and just, according to the power and resurrection of
Christ, that the soul of man should be restored to its body, and
that every part of the body should be restored to itself.
Alma 41:Verse 3
3 And it is requisite with the justice of God that men
should be judged according to their works; and if their works were
good in this life, and the desires of their hearts were good, that
they should also, at the last day, be restored unto that which is
good.
Alma 41:Verse 4
4 And if their works are evil they shall be restored
unto them for evil. Therefore, all things shall be restored to
their proper order, every thing to its natural frame--mortality
raised to immortality, corruption to incorruption--raised to
endless happiness to inherit the kingdom of God, or to endless
misery to inherit the kingdom of the devil, the one on one hand,
the other on the other--
Alma 41:Verse 5
5 The one raised to happiness according to his desires
of happiness, or good according to his desires of good; and the
other to evil according to his desires of evil; for as he has
desired to do evil all the day long even so shall he have his
reward of evil when the night cometh.
Alma 41:Verse 6
6 And so it is on the other hand. If he hath repented
of his sins, and desired righteousness until the end of his days,
even so he shall be rewarded unto righteousness.
Alma 41:Verse 7
7 These are they that are redeemed of the Lord; yea,
these are they that are taken out, that are delivered from that
endless night of darkness; and thus they stand or fall; for behold,
they are their own judges, whether to do good or do evil.
Alma 41:Verse 8
8 Now, the decrees of God are unalterable; therefore,
the way is prepared that whosoever will may walk therein and be
saved.
Alma 41:Verse 9
9 And now behold, my son, do not risk one more offense
against your God upon those points of doctrine, which ye have
hitherto risked to commit sin.
Alma 41:Verse 10
10 Do not suppose, because it has been spoken
concerning restoration, that ye shall be restored from sin to
happiness. Behold, I say unto you, wickedness never was
happiness.
Alma 41:Verse 11
11 And now, my son, all men that are in a state of
nature, or I would say, in a carnal state, are in the gall of
bitterness and in the bonds of iniquity; they are without God in
the world, and they have gone contrary to the nature of God;
therefore, they are in a state contrary to the nature of
happiness.
Alma 41:Verse 12
12 And now behold, is the meaning of the word
restoration to take a thing of a natural state and place it in an
unnatural state, or to place it in a state opposite to its
nature?
Alma 41:Verse 13
13 O, my son, this is not the case; but the meaning of
the word restoration is to bring back again evil for evil, or
carnal for carnal, or devilish for devilish--good for that which is
good; righteous for that which is righteous; just for that which is
just; merciful for that which is merciful.
Alma 41:Verse 14
14 Therefore, my son, see that you are merciful unto
your brethren; deal justly, judge righteously, and do good
continually; and if ye do all these things then shall ye receive
your reward; yea, ye shall have mercy restored unto you again; ye
shall have justice restored unto you again; ye shall have a
righteous judgment restored unto you again; and ye shall have good
rewarded unto you again.
Alma 41:Verse 15
15 For that which ye do send out shall return unto you
again, and be restored; therefore, the word restoration more fully
condemneth the sinner, and justifieth him not at all.
Chapter 42
Alma 42:Verse 1
1 AND now, my son, I perceive there is somewhat more
which doth worry your mind, which ye cannot understand--which is
concerning the justice of God in the punishment of the sinner; for
ye do try to suppose that it is injustice that the sinner should be
consigned to a state of misery.
Alma 42:Verse 2
2 Now behold, my son, I will explain this thing unto
thee. For behold, after the Lord God sent our first parents forth
from the garden of Eden, to till the ground, from whence they were
taken--yea, he drew out the man, and he placed at the east end of
the garden of Eden, cherubim, and a flaming sword which turned
every way, to keep the tree of life--
Alma 42:Verse 3
3 Now, we see that the man had become as God, knowing
good and evil; and lest he should put forth his hand, and take also
of the tree of life, and eat and live forever, the Lord God placed
cherubim and the flaming sword, that he should not partake of the
fruit--
Alma 42:Verse 4
4 And thus we see, that there was a time granted unto
man to repent, yea, a probationary time, a time to repent and serve
God.
Alma 42:Verse 5
5 For behold, if Adam had put forth his hand
immediately, and partaken of the tree of life, he would have lived
forever, according to the word of God, having no space for
repentance; yea, and also the word of God would have been void, and
the great plan of salvation would have been frustrated.
Alma 42:Verse 6
6 But behold, it was appointed unto man to
die--therefore, as they were cut off from the tree of life they
should be cut off from the face of the earth--and man became lost
forever, yea, they became fallen man.
Alma 42:Verse 7
7 And now, ye see by this that our first parents were
cut off both temporally and spiritually from the presence of the
Lord; and thus we see they became subjects to follow after their
own will.
Alma 42:Verse 8
8 Now behold, it was not expedient that man should be
reclaimed from this temporal death, for that would destroy the
great plan of happiness.
Alma 42:Verse 9
9 Therefore, as the soul could never die, and the fall
had brought upon all mankind a spiritual death as well as a
temporal, that is, they were cut off from the presence of the Lord,
it was expedient that mankind should be reclaimed from this
spiritual death.
Alma 42:Verse 10
10 Therefore, as they had become carnal, sensual, and
devilish, by nature, this probationary state became a state for
them to prepare; it became a preparatory state.
Alma 42:Verse 11
11 And now remember, my son, if it were not for the
plan of redemption, (laying it aside) as soon as they were dead
their souls were miserable, being cut off from the presence of the
Lord.
Alma 42:Verse 12
12 And now, there was no means to reclaim men from this
fallen state, which man had brought upon himself because of his own
disobedience;
Alma 42:Verse 13
13 Therefore, according to justice, the plan of
redemption could not be brought about, only on conditions of
repentance of men in this probationary state, yea, this preparatory
state; for except it were for these conditions, mercy could not
take effect except it should destroy the work of justice. Now the
work of justice could not be destroyed; if so, God would cease to
be God.
Alma 42:Verse 14
14 And thus we see that all mankind were fallen, and
they were in the grasp of justice; yea, the justice of God, which
consigned them forever to be cut off from his presence.
Alma 42:Verse 15
15 And now, the plan of mercy could not be brought
about except an atonement should be made; therefore God himself
atoneth for the sins of the world, to bring about the plan of
mercy, to appease the demands of justice, that God might be a
perfect, just God, and a merciful God also.
Alma 42:Verse 16
16 Now, repentance could not come unto men except there
were a punishment, which also was eternal as the life of the soul
should be, affixed opposite to the plan of happiness, which was as
eternal also as the life of the soul.
Alma 42:Verse 17
17 Now, how could a man repent except he should sin?
How could he sin if there was no law? How could there be a law save
there was a punishment?
Alma 42:Verse 18
18 Now, there was a punishment affixed, and a just law
given, which brought remorse of conscience unto man.
Alma 42:Verse 19
19 Now, if there was no law given--if a man murdered he
should die--would he be afraid he would die if he should
murder?
Alma 42:Verse 20
20 And also, if there was no law given against sin men
would not be afraid to sin.
Alma 42:Verse 21
21 And if there was no law given, if men sinned what
could justice do, or mercy either, for they would have no claim
upon the creature?
Alma 42:Verse 22
22 But there is a law given, and a punishment affixed,
and a repentance granted; which repentance, mercy claimeth;
otherwise, justice claimeth the creature and executeth the law, and
the law inflicteth the punishment; if not so, the works of justice
would be destroyed, and God would cease to be God.
Alma 42:Verse 23
23 But God ceaseth not to be God, and mercy claimeth
the penitent, and mercy cometh because of the atonement; and the
atonement bringeth to pass the resurrection of the dead; and the
resurrection of the dead bringeth back men into the presence of
God; and thus they are restored into his presence, to be judged
according to their works, according to the law and justice.
Alma 42:Verse 24
24 For behold, justice exerciseth all his demands, and
also mercy claimeth all which is her own; and thus, none but the
truly penitent are saved.
Alma 42:Verse 25
25 What, do ye suppose that mercy can rob justice? I
say unto you, Nay; not one whit. If so, God would cease to be
God.
Alma 42:Verse 26
26 And thus God bringeth about his great and eternal
purposes, which were prepared from the foundation of the world. And
thus cometh about the salvation and the redemption of men, and also
their destruction and misery.
Alma 42:Verse 27
27 Therefore, O my son, whosoever will come may come
and partake of the waters of life freely; and whosoever will not
come the same is not compelled to come; but in the last day it
shall be restored unto him according to his deeds.
Alma 42:Verse 28
28 If he has desired to do evil, and has not repented
in his days, behold, evil shall be done unto him, according to the
restoration of God.
Alma 42:Verse 29
29 And now, my son, I desire that ye should let these
things trouble you no more, and only let your sins trouble you,
with that trouble which shall bring you down unto repentance.
Alma 42:Verse 30
30 O my son, I desire that ye should deny the justice
of God no more. Do not endeavor to excuse yourself in the least
point because of your sins, by denying the justice of God; but do
you let the justice of God, and his mercy, and his long-suffering
have full sway in your heart; and let it bring you down to the dust
in humility.
Alma 42:Verse 31
31 And now, O my son, ye are called of God to preach
the word unto this people. And now, my son, go thy way, declare the
word with truth and soberness, that thou mayest bring souls unto
repentance, that the great plan of mercy may have claim upon them.
And may God grant unto you even according to my words. Amen.
Chapter 43
Alma 43:Verse 1
1 AND now it came to pass that the sons of Alma did go
forth among the people, to declare the word unto them. And Alma,
also, himself, could not rest, and he also went forth.
Alma 43:Verse 2
2 Now we shall say no more concerning their preaching,
except that they preached the word, and the truth, according to the
spirit of prophecy and revelation; and they preached after the holy
order of God by which they were called.
Alma 43:Verse 3
3 And now I return to an account of the wars between
the Nephites and the Lamanites, in the eighteenth year of the reign
of the judges.
Alma 43:Verse 4
4 For behold, it came to pass that the Zoramites became
Lamanites; therefore, in the commencement of the eighteenth year
the people of the Nephites saw that the Lamanites were coming upon
them; therefore they made preparations for war; yea, they gathered
together their armies in the land of Jershon.
Alma 43:Verse 5
5 And it came to pass that the Lamanites came with
their thousands; and they came into the land of Antionum, which is
the land of the Zoramites; and a man by the name of Zerahemnah was
their leader.
Alma 43:Verse 6
6 And now, as the Amalekites were of a more wicked and
murderous disposition than the Lamanites were, in and of
themselves, therefore, Zerahemnah appointed chief captains over the
Lamanites, and they were all Amalekites and Zoramites.
Alma 43:Verse 7
7 Now this he did that he might preserve their hatred
towards the Nephites, that he might bring them into subjection to
the accomplishment of his designs.
Alma 43:Verse 8
8 For behold, his designs were to stir up the Lamanites
to anger against the Nephites; this he did that he might usurp
great power over them, and also that he might gain power over the
Nephites by bringing them into bondage.
Alma 43:Verse 9
9 And now the design of the Nephites was to support
their lands, and their houses, and their wives, and their children,
that they might preserve them from the hands of their enemies; and
also that they might preserve their rights and their privileges,
yea, and also their liberty, that they might worship God according
to their desires.
Alma 43:Verse 10
10 For they knew that if they should fall into the
hands of the Lamanites, that whosoever should worship God in spirit
and in truth, the true and the living God, the Lamanites would
destroy.
Alma 43:Verse 11
11 Yea, and they also knew the extreme hatred of the
Lamanites towards their brethren, who were the people of
Anti-Nephi-Lehi, who were called the people of Ammon--and they
would not take up arms, yea, they had entered into a covenant and
they would not break it--therefore, if they should fall into the
hands of the Lamanites they would be destroyed.
Alma 43:Verse 12
12 And the Nephites would not suffer that they should
be destroyed; therefore they gave them lands for their
inheritance.
Alma 43:Verse 13
13 And the people of Ammon did give unto the Nephites a
large portion of their substance to support their armies; and thus
the Nephites were compelled, alone, to withstand against the
Lamanites, who were a compound of Laman and Lemuel, and the sons of
Ishmael, and all those who had dissented from the Nephites, who
were Amalekites and Zoramites, and the descendants of the priests
of Noah.
Alma 43:Verse 14
14 Now those descendants were as numerous, nearly, as
were the Nephites; and thus the Nephites were obliged to contend
with their brethren, even unto bloodshed.
Alma 43:Verse 15
15 And it came to pass as the armies of the Lamanites
had gathered together in the land of Antionum, behold, the armies
of the Nephites were prepared to meet them in the land of
Jershon.
Alma 43:Verse 16
16 Now, the leader of the Nephites, or the man who had
been appointed to be the chief captain over the Nephites--now the
chief captain took the command of all the armies of the
Nephites--and his name was Moroni;
Alma 43:Verse 17
17 And Moroni took all the command, and the government
of their wars. And he was only twenty and five years old when he
was appointed chief captain over the armies of the Nephites.
Alma 43:Verse 18
18 And it came to pass that he met the Lamanites in the
borders of Jershon, and his people were armed with swords, and with
cimeters, and all manner of weapons of war.
Alma 43:Verse 19
19 And when the armies of the Lamanites saw that the
people of Nephi, or that Moroni, had prepared his people with
breastplates and with arm-shields, yea, and also shields to defend
their heads, and also they were dressed with thick clothing--
Alma 43:Verse 20
20 Now the army of Zerahemnah was not prepared with any
such thing; they had only their swords and their cimeters, their
bows and their arrows, their stones and their slings; and they were
naked, save it were a skin which was girded about their loins; yea,
all were naked, save it were the Zoramites and the
Amalekites;
Alma 43:Verse 21
21 But they were not armed with breastplates, nor
shields--therefore, they were exceedingly afraid of the armies of
the Nephites because of their armor, notwithstanding their number
being so much greater than the Nephites.
Alma 43:Verse 22
22 Behold, now it came to pass that they durst not come
against the Nephites in the borders of Jershon; therefore they
departed out of the land of Antionum into the wilderness, and took
their journey round about in the wilderness, away by the head of
the river Sidon, that they might come into the land of Manti and
take possession of the land; for they did not suppose that the
armies of Moroni would know whither they had gone.
Alma 43:Verse 23
23 But it came to pass, as soon as they had departed
into the wilderness Moroni sent spies into the wilderness to watch
their camp; and Moroni, also, knowing of the prophecies of Alma,
sent certain men unto him, desiring him that he should inquire of
the Lord whither the armies of the Nephites should go to defend
themselves against the Lamanites.
Alma 43:Verse 24
24 And it came to pass that the word of the Lord came
unto Alma, and Alma informed the messengers of Moroni, that the
armies of the Lamanites were marching round about in the
wilderness, that they might come over into the land of Manti, that
they might commence an attack upon the weaker part of the people.
And those messengers went and delivered the message unto
Moroni.
Alma 43:Verse 25
25 Now Moroni, leaving a part of his army in the land
of Jershon, lest by any means a part of the Lamanites should come
into that land and take possession of the city, took the remaining
part of his army and marched over into the land of Manti.
Alma 43:Verse 26
26 And he caused that all the people in that quarter of
the land should gather themselves together to battle against the
Lamanites, to defend their lands and their country, their rights
and their liberties; therefore they were prepared against the time
of the coming of the Lamanites.
Alma 43:Verse 27
27 And it came to pass that Moroni caused that his army
should be secreted in the valley which was near the bank of the
river Sidon, which was on the west of the river Sidon in the
wilderness.
Alma 43:Verse 28
28 And Moroni placed spies round about, that he might
know when the camp of the Lamanites should come.
Alma 43:Verse 29
29 And now, as Moroni knew the intention of the
Lamanites, that it was their intention to destroy their brethren,
or to subject them and bring them into bondage that they might
establish a kingdom unto themselves over all the land;
Alma 43:Verse 30
30 And he also knowing that it was the only desire of
the Nephites to preserve their lands, and their liberty, and their
church, therefore he thought it no sin that he should defend them
by stratagem; therefore, he found by his spies which course the
Lamanites were to take.
Alma 43:Verse 31
31 Therefore, he divided his army and brought a part
over into the valley, and concealed them on the east, and on the
south of the hill Riplah;
Alma 43:Verse 32
32 And the remainder he concealed in the west valley,
on the west of the river Sidon, and so down into the borders of the
land Manti.
Alma 43:Verse 33
33 And thus having placed his army according to his
desire, he was prepared to meet them.
Alma 43:Verse 34
34 And it came to pass that the Lamanites came up on
the north of the hill, where a part of the army of Moroni was
concealed.
Alma 43:Verse 35
35 And as the Lamanites had passed the hill Riplah, and
came into the valley, and began to cross the river Sidon, the army
which was concealed on the south of the hill, which was led by a
man whose name was Lehi, and he led his army forth and encircled
the Lamanites about on the east in their rear.
Alma 43:Verse 36
36 And it came to pass that the Lamanites, when they
saw the Nephites coming upon them in their rear, turned them about
and began to contend with the army of Lehi.
Alma 43:Verse 37
37 And the work of death commenced on both sides, but
it was more dreadful on the part of the Lamanites, for their
nakedness was exposed to the heavy blows of the Nephites with their
swords and their cimeters, which brought death almost at every
stroke.
Alma 43:Verse 38
38 While on the other hand, there was now and then a
man fell among the Nephites, by their swords and the loss of blood,
they being shielded from the more vital parts of the body, or the
more vital parts of the body being shielded from the strokes of the
Lamanites, by their breastplates, and their armshields, and their
head-plates; and thus the Nephites did carry on the work of death
among the Lamanites.
Alma 43:Verse 39
39 And it came to pass that the Lamanites became
frightened, because of the great destruction among them, even until
they began to flee towards the river Sidon.
Alma 43:Verse 40
40 And they were pursued by Lehi and his men; and they
were driven by Lehi into the waters of Sidon, and they crossed the
waters of Sidon. And Lehi retained his armies upon the bank of the
river Sidon that they should not cross.
Alma 43:Verse 41
41 And it came to pass that Moroni and his army met the
Lamanites in the valley, on the other side of the river Sidon, and
began to fall upon them and to slay them.
Alma 43:Verse 42
42 And the Lamanites did flee again before them,
towards the land of Manti; and they were met again by the armies of
Moroni.
Alma 43:Verse 43
43 Now in this case the Lamanites did fight
exceedingly; yea, never had the Lamanites been known to fight with
such exceedingly great strength and courage, no, not even from the
beginning.
Alma 43:Verse 44
44 And they were inspired by the Zoramites and the
Amalekites, who were their chief captains and leaders, and by
Zerahemnah, who was their chief captain, or their chief leader and
commander; yea, they did fight like dragons, and many of the
Nephites were slain by their hands, yea, for they did smite in two
many of their head-plates, and they did pierce many of their
breastplates, and they did smite off many of their arms; and thus
the Lamanites did smite in their fierce anger.
Alma 43:Verse 45
45 Nevertheless, the Nephites were inspired by a better
cause, for they were not fighting for monarchy nor power but they
were fighting for their homes and their liberties, their wives and
their children, and their all, yea, for their rites of worship and
their church.
Alma 43:Verse 46
46 And they were doing that which they felt was the
duty which they owed to their God; for the Lord had said unto them,
and also unto their fathers, that: Inasmuch as ye are not guilty of
the first offense, neither the second, ye shall not suffer
yourselves to be slain by the hands of your enemies.
Alma 43:Verse 47
47 And again, the Lord has said that: Ye shall defend
your families even unto bloodshed. Therefore for this cause were
the Nephites contending with the Lamanites, to defend themselves,
and their families, and their lands, their country, and their
rights, and their religion.
Alma 43:Verse 48
48 And it came to pass that when the men of Moroni saw
the fierceness and the anger of the Lamanites, they were about to
shrink and flee from them. And Moroni, perceiving their intent,
sent forth and inspired their hearts with these thoughts--yea, the
thoughts of their lands, their liberty, yea, their freedom from
bondage.
Alma 43:Verse 49
49 And it came to pass that they turned upon the
Lamanites, and they cried with one voice unto the Lord their God,
for their liberty and their freedom from bondage.
Alma 43:Verse 50
50 And they began to stand against the Lamanites with
power; and in that selfsame hour that they cried unto the Lord for
their freedom, the Lamanites began to flee before them; and they
fled even to the waters of Sidon.
