Alma 41:1-4

Chapter 41

In the resurrection men come forth to a state of endless happiness or endless misery—Wickedness never was happiness—Carnal men are without God in the world—Every person receives again in the restoration the characteristics and attributes acquired in mortality. About 74 B.C.

Continuing to talk about the restoration at the resurrection with Corianton, Alma points out some have twisted and distorted the scriptures. “Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation” (2 Peter 1:20).[1]

“And account [GR count, regard] that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation; even as our beloved brother Paul also according to the wisdom given unto him hath written unto you; As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest [GR twist, distort], as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction” (2 Peter 3:15-16).

“Now I need not rehearse the matter; what I have said may suffice.  Behold, the scriptures are before you; if ye will wrest them it shall be to your own destruction” (Alma 13:20).

They have gone astray believing false doctrine.  Corianton had also been concerned about this. “For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved” (John 3:20).

“From that time many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him” (John 6:66).

“Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers [OR bishop], to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood. For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock. Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them” (Acts 20:28-30).

“And it came to pass that there arose a mist of darkness; yea, even an exceedingly great mist of darkness, insomuch that they who had commenced in the path did lose their way, that they wandered off and were lost. And it came to pass that I beheld others pressing forward, and they came forth and caught hold of the end of the rod of iron; and they did press forward through the mist of darkness, clinging to the rod of iron, even until they did come forth and partake of the fruit of the tree. And after they had partaken of the fruit of the tree they did cast their eyes about as if they were ashamed. And I also cast my eyes round about, and beheld, on the other side of the river of water, a great and spacious building; and it stood as it were in the air, high above the earth.

And it was filled with people, both old and young, both male and female; and their manner of dress was exceedingly fine; and they were in the attitude of mocking and pointing their fingers towards those who had come at and were partaking of the fruit. And after they had tasted of the fruit they were ashamed, because of those that were scoffing at them; and they fell away into forbidden paths and were lost” (1 Nephi 8:23-28).

Restoration is a necessary part of the justice of God.  All things must be restored to a proper order.  It is a necessary part of the resurrection, that the body and soul should be restored. “The soul shall be restored to the body, and the body to the soul; yea, and every limb and joint shall be restored to its body; yea, even a hair of the head shall not be lost; but all things shall be restored to their proper and perfect frame” (Alma 40:23).

It is an essential part of God’s justice we will be judged according to our works. “Justice and judgment are the habitation of thy throne: mercy and truth shall go before thy face” (Psalms 89:14).

“I can of mine own self do nothing: as I hear, I judge: and my judgment is just; because I seek not mine own will, but the will of the Father which hath sent me” (John 5:30).

“For there is no respect [GR partiality] of persons with God” (Romans 2:11).

If the works be good, if our desires were good, we will be restored to that which is good. “According to their deeds, accordingly he will repay, fury to his adversaries, recompence to his enemies; to the islands he will repay recompence” (Isaiah 59:18).

“Yea, verily, to seal them up unto the day when the wrath of God shall be poured out upon the wicked without measure—Unto the day when the Lord shall come to recompense unto every man according to his work, and measure to every man according to the measure which he has measured to his fellow man” (D&C 1:9-10).

If a person’s works are evil, they will have their evil restored to them. All things will be restored according to their proper order.  “If he has desired to do evil, and has not repented in his days, behold, evil shall be done unto him, according to the restoration of God” (Alma 42:28).

Jacob taught,

“O how great the goodness of our God, who prepareth a way for our escape from the grasp of this awful monster; yea, that monster, death and hell, which I call the death of the body, and also the death of the spirit. And because of the way of deliverance of our God, the Holy One of Israel, this death, of which I have spoken, which is the temporal, shall deliver up its dead; which death is the grave. And this death of which I have spoken, which is the spiritual death, shall deliver up its dead; which spiritual death is hell; wherefore, death and hell must deliver up their dead, and hell must deliver up its captive spirits, and the grave must deliver up its captive bodies, and the bodies and the spirits of men will be restored one to the other; and it is by the power of the resurrection of the Holy One of Israel. O how great the plan of our God!  For on the other hand, the paradise of God must deliver up the spirits of the righteous, and the grave deliver up the body of the righteous; and the spirit and the body is restored to itself again, and all men become incorruptible, and immortal, and they are living souls, having a perfect knowledge like unto us in the flesh, save it be that our knowledge shall be perfect” (2 Nephi 9:10- 13).

