Alma

Chapter 13

31 verses

1

My brothers, I want you to think about the time when the Lord God gave these commandments to his children. I want you to remember that the Lord God appointed priests, according to his holy order, which was after the order of his Son, to teach these things to the people.

Show original text

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.

2

Those priests were ordained after the order of his Son, so that the people would know how to look forward to his Son for redemption.

Show original text

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.

3

This is how they were ordained—being called and prepared from the foundation of the world according to God's foreknowledge, because of their great faith and good works. First, they were allowed to choose between good and evil; and since they chose good and showed very great faith, they are called with a holy calling, the same holy calling that was prepared with and according to a preparatory redemption for people like them.

Show original text

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.

4

They have been called to this holy calling because of their faith, while others rejected the Spirit of God because their hearts were hard and their minds were blind. If not for this, they could have had the same great privilege as their brothers.

Show original text

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.

5

In the beginning, they were on the same level as their brothers; this holy calling was prepared from the foundation of the world for those who would not harden their hearts, made possible through the atonement of the Only Begotten Son, who was prepared—

Show original text

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—

6

So, being called by this holy calling and ordained to the high priesthood of the holy order of God, to teach his commandments to the children of men, so they too might enter into his rest—

Show original text

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—

7

This high priesthood is after the order of his Son, which order has existed since the foundation of the world; in other words, it has no beginning of days or end of years, being prepared from eternity to eternity, according to his foreknowledge of all things—

Show original text

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—

8

They were ordained in this way—called with a holy calling, ordained with a holy ordinance, and taking upon themselves the high priesthood of the holy order, which calling, ordinance, and high priesthood have no beginning or end—

Show original text

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—

9

In this way, they become high priests forever, after the order of the Son, the Only Begotten of the Father, who has no beginning of days or end of years, and who is full of grace, fairness, and truth. That is how it is. Amen.

Show original text

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.

10

As I said about the holy order, or this high priesthood, many were ordained and became high priests of God because of their great faith, repentance, and righteousness before God. They chose to repent and do what is right instead of being destroyed.

Show original text

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;

11

They were called after this holy order, were sanctified, and their garments were made white through the blood of the Lamb.

Show original text

Therefore they were called after this holy order, and were sanctified, and their garments were washed white through the blood of the Lamb.

12

After being sanctified by the Holy Ghost and having their garments made white, they were pure and spotless before God and could only look at sin with disgust. There were very many who were made pure and entered into the rest of the Lord their God.

Show original text

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.

13

Now, my brothers, I want you to humble yourselves before God and produce actions that show true repentance, so you can also enter into that rest.

Show original text

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.

14

Humble yourselves just as the people did in the days of Melchizedek, who was also a high priest after this same order I have mentioned, and who also took upon himself the high priesthood forever.

Show original text

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.

15

It was this same Melchizedek to whom Abraham paid tithes; even our father Abraham gave a tenth of everything he owned.

Show original text

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.

16

These ordinances were given in this way so that the people would look forward to the Son of God, as a symbol of his order, or as his order itself, so they would look to him for forgiveness of their sins and be able to enter into the rest of the Lord.

Show original text

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.

17

Melchizedek was a king over the land of Salem, and his people had become strong in sin and abomination. They had all gone astray and were full of every kind of wickedness.

Show original text

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;

18

Melchizedek showed great faith and received the office of high priest according to the holy order of God. He preached repentance to his people, and they repented. Melchizedek established peace in the land during his lifetime, so he was called the prince of peace, because he was the king of Salem, and he ruled under his father.

Show original text

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.

19

There were many before him and many after him, but none were greater, so they have mentioned him more specifically.

Show original text

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.

20

I don’t need to repeat this; what I’ve said should be enough. The scriptures are in front of you. If you twist their meaning, it will lead to your own destruction.

Show original text

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.

21

When Alma finished speaking to them, he reached out his hand and called out in a loud voice, “Now is the time to repent, because the day of salvation is near. ”

Show original text

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;

22

The voice of the Lord, through angels, declares this to all nations, so they can have the good news of great joy. He spreads these glad tidings among all his people, even to those who are scattered across the earth, and that is why they have come to us.

Show original text

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.

23

They are explained to us in simple terms so we can understand and not make mistakes, because we are wanderers in a strange land. We are greatly blessed to have this good news shared with us throughout our land.

Show original text

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.

24

Angels are declaring this to many people right now in our land, to prepare the hearts of the children of men to receive his word when he comes in his glory.

Show original text

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.

25

Now we are just waiting to hear the joyful news of his coming announced to us by angels. We don't know how soon that time will be. I wish it could happen in my lifetime, but whether it happens sooner or later, I will rejoice.

Show original text

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.

26

It will be revealed to righteous and holy men by angels at the time of his coming, so that the words of our fathers will be fulfilled, according to what they said about him through the spirit of prophecy that was in them.

Show original text

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.

27

Now, my brothers, I sincerely hope, with deep concern and even pain, that you will listen to my words, put away your sins, and not delay the day of your repentance.

Show original text

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;

28

I urge you to humble yourselves before the Lord, call on his holy name, and watch and pray continually so you won’t be tempted beyond what you can handle, and so you can be guided by the Holy Spirit, becoming humble, meek, submissive, patient, full of love, and long-suffering.

Show original text

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;

29

Have faith in the Lord; have hope that you will receive eternal life; keep the love of God always in your hearts, so that you can be lifted up at the last day and enter into his rest.

Show original text

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.

30

And may the Lord grant you repentance, so you will not bring down his wrath on you, so you will not be bound by the chains of hell, and so you will not suffer the second death.

Show original text

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.

31

And Alma spoke many more words to the people, which are not written in this book.

Show original text

And Alma spake many more words unto the people, which are not written in this book.