Alma 43:Verse 51
51 Now, the Lamanites were more numerous, yea, by more
than double the number of the Nephites; nevertheless, they were
driven insomuch that they were gathered together in one body in the
valley, upon the bank by the river Sidon.
Alma 43:Verse 52
52 Therefore the armies of Moroni encircled them about,
yea, even on both sides of the river, for behold, on the east were
the men of Lehi.
Alma 43:Verse 53
53 Therefore when Zerahemnah saw the men of Lehi on the
east of the river Sidon, and the armies of Moroni on the west of
the river Sidon, that they were encircled about by the Nephites,
they were struck with terror.
Alma 43:Verse 54
54 Now Moroni, when he saw their terror, commanded his
men that they should stop shedding their blood.
Chapter 44
Alma 44:Verse 1
1 AND it came to pass that they did stop and withdrew a
pace from them. And Moroni said unto Zerahemnah: Behold,
Zerahemnah, that we do not desire to be men of blood. Ye know that
ye are in our hands, yet we do not desire to slay you.
Alma 44:Verse 2
2 Behold, we have not come out to battle against you
that we might shed your blood for power; neither do we desire to
bring any one to the yoke of bondage. But this is the very cause
for which ye have come against us; yea, and ye are angry with us
because of our religion.
Alma 44:Verse 3
3 But now, ye behold that the Lord is with us; and ye
behold that he has delivered you into our hands. And now I would
that ye should understand that this is done unto us because of our
religion and our faith in Christ. And now ye see that ye cannot
destroy this our faith.
Alma 44:Verse 4
4 Now ye see that this is the true faith of God; yea,
ye see that God will support, and keep, and preserve us, so long as
we are faithful unto him, and unto our faith, and our religion; and
never will the Lord suffer that we shall be destroyed except we
should fall into transgression and deny our faith.
Alma 44:Verse 5
5 And now, Zerahemnah, I command you, in the name of
that all-powerful God, who has strengthened our arms that we have
gained power over you, by our faith, by our religion, and by our
rites of worship, and by our church, and by the sacred support
which we owe to our wives and our children, by that liberty which
binds us to our lands and our country; yea, and also by the
maintenance of the sacred word of God, to which we owe all our
happiness; and by all that is most dear unto us--
Alma 44:Verse 6
6 Yea, and this is not all; I command you by all the
desires which ye have for life, that ye deliver up your weapons of
war unto us, and we will seek not your blood, but we will spare
your lives, if ye will go your way and come not again to war
against us.
Alma 44:Verse 7
7 And now, if ye do not this, behold, ye are in our
hands, and I will command my men that they shall fall upon you, and
inflict the wounds of death in your bodies, that ye may become
extinct; and then we will see who shall have power over this
people; yea, we will see who shall be brought into bondage.
Alma 44:Verse 8
8 And now it came to pass that when Zerahemnah had
heard these sayings he came forth and delivered up his sword and
his cimeter, and his bow into the hands of Moroni, and said unto
him: Behold, here are our weapons of war; we will deliver them up
unto you, but we will not suffer ourselves to take an oath unto
you, which we know that we shall break, and also our children; but
take our weapons of war, and suffer that we may depart into the
wilderness; otherwise we will retain our swords, and we will perish
or conquer.
Alma 44:Verse 9
9 Behold, we are not of your faith; we do not believe
that it is God that has delivered us into your hands; but we
believe that it is your cunning that has preserved you from our
swords. Behold, it is your breastplates and your shields that have
preserved you.
Alma 44:Verse 10
10 And now when Zerahemnah had made an end of speaking
these words, Moroni returned the sword and the weapons of war,
which he had received, unto Zerahemnah, saying: Behold, we will end
the conflict.
Alma 44:Verse 11
11 Now I cannot recall the words which I have spoken,
therefore as the Lord liveth, ye shall not depart except ye depart
with an oath that ye will not return again against us to war. Now
as ye are in our hands we will spill your blood upon the ground, or
ye shall submit to the conditions which I have proposed.
Alma 44:Verse 12
12 And now when Moroni had said these words, Zerahemnah
retained his sword, and he was angry with Moroni, and he rushed
forward that he might slay Moroni; but as he raised his sword,
behold, one of Moroni's soldiers smote it even to the earth, and it
broke by the hilt; and he also smote Zerahemnah that he took off
his scalp and it fell to the earth. And Zerahemnah withdrew from
before them into the midst of his soldiers.
Alma 44:Verse 13
13 And it came to pass that the soldier who stood by,
who smote off the scalp of Zerahemnah, took up the scalp from off
the ground by the hair, and laid it upon the point of his sword,
and stretched it forth unto them, saying unto them with a loud
voice:
Alma 44:Verse 14
14 Even as this scalp has fallen to the earth, which is
the scalp of your chief, so shall ye fall to the earth except ye
will deliver up your weapons of war and depart with a covenant of
peace.
Alma 44:Verse 15
15 Now there were many, when they heard these words and
saw the scalp which was upon the sword, that were struck with fear;
and many came forth and threw down their weapons of war at the feet
of Moroni, and entered into a covenant of peace. And as many as
entered into a covenant they suffered to depart into the
wilderness.
Alma 44:Verse 16
16 Now it came to pass that Zerahemnah was exceedingly
wroth, and he did stir up the remainder of his soldiers to anger,
to contend more powerfully against the Nephites.
Alma 44:Verse 17
17 And now Moroni was angry, because of the
stubbornness of the Lamanites; therefore he commanded his people
that they should fall upon them and slay them. And it came to pass
that they began to slay them; yea, and the Lamanites did contend
with their swords and their might.
Alma 44:Verse 18
18 But behold, their naked skins and their bare heads
were exposed to the sharp swords of the Nephites; yea, behold they
were pierced and smitten, yea, and did fall exceedingly fast before
the swords of the Nephites; and they began to be swept down, even
as the soldier of Moroni had prophesied.
Alma 44:Verse 19
19 Now Zerahemnah, when he saw that they were all about
to be destroyed, cried mightily unto Moroni, promising that he
would covenant and also his people with them, if they would spare
the remainder of their lives, that they never would come to war
again against them.
Alma 44:Verse 20
20 And it came to pass that Moroni caused that the work
of death should cease again among the people. And he took the
weapons of war from the Lamanites; and after they had entered into
a covenant with him of peace they were suffered to depart into the
wilderness.
Alma 44:Verse 21
21 Now the number of their dead was not numbered
because of the greatness of the number; yea, the number of their
dead was exceedingly great, both on the Nephites and on the
Lamanites.
Alma 44:Verse 22
22 And it came to pass that they did cast their dead
into the waters of Sidon, and they have gone forth and are buried
in the depths of the sea.
Alma 44:Verse 23
23 And the armies of the Nephites, or of Moroni,
returned and came to their houses and their lands.
Alma 44:Verse 24
24 And thus ended the eighteenth year of the reign of
the judges over the people of Nephi. And thus ended the record of
Alma, which was written upon the plates of Nephi.
Chapter 45
Alma 45:Verse 1
1 Behold, now it came to pass that the people of Nephi
were exceedingly rejoiced, because the Lord had again delivered
them out of the hands of their enemies; therefore they gave thanks
unto the Lord their God; yea, and they did fast much and pray much,
and they did worship God with exceedingly great joy.
Alma 45:Verse 2
2 And it came to pass in the nineteenth year of the
reign of the judges over the people of Nephi, that Alma came unto
his son Helaman and said unto him: Believest thou the words which I
spake unto thee concerning those records which have been
kept?
Alma 45:Verse 3
3 And Helaman said unto him: Yea, I believe.
Alma 45:Verse 4
4 And Alma said again: Believest thou in Jesus Christ,
who shall come?
Alma 45:Verse 5
5 And he said: Yea, I believe all the words which thou
hast spoken.
Alma 45:Verse 6
6 And Alma said unto him again: Will ye keep my
commandments?
Alma 45:Verse 7
7 And he said: Yea, I will keep thy commandments with
all my heart.
Alma 45:Verse 8
8 Then Alma said unto him: Blessed art thou; and the
Lord shall prosper thee in this land.
Alma 45:Verse 9
9 But behold, I have somewhat to prophesy unto thee;
but what I prophesy unto thee ye shall not make known; yea, what I
prophesy unto thee shall not be made known, even until the prophecy
is fulfilled; therefore write the words which I shall say.
Alma 45:Verse 10
10 And these are the words: Behold, I perceive that
this very people, the Nephites, according to the spirit of
revelation which is in me, in four hundred years from the time that
Jesus Christ shall manifest himself unto them, shall dwindle in
unbelief.
Alma 45:Verse 11
11 Yea, and then shall they see wars and pestilences,
yea, famines and bloodshed, even until the people of Nephi shall
become extinct--
Alma 45:Verse 12
12 Yea, and this because they shall dwindle in unbelief
and fall into the works of darkness, and lasciviousness, and all
manner of iniquities; yea, I say unto you, that because they shall
sin against so great light and knowledge, yea, I say unto you, that
from that day, even the fourth generation shall not all pass away
before this great iniquity shall come.
Alma 45:Verse 13
13 And when that great day cometh, behold, the time
very soon cometh that those who are now, or the seed of those who
are now numbered among the people of Nephi, shall no more be
numbered among the people of Nephi.
Alma 45:Verse 14
14 But whosoever remaineth, and is not destroyed in
that great and dreadful day, shall be numbered among the Lamanites,
and shall become like unto them, all, save it be a few who shall be
called the disciples of the Lord; and them shall the Lamanites
pursue even until they shall become extinct. And now, because of
iniquity, this prophecy shall be fulfilled.
Alma 45:Verse 15
15 And now it came to pass that after Alma had said
these things to Helaman, he blessed him, and also his other sons;
and he also blessed the earth for the righteous' sake.
Alma 45:Verse 16
16 And he said: Thus saith the Lord God--Cursed shall
be the land, yea, this land, unto every nation, kindred, tongue,
and people, unto destruction, which do wickedly, when they are
fully ripe; and as I have said so shall it be; for this is the
cursing and the blessing of God upon the land, for the Lord cannot
look upon sin with the least degree of allowance.
Alma 45:Verse 17
17 And now, when Alma had said these words he blessed
the church, yea, all those who should stand fast in the faith from
that time henceforth.
Alma 45:Verse 18
18 And when Alma had done this he departed out of the
land of Zarahemla, as if to go into the land of Melek. And it came
to pass that he was never heard of more; as to his death or burial
we know not of.
Alma 45:Verse 19
19 Behold, this we know, that he was a righteous man;
and the saying went abroad in the church that he was taken up by
the Spirit, or buried by the hand of the Lord, even as Moses. But
behold, the scriptures saith the Lord took Moses unto himself; and
we suppose that he has also received Alma in the spirit, unto
himself; therefore, for this cause we know nothing concerning his
death and burial.
Alma 45:Verse 20
20 And now it came to pass in the commencement of the
nineteenth year of the reign of the judges over the people of
Nephi, that Helaman went forth among the people to declare the word
unto them.
Alma 45:Verse 21
21 For behold, because of their wars with the Lamanites
and the many little dissensions and disturbances which had been
among the people, it became expedient that the word of God should
be declared among them, yea, and that a regulation should be made
throughout the church.
Alma 45:Verse 22
22 Therefore, Helaman and his brethren went forth to
establish the church again in all the land, yea, in every city
throughout all the land which was possessed by the people of Nephi.
And it came to pass that they did appoint priests and teachers
throughout all the land, over all the churches.
Alma 45:Verse 23
23 And now it came to pass that after Helaman and his
brethren had appointed priests and teachers over the churches that
there arose a dissension among them, and they would not give heed
to the words of Helaman and his brethren;
Alma 45:Verse 24
24 But they grew proud, being lifted up in their
hearts, because of their exceedingly great riches; therefore they
grew rich in their own eyes, and would not give heed to their
words, to walk uprightly before God.
Chapter 46
Alma 46:Verse 1
1 AND it came to pass that as many as would not hearken
to the words of Helaman and his brethren were gathered together
against their brethren.
Alma 46:Verse 2
2 And now behold, they were exceedingly wroth, insomuch
that they were determined to slay them.
Alma 46:Verse 3
3 Now the leader of those who were wroth against their
brethren was a large and a strong man; and his name was
Amalickiah.
Alma 46:Verse 4
4 And Amalickiah was desirous to be a king; and those
people who were wroth were also desirous that he should be their
king; and they were the greater part of them the lower judges of
the land, and they were seeking for power.
Alma 46:Verse 5
5 And they had been led by the flatteries of
Amalickiah, that if they would support him and establish him to be
their king that he would make them rulers over the people.
Alma 46:Verse 6
6 Thus they were led away by Amalickiah to dissensions,
notwithstanding the preaching of Helaman and his brethren, yea,
notwithstanding their exceedingly great care over the church, for
they were high priests over the church.
Alma 46:Verse 7
7 And there were many in the church who believed in the
flattering words of Amalickiah, therefore they dissented even from
the church; and thus were the affairs of the people of Nephi
exceedingly precarious and dangerous, notwithstanding their great
victory which they had had over the Lamanites, and their great
rejoicings which they had had because of their deliverance by the
hand of the Lord.
Alma 46:Verse 8
8 Thus we see how quick the children of men do forget
the Lord their God, yea, how quick to do iniquity, and to be led
away by the evil one.
Alma 46:Verse 9
9 Yea, and we also see the great wickedness one very
wicked man can cause to take place among the children of men.
Alma 46:Verse 10
10 Yea, we see that Amalickiah, because he was a man of
cunning device and a man of many flattering words, that he led away
the hearts of many people to do wickedly; yea, and to seek to
destroy the church of God, and to destroy the foundation of liberty
which God had granted unto them, or which blessing God had sent
upon the face of the land for the righteous' sake.
Alma 46:Verse 11
11 And now it came to pass that when Moroni, who was
the chief commander of the armies of the Nephites, had heard of
these dissensions, he was angry with Amalickiah.
Alma 46:Verse 12
12 And it came to pass that he rent his coat; and he
took a piece thereof, and wrote upon it--In memory of our God, our
religion, and freedom, and our peace, our wives, and our
children--and he fastened it upon the end of a pole.
Alma 46:Verse 13
13 And he fastened on his head-plate, and his
breastplate, and his shields, and girded on his armor about his
loins; and he took the pole, which had on the end thereof his rent
coat, (and he called it the title of liberty) and he bowed himself
to the earth, and he prayed mightily unto his God for the blessings
of liberty to rest upon his brethren, so long as there should a
band of Christians remain to possess the land--
Alma 46:Verse 14
14 For thus were all the true believers of Christ, who
belonged to the church of God, called by those who did not belong
to the church.
Alma 46:Verse 15
15 And those who did belong to the church were
faithful; yea, all those who were true believers in Christ took
upon them, gladly, the name of Christ, or Christians as they were
called, because of their belief in Christ who should come.
Alma 46:Verse 16
16 And therefore, at this time, Moroni prayed that the
cause of the Christians, and the freedom of the land might be
favored.
Alma 46:Verse 17
17 And it came to pass that when he had poured out his
soul to God, he named all the land which was south of the land
Desolation, yea, and in fine, all the land, both on the north and
on the south--A chosen land, and the land of liberty.
Alma 46:Verse 18
18 And he said: Surely God shall not suffer that we,
who are despised because we take upon us the name of Christ, shall
be trodden down and destroyed, until we bring it upon us by our own
transgressions.
Alma 46:Verse 19
19 And when Moroni had said these words, he went forth
among the people, waving the rent part of his garment in the air,
that all might see the writing which he had written upon the rent
part, and crying with a loud voice, saying:
Alma 46:Verse 20
20 Behold, whosoever will maintain this title upon the
land, let them come forth in the strength of the Lord, and enter
into a covenant that they will maintain their rights, and their
religion, that the Lord God may bless them.
Alma 46:Verse 21
21 And it came to pass that when Moroni had proclaimed
these words, behold, the people came running together with their
armor girded about their loins, rending their garments in token, or
as a covenant, that they would not forsake the Lord their God; or,
in other words, if they should transgress the commandments of God,
or fall into transgression, and be ashamed to take upon them the
name of Christ, the Lord should rend them even as they had rent
their garments.
Alma 46:Verse 22
22 Now this was the covenant which they made, and they
cast their garments at the feet of Moroni, saying: We covenant with
our God, that we shall be destroyed, even as our brethren in the
land northward, if we shall fall into transgression; yea, he may
cast us at the feet of our enemies, even as we have cast our
garments at thy feet to be trodden under foot, if we shall fall
into transgression.
Alma 46:Verse 23
23 Moroni said unto them: Behold, we are a remnant of
the seed of Jacob; yea, we are a remnant of the seed of Joseph,
whose coat was rent by his brethren into many pieces; yea, and now
behold, let us remember to keep the commandments of God, or our
garments shall be rent by our brethren, and we be cast into prison,
or be sold, or be slain.
Alma 46:Verse 24
24 Yea, let us preserve our liberty as a remnant of
Joseph; yea, let us remember the words of Jacob, before his death,
for behold, he saw that a part of the remnant of the coat of Joseph
was preserved and had not decayed. And he said--Even as this
remnant of garment of my son hath been preserved, so shall a
remnant of the seed of my son be preserved by the hand of God, and
be taken unto himself, while the remainder of the seed of Joseph
shall perish, even as the remnant of his garment.
Alma 46:Verse 25
25 Now behold, this giveth my soul sorrow;
nevertheless, my soul hath joy in my son, because of that part of
his seed which shall be taken unto God.
Alma 46:Verse 26
26 Now behold, this was the language of Jacob.
Alma 46:Verse 27
27 And now who knoweth but what the remnant of the seed
of Joseph, which shall perish as his garment, are those who have
dissented from us? Yea, and even it shall be ourselves if we do not
stand fast in the faith of Christ.
Alma 46:Verse 28
28 And now it came to pass that when Moroni had said
these words he went forth, and also sent forth in all the parts of
the land where there were dissensions, and gathered together all
the people who were desirous to maintain their liberty, to stand
against Amalickiah and those who had dissented, who were called
Amalickiahites.
Alma 46:Verse 29
29 And it came to pass that when Amalickiah saw that
the people of Moroni were more numerous than the
Amalickiahites--and he also saw that his people were doubtful
concerning the justice of the cause in which they had
undertaken--therefore, fearing that he should not gain the point,
he took those of his people who would and departed into the land of
Nephi.
Alma 46:Verse 30
30 Now Moroni thought it was not expedient that the
Lamanites should have any more strength; therefore he thought to
cut off the people of Amalickiah, or to take them and bring them
back, and put Amalickiah to death; yea, for he knew that he would
stir up the Lamanites to anger against them, and cause them to come
to battle against them; and this he knew that Amalickiah would do
that he might obtain his purposes.
Alma 46:Verse 31
31 Therefore Moroni thought it was expedient that he
should take his armies, who had gathered themselves together, and
armed themselves, and entered into a covenant to keep the
peace--and it came to pass that he took his army and marched out
with his tents into the wilderness, to cut off the course of
Amalickiah in the wilderness.
Alma 46:Verse 32
32 And it came to pass that he did according to his
desires, and marched forth into the wilderness, and headed the
armies of Amalickiah.
Alma 46:Verse 33
33 And it came to pass that Amalickiah fled with a
small number of his men, and the remainder were delivered up into
the hands of Moroni and were taken back into the land of
Zarahemla.
Alma 46:Verse 34
34 Now, Moroni being a man who was appointed by the
chief judges and the voice of the people, therefore he had power
according to his will with the armies of the Nephites, to establish
and to exercise authority over them.
Alma 46:Verse 35
35 And it came to pass that whomsoever of the
Amalickiahites that would not enter into a covenant to support the
cause of freedom, that they might maintain a free government, he
caused to be put to death; and there were but few who denied the
covenant of freedom.
Alma 46:Verse 36
36 And it came to pass also, that he caused the title
of liberty to be hoisted upon every tower which was in all the
land, which was possessed by the Nephites; and thus Moroni planted
the standard of liberty among the Nephites.
Alma 46:Verse 37
37 And they began to have peace again in the land; and
thus they did maintain peace in the land until nearly the end of
the nineteenth year of the reign of the judges.
Alma 46:Verse 38
38 And Helaman and the high priests did also maintain
order in the church; yea, even for the space of four years did they
have much peace and rejoicing in the church.