Mortality will be raised to immortality; corruption to incorruption.  Those that inherit the kingdom of God will enter into endless happiness; those who inherit the kingdom of the devil will be subject to endless misery. “Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption. Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep [GR die, sleep in death], but we shall all be changed, In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality” (1 Corinthians 15:50-53).

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[1] “Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scriptures is given of any private will of man” (Joseph Smith Translation 2 Peter 1:20).

Alma 40:15-26

Alma continues to explain the resurrection.

This state of happiness or misery may be termed a resurrection.  This is a raising of the soul and the assignment of that soul to a state of happiness or misery.

Alma again discusses the first resurrection. This will be “a resurrection of all those who have been, or who are, or who shall be, down to the resurrection of Christ from the dead.” (Alma 40:16).

“Wherefore, beloved brethren, be reconciled unto him through the atonement of Christ, his Only Begotten Son, and ye may obtain a resurrection, according to the power of the resurrection which is in Christ, and be presented as the first-fruits of Christ unto God, having faith, and obtained a good hope of glory in him before he manifesteth himself in the flesh” (Jacob 4:11).

“And there cometh a resurrection, even a first resurrection; yea, even a resurrection of those that have been, and who are, and who shall be, even until the resurrection of Christ—for so shall he be called. And now, the resurrection of all the prophets, and all those that have believed in their words, or all those that have kept the commandments of God, shall come forth in the first resurrection; therefore, they are the first resurrection. They are raised to dwell with God who has redeemed them; thus they have eternal life through Christ, who has broken the bands of death (Mosiah 15:21-23).

“Yea, and are willing to mourn with those that mourn; yea, and comfort those that stand in need of comfort, and to stand as witnesses of God at all times and in all things, and in all places that ye may be in, even until death, that ye may be redeemed of God, and be numbered with those of the first resurrection, that ye may have eternal life” (Mosiah 18:9).

Corianton was warned not so assume the first resurrection is the assignment of souls to happiness or misery.  “And shall come forth; they who have done good in the resurrection of the just; and they who have done evil, in the resurrection of the unjust … They are they who are the sons of perdition, of whom I say that it had been better for them never to have been born … And again we bear record—for we saw and heard, and this is the testimony of the gospel of Christ concerning them who shall come forth in the resurrection of the just” (D&C 76:17, 32, 50).

The resurrection will be the reuniting of the spirit and body of those who lived from the beginning to the time of Christ’s resurrection.  In Matthew we read, “And the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints which slept [GR who had died] arose”

(Matthew 27:52).

Will all, both the righteous and wicked, have their spirits and bodies united at the same time?  Alma won’t respond to that.  All will be resurrected before those who die after Christ’s resurrection.  “But behold, and fear, and tremble before God, for ye ought to tremble; for the Lord redeemeth none such that rebel against him and die in their sins; yea, even all those that have perished in their sins ever since the world began, that have wilfully rebelled against God, that have known the commandments of God, and would not keep them; these are they that have no part in the first resurrection” (Mosiah 15:26).

Alma makes it clear his words are his opinion that body and spirit of the righteous are united at the time of Christ’s resurrection and ascension into heaven.  “[B]oth Alma (Alma 40:20) and Paul (1 Corinthians 7:25) express in scriptural writings opinions which Latter-day Saints today would consider mistaken. Still, they both were great prophets and teachers, pillars of the church in their time. Clearly, then, there is a range of acceptable variation in belief among members and even leaders of the Church of Jesus Christ.”^[1]

Alma again emphasizes there will be a space between death and the resurrection, be it in happiness or misery.  “And one of the malefactors which were hanged railed [GR blasphemed, reproached] on him, saying, If thou be Christ, save thyself and us. But the other answering rebuked him, saying, Dost not thou fear God, seeing thou art in the same condemnation? And we indeed justly; for we receive the due reward of our deeds: but this man hath done nothing amiss. And he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom. And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise” (Luke 23:39-43).

