Alma 39:1-11

After I finished discussing Alma 42, I thought it would be nice to look at the entire epistle of Alma(2) to his son.  So, starting with this post, I'll look at Alma 39-41.

1  AND now, my son, I have somewhat more to say unto thee than what I said unto thy brother; for behold, have ye not observed the steadiness of thy brother, his faithfulness, and his diligence in keeping the commandments of God?  Behold, has he not set a good example for thee?
2  For thou didst not give so much heed unto my words as did thy brother, among the people of the Zoramites.  Now this is what I have against thee; thou didst go on unto boasting in thy strength and thy wisdom.
3  And this is not all, my son.  Thou didst do that which was grievous unto me; for thou didst forsake the ministry, and did go over into the land of Siron among the borders of the Lamanites, after the harlot Isabel.
4  Yea, she did steal away the hearts of many; but this was no excuse for thee, my son.  Thou shouldst have tended to the ministry wherewith thou wast entrusted.
5  Know ye not, my son, that these things are an abomination in the sight of the Lord; yea, most abominable above all sins save it be the shedding of innocent blood or denying the Holy Ghost?

Alma 39:1-5 (Emphasis mine)

As I discussed in previous posts, Corianton "didst forsake the ministry" (v3) and consorted with a Lamanite harlot.  His actions were detrimental to the missionary efforts to the Zoramites. This is why Alma(2) had much more to say to Corianton than he did his other sons.

Corianton was a proud and arrogant man.  He "didst go on unto boasting in [his] strength and [his] wisdom." (v2)  Alma(2) felt his word had to leave no doubt in Corianton's mind the seriousness of his offenses.  This is obvious in Alma(2)'s harsh  words.

6  For behold, if ye deny the Holy Ghost when it once has had place in you, and ye know that ye deny it, behold, this is a sin which is unpardonable; yea, and whosoever murdereth against the light and knowledge of God, it is not easy for him to obtain forgiveness; yea, I say unto you, my son, that it is not easy for him to obtain a forgiveness.
7  And now, my son, I would to God that ye had not been guilty of so great a crime.  I would not dwell upon your crimes, to harrow up your soul, if it were not for your good.
8  But behold, ye cannot hide your crimes from God; and except ye repent they will stand as a testimony against you at the last day.

Alma 39:6-8 (Emphasis mine)

Alma(2) wanted Corianton to understand just how serious his offense was.  He did this by letting him know that his sins were almost as serious as knowingly denying the Holy Ghost (the unpardonable sin) or murder.  Why does he do this?  He did this to "cultivate" a sense of sorrow and regret for his own good.

I really like verse 8 - "...ye cannot hide your crimes from God ... they will stand as a testimony  against you ..."  Alma(2) likens sin to crimes.  This lets Corianton (and us as well) know just how serious God views sin.  Crimes is a far stronger word than sin.  Crimes emphasizes the true seriousness of sin in the eyes  of God.

It is also just that our own actions will "stand as a testimony against" us when the day comes we stand for Christ.  Our actions are the only things will will  testify  against.  No one else is to blame but ourselves.

9  Now my son, I would that ye should repent and forsake your sins, and go no more after the lusts of your eyes, but cross yourself in all these things; for except ye do this ye can in nowise inherit the kingdom of God.  Oh, remember, and take it upon you, and cross yourself in these things.
10  And I command you to take it upon you to counsel with your elder brothers in your undertakings; for behold, thou art in thy youth, and ye stand in need to be nourished by your brothers.  And give heed to their counsel.
11  Suffer not yourself to be led away by any vain or foolish thing; suffer not the devil to lead away your heart again after those wicked harlots.   Behold, O my son, how great iniquity ye brought upon the Zoramites; for when they saw your conduct they would not believe in my words.

Alma 39:9-11 (Emphasis mine)

I had not noticed the words "cross yourself in all things" in previous readings.  I had no idea what Alma(2) meant by this phrase.  As I looked at footnotes, I found an explanation.  The footnote for the second reference that Corinaton should "cross [himself] in all things..." I found the following scriptural reference:

30  For it is better that ye should deny yourselves of these things, wherein ye will take up your cross, than that ye should be cast into hell.

3 Nephi 12:30 (Emphasis mine)

There was a footnote for "cross"  in verse 30.  Here we have even further clarifications.

38  And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me.

Matthew 10:38 (Emphasis mine)

24  ¶ Then said Jesus unto his disciples,

Matthew 16:24 (See also Luke 9:23) (Emphasis mine)

27  And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple.

Luke 14:27 (Emphasis mine)

18  But, behold, the righteous, the saints of the Holy One of Israel, they who have believed in the Holy One of Israel, they who have endured the crosses of the world, and despised the shame of it, they shall inherit the kingdom of God, which was prepared for them from the foundation of the world, and their joy shall be full forever.

2 Nephi 9:18 (see January 18, 2011 post) (Emphasis mine)

So we see that Alma(2) was telling his son to repent of his sins and to overcome the challenges of the world by following Christ.  Through the atonement, Christ suffered for all sins that had been committed and would be committed in the future.  We are expected to overcome our own sins by following Christ and repenting of our sins. 

He also told him to talk to his older brothers.  (It seems Corianton was probably that annoying younger brother at times!)  I like how Alma(2) said that he needed to be "nourished" (v10) by his brothers.  He obviously needed the spiritual and personal maturity Helman and Shiblon would offer him.  We should remember that the Lord has blessed and surrounded us with people who can give us "nourishment" we need as we travel along the path of life.  We can all benefit from these people.  I 've been blessed to have a brother I can turn to in my times of need.  He's helped me when I've had to make major life decisions as well as times when there have been challenges in my life.  Not only do I love him as a brother, I consider him my best friend.  I fully understand why Alma(2) advised his son to turn to his brothers. 

Corianton needed to understand that there were significant consequences above and beyond what he would face because of his sins.  His sins significantly hampered the work of the Lord among the Zoramites.  If his son didn't accept his words, why should they?  He had to understand the full and complete consequences of his sins.

I'm grateful Mormon elected to include the actual epistles instead of summarizing them.  Alma(2)'s words are every bit as important to us today as they were when he wrote them to Corianton.