Alma 46:Verse 39
39 And it came to pass that there were many who died,
firmly believing that their souls were redeemed by the Lord Jesus
Christ; thus they went out of the world rejoicing.
Alma 46:Verse 40
40 And there were some who died with fevers, which at
some seasons of the year were very frequent in the land--but not so
much so with fevers, because of the excellent qualities of the many
plants and roots which God had prepared to remove the cause of
diseases, to which men were subject by the nature of the
climate--
Alma 46:Verse 41
41 But there were many who died with old age; and those
who died in the faith of Christ are happy in him, as we must needs
suppose.
Chapter 47
Alma 47:Verse 1
1 NOW we will return in our record to Amalickiah and
those who had fled with him into the wilderness; for, behold, he
had taken those who went with him, and went up in the land of Nephi
among the Lamanites, and did stir up the Lamanites to anger against
the people of Nephi, insomuch that the king of the Lamanites sent a
proclamation throughout all his land, among all his people, that
they should gather themselves together again to go to battle
against the Nephites.
Alma 47:Verse 2
2 And it came to pass that when the proclamation had
gone forth among them they were exceedingly afraid; yea, they
feared to displease the king, and they also feared to go to battle
against the Nephites lest they should lose their lives. And it came
to pass that they would not, or the more part of them would not,
obey the commandments of the king.
Alma 47:Verse 3
3 And now it came to pass that the king was wroth
because of their disobedience; therefore he gave Amalickiah the
command of that part of his army which was obedient unto his
commands, and commanded him that he should go forth and compel them
to arms.
Alma 47:Verse 4
4 Now behold, this was the desire of Amalickiah; for he
being a very subtle man to do evil therefore he laid the plan in
his heart to dethrone the king of the Lamanites.
Alma 47:Verse 5
5 And now he had got the command of those parts of the
Lamanites who were in favor of the king; and he sought to gain
favor of those who were not obedient; therefore he went forward to
the place which was called Onidah, for thither had all the
Lamanites fled; for they discovered the army coming, and, supposing
that they were coming to destroy them, therefore they fled to
Onidah, to the place of arms.
Alma 47:Verse 6
6 And they had appointed a man to be a king and a
leader over them, being fixed in their minds with a determined
resolution that they would not be subjected to go against the
Nephites.
Alma 47:Verse 7
7 And it came to pass that they had gathered themselves
together upon the top of the mount which was called Antipas, in
preparation to battle.
Alma 47:Verse 8
8 Now it was not Amalickiah's intention to give them
battle according to the commandments of the king; but behold, it
was his intention to gain favor with the armies of the Lamanites,
that he might place himself at their head and dethrone the king and
take possession of the kingdom.
Alma 47:Verse 9
9 And behold, it came to pass that he caused his army
to pitch their tents in the valley which was near the mount
Antipas.
Alma 47:Verse 10
10 And it came to pass that when it was night he sent a
secret embassy into the mount Antipas, desiring that the leader of
those who were upon the mount, whose name was Lehonti, that he
should come down to the foot of the mount, for he desired to speak
with him.
Alma 47:Verse 11
11 And it came to pass that when Lehonti received the
message he durst not go down to the foot of the mount. And it came
to pass that Amalickiah sent again the second time, desiring him to
come down. And it came to pass that Lehonti would not; and he sent
again the third time.
Alma 47:Verse 12
12 And it came to pass that when Amalickiah found that
he could not get Lehonti to come down off from the mount, he went
up into the mount, nearly to Lehonti's camp; and he sent again the
fourth time his message unto Lehonti, desiring that he would come
down, and that he would bring his guards with him.
Alma 47:Verse 13
13 And it came to pass that when Lehonti had come down
with his guards to Amalickiah, that Amalickiah desired him to come
down with his army in the night-time, and surround those men in
their camps over whom the king had given him command, and that he
would deliver them up into Lehonti's hands, if he would make him
(Amalickiah) a second leader over the whole army.
Alma 47:Verse 14
14 And it came to pass that Lehonti came down with his
men and surrounded the men of Amalickiah, so that before they awoke
at the dawn of day they were surrounded by the armies of
Lehonti.
Alma 47:Verse 15
15 And it came to pass that when they saw that they
were surrounded, they plead with Amalickiah that he would suffer
them to fall in with their brethren, that they might not be
destroyed. Now this was the very thing which Amalickiah
desired.
Alma 47:Verse 16
16 And it came to pass that he delivered his men,
contrary to the commands of the king. Now this was the thing that
Amalickiah desired, that he might accomplish his designs in
dethroning the king.
Alma 47:Verse 17
17 Now it was the custom among the Lamanites, if their
chief leader was killed, to appoint the second leader to be their
chief leader.
Alma 47:Verse 18
18 And it came to pass that Amalickiah caused that one
of his servants should administer poison by degrees to Lehonti,
that he died.
Alma 47:Verse 19
19 Now, when Lehonti was dead, the Lamanites appointed
Amalickiah to be their leader and their chief commander.
Alma 47:Verse 20
20 And it came to pass that Amalickiah marched with his
armies (for he had gained his desires) to the land of Nephi, to the
city of Nephi, which was the chief city.
Alma 47:Verse 21
21 And the king came out to meet him with his guards,
for he supposed that Amalickiah had fulfilled his commands, and
that Amalickiah had gathered together so great an army to go
against the Nephites to battle.
Alma 47:Verse 22
22 But behold, as the king came out to meet him
Amalickiah caused that his servants should go forth to meet the
king. And they went and bowed themselves before the king, as if to
reverence him because of his greatness.
Alma 47:Verse 23
23 And it came to pass that the king put forth his hand
to raise them, as was the custom with the Lamanites, as a token of
peace, which custom they had taken from the Nephites.
Alma 47:Verse 24
24 And it came to pass that when he had raised the
first from the ground, behold he stabbed the king to the heart; and
he fell to the earth.
Alma 47:Verse 25
25 Now the servants of the king fled; and the servants
of Amalickiah raised a cry, saying:
Alma 47:Verse 26
26 Behold, the servants of the king have stabbed him to
the heart, and he has fallen and they have fled; behold, come and
see.
Alma 47:Verse 27
27 And it came to pass that Amalickiah commanded that
his armies should march forth and see what had happened to the
king; and when they had come to the spot, and found the king lying
in his gore, Amalickiah pretended to be wroth, and said: Whosoever
loved the king, let him go forth, and pursue his servants that they
may be slain.
Alma 47:Verse 28
28 And it came to pass that all they who loved the
king, when they heard these words, came forth and pursued after the
servants of the king.
Alma 47:Verse 29
29 Now when the servants of the king saw an army
pursuing after them, they were frightened again, and fled into the
wilderness, and came over into the land of Zarahemla and joined the
people of Ammon.
Alma 47:Verse 30
30 And the army which pursued after them returned,
having pursued after them in vain; and thus Amalickiah, by his
fraud, gained the hearts of the people.
Alma 47:Verse 31
31 And it came to pass on the morrow he entered the
city Nephi with his armies, and took possession of the city.
Alma 47:Verse 32
32 And now it came to pass that the queen, when she had
heard that the king was slain--for Amalickiah had sent an embassy
to the queen informing her that the king had been slain by his
servants, that he had pursued them with his army, but it was in
vain, and they had made their escape--
Alma 47:Verse 33
33 Therefore, when the queen had received this message
she sent unto Amalickiah, desiring him that he would spare the
people of the city; and she also desired him that he should come in
unto her; and she also desired him that he should bring witnesses
with him to testify concerning the death of the king.
Alma 47:Verse 34
34 And it came to pass that Amalickiah took the same
servant that slew the king, and all them who were with him, and
went in unto the queen, unto the place where she sat; and they all
testified unto her that the king was slain by his own servants; and
they said also: They have fled; does not this testify against them?
And thus they satisfied the queen concerning the death of the
king.
Alma 47:Verse 35
35 And it came to pass that Amalickiah sought the favor
of the queen, and took her unto him to wife; and thus by his fraud,
and by the assistance of his cunning servants, he obtained the
kingdom; yea, he was acknowledged king throughout all the land,
among all the people of the Lamanites, who were composed of the
Lamanites and the Lemuelites and the Ishmaelites, and all the
dissenters of the Nephites, from the reign of Nephi down to the
present time.
Alma 47:Verse 36
36 Now these dissenters, having the same instruction
and the same information of the Nephites, yea, having been
instructed in the same knowledge of the Lord, nevertheless, it is
strange to relate, not long after their dissensions they became
more hardened and impenitent, and more wild, wicked and ferocious
than the Lamanites--drinking in with the traditions of the
Lamanites; giving way to indolence, and all manner of
lasciviousness; yea, entirely forgetting the Lord their God.
Chapter 48
Alma 48:Verse 1
1 AND now it came to pass that, as soon as Amalickiah
had obtained the kingdom he began to inspire the hearts of the
Lamanites against the people of Nephi; yea, he did appoint men to
speak unto the Lamanites from their towers, against the
Nephites.
Alma 48:Verse 2
2 And thus he did inspire their hearts against the
Nephites, insomuch that in the latter end of the nineteenth year of
the reign of the judges, he having accomplished his designs thus
far, yea, having been made king over the Lamanites, he sought also
to reign over all the land, yea, and all the people who were in the
land, the Nephites as well as the Lamanites.
Alma 48:Verse 3
3 Therefore he had accomplished his design, for he had
hardened the hearts of the Lamanites and blinded their minds, and
stirred them up to anger, insomuch that he had gathered together a
numerous host to go to battle against the Nephites.
Alma 48:Verse 4
4 For he was determined, because of the greatness of
the number of his people, to overpower the Nephites and to bring
them into bondage.
Alma 48:Verse 5
5 And thus he did appoint chief captains of the
Zoramites, they being the most acquainted with the strength of the
Nephites, and their places of resort, and the weakest parts of
their cities; therefore he appointed them to be chief captains over
his armies.
Alma 48:Verse 6
6 And it came to pass that they took their camp, and
moved forth toward the land of Zarahemla in the wilderness.
Alma 48:Verse 7
7 Now it came to pass that while Amalickiah had thus
been obtaining power by fraud and deceit, Moroni, on the other
hand, had been preparing the minds of the people to be faithful
unto the Lord their God.
Alma 48:Verse 8
8 Yea, he had been strengthening the armies of the
Nephites, and erecting small forts, or places of resort; throwing
up banks of earth round about to enclose his armies, and also
building walls of stone to encircle them about, round about their
cities and the borders of their lands; yea, all round about the
land.
Alma 48:Verse 9
9 And in their weakest fortifications he did place the
greater number of men; and thus he did fortify and strengthen the
land which was possessed by the Nephites.
Alma 48:Verse 10
10 And thus he was preparing to support their liberty,
their lands, their wives, and their children, and their peace, and
that they might live unto the Lord their God, and that they might
maintain that which was called by their enemies the cause of
Christians.
Alma 48:Verse 11
11 And Moroni was a strong and a mighty man; he was a
man of a perfect understanding; yea, a man that did not delight in
bloodshed; a man whose soul did joy in the liberty and the freedom
of his country, and his brethren from bondage and slavery;
Alma 48:Verse 12
12 Yea, a man whose heart did swell with thanksgiving
to his God, for the many privileges and blessings which he bestowed
upon his people; a man who did labor exceedingly for the welfare
and safety of his people.
Alma 48:Verse 13
13 Yea, and he was a man who was firm in the faith of
Christ, and he had sworn with an oath to defend his people, his
rights, and his country, and his religion, even to the loss of his
blood.
Alma 48:Verse 14
14 Now the Nephites were taught to defend themselves
against their enemies, even to the shedding of blood if it were
necessary; yea, and they were also taught never to give an offense,
yea, and never to raise the sword except it were against an enemy,
except it were to preserve their lives.
Alma 48:Verse 15
15 And this was their faith, that by so doing God would
prosper them in the land, or in other words, if they were faithful
in keeping the commandments of God that he would prosper them in
the land; yea, warn them to flee, or to prepare for war, according
to their danger;
Alma 48:Verse 16
16 And also, that God would make it known unto them
whither they should go to defend themselves against their enemies,
and by so doing, the Lord would deliver them; and this was the
faith of Moroni, and his heart did glory in it; not in the shedding
of blood but in doing good, in preserving his people, yea, in
keeping the commandments of God, yea, and resisting iniquity.
Alma 48:Verse 17
17 Yea, verily, verily I say unto you, if all men had
been, and were, and ever would be, like unto Moroni, behold, the
very powers of hell would have been shaken forever; yea, the devil
would never have power over the hearts of the children of
men.
Alma 48:Verse 18
18 Behold, he was a man like unto Ammon, the son of
Mosiah, yea, and even the other sons of Mosiah, yea, and also Alma
and his sons, for they were all men of God.
Alma 48:Verse 19
19 Now behold, Helaman and his brethren were no less
serviceable unto the people than was Moroni; for they did preach
the word of God, and they did baptize unto repentance all men
whosoever would hearken unto their words.
Alma 48:Verse 20
20 And thus they went forth, and the people did humble
themselves because of their words, insomuch that they were highly
favored of the Lord, and thus they were free from wars and
contentions among themselves, yea, even for the space of four
years.
Alma 48:Verse 21
21 But, as I have said, in the latter end of the
nineteenth year, yea, notwithstanding their peace amongst
themselves, they were compelled reluctantly to contend with their
brethren, the Lamanites.
Alma 48:Verse 22
22 Yea, and in fine, their wars never did cease for the
space of many years with the Lamanites, notwithstanding their much
reluctance.
Alma 48:Verse 23
23 Now, they were sorry to take up arms against the
Lamanites, because they did not delight in the shedding of blood;
yea, and this was not all--they were sorry to be the means of
sending so many of their brethren out of this world into an eternal
world, unprepared to meet their God.
Alma 48:Verse 24
24 Nevertheless, they could not suffer to lay down
their lives, that their wives and their children should be
massacred by the barbarous cruelty of those who were once their
brethren, yea, and had dissented from their church, and had left
them and had gone to destroy them by joining the Lamanites.
Alma 48:Verse 25
25 Yea, they could not bear that their brethren should
rejoice over the blood of the Nephites, so long as there were any
who should keep the commandments of God, for the promise of the
Lord was, if they should keep his commandments they should prosper
in the land.
Chapter 49
Alma 49:Verse 1
1 AND now it came to pass in the eleventh month of the
nineteenth year, on the tenth day of the month, the armies of the
Lamanites were seen approaching towards the land of
Ammonihah.
Alma 49:Verse 2
2 And behold, the city had been rebuilt, and Moroni had
stationed an army by the borders of the city, and they had cast up
dirt round about to shield them from the arrows and the stones of
the Lamanites; for behold, they fought with stones and with
arrows.
Alma 49:Verse 3
3 Behold, I said that the city of Ammonihah had been
rebuilt. I say unto you, yea, that it was in part rebuilt; and
because the Lamanites had destroyed it once because of the iniquity
of the people, they supposed that it would again become an easy
prey for them.
Alma 49:Verse 4
4 But behold, how great was their disappointment; for
behold, the Nephites had dug up a ridge of earth round about them,
which was so high that the Lamanites could not cast their stones
and their arrows at them that they might take effect, neither could
they come upon them save it was by their place of entrance.
Alma 49:Verse 5
5 Now at this time the chief captains of the Lamanites
were astonished exceedingly, because of the wisdom of the Nephites
in preparing their places of security.
Alma 49:Verse 6
6 Now the leaders of the Lamanites had supposed,
because of the greatness of their numbers, yea, they supposed that
they should be privileged to come upon them as they had hitherto
done; yea, and they had also prepared themselves with shields, and
with breastplates; and they had also prepared themselves with
garments of skins, yea, very thick garments to cover their
nakedness.
Alma 49:Verse 7
7 And being thus prepared they supposed that they
should easily overpower and subject their brethren to the yoke of
bondage, or slay and massacre them according to their
pleasure.
Alma 49:Verse 8
8 But behold, to their uttermost astonishment, they
were prepared for them, in a manner which never had been known
among the children of Lehi. Now they were prepared for the
Lamanites, to battle after the manner of the instructions of
Moroni.
Alma 49:Verse 9
9 And it came to pass that the Lamanites, or the
Amalickiahites, were exceedingly astonished at their manner of
preparation for war.
Alma 49:Verse 10
10 Now, if king Amalickiah had come down out of the
land of Nephi, at the head of his army, perhaps he would have
caused the Lamanites to have attacked the Nephites at the city of
Ammonihah; for behold, he did care not for the blood of his
people.
Alma 49:Verse 11
11 But behold, Amalickiah did not come down himself to
battle. And behold, his chief captains durst not attack the
Nephites at the city of Ammonihah, for Moroni had altered the
management of affairs among the Nephites, insomuch that the
Lamanites were disappointed in their places of retreat and they
could not come upon them.
Alma 49:Verse 12
12 Therefore they retreated into the wilderness, and
took their camp and marched towards the land of Noah, supposing
that to be the next best place for them to come against the
Nephites.
Alma 49:Verse 13
13 For they knew not that Moroni had fortified, or had
built forts of security, for every city in all the land round
about; therefore, they marched forward to the land of Noah with a
firm determination; yea, their chief captains came forward and took
an oath that they would destroy the people of that city.
Alma 49:Verse 14
14 But behold, to their astonishment, the city of Noah,
which had hitherto been a weak place, had now, by the means of
Moroni, become strong, yea, even to exceed the strength of the city
Ammonihah.
Alma 49:Verse 15
15 And now, behold, this was wisdom in Moroni; for he
had supposed that they would be frightened at the city Ammonihah;
and as the city of Noah had hitherto been the weakest part of the
land, therefore they would march thither to battle; and thus it was
according to his desires.
Alma 49:Verse 16
16 And behold, Moroni had appointed Lehi to be chief
captain over the men of that city; and it was that same Lehi who
fought with the Lamanites in the valley on the east of the river
Sidon.
Alma 49:Verse 17
17 And now behold it came to pass, that when the
Lamanites had found that Lehi commanded the city they were again
disappointed, for they feared Lehi exceedingly; nevertheless their
chief captains had sworn with an oath to attack the city;
therefore, they brought up their armies.
Alma 49:Verse 18
18 Now behold, the Lamanites could not get into their
forts of security by any other way save by the entrance, because of
the highness of the bank which had been thrown up, and the depth of
the ditch which had been dug round about, save it were by the
entrance.
Alma 49:Verse 19
19 And thus were the Nephites prepared to destroy all
such as should attempt to climb up to enter the fort by any other
way, by casting over stones and arrows at them.
Alma 49:Verse 20
20 Thus they were prepared, yea, a body of their
strongest men, with their swords and their slings, to smite down
all who should attempt to come into their place of security by the
place of entrance; and thus were they prepared to defend themselves
against the Lamanites.
Alma 49:Verse 21
21 And it came to pass that the captains of the
Lamanites brought up their armies before the place of entrance, and
began to contend with the Nephites, to get into their place of
security; but behold, they were driven back from time to time,
insomuch that they were slain with an immense slaughter.
Alma 49:Verse 22
22 Now when they found that they could not obtain power
over the Nephites by the pass, they began to dig down their banks
of earth that they might obtain a pass to their armies, that they
might have an equal chance to fight; but behold, in these attempts
they were swept off by the stones and arrows which were thrown at
them; and instead of filling up their ditches by pulling down the
banks of earth, they were filled up in a measure with their dead
and wounded bodies.
Alma 49:Verse 23
23 Thus the Nephites had all power over their enemies;
and thus the Lamanites did attempt to destroy the Nephites until
their chief captains were all slain; yea, and more than a thousand
of the Lamanites were slain; while, on the other hand, there was
not a single soul of the Nephites which was slain.
Alma 49:Verse 24
24 There were about fifty who were wounded, who had
been exposed to the arrows of the Lamanites through the pass, but
they were shielded by their shields, and their breastplates, and
their head-plates, insomuch that their wounds were upon their legs,
many of which were very severe.
Alma 49:Verse 25
25 And it came to pass, that when the Lamanites saw
that their chief captains were all slain they fled into the
wilderness. And it came to pass that they returned to the land of
Nephi, to inform their king, Amalickiah, who was a Nephite by
birth, concerning their great loss.
Alma 49:Verse 26
26 And it came to pass that he was exceedingly angry
with his people, because he had not obtained his desire over the
Nephites; he had not subjected them to the yoke of bondage.
