Review of Alma 5 (con't)

Alma(2) tells the people “if a man bringeth forth good works he hearkeneth unto the voice of the good shepherd, and he doth follow him; but whosoever bringeth forth evil works, the same becometh a child of the devil, for he hearkeneth unto his voice, and doth follow him” (verse 41).  He gave the people a simple and straightforward way to recognize the wicked and righteous.

We will receive wages from whomever we serve.  If you become a “child of the devil,” the wages you receive is spiritual death, a “death, as to things pertaining unto righteousness, being dead unto all good works.” 

Alma(2) is speaking plainly to the people.  He wants them to be sure to understand his teachings so “that ye cannot err.”  He once again testifies he speaks with the authority of Christ.  He is called to testify the words that had spoken to their fathers about that which is to come.

Alma(2) asks the people “[d]o ye not suppose that I know of these things myself … [H]ow do ye suppose that I know of their surety … [T]hey are made known unto me by the Holy Spirit of God.”  He is not speaking his own words.  The words he speaks are the words of God.  They revealed to him “according to the spirit of prophecy which is in me, which is also by the manifestation of the Spirit.”

Christ will come, “the Son, the Only Begotten of the Father.”  Through his atonement, he will “take away the sins of the world, the sins of every man who steadfastly believeth in his name.”

The people must repent “for the kingdom of heaven is soon at hand.”  If they don’t repent, they won’t inherit the kingdom of heaven.  He reminds them “every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit shall be hewn down and cast into the fire, yea, a fire which cannot be consumed, even an unquenchable fire.  Behold, and remember, the Holy One hath spoken it.”

What if they reject his words?  They will “trample the Holy One under [their] feet.”  Their hearts are set upon the riches of the world and the “wearing of costly apparel.”  They believe they’re better than everyone else is.  They persecute the humble who follow His commandments. 

They continually turn their backs on the poor and needy.  They withhold their substance from the poor.  There will be a price.  They will be separated from the righteous and their names will be blotted out. 

On the other hand, the righteous will have their names “written in the book of life.”  They will receive their inheritance from the Lord and stand on His right hand.

Alma(2) challenges the wicked, asking them “what have ye against this?  I say unto you if ye speak against it, it matters not, for the word of God must be fulfilled.” 

The Lord is concerned about all His sheep.  He will watch over them, and call those who are lost.  He will destroy the wolf that attempts to enter the flock.  All we have to do is listen to and answer his call. 

He closes telling them, “ I, Alma, do command you in the language of him who hath commanded me, that ye observe to do the words which I have spoken unto you.   I speak by way of command unto you that belong to the church; and unto those who do not belong to the church I speak by way of invitation, saying: Come and be baptized unto repentance, that ye also may be partakers of the fruit of the tree of life” (verses 61-62).