Unit 60

that

277 occurrences in 144 verses

Alma 30:1, 5, 7, 11, 12, 13, 15, 16, 17, 18, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 32, 34, 35, 37, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60,

Alma 31:1, 4, 5, 10, 12, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 22, 24, 25, 26, 29, 30, 31, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38,

Alma 32:1, 2, 6, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 19, 20, 22, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 30, 31, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 42,

Alma 33:1, 2, 11, 15, 17, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23,

Alma 34:1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 24, 25, 28, 30, 31, 33, 34, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41,

Alma 35:1, 3, 6, 7, 8, 9, 13, 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 30:5

And it came to pass that in the commencement

of the seventeenth year of the reign of the judges,

there was continual peace.

Alma 30:7

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 30:11

For there was a law that men should be judged according to their crimes.

Nevertheless, there was no law against a man's belief;

therefore, a man was punished only for the crimes which he had done;

therefore all men were on equal grounds.

Alma 30:12

And this Anti-Christ, whose name was Korihor,

(and the law could have no hold upon him)

began to preach unto the people that there should be no Christ.

And after this manner did he preach, saying:

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 30:15

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 30:20

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 30:24

Ye say that this people is a free people.

Behold, I say they are in bondage.

Ye say that those ancient prophecies are true.

Behold, I say that ye do not know that they are true.

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 30:32

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 30:34

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 30:37

And then Alma said unto him:

Believest thou that there is a God?

Alma 30:39

Now Alma said unto him:

Will ye deny again that there is a God, and also deny the Christ?

For behold, I say unto you,

I know there is a God, and also that Christ shall come.

Alma 30:40

And now what evidence have ye that there is no God, or that Christ cometh not?

I say unto you that ye have none, save it be your word only.

Alma 30:41

But, behold, I have all things as a testimony that these things are true;

and ye also have all things as a testimony unto you that they are true;

and will ye deny them?

Believest thou that these things are true?

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 30:46

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 30:54

Now when he had said this,

he besought that Alma should pray unto God,

that the curse might be taken from him.

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 30:59

And it came to pass that as he went forth among the people,

yea, among a people who had separated themselves from the Nephites

and called themselves Zoramites, being led by a man whose name was Zoram —

and as he went forth amongst them,

behold, he was run upon and trodden down, even until he was dead.

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 31:4

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 31:10

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 31:12

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 31:15

Holy, holy God; we believe that thou art God,

and we believe that thou art holy,

and that thou wast a spirit,

and that thou art a spirit,

and that thou wilt be a spirit forever.

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 31:18

And again we thank thee, O God,

that we are a chosen and a holy people.

Amen.

Alma 31:19

Now it came to pass that

after Alma and his brethren and his sons had heard these prayers,

they were astonished beyond all measure.

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 31:24

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 31:25

Yea, and he also saw

that their hearts were lifted up unto great boasting, in their pride.

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 31:29

Yea, and they say that thou hast made it known unto them

that there shall be no Christ.

Alma 31:30

O Lord God, how long wilt thou suffer

that such wickedness and infidelity shall be among this people?

O Lord, wilt thou give me strength, that I may bear with mine infirmities.

For I am infirm, and such wickedness among this people doth pain my soul.

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 31:34

O Lord, wilt thou grant unto us

that we may have success in bringing them again unto thee in Christ.

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 31:36

Now it came to pass that when Alma had said these words,

that he clapped his hands upon all them who were with him.

And behold, as he clapped his hands upon them,

they were filled with the Holy Spirit.

Alma 31:37

And after that they did separate themselves one from another,

taking no thought for themselves what they should eat,

or what they should drink, or what they should put on.

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 32:6

And now when Alma heard this,

he turned him about, his face immediately towards him,

and he beheld with great joy;

for he beheld that their afflictions had truly humbled them,

and that they were in a preparation to hear the word.

Alma 32:8

I behold that ye are lowly in heart;

and if so, blessed are ye.

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 32:10

Behold I say unto you,

do ye suppose that ye cannot worship God save it be in your synagogues only?

Alma 32:11

And moreover, I would ask,

do ye suppose that ye must not worship God only once in a week?

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 32:13

And now, because ye are compelled to be humble blessed are ye;

for a man sometimes, if he is compelled to be humble, seeketh repentance;

and now surely, whosoever repenteth shall find mercy;

and he that findeth mercy and endureth to the end

the same shall be saved.

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 32:19

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 32:22

And now, behold, I say unto you, and I would that ye should remember,

that God is merciful unto all who believe on his name;

therefore he desireth, in the first place,

that ye should believe, yea, even on his word.

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 32:30

But behold, as the seed swelleth, and sprouteth, and beginneth to grow,

then you must needs say that the seed is good;

for behold it swelleth, and sprouteth, and beginneth to grow.

And now, behold, will not this strengthen your faith?

Yea, it will strengthen your faith:

for ye will say

I know that this is a good seed;

for behold it sprouteth and beginneth to grow.

Alma 32:31

And now, behold, are ye sure that this is a good seed?

I say unto you, Yea;

for every seed bringeth forth unto its own likeness.

Alma 32:33

And now, behold, because ye have tried the experiment, and planted the seed,

and it swelleth and sprouteth, and beginneth to grow,

ye must needs know that the seed is good.

Alma 32:34

And now, behold, is your knowledge perfect?

Yea, your knowledge is perfect in that thing, and your faith is dormant;

and this because you know,

for ye know that the word hath swelled your souls,

and ye also know that it hath sprouted up,

that your understanding doth begin to be enlightened,

and your mind doth begin to expand.

Alma 32:35

O then, is not this real?

I say unto you,

Yea, because it is light;

and whatsoever is light, is good, because it is discernible,

therefore ye must know that it is good;

and now behold, after ye have tasted this light is your knowledge perfect?

Alma 32:36

Behold I say unto you, Nay;

neither must ye lay aside your faith,

for ye have only exercised your faith to plant the seed

that ye might try the experiment to know if the seed was good.

Alma 32:37

And behold, as the tree beginneth to grow, ye will say:

Let us nourish it with great care, that it may get root,

that it may grow up, and bring forth fruit unto us.

And now behold, if ye nourish it with much care

it will get root, and grow up, and bring forth fruit.

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 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 33:11

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 33:15

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

but Zenock also spake of these things —

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 33:19

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 33:21

O my brethren, if ye could be healed

by merely casting about your eyes that ye might be healed,

would ye not behold quickly,

or would ye rather harden your hearts in unbelief, and be slothful,

that ye would not cast about your eyes, that ye might perish?

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 34:1

And now it came to pass that

after Alma had spoken these words unto them

he sat down upon the ground,

and Amulek arose and began to teach them, saying:

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 34:6

And ye also beheld that my brother has proved unto you, in many instances,

that the word is in Christ unto salvation.

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 34:13

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 34:17

Therefore may God grant unto you, my brethren,

that ye may begin to exercise your faith unto repentance,

that ye begin to call upon his holy name,

that he would have mercy upon you;

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 34:28

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 34:30

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 34:33

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 34:36

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 34:41

But that ye have patience, and bear with those afflictions,

with a firm hope that ye shall one day rest from all your afflictions.

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 35:3

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 35:6

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 35:7

And it came to pass that Alma and his brethren did minister unto them.

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 35:13

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 35:15

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.