Alma 49:Verse 27
27 Yea, he was exceedingly wroth, and he did curse God,
and also Moroni, swearing with an oath that he would drink his
blood; and this because Moroni had kept the commandments of God in
preparing for the safety of his people.
Alma 49:Verse 28
28 And it came to pass, that on the other hand, the
people of Nephi did thank the Lord their God, because of his
matchless power in delivering them from the hands of their
enemies.
Alma 49:Verse 29
29 And thus ended the nineteenth year of the reign of
the judges over the people of Nephi.
Alma 49:Verse 30
30 Yea, and there was continual peace among them, and
exceedingly great prosperity in the church because of their heed
and diligence which they gave unto the word of God, which was
declared unto them by Helaman, and Shiblon, and Corianton, and
Ammon and his brethren, yea, and by all those who had been ordained
by the holy order of God, being baptized unto repentance, and sent
forth to preach among the people.
Chapter 50
Alma 50:Verse 1
1 AND now it came to pass that Moroni did not stop
making preparations for war, or to defend his people against the
Lamanites; for he caused that his armies should commence in the
commencement of the twentieth year of the reign of the judges, that
they should commence in digging up heaps of earth round about all
the cities, throughout all the land which was possessed by the
Nephites.
Alma 50:Verse 2
2 And upon the top of these ridges of earth he caused
that there should be timbers, yea, works of timbers built up to the
height of a man, round about the cities.
Alma 50:Verse 3
3 And he caused that upon those works of timbers there
should be a frame of pickets built upon the timbers round about;
and they were strong and high.
Alma 50:Verse 4
4 And he caused towers to be erected that overlooked
those works of pickets, and he caused places of security to be
built upon those towers, that the stones and the arrows of the
Lamanites could not hurt them.
Alma 50:Verse 5
5 And they were prepared that they could cast stones
from the top thereof, according to their pleasure and their
strength, and slay him who should attempt to approach near the
walls of the city.
Alma 50:Verse 6
6 Thus Moroni did prepare strongholds against the
coming of their enemies, round about every city in all the
land.
Alma 50:Verse 7
7 And it came to pass that Moroni caused that his
armies should go forth into the east wilderness; yea, and they went
forth and drove all the Lamanites who were in the east wilderness
into their own lands, which were south of the land of
Zarahemla.
Alma 50:Verse 8
8 And the land of Nephi did run in a straight course
from the east sea to the west.
Alma 50:Verse 9
9 And it came to pass that when Moroni had driven all
the Lamanites out of the east wilderness, which was north of the
lands of their own possessions, he caused that the inhabitants who
were in the land of Zarahemla and in the land round about should go
forth into the east wilderness, even to the borders by the
seashore, and possess the land.
Alma 50:Verse 10
10 And he also placed armies on the south, in the
borders of their possessions, and caused them to erect
fortifications that they might secure their armies and their people
from the hands of their enemies.
Alma 50:Verse 11
11 And thus he cut off all the strongholds of the
Lamanites in the east wilderness, yea, and also on the west,
fortifying the line between the Nephites and the Lamanites, between
the land of Zarahemla and the land of Nephi, from the west sea,
running by the head of the river Sidon--the Nephites possessing all
the land northward, yea, even all the land which was northward of
the land Bountiful, according to their pleasure.
Alma 50:Verse 12
12 Thus Moroni, with his armies, which did increase
daily because of the assurance of protection which his works did
bring forth unto them, did seek to cut off the strength and the
power of the Lamanites from off the lands of their possessions,
that they should have no power upon the lands of their
possession.
Alma 50:Verse 13
13 And it came to pass that the Nephites began the
foundation of a city, and they called the name of the city Moroni;
and it was by the east sea; and it was on the south by the line of
the possessions of the Lamanites.
Alma 50:Verse 14
14 And they also began a foundation for a city between
the city of Moroni and the city of Aaron, joining the borders of
Aaron and Moroni; and they called the name of the city, or the
land, Nephihah.
Alma 50:Verse 15
15 And they also began in that same year to build many
cities on the north, one in a particular manner which they called
Lehi, which was in the north by the borders of the seashore.
Alma 50:Verse 16
16 And thus ended the twentieth year.
Alma 50:Verse 17
17 And in these prosperous circumstances were the
people of Nephi in the commencement of the twenty and first year of
the reign of the judges over the people of Nephi.
Alma 50:Verse 18
18 And they did prosper exceedingly, and they became
exceedingly rich; yea, and they did multiply and wax strong in the
land.
Alma 50:Verse 19
19 And thus we see how merciful and just are all the
dealings of the Lord, to the fulfilling of all his words unto the
children of men; yea, we can behold that his words are verified,
even at this time, which he spake unto Lehi, saying:
Alma 50:Verse 20
20 Blessed art thou and thy children; and they shall be
blessed, inasmuch as they shall keep my commandments they shall
prosper in the land. But remember, inasmuch as they will not keep
my commandments they shall be cut off from the presence of the
Lord.
Alma 50:Verse 21
21 And we see that these promises have been verified to
the people of Nephi; for it has been their quarrelings and their
contentions, yea, their murderings, and their plunderings, their
idolatry, their whoredoms, and their abominations, which were among
themselves, which brought upon them their wars and their
destructions.
Alma 50:Verse 22
22 And those who were faithful in keeping the
commandments of the Lord were delivered at all times, whilst
thousands of their wicked brethren have been consigned to bondage,
or to perish by the sword, or to dwindle in unbelief, and mingle
with the Lamanites.
Alma 50:Verse 23
23 But behold there never was a happier time among the
people of Nephi, since the days of Nephi, than in the days of
Moroni, yea, even at this time, in the twenty and first year of the
reign of the judges.
Alma 50:Verse 24
24 And it came to pass that the twenty and second year
of the reign of the judges also ended in peace; yea, and also the
twenty and third year.
Alma 50:Verse 25
25 And it came to pass that in the commencement of the
twenty and fourth year of the reign of the judges, there would also
have been peace among the people of Nephi had it not been for a
contention which took place among them concerning the land of Lehi,
and the land of Morianton, which joined upon the borders of Lehi;
both of which were on the borders by the seashore.
Alma 50:Verse 26
26 For behold, the people who possessed the land of
Morianton did claim a part of the land of Lehi; therefore there
began to be a warm contention between them, insomuch that the
people of Morianton took up arms against their brethren, and they
were determined by the sword to slay them.
Alma 50:Verse 27
27 But behold, the people who possessed the land of
Lehi fled to the camp of Moroni, and appealed unto him for
assistance; for behold they were not in the wrong.
Alma 50:Verse 28
28 And it came to pass that when the people of
Morianton, who were led by a man whose name was Morianton, found
that the people of Lehi had fled to the camp of Moroni, they were
exceedingly fearful lest the army of Moroni should come upon them
and destroy them.
Alma 50:Verse 29
29 Therefore, Morianton put it into their hearts that
they should flee to the land which was northward, which was covered
with large bodies of water, and take possession of the land which
was northward.
Alma 50:Verse 30
30 And behold, they would have carried this plan into
effect, (which would have been a cause to have been lamented) but
behold, Morianton being a man of much passion, therefore he was
angry with one of his maid servants, and he fell upon her and beat
her much.
Alma 50:Verse 31
31 And it came to pass that she fled, and came over to
the camp of Moroni, and told Moroni all things concerning the
matter, and also concerning their intentions to flee into the land
northward.
Alma 50:Verse 32
32 Now behold, the people who were in the land
Bountiful, or rather Moroni, feared that they would hearken to the
words of Morianton and unite with his people, and thus he would
obtain possession of those parts of the land, which would lay a
foundation for serious consequences among the people of Nephi, yea,
which consequences would lead to the overthrow of their
liberty.
Alma 50:Verse 33
33 Therefore Moroni sent an army, with their camp, to
head the people of Morianton, to stop their flight into the land
northward.
Alma 50:Verse 34
34 And it came to pass that they did not head them
until they had come to the borders of the land Desolation; and
there they did head them, by the narrow pass which led by the sea
into the land northward, yea, by the sea, on the west and on the
east.
Alma 50:Verse 35
35 And it came to pass that the army which was sent by
Moroni, which was led by a man whose name was Teancum, did meet the
people of Morianton; and so stubborn were the people of Morianton,
(being inspired by his wickedness and his flattering words) that a
battle commenced between them, in the which Teancum did slay
Morianton and defeat his army, and took them prisoners, and
returned to the camp of Moroni. And thus ended the twenty and
fourth year of the reign of the judges over the people of
Nephi.
Alma 50:Verse 36
36 And thus were the people of Morianton brought back.
And upon their covenanting to keep the peace they were restored to
the land of Morianton, and a union took place between them and the
people of Lehi; and they were also restored to their lands.
Alma 50:Verse 37
37 And it came to pass that in the same year that the
people of Nephi had peace restored unto them, that Nephihah, the
second chief judge, died, having filled the judgment-seat with
perfect uprightness before God.
Alma 50:Verse 38
38 Nevertheless, he had refused Alma to take possession
of those records and those things which were esteemed by Alma and
his fathers to be most sacred; therefore Alma had conferred them
upon his son, Helaman.
Alma 50:Verse 39
39 Behold, it came to pass that the son of Nephihah was
appointed to fill the judgment-seat, in the stead of his father;
yea, he was appointed chief judge and governor over the people,
with an oath and sacred ordinance to judge righteously, and to keep
the peace and the freedom of the people, and to grant unto them
their sacred privileges to worship the Lord their God, yea, to
support and maintain the cause of God all his days, and to bring
the wicked to justice according to their crime.
Alma 50:Verse 40
40 Now behold, his name was Pahoran. And Pahoran did
fill the seat of his father, and did commence his reign in the end
of the twenty and fourth year, over the people of Nephi.
Chapter 51
Alma 51:Verse 1
1 AND now it came to pass in the commencement of the
twenty and fifth year of the reign of the judges over the people of
Nephi, they having established peace between the people of Lehi and
the people of Morianton concerning their lands, and having
commenced the twenty and fifth year in peace;
Alma 51:Verse 2
2 Nevertheless, they did not long maintain an entire
peace in the land, for there began to be a contention among the
people concerning the chief judge Pahoran; for behold, there were a
part of the people who desired that a few particular points of the
law should be altered.
Alma 51:Verse 3
3 But behold, Pahoran would not alter nor suffer the
law to be altered; therefore, he did not hearken to those who had
sent in their voices with their petitions concerning the altering
of the law.
Alma 51:Verse 4
4 Therefore, those who were desirous that the law
should be altered were angry with him, and desired that he should
no longer be chief judge over the land; therefore there arose a
warm dispute concerning the matter, but not unto bloodshed.
Alma 51:Verse 5
5 And it came to pass that those who were desirous that
Pahoran should be dethroned from the judgment-seat were called
king-men, for they were desirous that the law should be altered in
a manner to overthrow the free government and to establish a king
over the land.
Alma 51:Verse 6
6 And those who were desirous that Pahoran should
remain chief judge over the land took upon them the name of
freemen; and thus was the division among them, for the freemen had
sworn or covenanted to maintain their rights and the privileges of
their religion by a free government.
Alma 51:Verse 7
7 And it came to pass that this matter of their
contention was settled by the voice of the people. And it came to
pass that the voice of the people came in favor of the freemen, and
Pahoran retained the judgment-seat, which caused much rejoicing
among the brethren of Pahoran and also many of the people of
liberty, who also put the king-men to silence, that they durst not
oppose but were obliged to maintain the cause of freedom.
Alma 51:Verse 8
8 Now those who were in favor of kings were those of
high birth, and they sought to be kings; and they were supported by
those who sought power and authority over the people.
Alma 51:Verse 9
9 But behold, this was a critical time for such
contentions to be among the people of Nephi; for behold, Amalickiah
had again stirred up the hearts of the people of the Lamanites
against the people of the Nephites, and he was gathering together
soldiers from all parts of his land, and arming them, and preparing
for war with all diligence; for he had sworn to drink the blood of
Moroni.
Alma 51:Verse 10
10 But behold, we shall see that his promise which he
made was rash; nevertheless, he did prepare himself and his armies
to come to battle against the Nephites.
Alma 51:Verse 11
11 Now his armies were not so great as they had
hitherto been, because of the many thousands who had been slain by
the hand of the Nephites; but notwithstanding their great loss,
Amalickiah had gathered together a wonderfully great army, insomuch
that he feared not to come down to the land of Zarahemla.
Alma 51:Verse 12
12 Yea, even Amalickiah did himself come down, at the
head of the Lamanites. And it was in the twenty and fifth year of
the reign of the judges; and it was at the same time that they had
begun to settle the affairs of their contentions concerning the
chief judge, Pahoran.
Alma 51:Verse 13
13 And it came to pass that when the men who were
called king-men had heard that the Lamanites were coming down to
battle against them, they were glad in their hearts; and they
refused to take up arms, for they were so wroth with the chief
judge, and also with the people of liberty, that they would not
take up arms to defend their country.
Alma 51:Verse 14
14 And it came to pass that when Moroni saw this, and
also saw that the Lamanites were coming into the borders of the
land, he was exceedingly wroth because of the stubbornness of those
people whom he had labored with so much diligence to preserve; yea,
he was exceedingly wroth; his soul was filled with anger against
them.
Alma 51:Verse 15
15 And it came to pass that he sent a petition, with
the voice of the people, unto the governor of the land, desiring
that he should read it, and give him (Moroni) power to compel those
dissenters to defend their country or to put them to death.
Alma 51:Verse 16
16 For it was his first care to put an end to such
contentions and dissensions among the people; for behold, this had
been hitherto a cause of all their destruction. And it came to pass
that it was granted according to the voice of the people.
Alma 51:Verse 17
17 And it came to pass that Moroni commanded that his
army should go against those king-men, to pull down their pride and
their nobility and level them with the earth, or they should take
up arms and support the cause of liberty.
Alma 51:Verse 18
18 And it came to pass that the armies did march forth
against them; and they did pull down their pride and their
nobility, insomuch that as they did lift their weapons of war to
fight against the men of Moroni they were hewn down and leveled to
the earth.
Alma 51:Verse 19
19 And it came to pass that there were four thousand of
those dissenters who were hewn down by the sword; and those of
their leaders who were not slain in battle were taken and cast into
prison, for there was no time for their trials at this
period.
Alma 51:Verse 20
20 And the remainder of those dissenters, rather than
be smitten down to the earth by the sword, yielded to the standard
of liberty, and were compelled to hoist the title of liberty upon
their towers, and in their cities, and to take up arms in defence
of their country.
Alma 51:Verse 21
21 And thus Moroni put an end to those king-men, that
there were not any known by the appellation of king-men; and thus
he put an end to the stubbornness and the pride of those people who
professed the blood of nobility; but they were brought down to
humble themselves like unto their brethren, and to fight valiantly
for their freedom from bondage.
Alma 51:Verse 22
22 Behold, it came to pass that while Moroni was thus
breaking down the wars and contentions among his own people, and
subjecting them to peace and civilization, and making regulations
to prepare for war against the Lamanites, behold, the Lamanites had
come into the land of Moroni, which was in the borders by the
seashore.
Alma 51:Verse 23
23 And it came to pass that the Nephites were not
sufficiently strong in the city of Moroni; therefore Amalickiah did
drive them, slaying many. And it came to pass that Amalickiah took
possession of the city, yea, possession of all their
fortifications.
Alma 51:Verse 24
24 And those who fled out of the city of Moroni came to
the city of Nephihah; and also the people of the city of Lehi
gathered themselves together, and made preparations and were ready
to receive the Lamanites to battle.
Alma 51:Verse 25
25 But it came to pass that Amalickiah would not suffer
the Lamanites to go against the city of Nephihah to battle, but
kept them down by the seashore, leaving men in every city to
maintain and defend it.
Alma 51:Verse 26
26 And thus he went on, taking possession of many
cities, the city of Nephihah, and the city of Lehi, and the city of
Morianton, and the city of Omner, and the city of Gid, and the city
of Mulek, all of which were on the east borders by the
seashore.
Alma 51:Verse 27
27 And thus had the Lamanites obtained, by the cunning
of Amalickiah, so many cities, by their numberless hosts, all of
which were strongly fortified after the manner of the
fortifications of Moroni; all of which afforded strongholds for the
Lamanites.
Alma 51:Verse 28
28 And it came to pass that they marched to the borders
of the land Bountiful, driving the Nephites before them and slaying
many.
Alma 51:Verse 29
29 But it came to pass that they were met by Teancum,
who had slain Morianton and had headed his people in his
flight.
Alma 51:Verse 30
30 And it came to pass that he headed Amalickiah also,
as he was marching forth with his numerous army that he might take
possession of the land Bountiful, and also the land
northward.
Alma 51:Verse 31
31 But behold he met with a disappointment by being
repulsed by Teancum and his men, for they were great warriors; for
every man of Teancum did exceed the Lamanites in their strength and
in their skill of war, insomuch that they did gain advantage over
the Lamanites.
Alma 51:Verse 32
32 And it came to pass that they did harass them,
insomuch that they did slay them even until it was dark. And it
came to pass that Teancum and his men did pitch their tents in the
borders of the land Bountiful; and Amalickiah did pitch his tents
in the borders on the beach by the seashore, and after this manner
were they driven.
Alma 51:Verse 33
33 And it came to pass that when the night had come,
Teancum and his servant stole forth and went out by night, and went
into the camp of Amalickiah; and behold, sleep had overpowered them
because of their much fatigue, which was caused by the labors and
heat of the day.
Alma 51:Verse 34
34 And it came to pass that Teancum stole privily into
the tent of the king, and put a javelin to his heart; and he did
cause the death of the king immediately that he did not awake his
servants.
Alma 51:Verse 35
35 And he returned again privily to his own camp, and
behold, his men were asleep, and he awoke them and told them all
the things that he had done.
Alma 51:Verse 36
36 And he caused that his armies should stand in
readiness, lest the Lamanites had awakened and should come upon
them.
Alma 51:Verse 37
37 And thus endeth the twenty and fifth year of the
reign of the judges over the people of Nephi; and thus endeth the
days of Amalickiah.
Chapter 52
Alma 52:Verse 1
1 AND now, it came to pass in the twenty and sixth year
of the reign of the judges over the people of Nephi, behold, when
the Lamanites awoke on the first morning of the first month,
behold, they found Amalickiah was dead in his own tent; and they
also saw that Teancum was ready to give them battle on that
day.
Alma 52:Verse 2
2 And now, when the Lamanites saw this they were
affrighted; and they abandoned their design in marching into the
land northward, and retreated with all their army into the city of
Mulek, and sought protection in their fortifications.
Alma 52:Verse 3
3 And it came to pass that the brother of Amalickiah
was appointed king over the people; and his name was Ammoron; thus
king Ammoron, the brother of king Amalickiah, was appointed to
reign in his stead.
Alma 52:Verse 4
4 And it came to pass that he did command that his
people should maintain those cities, which they had taken by the
shedding of blood; for they had not taken any cities save they had
lost much blood.
Alma 52:Verse 5
5 And now, Teancum saw that the Lamanites were
determined to maintain those cities which they had taken, and those
parts of the land which they had obtained possession of; and also
seeing the enormity of their number, Teancum thought it was not
expedient that he should attempt to attack them in their
forts.
Alma 52:Verse 6
6 But he kept his men round about, as if making
preparations for war; yea, and truly he was preparing to defend
himself against them, by casting up walls round about and preparing
places of resort.
Alma 52:Verse 7
7 And it came to pass that he kept thus preparing for
war until Moroni had sent a large number of men to strengthen his
army.
Alma 52:Verse 8
8 And Moroni also sent orders unto him that he should
retain all the prisoners who fell into his hands; for as the
Lamanites had taken many prisoners, that he should retain all the
prisoners of the Lamanites as a ransom for those whom the Lamanites
had taken.
Alma 52:Verse 9
9 And he also sent orders unto him that he should
fortify the land Bountiful, and secure the narrow pass which led
into the land northward, lest the Lamanites should obtain that
point and should have power to harass them on every side.
Alma 52:Verse 10
10 And Moroni also sent unto him, desiring him that he
would be faithful in maintaining that quarter of the land, and that
he would seek every opportunity to scourge the Lamanites in that
quarter, as much as was in his power, that perhaps he might take
again by stratagem or some other way those cities which had been
taken out of their hands; and that he also would fortify and
strengthen the cities round about, which had not fallen into the
hands of the Lamanites.
