Alma
62 verses
Alma began to share the word of God with the people, first in the land of Zarahemla, and then throughout the entire land.
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.
These are the words he spoke to the people in the church that was established in the city of Zarahemla, according to his own record, saying:
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:
I, Alma, was consecrated by my father, Alma, to be a high priest over the church of God. He had power and authority from God to do these things, and he began to establish a church in the land on the borders of Nephi, which was called the land of Mormon. He baptized his brothers in the waters of Mormon.
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.
They were rescued from the hands of King Noah’s people by the mercy and power of God.
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.
After they were taken into captivity by the Lamanites in the wilderness, they were in bondage, and the Lord delivered them again by the power of his word. We were brought into this land, and here we began to establish the church of God throughout the land as well.
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.
Now I say to you, my brothers, you who belong to this church, have you remembered enough the captivity of your fathers? And have you remembered enough his mercy and patience toward them? And also, have you remembered enough that he delivered their souls from hell?
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?
He changed their hearts; he awakened them from a deep sleep, and they woke up to God. They were in the midst of darkness, but their souls were illuminated by the light of the everlasting word. They were surrounded by the bands of death and the chains of hell, and everlasting destruction awaited them.
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.
Now I ask you, my brothers, were they destroyed? I tell you, no, they were not.
And now I ask of you, my brethren, were they destroyed? Behold, I say unto you, Nay, they were not.
And again I ask, were the bands of death broken, and were the chains of hell that surrounded them loosed? I tell you, yes, they were loosed, and their souls were filled, and they sang redeeming love. I tell you, they are saved.
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.
Now I ask you, on what conditions are they saved? What reason did they have to hope for salvation? What caused them to be freed from the bands of death and the chains of hell?
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?
I can tell you—didn't my father Alma believe the words delivered by Abinadi? Wasn't Abinadi a holy prophet? Didn't he speak the words of God, and didn't my father Alma believe them?
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?
Because of his faith, there was a powerful change in his heart. I tell you, this is all true.
And according to his faith there was a mighty change wrought in his heart. Behold I say unto you that this is all true.
He preached the word to your fathers, and a mighty change happened in their hearts. They humbled themselves and put their trust in the true and living God. They were faithful until the end, so they were saved.
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.
Now I ask you, my brothers and sisters in the church, have you been spiritually born of God? Have you received His image in your faces? Have you experienced this powerful change in your hearts?
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?
Do you have faith in the redemption of the one who created you? Do you look forward with faith and see yourself, your mortal body, being raised to immortality, and your corruptible body being raised to incorruption, to stand before God to be judged according to the deeds you have done in this life?
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?
Can you imagine hearing the voice of the Lord saying to you on that day, "Come to me, you blessed, for your works have been works of righteousness on the earth?
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?
Do you think you can lie to the Lord on that day and say, “Lord, our works have been righteous on the earth, ” and that he will save you?
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?
Can you imagine standing before the judgment seat of God with your souls filled with guilt and remorse, remembering all your guilt—a perfect memory of all your wickedness—and remembering that you have defied the commandments of God?
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?
Can you look up to God on that day with a pure heart and clean hands? Can you look up, having the image of God engraved on your face?
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?
Can you imagine being saved if you have given yourselves over to become subjects of the devil?
I say unto you, can ye think of being saved when you have yielded yourselves to become subjects to the devil?
I tell you, you will know on that day that you cannot be saved, because no one can be saved unless their garments are washed white. Their garments must be purified until they are completely clean, through the blood of the one our fathers spoke about, who would come to redeem his people from their sins.
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.
Now I ask you, my brothers, how will any of you feel if you stand before the judgment seat of God with your garments stained with blood and all kinds of filthiness? What will these things testify against you?
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?
Won’t they testify that you are murderers, and also that you are guilty of all kinds of wickedness?
Behold will they not testify that ye are murderers, yea, and also that ye are guilty of all manner of wickedness?
My brothers, do you think that someone like that can have a place to sit in the kingdom of God with Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and all the holy prophets whose garments are cleansed and spotless, pure, and white?
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?
I tell you, no; unless you make our Creator a liar from the beginning, or suppose that he is a liar from the beginning, you cannot believe that such people can have a place in the kingdom of heaven. Instead, they will be cast out, for they are the children of the kingdom of the devil.
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.
Now I say to you, my brothers, if you have experienced a change of heart and have felt like singing the song of redeeming love, I ask you, can you feel that way now?
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?
Have you lived your life in a way that keeps you blameless before God? If you were called to die right now, could you honestly say that you have been humble enough? Have your garments been cleansed and made white through the blood of Christ, who will come to redeem his people from their sins?
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?
Are you free from pride? I tell you, if you are not, you are not ready to meet God. You must prepare quickly, because the kingdom of heaven is coming soon, and anyone who is not prepared does not have eternal life.
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.
Is there anyone among you who has not let go of envy? I tell you, that person is not prepared, and I urge him to get ready quickly, because the hour is near and he does not know when the time will come; for that person is not found guiltless.
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.
And again I ask you, is there anyone among you who mocks his brother or piles persecutions on him?
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?
Sorrow awaits anyone like this, because he is not prepared, and the time is near when he must repent or he cannot be saved.
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!
Woe to all you who do evil; repent, repent, for the Lord God has spoken it!
Yea, even wo unto all ye workers of iniquity; repent, repent, for the Lord God hath spoken it!
He sends an invitation to everyone, for his arms of mercy are open to them, and he says: Repent, and I will receive you.
