Alma

Chapter 39

19 verses

Now, my son, I have a little more to say to you than what I said to your brother. Haven't you noticed your brother's steadiness, his faithfulness, and his diligence in keeping God's commandments? Hasn't he set a good example for you?

Show original text

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?

You didn’t pay as much attention to my words as your brother did among the Zoramites. This is what I have against you: you went on boasting about your strength and your wisdom.

Show original text

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.

And that's not all, my son. You did something that deeply hurt me; you abandoned the ministry and went over to the land of Siron, near the borders of the Lamanites, to pursue the harlot Isabel.

Show original text

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.

She stole the hearts of many, but that’s no excuse for you, my son. You should have focused on the ministry you were entrusted with.

Show original text

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.

Don’t you know, my son, that these things are an abomination to the Lord—more terrible than any sin except for shedding innocent blood or denying the Holy Ghost?

Show original text

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?

If you deny the Holy Ghost after it has been within you, and you know you are denying it, this is an unpardonable sin. And whoever commits murder against the light and knowledge of God will find it very difficult to receive forgiveness. I tell you, my son, it is not easy for such a person to be forgiven.

Show original text

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.

Now, my son, I wish to God that you had not been guilty of such a serious crime. I would not talk about your sins to trouble your soul if it were not for your own good.

Show original text

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.

You cannot hide your sins from God, and unless you repent, they will stand as a testimony against you on the last day.

Show original text

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.

Now my son, I want you to repent and give up your sins, and stop following the desires of your eyes. Control yourself in all these things, because if you don’t, you cannot inherit the kingdom of God. Remember this, commit to it, and control yourself in these things.

Show original text

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.

I command you to make sure you counsel with your older brothers in what you do, because you are still young and need to be supported by them. Pay attention to their advice.

Show original text

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.

Do not let yourself be led away by any vain or foolish thing; do not let the devil lead your heart again after those wicked harlots. My son, see how much sin you brought upon the Zoramites; because when they saw how you acted, they would not believe my words.

Show original text

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.

Now the Spirit of the Lord tells me to command my children to do good, so they don't lead many people to destruction. So I command you, my son, with reverence for God, to stop your sins.

Show original text

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;

Turn to the Lord with all your mind, might, and strength; do not lead anyone else to do wickedly anymore; instead, go back to them and admit your faults and the wrong you have done.

Show original text

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.

Don’t seek after riches or the vain things of this world, because you can’t take them with you.

Show original text

Seek not after riches nor the vain things of this world; for behold, you cannot carry them with you.

Now, my son, I want to talk to you about the coming of Christ. He is the one who will definitely come to take away the sins of the world; he comes to announce the good news of salvation to his people.

Show original text

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.

Now, my son, this is the ministry you were called to—to share this good news with these people to prepare their minds, or rather so that salvation can come to them, and so they can prepare their children’s minds to hear the word when he comes.

Show original text

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.

Now I will ease your mind a little on this subject. You wonder why these things should be known so far in advance. I ask you, isn’t a soul now just as precious to God as a soul will be when he comes?

Show original text

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?

Isn't it just as necessary for the plan of redemption to be made known to these people as it is to their children?

Show original text

Is it not as necessary that the plan of redemption should be made known unto this people as well as unto their children?

Isn't it just as easy now for the Lord to send his angel to share this good news with us as it is with our children, or as it will be after he comes?

Show original text

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?

View all chapters