Alma 52:Verse 11
11 And he also said unto him, I would come unto you,
but behold, the Lamanites are upon us in the borders of the land by
the west sea; and behold, I go against them, therefore I cannot
come unto you.
Alma 52:Verse 12
12 Now, the king (Ammoron) had departed out of the land
of Zarahemla, and had made known unto the queen concerning the
death of his brother, and had gathered together a large number of
men, and had marched forth against the Nephites on the borders by
the west sea.
Alma 52:Verse 13
13 And thus he was endeavoring to harass the Nephites,
and to draw away a part of their forces to that part of the land,
while he had commanded those whom he had left to possess the cities
which he had taken, that they should also harass the Nephites on
the borders by the east sea, and should take possession of their
lands as much as it was in their power, according to the power of
their armies.
Alma 52:Verse 14
14 And thus were the Nephites in those dangerous
circumstances in the ending of the twenty and sixth year of the
reign of the judges over the people of Nephi.
Alma 52:Verse 15
15 But behold, it came to pass in the twenty and
seventh year of the reign of the judges, that Teancum, by the
command of Moroni--who had established armies to protect the south
and the west borders of the land, and had begun his march towards
the land Bountiful, that he might assist Teancum with his men in
retaking the cities which they had lost--
Alma 52:Verse 16
16 And it came to pass that Teancum had received orders
to make an attack upon the city of Mulek, and retake it if it were
possible.
Alma 52:Verse 17
17 And it came to pass that Teancum made preparations
to make an attack upon the city of Mulek, and march forth with his
army against the Lamanites; but he saw that it was impossible that
he could overpower them while they were in their fortifications;
therefore he abandoned his designs and returned again to the city
Bountiful, to wait for the coming of Moroni, that he might receive
strength to his army.
Alma 52:Verse 18
18 And it came to pass that Moroni did arrive with his
army at the land of Bountiful, in the latter end of the twenty and
seventh year of the reign of the judges over the people of
Nephi.
Alma 52:Verse 19
19 And in the commencement of the twenty and eighth
year, Moroni and Teancum and many of the chief captains held a
council of war--what they should do to cause the Lamanites to come
out against them to battle; or that they might by some means
flatter them out of their strongholds, that they might gain
advantage over them and take again the city of Mulek.
Alma 52:Verse 20
20 And it came to pass they sent embassies to the army
of the Lamanites, which protected the city of Mulek, to their
leader, whose name was Jacob, desiring him that he would come out
with his armies to meet them upon the plains between the two
cities. But behold, Jacob, who was a Zoramite, would not come out
with his army to meet them upon the plains.
Alma 52:Verse 21
21 And it came to pass that Moroni, having no hopes of
meeting them upon fair grounds, therefore, he resolved upon a plan
that he might decoy the Lamanites out of their strongholds.
Alma 52:Verse 22
22 Therefore he caused that Teancum should take a small
number of men and march down near the seashore; and Moroni and his
army, by night, marched in the wilderness, on the west of the city
Mulek; and thus, on the morrow, when the guards of the Lamanites
had discovered Teancum, they ran and told it unto Jacob, their
leader.
Alma 52:Verse 23
23 And it came to pass that the armies of the Lamanites
did march forth against Teancum, supposing by their numbers to
overpower Teancum because of the smallness of his numbers. And as
Teancum saw the armies of the Lamanites coming out against him he
began to retreat down by the seashore, northward.
Alma 52:Verse 24
24 And it came to pass that when the Lamanites saw that
he began to flee, they took courage and pursued them with vigor.
And while Teancum was thus leading away the Lamanites who were
pursuing them in vain, behold, Moroni commanded that a part of his
army who were with him should march forth into the city, and take
possession of it.
Alma 52:Verse 25
25 And thus they did, and slew all those who had been
left to protect the city, yea, all those who would not yield up
their weapons of war.
Alma 52:Verse 26
26 And thus Moroni had obtained possession of the city
Mulek with a part of his army, while he marched with the remainder
to meet the Lamanites when they should return from the pursuit of
Teancum.
Alma 52:Verse 27
27 And it came to pass that the Lamanites did pursue
Teancum until they came near the city Bountiful, and then they were
met by Lehi and a small army, which had been left to protect the
city Bountiful.
Alma 52:Verse 28
28 And now behold, when the chief captains of the
Lamanites had beheld Lehi with his army coming against them, they
fled in much confusion, lest perhaps they should not obtain the
city Mulek before Lehi should overtake them; for they were wearied
because of their march, and the men of Lehi were fresh.
Alma 52:Verse 29
29 Now the Lamanites did not know that Moroni had been
in their rear with his army; and all they feared was Lehi and his
men.
Alma 52:Verse 30
30 Now Lehi was not desirous to overtake them till they
should meet Moroni and his army.
Alma 52:Verse 31
31 And it came to pass that before the Lamanites had
retreated far they were surrounded by the Nephites, by the men of
Moroni on one hand, and the men of Lehi on the other, all of whom
were fresh and full of strength; but the Lamanites were wearied
because of their long march.
Alma 52:Verse 32
32 And Moroni commanded his men that they should fall
upon them until they had given up their weapons of war.
Alma 52:Verse 33
33 And it came to pass that Jacob, being their leader,
being also a Zoramite, and having an unconquerable spirit, he led
the Lamanites forth to battle with exceeding fury against
Moroni.
Alma 52:Verse 34
34 Moroni being in their course of march, therefore
Jacob was determined to slay them and cut his way through to the
city of Mulek. But behold, Moroni and his men were more powerful;
therefore they did not give way before the Lamanites.
Alma 52:Verse 35
35 And it came to pass that they fought on both hands
with exceeding fury; and there were many slain on both sides; yea,
and Moroni was wounded and Jacob was killed.
Alma 52:Verse 36
36 And Lehi pressed upon their rear with such fury with
his strong men, that the Lamanites in the rear delivered up their
weapons of war; and the remainder of them, being much confused,
knew not whither to go or to strike.
Alma 52:Verse 37
37 Now Moroni seeing their confusion, he said unto
them: If ye will bring forth your weapons of war and deliver them
up, behold we will forbear shedding your blood.
Alma 52:Verse 38
38 And it came to pass that when the Lamanites had
heard these words, their chief captains, all those who were not
slain, came forth and threw down their weapons of war at the feet
of Moroni, and also commanded their men that they should do the
same.
Alma 52:Verse 39
39 But behold, there were many that would not; and
those who would not deliver up their swords were taken and bound,
and their weapons of war were taken from them, and they were
compelled to march with their brethren forth into the land
Bountiful.
Alma 52:Verse 40
40 And now the number of prisoners who were taken
exceeded more than the number of those who had been slain, yea,
more than those who had been slain on both sides.
Chapter 53
Alma 53:Verse 1
1 AND it came to pass that they did set guards over the
prisoners of the Lamanites, and did compel them to go forth and
bury their dead, yea, and also the dead of the Nephites who were
slain; and Moroni placed men over them to guard them while they
should perform their labors.
Alma 53:Verse 2
2 And Moroni went to the city of Mulek with Lehi, and
took command of the city and gave it unto Lehi. Now behold, this
Lehi was a man who had been with Moroni in the more part of all his
battles; and he was a man like unto Moroni, and they rejoiced in
each other's safety; yea, they were beloved by each other, and also
beloved by all the people of Nephi.
Alma 53:Verse 3
3 And it came to pass that after the Lamanites had
finished burying their dead and also the dead of the Nephites, they
were marched back into the land Bountiful; and Teancum, by the
orders of Moroni, caused that they should commence laboring in
digging a ditch round about the land, or the city, Bountiful.
Alma 53:Verse 4
4 And he caused that they should build a breastwork of
timbers upon the inner bank of the ditch; and they cast up dirt out
of the ditch against the breastwork of timbers; and thus they did
cause the Lamanites to labor until they had encircled the city of
Bountiful round about with a strong wall of timbers and earth, to
an exceeding height.
Alma 53:Verse 5
5 And this city became an exceeding stronghold ever
after; and in this city they did guard the prisoners of the
Lamanites; yea, even within a wall which they had caused them to
build with their own hands. Now Moroni was compelled to cause the
Lamanites to labor, because it was easy to guard them while at
their labor; and he desired all his forces when he should make an
attack upon the Lamanites.
Alma 53:Verse 6
6 And it came to pass that Moroni had thus gained a
victory over one of the greatest of the armies of the Lamanites,
and had obtained possession of the city of Mulek, which was one of
the strongest holds of the Lamanites in the land of Nephi; and thus
he had also built a stronghold to retain his prisoners.
Alma 53:Verse 7
7 And it came to pass that he did no more attempt a
battle with the Lamanites in that year, but he did employ his men
in preparing for war, yea, and in making fortifications to guard
against the Lamanites, yea, and also delivering their women and
their children from famine and affliction, and providing food for
their armies.
Alma 53:Verse 8
8 And now it came to pass that the armies of the
Lamanites, on the west sea, south, while in the absence of Moroni
on account of some intrigue amongst the Nephites, which caused
dissensions amongst them, had gained some ground over the Nephites,
yea, insomuch that they had obtained possession of a number of
their cities in that part of the land.
Alma 53:Verse 9
9 And thus because of iniquity amongst themselves, yea,
because of dissensions and intrigue among themselves they were
placed in the most dangerous circumstances.
Alma 53:Verse 10
10 And now behold, I have somewhat to say concerning
the people of Ammon, who, in the beginning, were Lamanites; but by
Ammon and his brethren, or rather by the power and word of God,
they had been converted unto the Lord; and they had been brought
down into the land of Zarahemla, and had ever since been protected
by the Nephites.
Alma 53:Verse 11
11 And because of their oath they had been kept from
taking up arms against their brethren; for they had taken an oath
that they never would shed blood more; and according to their oath
they would have perished; yea, they would have suffered themselves
to have fallen into the hands of their brethren, had it not been
for the pity and the exceeding love which Ammon and his brethren
had had for them.
Alma 53:Verse 12
12 And for this cause they were brought down into the
land of Zarahemla; and they ever had been protected by the
Nephites.
Alma 53:Verse 13
13 But it came to pass that when they saw the danger,
and the many afflictions and tribulations which the Nephites bore
for them, they were moved with compassion and were desirous to take
up arms in the defence of their country.
Alma 53:Verse 14
14 But behold, as they were about to take their weapons
of war, they were overpowered by the persuasions of Helaman and his
brethren, for they were about to break the oath which they had
made.
Alma 53:Verse 15
15 And Helaman feared lest by so doing they should lose
their souls; therefore all those who had entered into this covenant
were compelled to behold their brethren wade through their
afflictions, in their dangerous circumstances at this time.
Alma 53:Verse 16
16 But behold, it came to pass they had many sons, who
had not entered into a covenant that they would not take their
weapons of war to defend themselves against their enemies;
therefore they did assemble themselves together at this time, as
many as were able to take up arms, and they called themselves
Nephites.
Alma 53:Verse 17
17 And they entered into a covenant to fight for the
liberty of the Nephites, yea, to protect the land unto the laying
down of their lives; yea, even they covenanted that they never
would give up their liberty, but they would fight in all cases to
protect the Nephites and themselves from bondage.
Alma 53:Verse 18
18 Now behold, there were two thousand of those young
men, who entered into this covenant and took their weapons of war
to defend their country.
Alma 53:Verse 19
19 And now behold, as they never had hitherto been a
disadvantage to the Nephites, they became now at this period of
time also a great support; for they took their weapons of war, and
they would that Helaman should be their leader.
Alma 53:Verse 20
20 And they were all young men, and they were
exceedingly valiant for courage, and also for strength and
activity; but behold, this was not all--they were men who were true
at all times in whatsoever thing they were entrusted.
Alma 53:Verse 21
21 Yea, they were men of truth and soberness, for they
had been taught to keep the commandments of God and to walk
uprightly before him.
Alma 53:Verse 22
22 And now it came to pass that Helaman did march at
the head of his two thousand stripling soldiers, to the support of
the people in the borders of the land on the south by the west
sea.
Alma 53:Verse 23
23 And thus ended the twenty and eighth year of the
reign of the judges over the people of Nephi.
Chapter 54
Alma 54:Verse 1
1 AND now it came to pass in the commencement of the
twenty and ninth year of the judges, that Ammoron sent unto Moroni
desiring that he would exchange prisoners.
Alma 54:Verse 2
2 And it came to pass that Moroni felt to rejoice
exceedingly at this request, for he desired the provisions which
were imparted for the support of the Lamanite prisoners for the
support of his own people; and he also desired his own people for
the strengthening of his army.
Alma 54:Verse 3
3 Now the Lamanites had taken many women and children,
and there was not a woman nor a child among all the prisoners of
Moroni, or the prisoners whom Moroni had taken; therefore Moroni
resolved upon a stratagem to obtain as many prisoners of the
Nephites from the Lamanites as it were possible.
Alma 54:Verse 4
4 Therefore he wrote an epistle, and sent it by the
servant of Ammoron, the same who had brought an epistle to Moroni.
Now these are the words which he wrote unto Ammoron, saying:
Alma 54:Verse 5
5 Behold, Ammoron, I have written unto you somewhat
concerning this war which ye have waged against my people, or
rather which thy brother hath waged against them, and which ye are
still determined to carry on after his death.
Alma 54:Verse 6
6 Behold, I would tell you somewhat concerning the
justice of God, and the sword of his almighty wrath, which doth
hang over you except ye repent and withdraw your armies into your
own lands, or the land of your possessions, which is the land of
Nephi.
Alma 54:Verse 7
7 Yea, I would tell you these things if ye were capable
of hearkening unto them; yea, I would tell you concerning that
awful hell that awaits to receive such murderers as thou and thy
brother have been, except ye repent and withdraw your murderous
purposes, and return with your armies to your own lands.
Alma 54:Verse 8
8 But as ye have once rejected these things, and have
fought against the people of the Lord, even so I may expect you
will do it again.
Alma 54:Verse 9
9 And now behold, we are prepared to receive you; yea,
and except you withdraw your purposes, behold, ye will pull down
the wrath of that God whom you have rejected upon you, even to your
utter destruction.
Alma 54:Verse 10
10 But, as the Lord liveth, our armies shall come upon
you except ye withdraw, and ye shall soon be visited with death,
for we will retain our cities and our lands; yea, and we will
maintain our religion and the cause of our God.
Alma 54:Verse 11
11 But behold, it supposeth me that I talk to you
concerning these things in vain; or it supposeth me that thou art a
child of hell; therefore I will close my epistle by telling you
that I will not exchange prisoners, save it be on conditions that
ye will deliver up a man and his wife and his children, for one
prisoner; if this be the case that ye will do it, I will
exchange.
Alma 54:Verse 12
12 And behold, if ye do not this, I will come against
you with my armies; yea, even I will arm my women and my children,
and I will come against you, and I will follow you even into your
own land, which is the land of our first inheritance; yea, and it
shall be blood for blood, yea, life for life; and I will give you
battle even until you are destroyed from off the face of the
earth.
Alma 54:Verse 13
13 Behold, I am in my anger, and also my people; ye
have sought to murder us, and we have only sought to defend
ourselves. But behold, if ye seek to destroy us more we will seek
to destroy you; yea, and we will seek our land, the land of our
first inheritance.
Alma 54:Verse 14
14 Now I close my epistle. I am Moroni; I am a leader
of the people of the Nephites.
Alma 54:Verse 15
15 Now it came to pass that Ammoron, when he had
received this epistle, was angry; and he wrote another epistle unto
Moroni, and these are the words which he wrote, saying:
Alma 54:Verse 16
16 I am Ammoron, the king of the Lamanites; I am the
brother of Amalickiah whom ye have murdered. Behold, I will avenge
his blood upon you, yea, and I will come upon you with my armies
for I fear not your threatenings.
Alma 54:Verse 17
17 For behold, your fathers did wrong their brethren,
insomuch that they did rob them of their right to the government
when it rightly belonged unto them.
Alma 54:Verse 18
18 And now behold, if ye will lay down your arms, and
subject yourselves to be governed by those to whom the government
doth rightly belong, then will I cause that my people shall lay
down their weapons and shall be at war no more.
Alma 54:Verse 19
19 Behold, ye have breathed out many threatenings
against me and my people; but behold, we fear not your
threatenings.
Alma 54:Verse 20
20 Nevertheless, I will grant to exchange prisoners
according to your request, gladly, that I may preserve my food for
my men of war; and we will wage a war which shall be eternal,
either to the subjecting the Nephites to our authority or to their
eternal extinction.
Alma 54:Verse 21
21 And as concerning that God whom ye say we have
rejected, behold, we know not such a being; neither do ye; but if
it so be that there is such a being, we know not but that he hath
made us as well as you.
Alma 54:Verse 22
22 And if it so be that there is a devil and a hell,
behold will he not send you there to dwell with my brother whom ye
have murdered, whom ye have hinted that he hath gone to such a
place? But behold these things matter not.
Alma 54:Verse 23
23 I am Ammoron, and a descendant of Zoram, whom your
fathers pressed and brought out of Jerusalem.
Alma 54:Verse 24
24 And behold now, I am a bold Lamanite; behold, this
war hath been waged to avenge their wrongs, and to maintain and to
obtain their rights to the government; and I close my epistle to
Moroni.
Chapter 55
Alma 55:Verse 1
1 NOW it came to pass that when Moroni had received
this epistle he was more angry, because he knew that Ammoron had a
perfect knowledge of his fraud; yea, he knew that Ammoron knew that
it was not a just cause that had caused him to wage a war against
the people of Nephi.
Alma 55:Verse 2
2 And he said: Behold, I will not exchange prisoners
with Ammoron save he will withdraw his purpose, as I have stated in
my epistle; for I will not grant unto him that he shall have any
more power than what he hath got.
Alma 55:Verse 3
3 Behold, I know the place where the Lamanites do guard
my people whom they have taken prisoners; and as Ammoron would not
grant unto me mine epistle, behold, I will give unto him according
to my words; yea, I will seek death among them until they shall sue
for peace.
Alma 55:Verse 4
4 And now it came to pass that when Moroni had said
these words, he caused that a search should be made among his men,
that perhaps he might find a man who was a descendant of Laman
among them.
Alma 55:Verse 5
5 And it came to pass that they found one, whose name
was Laman; and he was one of the servants of the king who was
murdered by Amalickiah.
Alma 55:Verse 6
6 Now Moroni caused that Laman and a small number of
his men should go forth unto the guards who were over the
Nephites.
Alma 55:Verse 7
7 Now the Nephites were guarded in the city of Gid;
therefore Moroni appointed Laman and caused that a small number of
men should go with him.
Alma 55:Verse 8
8 And when it was evening Laman went to the guards who
were over the Nephites, and behold, they saw him coming and they
hailed him; but he saith unto them: Fear not; behold, I am a
Lamanite. Behold, we have escaped from the Nephites, and they
sleep; and behold we have taken of their wine and brought with
us.
Alma 55:Verse 9
9 Now when the Lamanites heard these words they
received him with joy; and they said unto him: Give us of your
wine, that we may drink; we are glad that ye have thus taken wine
with you for we are weary.
Alma 55:Verse 10
10 But Laman said unto them: Let us keep of our wine
till we go against the Nephites to battle. But this saying only
made them more desirous to drink of the wine;
Alma 55:Verse 11
11 For, said they: We are weary, therefore let us take
of the wine, and by and by we shall receive wine for our rations,
which will strengthen us to go against the Nephites.
Alma 55:Verse 12
12 And Laman said unto them: You may do according to
your desires.
Alma 55:Verse 13
13 And it came to pass that they did take of the wine
freely; and it was pleasant to their taste, therefore they took of
it more freely; and it was strong, having been prepared in its
strength.
Alma 55:Verse 14
14 And it came to pass they did drink and were merry,
and by and by they were all drunken.
Alma 55:Verse 15
15 And now when Laman and his men saw that they were
all drunken, and were in a deep sleep, they returned to Moroni and
told him all the things that had happened.
Alma 55:Verse 16
16 And now this was according to the design of Moroni.
And Moroni had prepared his men with weapons of war; and he went to
the city Gid, while the Lamanites were in a deep sleep and drunken,
and cast in weapons of war unto the prisoners, insomuch that they
were all armed;
Alma 55:Verse 17
17 Yea, even to their women, and all those of their
children, as many as were able to use a weapon of war, when Moroni
had armed all those prisoners; and all those things were done in a
profound silence.
