Alma

Chapter 38

15 verses

My son, listen to my words, for I tell you, just as I told Helaman, that if you keep the commandments of God you will prosper in the land; but if you do not keep the commandments of God you will be cut off from his presence.

Show original text

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.

Now, my son, I trust that I will have great joy in you because of your steadiness and your faithfulness to God. Since you have started in your youth to look to the Lord your God, I hope you will continue keeping his commandments, for blessed is the one who endures to the end.

Show original text

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.

I tell you, my son, that I have already felt great joy because of your faithfulness, your diligence, your patience, and your long-suffering among the Zoramites.

Show original text

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.

I know that you were in bonds, and I also know that you were stoned for the sake of the word. You endured all these things with patience because the Lord was with you, and now you know that the Lord delivered you.

Show original text

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.

Now my son Shiblon, I want you to remember that as much as you put your trust in God, you will be delivered from your trials, your troubles, and your afflictions, and you will be lifted up at the last day.

Show original text

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.

Now, my son, I don't want you to think that I know these things on my own, but it is the Spirit of God within me that makes these things known to me; because if I had not been born of God, I would not have known these things.

Show original text

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.

The Lord, in his great mercy, sent his angel to tell me that I had to stop destroying his people. I have seen an angel face to face, and he spoke with me. His voice was like thunder, and it shook the whole earth.

Show original text

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.

I was in the most bitter pain and anguish of soul for three days and three nights, and I didn’t receive forgiveness for my sins until I cried out to the Lord Jesus Christ for mercy. When I did cry out to him, I found peace for my soul.

Show original text

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.

And now, my son, I have told you this so you can learn wisdom, so you can learn from me that there is no other way or means by which anyone can be saved, except through Christ. He is the life and the light of the world. He is the word of truth and righteousness.

Show original text

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.

Now that you have begun to teach the word, I want you to continue teaching. I also want you to be diligent and self-controlled in everything.

Show original text

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.

Make sure you are not lifted up in pride, and do not boast about your own wisdom or your great strength.

Show original text

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.

Be bold, but not overbearing; also make sure you control all your passions so you can be filled with love; make sure you avoid idleness.

Show original text

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.

Do not pray like the Zoramites, because you have seen that they pray to be noticed by others and to be praised for their wisdom.

Show original text

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.

Don’t say, “God, I thank you that we are better than our brothers. ” Instead, say, “Lord, forgive my unworthiness, and remember my brothers with mercy. ” Always recognize your own unworthiness before God.

Show original text

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.

May the Lord bless your soul and welcome you into his kingdom at the last day, so you can rest in peace. Now go, my son, and teach the word to this people. Be sober. Farewell, my son.

Show original text

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.

View all chapters