All will hear Christ’s words.  “Verily, verily, I say unto you, The hour is coming, and now is, when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God: and they that hear shall live” (John 5:25).

“And I [President Joseph F. Smith] wondered at the words of Peter—wherein he said that the Son of God preached unto the spirits in prison, who sometime were disobedient, when once the long-suffering of God waited in the days of Noah—and how it was possible for him to preach to those spirits and perform the necessary labor among them in so short a time” (D&C 138:28).

This brings the restoration of all things spoken of by the prophets.

The soul and body will be restored.  “And the spirit and the body are the soul of man. And the resurrection from the dead is the redemption of the soul. And the redemption of the soul is through him that quickeneth all things, in whose bosom it is decreed that the poor and the meek of the earth shall inherit it” (D&C 88:15-17).

Every part of the body will be restored.  Not a hair on the head will be lost.  “O how great the plan of our God!  For on the other hand, the paradise of God must deliver up the spirits of the righteous, and the grave deliver up the body of the righteous; and the spirit and the body is restored to itself again, and all men become incorruptible, and immortal, and they are living souls, having a perfect knowledge like unto us in the flesh, save it be that our knowledge shall be perfect” (2 Nephi 9:13).

Earlier in his ministry, Alma taught,

And he shall come into the world to redeem his people; and he shall take upon him the transgressions of those who believe on his name; and these are they that shall have eternal life, and salvation cometh to none else. Therefore the wicked remain as though there had been no redemption made, except it be the loosing of the bands of death; for behold, the day cometh that ^ball shall rise from the dead and stand before God, and be judged according to their works. Now, there is a death which is called a temporal death; and the death of Christ shall loose the bands of this temporal death, that all shall be raised from this temporal death. The spirit and the body shall be reunited again in its perfect form; both limb and joint shall be restored to its proper frame, even as we now are at this time; and we shall be brought to stand before God, knowing even as we know now, and have a bright recollection of all our guilt. Now, this restoration shall come to all, both old and young, both bond and free, both male and female, both the wicked and the righteous; and even there shall not so much as a hair of their heads be lost; but every thing shall be restored to its perfect frame, as it is now, or in the body, and shall be brought and be arraigned before the bar of Christ the Son, and God the Father, and the Holy Spirit, which is ^cone Eternal God, to be judged according to their works, whether they be good or whether they be evil. Now, behold, I have spoken unto you concerning the death of the mortal body, and also concerning the resurrection of the mortal body.  I say unto you that this mortal body is raised to an immortal body, that is from death, even from the first death unto life, that they can die no more; their spirits uniting with their bodies, never to be divided; thus the whole becoming spiritual and immortal, that they can no more see corruption (Alma 11:40-45).

Our bodies will be restored and be perfect. “For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ: Who shall change our vile [GR humble, of low estate] body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself” (Philippians 3:20-21).

The wicked face a death. “And now behold, I say unto you then cometh a death, even a second death, which is a spiritual death; then is a time that whosoever dieth in his sins, as to a temporal death, shall also die a spiritual death; yea, he shall die as to things pertaining unto righteousness” (Alma 12:16).

 “Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God?  Be not deceived: neither fornicators [GR sexually immoral persons, male prostitutes], nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind [GR male homosexuals], Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers [GR catamites^[2]], nor extortioners [GR robbers], shall inherit the kingdom of God” (1 Corinthians 6:9-10).

“Wherefore, if they should die in their wickedness they must be cast off also, as to the things which are spiritual, which are pertaining to righteousness; wherefore, they must be brought to stand before God, to be judged of their works; and if their works have been filthiness they must needs be filthy; and if they be filthy it must needs be that they cannot dwell in the kingdom of God; if so, the kingdom of God must be filthy also” (1 Nephi 15:33).