Alma 55:Verse 18
18 But had they awakened the Lamanites, behold they
were drunken and the Nephites could have slain them.
Alma 55:Verse 19
19 But behold, this was not the desire of Moroni; he
did not delight in murder or bloodshed, but he delighted in the
saving of his people from destruction; and for this cause he might
not bring upon him injustice, he would not fall upon the Lamanites
and destroy them in their drunkenness.
Alma 55:Verse 20
20 But he had obtained his desires; for he had armed
those prisoners of the Nephites who were within the wall of the
city, and had given them power to gain possession of those parts
which were within the walls.
Alma 55:Verse 21
21 And then he caused the men who were with him to
withdraw a pace from them, and surround the armies of the
Lamanites.
Alma 55:Verse 22
22 Now behold this was done in the night-time, so that
when the Lamanites awoke in the morning they beheld that they were
surrounded by the Nephites without, and that their prisoners were
armed within.
Alma 55:Verse 23
23 And thus they saw that the Nephites had power over
them; and in these circumstances they found that it was not
expedient that they should fight with the Nephites; therefore their
chief captains demanded their weapons of war, and they brought them
forth and cast them at the feet of the Nephites, pleading for
mercy.
Alma 55:Verse 24
24 Now behold, this was the desire of Moroni. He took
them prisoners of war, and took possession of the city, and caused
that all the prisoners should be liberated, who were Nephites; and
they did join the army of Moroni, and were a great strength to his
army.
Alma 55:Verse 25
25 And it came to pass that he did cause the Lamanites,
whom he had taken prisoners, that they should commence a labor in
strengthening the fortifications round about the city Gid.
Alma 55:Verse 26
26 And it came to pass that when he had fortified the
city Gid, according to his desires, he caused that his prisoners
should be taken to the city Bountiful; and he also guarded that
city with an exceedingly strong force.
Alma 55:Verse 27
27 And it came to pass that they did, notwithstanding
all the intrigues of the Lamanites, keep and protect all the
prisoners whom they had taken, and also maintain all the ground and
the advantage which they had retaken.
Alma 55:Verse 28
28 And it came to pass that the Nephites began again to
be victorious, and to reclaim their rights and their
privileges.
Alma 55:Verse 29
29 Many times did the Lamanites attempt to encircle
them about by night, but in these attempts they did lose many
prisoners.
Alma 55:Verse 30
30 And many times did they attempt to administer of
their wine to the Nephites, that they might destroy them with
poison or with drunkenness.
Alma 55:Verse 31
31 But behold, the Nephites were not slow to remember
the Lord their God in this their time of affliction. They could not
be taken in their snares; yea, they would not partake of their
wine, save they had first given to some of the Lamanite
prisoners.
Alma 55:Verse 32
32 And they were thus cautious that no poison should be
administered among them; for if their wine would poison a Lamanite
it would also poison a Nephite; and thus they did try all their
liquors.
Alma 55:Verse 33
33 And now it came to pass that it was expedient for
Moroni to make preparations to attack the city Morianton; for
behold, the Lamanites had, by their labors, fortified the city
Morianton until it had become an exceeding stronghold.
Alma 55:Verse 34
34 And they were continually bringing new forces into
that city, and also new supplies of provisions.
Alma 55:Verse 35
35 And thus ended the twenty and ninth year of the
reign of the judges over the people of Nephi.
Chapter 56
Alma 56:Verse 1
1 AND now it came to pass in the commencement of the
thirtieth year of the reign of the judges, on the second day in the
first month, Moroni received an epistle from Helaman, stating the
affairs of the people in that quarter of the land.
Alma 56:Verse 2
2 And these are the words which he wrote, saying: My
dearly beloved brother, Moroni, as well in the Lord as in the
tribulations of our warfare; behold, my beloved brother, I have
somewhat to tell you concerning our warfare in this part of the
land.
Alma 56:Verse 3
3 Behold, two thousand of the sons of those men whom
Ammon brought down out of the land of Nephi--now ye have known that
these were descendants of Laman, who was the eldest son of our
father Lehi;
Alma 56:Verse 4
4 Now I need not rehearse unto you concerning their
traditions or their unbelief, for thou knowest concerning all these
things--
Alma 56:Verse 5
5 Therefore it sufficeth me that I tell you that two
thousand of these young men have taken their weapons of war, and
would that I should be their leader; and we have come forth to
defend our country.
Alma 56:Verse 6
6 And now ye also know concerning the covenant which
their fathers made, that they would not take up their weapons of
war against their brethren to shed blood.
Alma 56:Verse 7
7 But in the twenty and sixth year, when they saw our
afflictions and our tribulations for them, they were about to break
the covenant which they had made and take up their weapons of war
in our defence.
Alma 56:Verse 8
8 But I would not suffer them that they should break
this covenant which they had made, supposing that God would
strengthen us, insomuch that we should not suffer more because of
the fulfilling the oath which they had taken.
Alma 56:Verse 9
9 But behold, here is one thing in which we may have
great joy. For behold, in the twenty and sixth year, I, Helaman,
did march at the head of these two thousand young men to the city
of Judea, to assist Antipus, whom ye had appointed a leader over
the people of that part of the land.
Alma 56:Verse 10
10 And I did join my two thousand sons, (for they are
worthy to be called sons) to the army of Antipus, in which strength
Antipus did rejoice exceedingly; for behold, his army had been
reduced by the Lamanites because their forces had slain a vast
number of our men, for which cause we have to mourn.
Alma 56:Verse 11
11 Nevertheless, we may console ourselves in this
point, that they have died in the cause of their country and of
their God, yea, and they are happy.
Alma 56:Verse 12
12 And the Lamanites had also retained many prisoners,
all of whom are chief captains, for none other have they spared
alive. And we suppose that they are now at this time in the land of
Nephi; it is so if they are not slain.
Alma 56:Verse 13
13 And now these are the cities of which the Lamanites
have obtained possession by the shedding of the blood of so many of
our valiant men;
Alma 56:Verse 14
14 The land of Manti, or the city of Manti, and the
city of Zeezrom, and the city of Cumeni, and the city of
Antiparah.
Alma 56:Verse 15
15 And these are the cities which they possessed when I
arrived at the city of Judea; and I found Antipus and his men
toiling with their might to fortify the city.
Alma 56:Verse 16
16 Yea, and they were depressed in body as well as in
spirit, for they had fought valiantly by day and toiled by night to
maintain their cities; and thus they had suffered great afflictions
of every kind.
Alma 56:Verse 17
17 And now they were determined to conquer in this
place or die; therefore you may well suppose that this little force
which I brought with me, yea, those sons of mine, gave them great
hopes and much joy.
Alma 56:Verse 18
18 And now it came to pass that when the Lamanites saw
that Antipus had received a greater strength to his army, they were
compelled by the orders of Ammoron to not come against the city of
Judea, or against us, to battle.
Alma 56:Verse 19
19 And thus were we favored of the Lord; for had they
come upon us in this our weakness they might have perhaps destroyed
our little army; but thus were we preserved.
Alma 56:Verse 20
20 They were commanded by Ammoron to maintain those
cities which they had taken. And thus ended the twenty and sixth
year. And in the commencement of the twenty and seventh year we had
prepared our city and ourselves for defence.
Alma 56:Verse 21
21 Now we were desirous that the Lamanites should come
upon us; for we were not desirous to make an attack upon them in
their strongholds.
Alma 56:Verse 22
22 And it came to pass that we kept spies out round
about, to watch the movements of the Lamanites, that they might not
pass us by night nor by day to make an attack upon our other cities
which were on the northward.
Alma 56:Verse 23
23 For we knew in those cities they were not
sufficiently strong to meet them; therefore we were desirous, if
they should pass by us, to fall upon them in their rear, and thus
bring them up in the rear at the same time they were met in the
front. We supposed that we could overpower them; but behold, we
were disappointed in this our desire.
Alma 56:Verse 24
24 They durst not pass by us with their whole army,
neither durst they with a part, lest they should not be
sufficiently strong and they should fall.
Alma 56:Verse 25
25 Neither durst they march down against the city of
Zarahemla; neither durst they cross the head of Sidon, over to the
city of Nephihah.
Alma 56:Verse 26
26 And thus, with their forces, they were determined to
maintain those cities which they had taken.
Alma 56:Verse 27
27 And now it came to pass in the second month of this
year, there was brought unto us many provisions from the fathers of
those my two thousand sons.
Alma 56:Verse 28
28 And also there were sent two thousand men unto us
from the land of Zarahemla. And thus we were prepared with ten
thousand men, and provisions for them, and also for their wives and
their children.
Alma 56:Verse 29
29 And the Lamanites, thus seeing our forces increase
daily, and provisions arrive for our support, they began to be
fearful, and began to sally forth, if it were possible to put an
end to our receiving provisions and strength.
Alma 56:Verse 30
30 Now when we saw that the Lamanites began to grow
uneasy on this wise, we were desirous to bring a stratagem into
effect upon them; therefore Antipus ordered that I should march
forth with my little sons to a neighboring city, as if we were
carrying provisions to a neighboring city.
Alma 56:Verse 31
31 And we were to march near the city of Antiparah, as
if we were going to the city beyond, in the borders by the
seashore.
Alma 56:Verse 32
32 And it came to pass that we did march forth, as if
with our provisions, to go to that city.
Alma 56:Verse 33
33 And it came to pass that Antipus did march forth
with a part of his army, leaving the remainder to maintain the
city. But he did not march forth until I had gone forth with my
little army, and came near the city Antiparah.
Alma 56:Verse 34
34 And now, in the city Antiparah were stationed the
strongest army of the Lamanites; yea, the most numerous.
Alma 56:Verse 35
35 And it came to pass that when they had been informed
by their spies, they came forth with their army and marched against
us.
Alma 56:Verse 36
36 And it came to pass that we did flee before them,
northward. And thus we did lead away the most powerful army of the
Lamanites;
Alma 56:Verse 37
37 Yea, even to a considerable distance, insomuch that
when they saw the army of Antipus pursuing them, with their might,
they did not turn to the right nor to the left, but pursued their
march in a straight course after us; and, as we suppose, it was
their intent to slay us before Antipus should overtake them, and
this that they might not be surrounded by our people.
Alma 56:Verse 38
38 And now Antipus, beholding our danger, did speed the
march of his army. But behold, it was night; therefore they did not
overtake us, neither did Antipus overtake them; therefore we did
camp for the night.
Alma 56:Verse 39
39 And it came to pass that before the dawn of the
morning, behold, the Lamanites were pursuing us. Now we were not
sufficiently strong to contend with them; yea, I would not suffer
that my little sons should fall into their hands; therefore we did
continue our march, and we took our march into the
wilderness.
Alma 56:Verse 40
40 Now they durst not turn to the right nor to the left
lest they should be surrounded; neither would I turn to the right
nor to the left lest they should overtake me, and we could not
stand against them, but be slain, and they would make their escape;
and thus we did flee all that day into the wilderness, even until
it was dark.
Alma 56:Verse 41
41 And it came to pass that again, when the light of
the morning came we saw the Lamanites upon us, and we did flee
before them.
Alma 56:Verse 42
42 But it came to pass that they did not pursue us far
before they halted; and it was in the morning of the third day of
the seventh month.
Alma 56:Verse 43
43 And now, whether they were overtaken by Antipus we
knew not, but I said unto my men: Behold, we know not but they have
halted for the purpose that we should come against them, that they
might catch us in their snare;
Alma 56:Verse 44
44 Therefore what say ye, my sons, will ye go against
them to battle?
Alma 56:Verse 45
45 And now I say unto you, my beloved brother Moroni,
that never had I seen so great courage, nay, not amongst all the
Nephites.
Alma 56:Verse 46
46 For as I had ever called them my sons (for they were
all of them very young) even so they said unto me: Father, behold
our God is with us, and he will not suffer that we should fall;
then let us go forth; we would not slay our brethren if they would
let us alone; therefore let us go, lest they should overpower the
army of Antipus.
Alma 56:Verse 47
47 Now they never had fought, yet they did not fear
death; and they did think more upon the liberty of their fathers
than they did upon their lives; yea, they had been taught by their
mothers, that if they did not doubt, God would deliver them.
Alma 56:Verse 48
48 And they rehearsed unto me the words of their
mothers, saying: We do not doubt our mothers knew it.
Alma 56:Verse 49
49 And it came to pass that I did return with my two
thousand against these Lamanites who had pursued us. And now
behold, the armies of Antipus had overtaken them, and a terrible
battle had commenced.
Alma 56:Verse 50
50 The army of Antipus being weary, because of their
long march in so short a space of time, were about to fall into the
hands of the Lamanites; and had I not returned with my two thousand
they would have obtained their purpose.
Alma 56:Verse 51
51 For Antipus had fallen by the sword, and many of his
leaders, because of their weariness, which was occasioned by the
speed of their march--therefore the men of Antipus, being confused
because of the fall of their leaders, began to give way before the
Lamanites.
Alma 56:Verse 52
52 And it came to pass that the Lamanites took courage,
and began to pursue them; and thus were the Lamanites pursuing them
with great vigor when Helaman came upon their rear with his two
thousand, and began to slay them exceedingly, insomuch that the
whole army of the Lamanites halted and turned upon Helaman.
Alma 56:Verse 53
53 Now when the people of Antipus saw that the
Lamanites had turned them about, they gathered together their men
and came again upon the rear of the Lamanites.
Alma 56:Verse 54
54 And now it came to pass that we, the people of
Nephi, the people of Antipus, and I with my two thousand, did
surround the Lamanites, and did slay them; yea, insomuch that they
were compelled to deliver up their weapons of war and also
themselves as prisoners of war.
Alma 56:Verse 55
55 And now it came to pass that when they had
surrendered themselves up unto us, behold, I numbered those young
men who had fought with me, fearing lest there were many of them
slain.
Alma 56:Verse 56
56 But behold, to my great joy, there had not one soul
of them fallen to the earth; yea, and they had fought as if with
the strength of God; yea, never were men known to have fought with
such miraculous strength; and with such mighty power did they fall
upon the Lamanites, that they did frighten them; and for this cause
did the Lamanites deliver themselves up as prisoners of war.
Alma 56:Verse 57
57 And as we had no place for our prisoners, that we
could guard them to keep them from the armies of the Lamanites,
therefore we sent them to the land of Zarahemla, and a part of
those men who were not slain of Antipus, with them; and the
remainder I took and joined them to my stripling Ammonites, and
took our march back to the city of Judea.
Chapter 57
Alma 57:Verse 1
1 AND now it came to pass that I received an epistle
from Ammoron, the king, stating that if I would deliver up those
prisoners of war whom we had taken that he would deliver up the
city of Antiparah unto us.
Alma 57:Verse 2
2 But I sent an epistle unto the king, that we were
sure our forces were sufficient to take the city of Antiparah by
our force; and by delivering up the prisoners for that city we
should suppose ourselves unwise, and that we would only deliver up
our prisoners on exchange.
Alma 57:Verse 3
3 And Ammoron refused mine epistle, for he would not
exchange prisoners; therefore we began to make preparations to go
against the city of Antiparah.
Alma 57:Verse 4
4 But the people of Antiparah did leave the city, and
fled to their other cities, which they had possession of, to
fortify them; and thus the city of Antiparah fell into our
hands.
Alma 57:Verse 5
5 And thus ended the twenty and eighth year of the
reign of the judges.
Alma 57:Verse 6
6 And it came to pass that in the commencement of the
twenty and ninth year, we received a supply of provisions, and also
an addition to our army, from the land of Zarahemla, and from the
land round about, to the number of six thousand men, besides sixty
of the sons of the Ammonites who had come to join their brethren,
my little band of two thousand. And now behold, we were strong,
yea, and we had also plenty of provisions brought unto us.
Alma 57:Verse 7
7 And it came to pass that it was our desire to wage a
battle with the army which was placed to protect the city
Cumeni.
Alma 57:Verse 8
8 And now behold, I will show unto you that we soon
accomplished our desire; yea, with our strong force, or with a part
of our strong force, we did surround, by night, the city Cumeni, a
little before they were to receive a supply of provisions.
Alma 57:Verse 9
9 And it came to pass that we did camp round about the
city for many nights; but we did sleep upon our swords, and keep
guards, that the Lamanites could not come upon us by night and slay
us, which they attempted many times; but as many times as they
attempted this their blood was spilt.
Alma 57:Verse 10
10 At length their provisions did arrive, and they were
about to enter the city by night. And we, instead of being
Lamanites, were Nephites; therefore, we did take them and their
provisions.
Alma 57:Verse 11
11 And notwithstanding the Lamanites being cut off from
their support after this manner, they were still determined to
maintain the city; therefore it became expedient that we should
take those provisions and send them to Judea, and our prisoners to
the land of Zarahemla.
Alma 57:Verse 12
12 And it came to pass that not many days had passed
away before the Lamanites began to lose all hopes of succor;
therefore they yielded up the city unto our hands; and thus we had
accomplished our designs in obtaining the city Cumeni.
Alma 57:Verse 13
13 But it came to pass that our prisoners were so
numerous that, notwithstanding the enormity of our numbers, we were
obliged to employ all our force to keep them, or to put them to
death.
Alma 57:Verse 14
14 For behold, they would break out in great numbers,
and would fight with stones, and with clubs, or whatsoever thing
they could get into their hands, insomuch that we did slay upwards
of two thousand of them after they had surrendered themselves
prisoners of war.
Alma 57:Verse 15
15 Therefore it became expedient for us, that we should
put an end to their lives, or guard them, sword in hand, down to
the land of Zarahemla; and also our provisions were not any more
than sufficient for our own people, notwithstanding that which we
had taken from the Lamanites.
Alma 57:Verse 16
16 And now, in those critical circumstances, it became
a very serious matter to determine concerning these prisoners of
war; nevertheless, we did resolve to send them down to the land of
Zarahemla; therefore we selected a part of our men, and gave them
charge over our prisoners to go down to the land of
Zarahemla.
Alma 57:Verse 17
17 But it came to pass that on the morrow they did
return. And now behold, we did not inquire of them concerning the
prisoners; for behold, the Lamanites were upon us, and they
returned in season to save us from falling into their hands. For
behold, Ammoron had sent to their support a new supply of
provisions and also a numerous army of men.
Alma 57:Verse 18
18 And it came to pass that those men whom we sent with
the prisoners did arrive in season to check them, as they were
about to overpower us.
Alma 57:Verse 19
19 But behold, my little band of two thousand and sixty
fought most desperately; yea, they were firm before the Lamanites,
and did administer death unto all those who opposed them.
Alma 57:Verse 20
20 And as the remainder of our army were about to give
way before the Lamanites, behold, those two thousand and sixty were
firm and undaunted.
Alma 57:Verse 21
21 Yea, and they did obey and observe to perform every
word of command with exactness; yea, and even according to their
faith it was done unto them; and I did remember the words which
they said unto me that their mothers had taught them.
Alma 57:Verse 22
22 And now behold, it was these my sons, and those men
who had been selected to convey the prisoners, to whom we owe this
great victory; for it was they who did beat the Lamanites;
therefore they were driven back to the city of Manti.
Alma 57:Verse 23
23 And we retained our city Cumeni, and were not all
destroyed by the sword; nevertheless, we had suffered great
loss.
Alma 57:Verse 24
24 And it came to pass that after the Lamanites had
fled, I immediately gave orders that my men who had been wounded
should be taken from among the dead, and caused that their wounds
should be dressed.
Alma 57:Verse 25
25 And it came to pass that there were two hundred, out
of my two thousand and sixty, who had fainted because of the loss
of blood; nevertheless, according to the goodness of God, and to
our great astonishment, and also the joy of our whole army, there
was not one soul of them who did perish; yea, and neither was there
one soul among them who had not received many wounds.
Alma 57:Verse 26
26 And now, their preservation was astonishing to our
whole army, yea, that they should be spared while there was a
thousand of our brethren who were slain. And we do justly ascribe
it to the miraculous power of God, because of their exceeding faith
in that which they had been taught to believe--that there was a
just God, and whosoever did not doubt, that they should be
preserved by his marvelous power.
Alma 57:Verse 27
27 Now this was the faith of these of whom I have
spoken; they are young, and their minds are firm, and they do put
their trust in God continually.
