Unit 60

of

323 occurrences in 156 verses

Alma 30:1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 55, 56, 57, 58, 60,

Alma 31:1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 16, 17, 22, 23, 24, 26, 27, 28, 31, 33, 35, 38,

Alma 32:1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 9, 12, 14, 15, 16, 17, 19, 20, 21, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 38, 40, 42, 43,

Alma 33:1, 2, 3, 8, 9, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 22, 23,

Alma 34:2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 22, 24, 25, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40,

Alma 35:1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16

Alma 30:1

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 30:2

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 30:3

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 30:4

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 30:5

And it came to pass that in the commencement

of the seventeenth year of the reign of the judges,

there was continual peace.

Alma 30:6

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 30:7

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 30:13

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 30:14

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 30:15

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 30:16

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 30:17

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 30:18

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 30:19

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 30:20

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 30:21

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 30:22

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 30:23

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 30:25

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 30:26

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 30:27

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 30:28

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 30:29

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 30:30

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 30:31

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 30:32

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 30:33

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 30:34

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 30:35

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 30:42

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 30:43

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 30:44

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 30:45

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 30:46

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 30:47

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 30:48

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 30:49

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 30:50

Now when Alma had said these words, Korihor was struck dumb,

that he could not have utterance, according to the words of Alma.

Alma 30:51

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 30:52

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 30:53

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 30:55

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 30:56

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 30:57

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 30:58

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 30:60

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.

Alma 31:1

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 31:2

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 31:3

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 31:4

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 31:5

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 31:6

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 31:7

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 31:8

Now the Zoramites were dissenters from the Nephites;

therefore they had had the word of God preached unto them.

Alma 31:9

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 31:10

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 31:11

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 31:12

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 31:13

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 31:16

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 31:17

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 31:22

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 31:23

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 31:24

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 31:26

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 31:27

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 31:28

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 31:31

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 31:33

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 31:35

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 31:38

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.

Alma 32:1

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 32:2

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 32:3

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 32:4

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 32:5

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 32:9

Behold thy brother hath said,

What shall we do? —

for we are cast out of our synagogues, that we cannot worship our God.

Alma 32:12

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 32:14

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 32:15

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 32:16

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 32:17

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 32:19

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 32:20

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 32:21

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 32:24

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 32:25

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 32:26

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 32:27

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 32:28

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 32:38

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 32:40

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 32:42

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 32:43

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.

Alma 33:1

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 33:2

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 33:3

Do ye remember to have read

what Zenos, the prophet of old, has said concerning prayer or worship?

Alma 33:8

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 33:9

Yea, O God, thou hast been merciful unto me,

and heard my cries in the midst of thy congregations.

Alma 33:11

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 33:12

And now Alma said unto them:

Do ye believe those scriptures which have been written by them of old?

Alma 33:13

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 33:14

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 33:15

For it is not written that Zenos alone spake of these things,

but Zenock also spake of these things —

Alma 33:16

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 33:17

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 33:18

But behold, this is not all;

these are not the only ones who have spoken concerning the Son of God.

Alma 33:19

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 33:20

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 33:22

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 33:23

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.

Alma 34:2

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 34:3

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 34:4

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 34:5

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 34:7

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 34:8

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 34:9

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 34:10

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 34:11

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 34:12

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 34:13

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 34:14

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 34:15

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 34:16

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 34:22

Yea, cry unto him against the power of your enemies.

Alma 34:24

Cry unto him over the crops of your fields, that ye may prosper in them.

Alma 34:25

Cry over the flocks of your fields, that they may increase.

Alma 34:27

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 34:28

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 34:29

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 34:30

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 34:31

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 34:32

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 34:33

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 34:34

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 34:35

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 34:36

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 34:37

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 34:38

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 34:39

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 34:40

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 35:1

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 35:2

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 35:3

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 35:5

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 35:6

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 35:8

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 35:9

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 35:10

Now this did stir up the Zoramites to anger against the people of Ammon,

and they began to mix with the Lamanites a

nd to stir them up also to anger against them.

Alma 35:11

And thus the Zoramites and the Lamanites began to make preparations for war

against the people of Ammon, and also against the Nephites.

Alma 35:12

And thus ended the seventeenth year

of the reign of the judges over the people of Nephi.

Alma 35:13

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 35:14

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 35:15

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 35:16

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.