“Therefore, I, the Lord God, caused that he should be cast out from the Garden of Eden, from my presence, because of his transgression, wherein he became spiritually dead, which is the first death, even that same death which is the last death, which is spiritual, which shall be pronounced upon the wicked when I shall say: Depart, ye cursed” (D&C 29:41).

No unclean thing can enter into the kingdom of God.  “For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God” (Ephesians 5:5).

“And I say unto you again that he cannot save them in their sins; for I cannot deny his word, and he hath said that no unclean thing can inherit the kingdom of heaven; therefore, how can ye be saved, except ye inherit the kingdom of heaven?  Therefore, ye cannot be saved in your sins” (Alma 11:37).

They will be cast out and they will “drink the dregs of a bitter cup” (Alma 40:26).  “For in the hand of the LORD there is a cup, and the wine is red; it is full of mixture; and he poureth out of the same: but the dregs thereof, all the wicked of the earth shall wring them out, and drink them” (Psalms 75:8).

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[1] How Polemicism Corrupted Latter-day Saint Apologetics, Benjamin I. Huff, FARMS Review 15/1 (2003): 307.

[2] A boy kept for homosexual practices.

Alma 40:5-16

Continuing to explain the resurrection to Corianton, Alma informs him there would be a period of time between death and the resurrection.  What would become of the souls during that time?

Whether there is only one time for the resurrection or more than one doesn’t matter.  All is one day to God, as He measures time. “But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day” (2 Peter 3:8).

“And the Lord said unto me, by the Urim and Thummim, that Kolob was after the manner of the Lord, according to its times and seasons in the revolutions thereof; that one revolution was a day unto the Lord, after his manner of reckoning, it being one thousand years according to the time appointed unto that whereon thou standest.  This is the reckoning of the Lord's time, according to the reckoning of Kolob” (Abraham 3:4). Does this mean one day literally equals one thousand years?  I don’t believe that is the proper conclusion.  I believe the example is given to show “with God there is no time as we reckon it (see Alma 40:8).”[1]

There is a time when the dead will rise.  Only God knows when that time will arrive.

Our state between death and resurrection has been made known by the Lord.

“Jesus saith unto her, Touch me not; for I am not yet ascended to my Father: but go to my brethren, and say unto them, I ascend unto my Father, and your Father; and to my God, and your God” (John 20:17).

Nephi told Laman and Lemuel:

“And they said unto me: Doth this thing mean the torment of the body in the days of probation, or doth it mean the final state of the soul after the death of the temporal body, or doth it speak of the things which are temporal? And it came to pass that I said unto them that it was a representation of things both temporal and spiritual; for the day should come that they must be judged of their works, yea, even the works which were done by the temporal body in their days of probation. Wherefore, if they should die in their wickedness they must be cast off also, as to the things which are spiritual, which are pertaining to righteousness; wherefore, they must be brought to stand before God, to be judged of their works; and if their works have been filthiness they must needs be filthy; and if they be filthy it must needs be that they cannot dwell in the kingdom of God; if so, the kingdom of God must be filthy also. But behold, I say unto you, the kingdom of God is not filthy, and there cannot any unclean thing enter into the kingdom of God; wherefore there must needs be a place of filthiness prepared for that which is filthy. And there is a place prepared, yea, even that awful hell of which I have spoken, and the devil is the preparator of it; wherefore the final state of the souls of men is to dwell in the kingdom of God, or to be cast out because of that justice of which I have spoken. Wherefore, the wicked are rejected from the righteous, and also from that tree of life, whose fruit is most precious and most desirable above all other fruits; yea, and it is the greatest of all the gifts of God. And thus I spake unto my brethren” (Nephi 15:31-36).

When we die, we return to God, who gave you life. “Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was: and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it” (Ecclesiastes 12:7).

“And, in fine, wo unto all those who die in their sins; for they shall return to God, and behold his face, and remain in their sins” (2 Nephi 9:38).