Alma 57:Verse 28
28 And now it came to pass that after we had thus taken
care of our wounded men, and had buried our dead and also the dead
of the Lamanites, who were many, behold, we did inquire of Gid
concerning the prisoners whom they had started to go down to the
land of Zarahemla with.
Alma 57:Verse 29
29 Now Gid was the chief captain over the band who was
appointed to guard them down to the land.
Alma 57:Verse 30
30 And now, these are the words which Gid said unto me:
Behold, we did start to go down to the land of Zarahemla with our
prisoners. And it came to pass that we did meet the spies of our
armies, who had been sent out to watch the camp of the
Lamanites.
Alma 57:Verse 31
31 And they cried unto us, saying--Behold, the armies
of the Lamanites are marching towards the city of Cumeni; and
behold, they will fall upon them, yea, and will destroy our
people.
Alma 57:Verse 32
32 And it came to pass that our prisoners did hear
their cries, which caused them to take courage; and they did rise
up in rebellion against us.
Alma 57:Verse 33
33 And it came to pass because of their rebellion we
did cause that our swords should come upon them. And it came to
pass that they did in a body run upon our swords, in the which, the
greater number of them were slain; and the remainder of them broke
through and fled from us.
Alma 57:Verse 34
34 And behold, when they had fled and we could not
overtake them, we took our march with speed towards the city
Cumeni; and behold, we did arrive in time that we might assist our
brethren in preserving the city.
Alma 57:Verse 35
35 And behold, we are again delivered out of the hands
of our enemies. And blessed is the name of our God; for behold, it
is he that has delivered us; yea, that has done this great thing
for us.
Alma 57:Verse 36
36 Now it came to pass that when I, Helaman, had heard
these words of Gid, I was filled with exceeding joy because of the
goodness of God in preserving us, that we might not all perish;
yea, and I trust that the souls of them who have been slain have
entered into the rest of their God.
Chapter 58
Alma 58:Verse 1
1 AND behold, now it came to pass that our next object
was to obtain the city of Manti; but behold, there was no way that
we could lead them out of the city by our small bands. For behold,
they remembered that which we had hitherto done; therefore we could
not decoy them away from their strongholds.
Alma 58:Verse 2
2 And they were so much more numerous than was our army
that we durst not go forth and attack them in their
strongholds.
Alma 58:Verse 3
3 Yea, and it became expedient that we should employ
our men to the maintaining those parts of the land which we had
regained of our possessions; therefore it became expedient that we
should wait, that we might receive more strength from the land of
Zarahemla and also a new supply of provisions.
Alma 58:Verse 4
4 And it came to pass that I thus did send an embassy
to the governor of our land, to acquaint him concerning the affairs
of our people. And it came to pass that we did wait to receive
provisions and strength from the land of Zarahemla.
Alma 58:Verse 5
5 But behold, this did profit us but little; for the
Lamanites were also receiving great strength from day to day, and
also many provisions; and thus were our circumstances at this
period of time.
Alma 58:Verse 6
6 And the Lamanites were sallying forth against us from
time to time, resolving by stratagem to destroy us; nevertheless we
could not come to battle with them, because of their retreats and
their strongholds.
Alma 58:Verse 7
7 And it came to pass that we did wait in these
difficult circumstances for the space of many months, even until we
were about to perish for the want of food.
Alma 58:Verse 8
8 But it came to pass that we did receive food, which
was guarded to us by an army of two thousand men to our assistance;
and this is all the assistance which we did receive, to defend
ourselves and our country from falling into the hands of our
enemies, yea, to contend with an enemy which was innumerable.
Alma 58:Verse 9
9 And now the cause of these our embarrassments, or the
cause why they did not send more strength unto us, we knew not;
therefore we were grieved and also filled with fear, lest by any
means the judgments of God should come upon our land, to our
overthrow and utter destruction.
Alma 58:Verse 10
10 Therefore we did pour out our souls in prayer to
God, that he would strengthen us and deliver us out of the hands of
our enemies, yea, and also give us strength that we might retain
our cities, and our lands, and our possessions, for the support of
our people.
Alma 58:Verse 11
11 Yea, and it came to pass that the Lord our God did
visit us with assurances that he would deliver us; yea, insomuch
that he did speak peace to our souls, and did grant unto us great
faith, and did cause us that we should hope for our deliverance in
him.
Alma 58:Verse 12
12 And we did take courage with our small force which
we had received, and were fixed with a determination to conquer our
enemies, and to maintain our lands, and our possessions, and our
wives, and our children, and the cause of our liberty.
Alma 58:Verse 13
13 And thus we did go forth with all our might against
the Lamanites, who were in the city of Manti; and we did pitch our
tents by the wilderness side, which was near to the city.
Alma 58:Verse 14
14 And it came to pass that on the morrow, that when
the Lamanites saw that we were in the borders by the wilderness
which was near the city, that they sent out their spies round about
us that they might discover the number and the strength of our
army.
Alma 58:Verse 15
15 And it came to pass that when they saw that we were
not strong, according to our numbers, and fearing that we should
cut them off from their support except they should come out to
battle against us and kill us, and also supposing that they could
easily destroy us with their numerous hosts, therefore they began
to make preparations to come out against us to battle.
Alma 58:Verse 16
16 And when we saw that they were making preparations
to come out against us, behold, I caused that Gid, with a small
number of men, should secrete himself in the wilderness, and also
that Teomner and a small number of men should secrete themselves
also in the wilderness.
Alma 58:Verse 17
17 Now Gid and his men were on the right and the others
on the left; and when they had thus secreted themselves, behold, I
remained, with the remainder of my army, in that same place where
we had first pitched our tents against the time that the Lamanites
should come out to battle.
Alma 58:Verse 18
18 And it came to pass that the Lamanites did come out
with their numerous army against us. And when they had come and
were about to fall upon us with the sword, I caused that my men,
those who were with me, should retreat into the wilderness.
Alma 58:Verse 19
19 And it came to pass that the Lamanites did follow
after us with great speed, for they were exceedingly desirous to
overtake us that they might slay us; therefore they did follow us
into the wilderness; and we did pass by in the midst of Gid and
Teomner, insomuch that they were not discovered by the
Lamanites.
Alma 58:Verse 20
20 And it came to pass that when the Lamanites had
passed by, or when the army had passed by, Gid and Teomner did rise
up from their secret places, and did cut off the spies of the
Lamanites that they should not return to the city.
Alma 58:Verse 21
21 And it came to pass that when they had cut them off,
they ran to the city and fell upon the guards who were left to
guard the city, insomuch that they did destroy them and did take
possession of the city.
Alma 58:Verse 22
22 Now this was done because the Lamanites did suffer
their whole army, save a few guards only, to be led away into the
wilderness.
Alma 58:Verse 23
23 And it came to pass that Gid and Teomner by this
means had obtained possession of their strongholds. And it came to
pass that we took our course, after having traveled much in the
wilderness towards the land of Zarahemla.
Alma 58:Verse 24
24 And when the Lamanites saw that they were marching
towards the land of Zarahemla, they were exceedingly afraid, lest
there was a plan laid to lead them on to destruction; therefore
they began to retreat into the wilderness again, yea, even back by
the same way which they had come.
Alma 58:Verse 25
25 And behold, it was night and they did pitch their
tents, for the chief captains of the Lamanites had supposed that
the Nephites were weary because of their march; and supposing that
they had driven their whole army therefore they took no thought
concerning the city of Manti.
Alma 58:Verse 26
26 Now it came to pass that when it was night, I caused
that my men should not sleep, but that they should march forward by
another way towards the land of Manti.
Alma 58:Verse 27
27 And because of this our march in the night-time,
behold, on the morrow we were beyond the Lamanites, insomuch that
we did arrive before them at the city of Manti.
Alma 58:Verse 28
28 And thus it came to pass, that by this stratagem we
did take possession of the city of Manti without the shedding of
blood.
Alma 58:Verse 29
29 And it came to pass that when the armies of the
Lamanites did arrive near the city, and saw that we were prepared
to meet them, they were astonished exceedingly and struck with
great fear, insomuch that they did flee into the wilderness.
Alma 58:Verse 30
30 Yea, and it came to pass that the armies of the
Lamanites did flee out of all this quarter of the land. But behold,
they have carried with them many women and children out of the
land.
Alma 58:Verse 31
31 And those cities which had been taken by the
Lamanites, all of them are at this period of time in our
possession; and our fathers and our women and our children are
returning to their homes, all save it be those who have been taken
prisoners and carried off by the Lamanites.
Alma 58:Verse 32
32 But behold, our armies are small to maintain so
great a number of cities and so great possessions.
Alma 58:Verse 33
33 But behold, we trust in our God who has given us
victory over those lands, insomuch that we have obtained those
cities and those lands, which were our own.
Alma 58:Verse 34
34 Now we do not know the cause that the government
does not grant us more strength; neither do those men who came up
unto us know why we have not received greater strength.
Alma 58:Verse 35
35 Behold, we do not know but what ye are unsuccessful,
and ye have drawn away the forces into that quarter of the land; if
so, we do not desire to murmur.
Alma 58:Verse 36
36 And if it is not so, behold, we fear that there is
some faction in the government, that they do not send more men to
our assistance; for we know that they are more numerous than that
which they have sent.
Alma 58:Verse 37
37 But, behold, it mattereth not--we trust God will
deliver us, notwithstanding the weakness of our armies, yea, and
deliver us out of the hands of our enemies.
Alma 58:Verse 38
38 Behold, this is the twenty and ninth year, in the
latter end, and we are in the possession of our lands; and the
Lamanites have fled to the land of Nephi.
Alma 58:Verse 39
39 And those sons of the people of Ammon, of whom I
have so highly spoken, are with me in the city of Manti; and the
Lord has supported them, yea, and kept them from falling by the
sword, insomuch that even one soul has not been slain.
Alma 58:Verse 40
40 But behold, they have received many wounds;
nevertheless they stand fast in that liberty wherewith God has made
them free; and they are strict to remember the Lord their God from
day to day; yea, they do observe to keep his statutes, and his
judgments, and his commandments continually; and their faith is
strong in the prophecies concerning that which is to come.
Alma 58:Verse 41
41 And now, my beloved brother, Moroni, may the Lord
our God, who has redeemed us and made us free, keep you continually
in his presence; yea, and may he favor this people, even that ye
may have success in obtaining the possession of all that which the
Lamanites have taken from us, which was for our support. And now,
behold, I close mine epistle. I am Helaman, the son of Alma.
Chapter 59
Alma 59:Verse 1
1 NOW it came to pass in the thirtieth year of the
reign of the judges over the people of Nephi, after Moroni had
received and had read Helaman's epistle, he was exceedingly
rejoiced because of the welfare, yea, the exceeding success which
Helaman had had, in obtaining those lands which were lost.
Alma 59:Verse 2
2 Yea, and he did make it known unto all his people, in
all the land round about in that part where he was, that they might
rejoice also.
Alma 59:Verse 3
3 And it came to pass that he immediately sent an
epistle to Pahoran, desiring that he should cause men to be
gathered together to strengthen Helaman, or the armies of Helaman,
insomuch that he might with ease maintain that part of the land
which he had been so miraculously prospered in regaining.
Alma 59:Verse 4
4 And it came to pass when Moroni had sent this epistle
to the land of Zarahemla, he began again to lay a plan that he
might obtain the remainder of those possessions and cities which
the Lamanites had taken from them.
Alma 59:Verse 5
5 And it came to pass that while Moroni was thus making
preparations to go against the Lamanites to battle, behold, the
people of Nephihah, who were gathered together from the city of
Moroni and the city of Lehi and the city of Morianton, were
attacked by the Lamanites.
Alma 59:Verse 6
6 Yea, even those who had been compelled to flee from
the land of Manti, and from the land round about, had come over and
joined the Lamanites in this part of the land.
Alma 59:Verse 7
7 And thus being exceedingly numerous, yea, and
receiving strength from day to day, by the command of Ammoron they
came forth against the people of Nephihah, and they did begin to
slay them with an exceedingly great slaughter.
Alma 59:Verse 8
8 And their armies were so numerous that the remainder
of the people of Nephihah were obliged to flee before them; and
they came even and joined the army of Moroni.
Alma 59:Verse 9
9 And now as Moroni had supposed that there should be
men sent to the city of Nephihah, to the assistance of the people
to maintain that city, and knowing that it was easier to keep the
city from falling into the hands of the Lamanites than to retake it
from them, he supposed that they would easily maintain that
city.
Alma 59:Verse 10
10 Therefore he retained all his force to maintain
those places which he had recovered.
Alma 59:Verse 11
11 And now, when Moroni saw that the city of Nephihah
was lost he was exceedingly sorrowful, and began to doubt, because
of the wickedness of the people, whether they should not fall into
the hands of their brethren.
Alma 59:Verse 12
12 Now this was the case with all his chief captains.
They doubted and marveled also because of the wickedness of the
people, and this because of the success of the Lamanites over
them.
Alma 59:Verse 13
13 And it came to pass that Moroni was angry with the
government, because of their indifference concerning the freedom of
their country.
Chapter 60
Alma 60:Verse 1
1 AND it came to pass that he wrote again to the
governor of the land, who was Pahoran, and these are the words
which he wrote, saying: Behold, I direct mine epistle to Pahoran,
in the city of Zarahemla, who is the chief judge and the governor
over the land, and also to all those who have been chosen by this
people to govern and manage the affairs of this war.
Alma 60:Verse 2
2 For behold, I have somewhat to say unto them by the
way of condemnation; for behold, ye yourselves know that ye have
been appointed to gather together men, and arm them with swords,
and with cimeters, and all manner of weapons of war of every kind,
and send forth against the Lamanites, in whatsoever parts they
should come into our land.
Alma 60:Verse 3
3 And now behold, I say unto you that myself, and also
my men, and also Helaman and his men, have suffered exceedingly
great sufferings; yea, even hunger, thirst, and fatigue, and all
manner of afflictions of every kind.
Alma 60:Verse 4
4 But behold, were this all we had suffered we would
not murmur nor complain.
Alma 60:Verse 5
5 But behold, great has been the slaughter among our
people; yea, thousands have fallen by the sword, while it might
have otherwise been if ye had rendered unto our armies sufficient
strength and succor for them. Yea, great has been your neglect
towards us.
Alma 60:Verse 6
6 And now behold, we desire to know the cause of this
exceedingly great neglect; yea, we desire to know the cause of your
thoughtless state.
Alma 60:Verse 7
7 Can you think to sit upon your thrones in a state of
thoughtless stupor, while your enemies are spreading the work of
death around you? Yea, while they are murdering thousands of your
brethren--
Alma 60:Verse 8
8 Yea, even they who have looked up to you for
protection, yea, have placed you in a situation that ye might have
succored them, yea, ye might have sent armies unto them, to have
strengthened them, and have saved thousands of them from falling by
the sword.
Alma 60:Verse 9
9 But behold, this is not all--ye have withheld your
provisions from them, insomuch that many have fought and bled out
their lives because of their great desires which they had for the
welfare of this people; yea, and this they have done when they were
about to perish with hunger, because of your exceedingly great
neglect towards them.
Alma 60:Verse 10
10 And now, my beloved brethren--for ye ought to be
beloved; yea, and ye ought to have stirred yourselves more
diligently for the welfare and the freedom of this people; but
behold, ye have neglected them insomuch that the blood of thousands
shall come upon your heads for vengeance; yea, for known unto God
were all their cries, and all their sufferings--
Alma 60:Verse 11
11 Behold, could ye suppose that ye could sit upon your
thrones, and because of the exceeding goodness of God ye could do
nothing and he would deliver you? Behold, if ye have supposed this
ye have supposed in vain.
Alma 60:Verse 12
12 Do ye suppose that, because so many of your brethren
have been killed it is because of their wickedness? I say unto you,
if ye have supposed this ye have supposed in vain; for I say unto
you, there are many who have fallen by the sword; and behold it is
to your condemnation;
Alma 60:Verse 13
13 For the Lord suffereth the righteous to be slain
that his justice and judgment may come upon the wicked; therefore
ye need not suppose that the righteous are lost because they are
slain; but behold, they do enter into the rest of the Lord their
God.
Alma 60:Verse 14
14 And now behold, I say unto you, I fear exceedingly
that the judgments of God will come upon this people, because of
their exceeding slothfulness, yea, even the slothfulness of our
government, and their exceedingly great neglect towards their
brethren, yea, towards those who have been slain.
Alma 60:Verse 15
15 For were it not for the wickedness which first
commenced at our head, we could have withstood our enemies that
they could have gained no power over us.
Alma 60:Verse 16
16 Yea, had it not been for the war which broke out
among ourselves; yea, were it not for these king-men, who caused so
much bloodshed among ourselves; yea, at the time we were contending
among ourselves, if we had united our strength as we hitherto have
done; yea, had it not been for the desire of power and authority
which those king-men had over us; had they been true to the cause
of our freedom, and united with us, and gone forth against our
enemies, instead of taking up their swords against us, which was
the cause of so much bloodshed among ourselves; yea, if we had gone
forth against them in the strength of the Lord, we should have
dispersed our enemies, for it would have been done, according to
the fulfilling of his word.
Alma 60:Verse 17
17 But behold, now the Lamanites are coming upon us,
taking possession of our lands, and they are murdering our people
with the sword, yea, our women and our children, and also carrying
them away captive, causing them that they should suffer all manner
of afflictions, and this because of the great wickedness of those
who are seeking for power and authority, yea, even those
king-men.
Alma 60:Verse 18
18 But why should I say much concerning this matter?
For we know not but what ye yourselves are seeking for authority.
We know not but what ye are also traitors to your country.
Alma 60:Verse 19
19 Or is it that ye have neglected us because ye are in
the heart of our country and ye are surrounded by security, that ye
do not cause food to be sent unto us, and also men to strengthen
our armies?
Alma 60:Verse 20
20 Have ye forgotten the commandments of the Lord your
God? Yea, have ye forgotten the captivity of our fathers? Have ye
forgotten the many times we have been delivered out of the hands of
our enemies?
Alma 60:Verse 21
21 Or do ye suppose that the Lord will still deliver
us, while we sit upon our thrones and do not make use of the means
which the Lord has provided for us?
Alma 60:Verse 22
22 Yea, will ye sit in idleness while ye are surrounded
with thousands of those, yea, and tens of thousands, who do also
sit in idleness, while there are thousands round about in the
borders of the land who are falling by the sword, yea, wounded and
bleeding?
Alma 60:Verse 23
23 Do ye suppose that God will look upon you as
guiltless while ye sit still and behold these things? Behold I say
unto you, Nay. Now I would that ye should remember that God has
said that the inward vessel shall be cleansed first, and then shall
the outer vessel be cleansed also.
Alma 60:Verse 24
24 And now, except ye do repent of that which ye have
done, and begin to be up and doing, and send forth food and men
unto us, and also unto Helaman, that he may support those parts of
our country which he has regained, and that we may also recover the
remainder of our possessions in these parts, behold it will be
expedient that we contend no more with the Lamanites until we have
first cleansed our inward vessel, yea, even the great head of our
government.
Alma 60:Verse 25
25 And except ye grant mine epistle, and come out and
show unto me a true spirit of freedom, and strive to strengthen and
fortify our armies, and grant unto them food for their support,
behold I will leave a part of my freemen to maintain this part of
our land, and I will leave the strength and the blessings of God
upon them, that none other power can operate against them--
Alma 60:Verse 26
26 And this because of their exceeding faith, and their
patience in their tribulations--
Alma 60:Verse 27
27 And I will come unto you, and if there be any among
you that has a desire for freedom, yea, if there be even a spark of
freedom remaining, behold I will stir up insurrections among you,
even until those who have desires to usurp power and authority
shall become extinct.
Alma 60:Verse 28
28 Yea, behold I do not fear your power nor your
authority, but it is my God whom I fear; and it is according to his
commandments that I do take my sword to defend the cause of my
country, and it is because of your iniquity that we have suffered
so much loss.
Alma 60:Verse 29
29 Behold it is time, yea, the time is now at hand,
that except ye do bestir yourselves in the defence of your country
and your little ones, the sword of justice doth hang over you; yea,
and it shall fall upon you and visit you even to your utter
destruction.
Alma 60:Verse 30
30 Behold, I wait for assistance from you; and, except
ye do administer unto our relief, behold, I come unto you, even in
the land of Zarahemla, and smite you with the sword, insomuch that
ye can have no more power to impede the progress of this people in
the cause of our freedom.