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.
He says: Come to me and you will partake of the fruit of the tree of life; you will eat and drink of the bread and the waters of life freely.
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;
Come to me and do works of righteousness, and you will not be cut down and thrown into the fire—
Yea, come unto me and bring forth works of righteousness, and ye shall not be hewn down and cast into the fire—
The time is near when anyone who does not produce good fruit, or who does not do righteous works, will have reason to wail and mourn.
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.
You workers of sin, you who are proud because of the vain things of the world, you who claim to know the ways of righteousness but have gone astray like sheep without a shepherd—even though a shepherd has called after you and is still calling, you refuse to listen to his voice!
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!
I tell you, the good shepherd calls you; he calls you in his own name, which is the name of Christ. If you will not listen to the voice of the good shepherd, to the name by which you are called, you are not the sheep of the good shepherd.
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.
And now, if you are not the sheep of the good shepherd, what fold are you part of? I tell you, the devil is your shepherd, and you are part of his fold. Who can deny this? I tell you, whoever denies this is a liar and a child of the devil.
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.
I tell you that everything good comes from God, and everything evil comes from the devil.
For I say unto you that whatsoever is good cometh from God, and whatsoever is evil cometh from the devil.
So, if a person does good works, he listens to the voice of the good shepherd and follows him; but whoever does evil works becomes a child of the devil, because he listens to his voice and follows him.
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.
And whoever does this must receive his wages from him; so his wages are death when it comes to righteousness, being dead to all good works.
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.
Now, my brothers, I want you to listen to me, for I am speaking with all the energy of my soul. I have spoken to you clearly so you cannot misunderstand, and I have spoken according to the commandments of God.
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.
I am called to speak in this way, according to the holy order of God, which is in Christ Jesus. I am commanded to stand and testify to this people about the things our fathers have spoken concerning what is to come.
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.
And that’s not all. Don’t you think I know these things myself? I testify to you that I do know the things I have spoken about are true. And how do you think I know they are certain?
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?
They have been made known to me by the Holy Spirit of God. I have fasted and prayed for many days so I could know these things for myself. Now I know for myself that they are true, because the Lord God has shown them to me through his Holy Spirit. This is the spirit of revelation that is in me.
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.
I also tell you that it has been revealed to me that the words spoken by our fathers are true, according to the spirit of prophecy within me, which comes through the manifestation of the Spirit of God.
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.
I tell you that I know for myself that whatever I say to you about what is to come is true. I tell you that I know Jesus Christ will come—the Son, the Only Begotten of the Father, full of grace, mercy, and truth. He is the one who comes to take away the sins of the world, the sins of everyone who faithfully believes in his name.
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.
Now I tell you that this is the order by which I am called: to preach to my beloved brothers and to everyone who lives in the land; to preach to all, both old and young, both those who are in bondage and those who are free; to speak to the elderly, the middle-aged, and the rising generation; to call on them to repent and be born again.
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.
This is what the Spirit says: Repent, all people everywhere, because the kingdom of heaven is coming soon; the Son of God will come in his glory, with power, majesty, and authority. My beloved brothers and sisters, I tell you, the Spirit says to look at the glory of the King of all the earth; and the King of heaven will very soon appear among all people.
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.
The Spirit also says to me, even cries out to me with a powerful voice, saying: Go and tell this people—Repent, because unless you repent, you cannot inherit the kingdom of heaven.
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.
I tell you again, the Spirit says: The ax is laid at the root of the tree; so every tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire, a fire that cannot be put out, an unquenchable fire. Remember, the Holy One has spoken this.
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.
Now, my beloved brothers, I ask you, can you ignore these words? Can you set these things aside and disrespect the Holy One? Can you let pride fill your hearts? Will you continue to wear expensive clothing and focus your hearts on the vain things of the world, on your riches?
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?
Will you keep thinking that you are better than others? Will you continue to persecute your brothers and sisters who humble themselves and follow the holy order of God, by which they have been brought into this church, having been sanctified by the Holy Spirit, and who produce works that show true repentance?
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—
Will you keep turning your backs on the poor and needy, and keep withholding your resources from them?
Yea, and will you persist in turning your backs upon the poor, and the needy, and in withholding your substance from them?
And finally, all of you who continue in your wickedness, I tell you that these are the ones who will be cut down and thrown into the fire unless they repent quickly.
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.
Now I say to all of you who want to follow the voice of the good shepherd, separate yourselves from the wicked and do not touch their unclean things. Their names will be blotted out so that the names of the wicked will not be counted among the names of the righteous. This is to fulfill the word of God, which says: The names of the wicked will not be mixed with the names of my people.
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;
The names of the righteous will be written in the book of life, and I will give them an inheritance at my right hand. My brothers, what do you have to say against this? If you speak against it, it doesn’t matter, because the word of God must be fulfilled.
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.
What shepherd among you, having many sheep, doesn't watch over them to keep wolves from coming in and devouring his flock? If a wolf enters his flock, doesn't he drive it out? And in the end, if he can, he will destroy it.
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.
Now I tell you that the good shepherd calls to you; and if you listen to his voice, he will bring you into his fold, and you are his sheep. He commands you not to let any ravenous wolf enter among you, so you will not be destroyed.
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.
Now I, Alma, command you in the language of the one who has commanded me, that you follow the words I have spoken to you.
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.
I speak by command to you who belong to the church; and to those who do not belong to the church, I invite you: Come and be baptized for repentance, so that you too may share in the fruit of the tree of life.
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.