“And now, my brethren, if our brethren seek to destroy us, behold, we will hide away our swords, yea, even we will bury them deep in the earth, that they may be kept bright, as a testimony that we have never used them, at the last day; and if our brethren destroy us, behold, we shall go to our God and shall be saved” (Alma 24:16).

The spirits of those who are righteous will be received into paradise. “Therefore the redeemed of the LORD shall return, and come with singing unto Zion; and everlasting joy shall be upon their head: they shall obtain gladness and joy; and sorrow and mourning shall flee away” (Isaiah 51:11).

President Joseph F. Smith saw, as a part of his vision of the afterlife:

“… I saw the hosts of the dead, both small and great. And there were gathered together in one place an innumerable company of the spirits of the just, who had been faithful in the testimony of Jesus while they lived in mortality; And who had offered sacrifice in the similitude of the great sacrifice of the Son of God, and had suffered tribulation in their Redeemer's name. All these had departed the mortal life, firm in the hope of a glorious resurrection, through the grace of God the Father and his Only Begotten Son, Jesus Christ. I beheld that they were filled with joy and gladness, and were rejoicing together because the day of their deliverance was at hand” (D&C 138:11-15).

Paradise is a state of rest and peace where they will be freed from all troubles, care, and sorrow. 

The prophet Alma the Younger learned from an angel that when one dies and the spirit returns to God, the spirit will be consigned to either paradise or hell, paradise being a state of happiness, rest, and peace (Alma 40:12). It is important to note that, according to Alma the Younger, one’s assignment to paradise (or elsewhere, such as spirit prison) is not based on the acceptance of the Christian faith and its ordinances, but rather depends on whether or not one performed good works in the flesh. The standard seems to be the extent to which one hearkened to or disregarded God’s light (Alma 40:13–14).[2]

Alma turns to the state of the spirits of the wicked.  They chose evil rather than good and have no portion of the Lord’s Spirit.  They devil now possesses the souls of the wicked.  They will be cast out where there will be the expected weeping, wailing, and gnashing of teeth.[3]  But, they will only have themselves to blame.  They are there because of their choices.  Abinadi warned King Noah, “And then shall the wicked be cast out, and they shall have cause to howl, and weep, and wail, and gnash their teeth; and this because they would not hearken unto the voice of the Lord; therefore the Lord redeemeth them not” (Mosiah 16:2).

The souls of the wicked are in darkness, in a fearful state. “And this death of which I have spoken, which is the spiritual death, shall deliver up its dead; which spiritual death is hell; wherefore, death and hell must deliver up their dead, and hell must deliver up its captive spirits, and the grave must deliver up its captive bodies, and the bodies and the spirits of men will be restored one to the other; and it is by the power of the resurrection of the Holy One of Israel” (2 Nephi 9:12).

“While this vast multitude waited and conversed, rejoicing in the hour of their deliverance from the chains of death, the Son of God appeared, declaring liberty to the captives who had been faithful; And there he preached to them the everlasting gospel, the doctrine of the resurrection and the redemption of mankind from the fall, and from individual sins on conditions of repentance. But unto the wicked he did not go, and among the ungodly and the unrepentant who had defiled themselves while in the flesh, his voice was not raised” (D&C 138:18-20).

They are facing the indignation and the wrath of God.  “Finally, I bid you farewell, until I shall meet you before the pleasing bar of God, which bar striketh the wicked with awful dread and fear” (Jacob 6:13).

“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. For behold, if ye have procrastinated the day of your repentance even until death, behold, ye have become subjected to the spirit of the devil, and he doth seal you his; therefore, the Spirit of the Lord hath withdrawn from you, and hath no place in you, and the devil hath all power over you; and this is the final state of the wicked” (Alma 34:34-35).

They will remain in this state, like the righteous will remain in paradise, until they are resurrected.

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[1] Nephi’s “Great and Abominable Church,” Stephen E. Robinson, Journal of Book of Mormon Studies 7/1 (1998): 36.

[2] Redeeming the Dead: Tender Mercies, Turning of Hearts, and Restoration of Authority, David L. Paulsen, Kendel J. Christensen, and Martin Pulido, Journal of the Book of Mormon and Other Restoration Scripture 20/1 (2011): 35-36.