Alma 60:Verse 31
31 For behold, the Lord will not suffer that ye shall
live and wax strong in your iniquities to destroy his righteous
people.
Alma 60:Verse 32
32 Behold, can you suppose that the Lord will spare you
and come out in judgment against the Lamanites, when it is the
tradition of their fathers that has caused their hatred, yea, and
it has been redoubled by those who have dissented from us, while
your iniquity is for the cause of your love of glory and the vain
things of the world?
Alma 60:Verse 33
33 Ye know that ye do transgress the laws of God, and
ye do know that ye do trample them under your feet. Behold, the
Lord saith unto me: If those whom ye have appointed your governors
do not repent of their sins and iniquities, ye shall go up to
battle against them.
Alma 60:Verse 34
34 And now behold, I, Moroni, am constrained, according
to the covenant which I have made to keep the commandments of my
God; therefore I would that ye should adhere to the word of God,
and send speedily unto me of your provisions and of your men, and
also to Helaman.
Alma 60:Verse 35
35 And behold, if ye will not do this I come unto you
speedily; for behold, God will not suffer that we should perish
with hunger; therefore he will give unto us of your food, even if
it must be by the sword. Now see that ye fulfil the word of
God.
Alma 60:Verse 36
36 Behold, I am Moroni, your chief captain. I seek not
for power, but to pull it down. I seek not for honor of the world,
but for the glory of my God, and the freedom and welfare of my
country. And thus I close mine epistle.
Chapter 61
Alma 61:Verse 1
1 Behold, now it came to pass that soon after Moroni
had sent his epistle unto the chief governor, he received an
epistle from Pahoran, the chief governor. And these are the words
which he received:
Alma 61:Verse 2
2 I, Pahoran, who am the chief governor of this land,
do send these words unto Moroni, the chief captain over the army.
Behold, I say unto you, Moroni, that I do not joy in your great
afflictions, yea, it grieves my soul.
Alma 61:Verse 3
3 But behold, there are those who do joy in your
afflictions, yea, insomuch that they have risen up in rebellion
against me, and also those of my people who are freemen, yea, and
those who have risen up are exceedingly numerous.
Alma 61:Verse 4
4 And it is those who have sought to take away the
judgment-seat from me that have been the cause of this great
iniquity; for they have used great flattery, and they have led away
the hearts of many people, which will be the cause of sore
affliction among us; they have withheld our provisions, and have
daunted our freemen that they have not come unto you.
Alma 61:Verse 5
5 And behold, they have driven me out before them, and
I have fled to the land of Gideon, with as many men as it were
possible that I could get.
Alma 61:Verse 6
6 And behold, I have sent a proclamation throughout
this part of the land; and behold, they are flocking to us daily,
to their arms, in the defence of their country and their freedom,
and to avenge our wrongs.
Alma 61:Verse 7
7 And they have come unto us, insomuch that those who
have risen up in rebellion against us are set at defiance, yea,
insomuch that they do fear us and durst not come out against us to
battle.
Alma 61:Verse 8
8 They have got possession of the land, or the city, of
Zarahemla; they have appointed a king over them, and he hath
written unto the king of the Lamanites, in the which he hath joined
an alliance with him; in the which alliance he hath agreed to
maintain the city of Zarahemla, which maintenance he supposeth will
enable the Lamanites to conquer the remainder of the land, and he
shall be placed king over this people when they shall be conquered
under the Lamanites.
Alma 61:Verse 9
9 And now, in your epistle you have censured me, but it
mattereth not; I am not angry, but do rejoice in the greatness of
your heart. I, Pahoran, do not seek for power, save only to retain
my judgment-seat that I may preserve the rights and the liberty of
my people. My soul standeth fast in that liberty in the which God
hath made us free.
Alma 61:Verse 10
10 And now, behold, we will resist wickedness even unto
bloodshed. We would not shed the blood of the Lamanites if they
would stay in their own land.
Alma 61:Verse 11
11 We would not shed the blood of our brethren if they
would not rise up in rebellion and take the sword against us.
Alma 61:Verse 12
12 We would subject ourselves to the yoke of bondage if
it were requisite with the justice of God, or if he should command
us so to do.
Alma 61:Verse 13
13 But behold he doth not command us that we shall
subject ourselves to our enemies, but that we should put our trust
in him, and he will deliver us.
Alma 61:Verse 14
14 Therefore, my beloved brother, Moroni, let us resist
evil, and whatsoever evil we cannot resist with our words, yea,
such as rebellions and dissensions, let us resist them with our
swords, that we may retain our freedom, that we may rejoice in the
great privilege of our church, and in the cause of our Redeemer and
our God.
Alma 61:Verse 15
15 Therefore, come unto me speedily with a few of your
men, and leave the remainder in the charge of Lehi and Teancum;
give unto them power to conduct the war in that part of the land,
according to the Spirit of God, which is also the Spirit of freedom
which is in them.
Alma 61:Verse 16
16 Behold I have sent a few provisions unto them, that
they may not perish until ye can come unto me.
Alma 61:Verse 17
17 Gather together whatsoever force ye can upon your
march hither, and we will go speedily against those dissenters, in
the strength of our God according to the faith which is in
us.
Alma 61:Verse 18
18 And we will take possession of the city of
Zarahemla, that we may obtain more food to send forth unto Lehi and
Teancum; yea, we will go forth against them in the strength of the
Lord, and we will put an end to this great iniquity.
Alma 61:Verse 19
19 And now, Moroni, I do joy in receiving your epistle,
for I was somewhat worried concerning what we should do, whether it
should be just in us to go against our brethren.
Alma 61:Verse 20
20 But ye have said, except they repent the Lord hath
commanded you that ye should go against them.
Alma 61:Verse 21
21 See that ye strengthen Lehi and Teancum in the Lord;
tell them to fear not, for God will deliver them, yea, and also all
those who stand fast in that liberty wherewith God hath made them
free. And now I close mine epistle to my beloved brother,
Moroni.
Chapter 62
Alma 62:Verse 1
1 AND now it came to pass that when Moroni had received
this epistle his heart did take courage, and was filled with
exceedingly great joy because of the faithfulness of Pahoran, that
he was not also a traitor to the freedom and cause of his
country.
Alma 62:Verse 2
2 But he did also mourn exceedingly because of the
iniquity of those who had driven Pahoran from the judgment-seat,
yea, in fine because of those who had rebelled against their
country and also their God.
Alma 62:Verse 3
3 And it came to pass that Moroni took a small number
of men, according to the desire of Pahoran, and gave Lehi and
Teancum command over the remainder of his army, and took his march
towards the land of Gideon.
Alma 62:Verse 4
4 And he did raise the standard of liberty in
whatsoever place he did enter, and gained whatsoever force he could
in all his march towards the land of Gideon.
Alma 62:Verse 5
5 And it came to pass that thousands did flock unto his
standard, and did take up their swords in the defence of their
freedom, that they might not come into bondage.
Alma 62:Verse 6
6 And thus, when Moroni had gathered together
whatsoever men he could in all his march, he came to the land of
Gideon; and uniting his forces with those of Pahoran they became
exceedingly strong, even stronger than the men of Pachus, who was
the king of those dissenters who had driven the freemen out of the
land of Zarahemla and had taken possession of the land.
Alma 62:Verse 7
7 And it came to pass that Moroni and Pahoran went down
with their armies into the land of Zarahemla, and went forth
against the city, and did meet the men of Pachus, insomuch that
they did come to battle.
Alma 62:Verse 8
8 And behold, Pachus was slain and his men were taken
prisoners, and Pahoran was restored to his judgment-seat.
Alma 62:Verse 9
9 And the men of Pachus received their trial, according
to the law, and also those king-men who had been taken and cast
into prison; and they were executed according to the law; yea,
those men of Pachus and those king-men, whosoever would not take up
arms in the defence of their country, but would fight against it,
were put to death.
Alma 62:Verse 10
10 And thus it became expedient that this law should be
strictly observed for the safety of their country; yea, and
whosoever was found denying their freedom was speedily executed
according to the law.
Alma 62:Verse 11
11 And thus ended the thirtieth year of the reign of
the judges over the people of Nephi; Moroni and Pahoran having
restored peace to the land of Zarahemla, among their own people,
having inflicted death upon all those who were not true to the
cause of freedom.
Alma 62:Verse 12
12 And it came to pass in the commencement of the
thirty and first year of the reign of the judges over the people of
Nephi, Moroni immediately caused that provisions should be sent,
and also an army of six thousand men should be sent unto Helaman,
to assist him in preserving that part of the land.
Alma 62:Verse 13
13 And he also caused that an army of six thousand men,
with a sufficient quantity of food, should be sent to the armies of
Lehi and Teancum. And it came to pass that this was done to fortify
the land against the Lamanites.
Alma 62:Verse 14
14 And it came to pass that Moroni and Pahoran, leaving
a large body of men in the land of Zarahemla, took their march with
a large body of men towards the land of Nephihah, being determined
to overthrow the Lamanites in that city.
Alma 62:Verse 15
15 And it came to pass that as they were marching
towards the land, they took a large body of men of the Lamanites,
and slew many of them, and took their provisions and their weapons
of war.
Alma 62:Verse 16
16 And it came to pass after they had taken them, they
caused them to enter into a covenant that they would no more take
up their weapons of war against the Nephites.
Alma 62:Verse 17
17 And when they had entered into this covenant they
sent them to dwell with the people of Ammon, and they were in
number about four thousand who had not been slain.
Alma 62:Verse 18
18 And it came to pass that when they had sent them
away they pursued their march towards the land of Nephihah. And it
came to pass that when they had come to the city of Nephihah, they
did pitch their tents in the plains of Nephihah, which is near the
city of Nephihah.
Alma 62:Verse 19
19 Now Moroni was desirous that the Lamanites should
come out to battle against them, upon the plains; but the
Lamanites, knowing of their exceedingly great courage, and
beholding the greatness of their numbers, therefore they durst not
come out against them; therefore they did not come to battle in
that day.
Alma 62:Verse 20
20 And when the night came, Moroni went forth in the
darkness of the night, and came upon the top of the wall to spy out
in what part of the city the Lamanites did camp with their
army.
Alma 62:Verse 21
21 And it came to pass that they were on the east, by
the entrance; and they were all asleep. And now Moroni returned to
his army, and caused that they should prepare in haste strong cords
and ladders, to be let down from the top of the wall into the inner
part of the wall.
Alma 62:Verse 22
22 And it came to pass that Moroni caused that his men
should march forth and come upon the top of the wall, and let
themselves down into that part of the city, yea, even on the west,
where the Lamanites did not camp with their armies.
Alma 62:Verse 23
23 And it came to pass that they were all let down into
the city by night, by the means of their strong cords and their
ladders; thus when the morning came they were all within the walls
of the city.
Alma 62:Verse 24
24 And now, when the Lamanites awoke and saw that the
armies of Moroni were within the walls, they were affrighted
exceedingly, insomuch that they did flee out by the pass.
Alma 62:Verse 25
25 And now when Moroni saw that they were fleeing
before him, he did cause that his men should march forth against
them, and slew many, and surrounded many others, and took them
prisoners; and the remainder of them fled into the land of Moroni,
which was in the borders by the seashore.
Alma 62:Verse 26
26 Thus had Moroni and Pahoran obtained the possession
of the city of Nephihah without the loss of one soul; and there
were many of the Lamanites who were slain.
Alma 62:Verse 27
27 Now it came to pass that many of the Lamanites that
were prisoners were desirous to join the people of Ammon and become
a free people.
Alma 62:Verse 28
28 And it came to pass that as many as were desirous,
unto them it was granted according to their desires.
Alma 62:Verse 29
29 Therefore, all the prisoners of the Lamanites did
join the people of Ammon, and did begin to labor exceedingly,
tilling the ground, raising all manner of grain, and flocks and
herds of every kind; and thus were the Nephites relieved from a
great burden; yea, insomuch that they were relieved from all the
prisoners of the Lamanites.
Alma 62:Verse 30
30 Now it came to pass that Moroni, after he had
obtained possession of the city of Nephihah, having taken many
prisoners, which did reduce the armies of the Lamanites
exceedingly, and having regained many of the Nephites who had been
taken prisoners, which did strengthen the army of Moroni
exceedingly; therefore Moroni went forth from the land of Nephihah
to the land of Lehi.
Alma 62:Verse 31
31 And it came to pass that when the Lamanites saw that
Moroni was coming against them, they were again frightened and fled
before the army of Moroni.
Alma 62:Verse 32
32 And it came to pass that Moroni and his army did
pursue them from city to city, until they were met by Lehi and
Teancum; and the Lamanites fled from Lehi and Teancum, even down
upon the borders by the seashore, until they came to the land of
Moroni.
Alma 62:Verse 33
33 And the armies of the Lamanites were all gathered
together, insomuch that they were all in one body in the land of
Moroni. Now Ammoron, the king of the Lamanites, was also with
them.
Alma 62:Verse 34
34 And it came to pass that Moroni and Lehi and Teancum
did encamp with their armies round about in the borders of the land
of Moroni, insomuch that the Lamanites were encircled about in the
borders by the wilderness on the south, and in the borders by the
wilderness on the east.
Alma 62:Verse 35
35 And thus they did encamp for the night. For behold,
the Nephites and the Lamanites also were weary because of the
greatness of the march; therefore they did not resolve upon any
stratagem in the night-time, save it were Teancum; for he was
exceedingly angry with Ammoron, insomuch that he considered that
Ammoron, and Amalickiah his brother, had been the cause of this
great and lasting war between them and the Lamanites, which had
been the cause of so much war and bloodshed, yea, and so much
famine.
Alma 62:Verse 36
36 And it came to pass that Teancum in his anger did go
forth into the camp of the Lamanites, and did let himself down over
the walls of the city. And he went forth with a cord, from place to
place, insomuch that he did find the king; and he did cast a
javelin at him, which did pierce him near the heart. But behold,
the king did awaken his servants before he died, insomuch that they
did pursue Teancum, and slew him.
Alma 62:Verse 37
37 Now it came to pass that when Lehi and Moroni knew
that Teancum was dead they were exceedingly sorrowful; for behold,
he had been a man who had fought valiantly for his country, yea, a
true friend to liberty; and he had suffered very many exceedingly
sore afflictions. But behold, he was dead, and had gone the way of
all the earth.
Alma 62:Verse 38
38 Now it came to pass that Moroni marched forth on the
morrow, and came upon the Lamanites, insomuch that they did slay
them with a great slaughter; and they did drive them out of the
land; and they did flee, even that they did not return at that time
against the Nephites.
Alma 62:Verse 39
39 And thus ended the thirty and first year of the
reign of the judges over the people of Nephi; and thus they had had
wars, and bloodsheds, and famine, and affliction, for the space of
many years.
Alma 62:Verse 40
40 And there had been murders, and contentions, and
dissensions, and all manner of iniquity among the people of Nephi;
nevertheless for the righteous' sake, yea, because of the prayers
of the righteous, they were spared.
Alma 62:Verse 41
41 But behold, because of the exceedingly great length
of the war between the Nephites and the Lamanites many had become
hardened, because of the exceedingly great length of the war; and
many were softened because of their afflictions, insomuch that they
did humble themselves before God, even in the depth of
humility.
Alma 62:Verse 42
42 And it came to pass that after Moroni had fortified
those parts of the land which were most exposed to the Lamanites,
until they were sufficiently strong, he returned to the city of
Zarahemla; and also Helaman returned to the place of his
inheritance; and there was once more peace established among the
people of Nephi.
Alma 62:Verse 43
43 And Moroni yielded up the command of his armies into
the hands of his son, whose name was Moronihah; and he retired to
his own house that he might spend the remainder of his days in
peace.
Alma 62:Verse 44
44 And Pahoran did return to his judgment-seat; and
Helaman did take upon him again to preach unto the people the word
of God; for because of so many wars and contentions it had become
expedient that a regulation should be made again in the
church.
Alma 62:Verse 45
45 Therefore, Helaman and his brethren went forth, and
did declare the word of God with much power unto the convincing of
many people of their wickedness, which did cause them to repent of
their sins and to be baptized unto the Lord their God.
Alma 62:Verse 46
46 And it came to pass that they did establish again
the church of God, throughout all the land.
Alma 62:Verse 47
47 Yea, and regulations were made concerning the law.
And their judges, and their chief judges were chosen.
Alma 62:Verse 48
48 And the people of Nephi began to prosper again in
the land, and began to multiply and to wax exceedingly strong again
in the land. And they began to grow exceedingly rich.
Alma 62:Verse 49
49 But notwithstanding their riches, or their strength,
or their prosperity, they were not lifted up in the pride of their
eyes; neither were they slow to remember the Lord their God; but
they did humble themselves exceedingly before him.
Alma 62:Verse 50
50 Yea, they did remember how great things the Lord had
done for them, that he had delivered them from death, and from
bonds, and from prisons, and from all manner of afflictions and he
had delivered them out of the hands of their enemies.
Alma 62:Verse 51
51 And they did pray unto the Lord their God
continually, insomuch that the Lord did bless them, according to
his word, so that they did wax strong and prosper in the
land.
Alma 62:Verse 52
52 And it came to pass that all these things were done.
And Helaman died, in the thirty and fifth year of the reign of the
judges over the people of Nephi.
Chapter 63
Alma 63:Verse 1
1 AND it came to pass in the commencement of the thirty
and sixth year of the reign of the judges over the people of Nephi,
that Shiblon took possession of those sacred things which had been
delivered unto Helaman by Alma.
Alma 63:Verse 2
2 And he was a just man, and he did walk uprightly
before God; and he did observe to do good continually, to keep the
commandments of the Lord his God; and also did his brother.
Alma 63:Verse 3
3 And it came to pass that Moroni died also. And thus
ended the thirty and sixth year of the reign of the judges.
Alma 63:Verse 4
4 And it came to pass that in the thirty and seventh
year of the reign of the judges, there was a large company of men,
even to the amount of five thousand and four hundred men, with
their wives and their children, departed out of the land of
Zarahemla into the land which was northward.
Alma 63:Verse 5
5 And it came to pass that Hagoth, he being an
exceedingly curious man, therefore he went forth and built him an
exceedingly large ship, on the borders of the land Bountiful, by
the land Desolation, and launched it forth into the west sea, by
the narrow neck which led into the land northward.
Alma 63:Verse 6
6 And behold, there were many of the Nephites who did
enter therein and did sail forth with much provisions, and also
many women and children; and they took their course northward. And
thus ended the thirty and seventh year.
Alma 63:Verse 7
7 And in the thirty and eighth year, this man built
other ships. And the first ship did also return, and many more
people did enter into it; and they also took much provisions, and
set out again to the land northward.
Alma 63:Verse 8
8 And it came to pass that they were never heard of
more. And we suppose that they were drowned in the depths of the
sea. And it came to pass that one other ship also did sail forth;
and whither she did go we know not.
Alma 63:Verse 9
9 And it came to pass that in this year there were many
people who went forth into the land northward. And thus ended the
thirty and eighth year.
Alma 63:Verse 10
10 And it came to pass in the thirty and ninth year of
the reign of the judges, Shiblon died also, and Corianton had gone
forth to the land northward in a ship, to carry forth provisions
unto the people who had gone forth into that land.
Alma 63:Verse 11
11 Therefore it became expedient for Shiblon to confer
those sacred things, before his death, upon the son of Helaman, who
was called Helaman, being called after the name of his
father.
Alma 63:Verse 12
12 Now behold, all those engravings which were in the
possession of Helaman were written and sent forth among the
children of men throughout all the land, save it were those parts
which had been commanded by Alma should not go forth.
Alma 63:Verse 13
13 Nevertheless, these things were to be kept sacred,
and handed down from one generation to another; therefore, in this
year, they had been conferred upon Helaman, before the death of
Shiblon.
Alma 63:Verse 14
14 And it came to pass also in this year that there
were some dissenters who had gone forth unto the Lamanites; and
they were stirred up again to anger against the Nephites.
Alma 63:Verse 15
15 And also in this same year they came down with a
numerous army to war against the people of Moronihah, or against
the army of Moronihah, in the which they were beaten and driven
back again to their own lands, suffering great loss.
Alma 63:Verse 16
16 And thus ended the thirty and ninth year of the
reign of the judges over the people of Nephi.
Alma 63:Verse 17
17 And thus ended the account of Alma, and Helaman his
son, and also Shiblon, who was his son.