Chapter 6
The Church in
Zarahemla is cleansed and set in order—Alma goes to Gideon to preach. About 83
B.C.
1 AND now it came to
pass that after Alma had made an end of speaking unto the people of the church,
which was established in the city of Zarahemla, he ordained priests and elders,
by laying on his hands according to the order of God, to preside and watch over
the church.
2 And it came to pass
that whosoever did not belong to the church who repented of their sins were
baptized unto repentance, and were received into the church.
3 And it also came to
pass that whosoever did belong to the church that did not repent of their
wickedness and humble themselves before God—I mean those who were lifted up in
the pride of their hearts—the same were rejected, and their names were blotted
out, that their names were not numbered among those of the righteous.
4 And thus they began
to establish the order of the church in the city of Zarahemla.
5 Now I would that ye
should understand that the word of God was liberal unto all, that none were
deprived of the privilege of assembling themselves together to hear the word of
God.
6 Nevertheless the
children of God were commanded that they should gather themselves together oft,
and join in fasting and mighty prayer in behalf of the welfare of the souls of
those who knew not God.
7 And now it came to
pass that when Alma had made these regulations he departed from them, yea, from
the church which was in the city of Zarahemla, and went over upon the east of
the river Sidon, into the valley of Gideon, there having been a city built,
which was called the city of Gideon, which was in the valley that was called
Gideon, being called after the man who was slain by the hand of Nehor with the
sword.
8 And Alma went and
began to declare the word of God unto the church which was established in the
valley of Gideon, according to the revelation of the truth of the word which
had been spoken by his fathers, and according to the spirit of prophecy which
was in him, according to the testimony of Jesus Christ, the Son of God, who
should come to redeem his people from their sins, and the holy order by which
he was called. And thus it is
written. Amen.
Alma 6:1-8
Alma has finished the sermon he gave to the people of
Zarahemla. He ordained priests and
elders to preside and watch over the truth.
The Lord spoke about the responsibility of the elders. “Let the residue of the elders watch over -the
churches, and declare the word in the regions round about them; and let them labor
with their own hands that there be no idolatry nor wickedness practiced” (D&C
52:39).
There were those who weren’t members of the church. They took Alma’s message to heart and
repented and were baptized.
There were members of the church who were hung up on the
pride of the world. “And ye are puffed up, and have not rather mourned, that he that hath
done this deed might be taken away from among you” (1 Corinthians 5:2). Those were the people who rejected Alma’s
message. They were excommunicated and
were no longer members of the church.
The Lord has constantly warned of the consequences to
members of the church who refuse to repent and return to Him.
“And
the LORD said unto Moses, Whosoever hath sinned against me, him will I blot out
of my book” (Exodus 32:33).
“And
those that would not confess their sins and repent of their iniquity, the same
were not numbered among the people of the church, and their names were blotted
out” (Mosiah 26:36).
“For
the hearts of many were hardened, and their names were blotted out, that they
were remembered no more among the people of God. And also many withdrew themselves from among
them” (Alma 1:24).
Order was established in the church located in Zarahemla. All had the opportunity to hear the word of
God. If they desired to assemble to hear
the word of God there was nothing standing in their way.
The members of the church were commanded to meet often. They also fasted and prayed for “the souls of those who knew not God.”
Having set the church in order, Alma left Zarahemla. He went to the valley of Gideon (named after
Limhi’s general). “After speaking in
Zarahemla (see Alma 5:2), he went to the city of Gideon (see Alma 6:7).
Because the town was named after the general who served King Limhi, we may not
be amiss in suggesting that immigrants from the land of Nephi settled it.”[1]
In Gideon, Alma preached to the church in Gideon. He was guided by revelation and words of
truth. He did so based on his testimony
of Jesus Christ. “And I fell at his feet to worship him.
And he said unto me, See thou do it not: I am thy fellowservant, and of
thy brethren that have the testimony of Jesus: worship God: for the testimony
of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy” (Revelation 19:10).
[1] Warfare
in the Book of Mormon – Book of Mormon Tribal Affiliation and Military Castes,
John A. Tvedtnes, Maxwell Institute,
accessed February 25, 2015.
No comments:
Post a Comment