10 Now, as I said concerning the holy order, or this high priesthood, there were many who were ordained and became high priests of God; and it was on account of their exceeding faith and repentance, and their righteousness before God, they choosing to repent and work righteousness rather than to perish;
11 Therefore they were called after this holy order, and were sanctified, and their garments were washed white through the blood of the Lamb.
12 Now they, after being sanctified by the Holy Ghost, having their garments made white, being pure and spotless before God, could not look upon sin save it were with abhorrence; and there were many, exceedingly great many, who were made pure and entered into the rest of the Lord their God.
Alma 13:10-12 (Emphasis mine)
Alma(2) continues teaching the people and Zeezrom about those who were ordained and became high priests through the exceeding faith, repentance, and righteousness. They chose to repent and work righteousness rather than perish.
We see Alma(2) continuing the concept of garments being ”washed white through the blood of the Lamb.” Washing represented forgiveness, purity, and righteousness. Those whose garments were washed white among those most holy. They could not look upon sin in any form without being repulsed by it.
6 For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.
Romans 8:6 (Emphasis mine)
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
Galatians 5:22 (Emphasis mine)
John Welch commented:
“Thereby the candidates became ‘high priests forever, after the order of the Son’ (Alma 13:9). Following these preparations, and after making a choice to work righteousness rather than to perish (Alma 13:10), the candidate was sanctified by the Holy Ghost, his garments were washed white, and he ‘entered into the rest of the Lord’ (Alma 13:12).” [1] (Emphasis mine)
Thomas Valletta wrote:
“As with all prophets before and after the meridian of time, Melchizedek is a type of Jesus Christ. He was called ‘the prince of peace’ (Alma 13:18) as a type of the Prince of Peace. As righteous as Melchizedek was—and, as Alma declared, ‘none were greater’ (Alma 13:19)—Jesus Christ, not Melchizedek, is the righteous one. Alma made it clear through his teaching that while Melchizedek was an excellent example, those who enter into the holy order are ‘washed white through the blood of the Lamb’ (Alma 13:11). The ordinances of the holy order were given in such a manner ‘that thereby the people might look forward on the Son of God’ (Alma 13:16).” [2] (Emphasis mine)
13 And now, my brethren, I would that ye should humble yourselves before God, and bring forth fruit meet for repentance, that ye may also enter into that rest.
14 Yea, humble yourselves even as the people in the days of Melchizedek, who was also a high priest after this same order which I have spoken, who also took upon him the high priesthood forever.
15 And it was this same Melchizedek to whom Abraham paid tithes; yea, even our father Abraham paid tithes of one–tenth part of all he possessed.
16 Now these ordinances were given after this manner, that thereby the people might look forward on the Son of God, it being a type of his order, or it being his order, and this that they might look forward to him for a remission of their sins, that they might enter into the rest of the Lord.
17 Now this Melchizedek was a king over the land of Salem; and his people had waxed strong in iniquity and abomination; yea, they had all gone astray; they were full of all manner of wickedness;
18 But Melchizedek having exercised mighty faith, and received the office of the high priesthood according to the holy order of God, did preach repentance unto his people. And behold, they did repent; and Melchizedek did establish peace in the land in his days; therefore he was called the prince of peace, for he was the king of Salem; and he did reign under his father.
19 Now, there were many before him, and also there were many afterwards, but none were greater; therefore, of him they have more particularly made mention.
Alma 13:13-19 (Emphasis mine)
Alma(2) calls on the people to humble themselves, to repent, and be worthy to enter into the rest of God.
He encourages them to be humble as the people were in the days of Melchizedek. He reminds them that the ordinances given were done so that people might look forward to the Son of God, knowing that they would receive forgiveness of their sins.
Alma(2)’s discussion of Melchizedek is important because we learn more about Melchizedek. Let’s look at what we’ve learned.
“Then he tells about Melchizedek and his people. These people were as bad as they could be, yet they were saved. What this shows us is that it is possible, making all eligible for judgment. If it is possible for the most wicked to become righteous, as Jeremiah says, then we are all responsible for not becoming righteous. Don't say you ‘have stepped in too far, that wade no more would be as tedious as go o'er.’ “ [3] (Emphasis mine)
“In Alma 13:14—19 is found a discourse upon Melchizedek, the great high priest mentioned in Genesis 14. Not only is Melchizedek accepted as an individual to whom Abraham paid tithes (cf. Genesis 14:20), but he is accepted as one of the greatest spiritual characters who ever lived. Details are given of him which are not found in our present Old Testament.” [4] (Emphasis mine)
“Following this introductory explanation, Alma expounds upon the Nephite procedure through which the ordinances of the priesthood were received (see Alma 13:16) and how men might choose between obeying the Lord's commandments and thereby ‘enter[ing] into the rest of the Lord’ (Alma 13:16), or rebelliously disobeying him and suffering death. The Nephite ordination was a symbolic ritual, since it was performed "in a manner that thereby the people might know in what manner to look forward to his Son for redemption" (Alma 13:2)…
“Alma's text is interpretively independent. His perspective provides unique meanings: Where Genesis begins by simply describing powerful earthly kings meeting humbly before this righteous man of God (Genesis 14:17), Alma goes on to draw an express lesson on humility (Alma 13:13—14); where the Genesis text next speaks of Melchizedek blessing Abraham (Genesis 14:19), Alma next speaks of the ordinances whereby all people might be blessed (Alma 13:16); and where Genesis finally discusses the division of spoils and Abraham's forbearance (14:21—24), Alma concludes by expounding upon the wickedness of the people and their repentance led by Melchizedek's influence (Alma 13:17-18).” [5] (Emphasis mine)
[1] The Melchizedek Material in Alma 13:13-19, John W. Welch, Provo, Utah: Maxwell Institute, accessed November 2, 2011.
[2] Conflicting Orders: Alma and Amulek in Ammonihah, Thomas R. Valletta, Provo, Utah: Maxwell Institute, accessed November 2, 2011.
[3] Lecture 49: Alma 12-14, Hugh W. Nibley, Provo, Utah: Maxwell Institute, accessed November 2, 2011.
[4] The Book of Mormon and the Problem of the Pentateuch, Sidney B. Sperry, Provo, Utah: Maxwell Institute, accessed November 2, 2011.
[5] The Melchizedek Material in Alma 13:13-19, John W. Welch, Provo, Utah: Maxwell Institute, accessed November 2, 2011.
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