[3] The phrase “gnashing of teeth” is found in several places in the Bible and is used exclusively in reference to the final judgment of sinners, either directly or in a parable. “Gnashing of teeth” is always combined with either “weeping” or “wailing.” The Greek phrase for “gnashing of teeth,” literally means “grinding one’s teeth together.” When combined with “weeping,” it can be compared to hitting one’s thumb with a hammer, squeezing the eyes closed and grinding the teeth together hard in reaction to the pain. Weeping and gnashing of teeth in Scripture, however, is much more dreadful, partly because it lasts for eternity. (gotquestions.org, accessed September 26, 2015)

Alma 40:1-5

Today we lost another member of the Twelve, Elder Richard G. Scott.  A sign of his poor health was his missing the last two General Conferences.  This leaves three vacancies in the Twelve.  According to the Deseret News, the last time this occurred was April 1907.

I always enjoyed listening to him.  He had a way of conveying his message that always touched my spirit.  I always felt his special spirit. His messages were always spot on – something we needed to hear.  We are all better people of having had the opportunity to learn from him.

As I write this post, it feels right that the subject is the resurrection.  It is an appropriate message for today.

Elder Scott will be missed.

Chapter 40

Christ bringeth to pass the resurrection of all men—The righteous dead go to paradise and the wicked to outer darkness to await the day of their resurrection—All things shall be restored to their proper and perfect frame in the resurrection. About 74 B.C.

Having answered his son’s questions about the coming of Christ answered, we come to another area of concern.  Corianton is concerned about the resurrection of the dead.

The first point Alma makes is that the resurrection will not occurring until after Christ comes.  “But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept. For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive. But every man in his own order [GR rank]: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ's at his coming” (1 Corinthians 15:20-24).

When we are resurrected we become immortal.  Abinadi taught, “Even this mortal shall put on immortality, and this corruption shall put on incorruption, and shall be brought to stand before the bar of God, to be judged of him according to their works whether they be good or whether they be evil—If they be good, to the resurrection of endless life and happiness; and if they be evil, to the resurrection of endless damnation, being delivered up to the devil, who hath subjected them, which is damnation—Having gone according to their own carnal wills and desires; having never called upon the Lord while the arms of mercy were extended towards them; for the arms of mercy were extended towards them, and they would not; they being warned of their iniquities and yet they would not depart from them; and they were commanded to repent and yet they would not repent. And now, ought ye not to tremble and repent of your sins, and remember that only in and through Christ ye can be saved?” (Mosiah 16:10-13).

We will go from being corruptible to being incorruptible.  “For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory” (1 Corinthians 15:53-54).

Christ will bring to pass the resurrection.  “Jesus, when he had cried again with a loud voice, yielded up the ghost^[1] … And the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints which slept [GR who had died] arose” (Matthew 27:50, 52).

“Behold my hands and my feet, that it is I myself: handle me, and see; for a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as ye see me have” (Luke 24:39).

“Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice, And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation” (John 5:28-29).

No one knows when the resurrection will be.  This is a mystery of God.  This mystery is kept and is known only by God Himself.  “Murmur not because of the things which thou hast not seen, for they are withheld from thee and from the world, which is wisdom in me in a time to come” (D&C 25:4).

“God shall give unto you knowledge by his Holy Spirit, yea, by the unspeakable gift of the Holy Ghost, that has not been revealed since the world was until now” (D&C 121:26).

“For I deign to reveal unto my church things which have been kept hid from before the foundation of the world, things that pertain to the dispensation of the fulness of times” (D&C 124:41).

Will there be a second or third time the dead shall come forth?  “For behold, in my name are they called; and if they know me they shall come forth, and shall have a place eternally at my right hand. And it shall come to pass that when the second trump shall sound then shall they that never knew me come forth and shall stand before me” (Mosiah 26:24-25).

Once again, Alma makes the point only God knows these things.  But, be sure, there is a time the dead shall rise.  “For the day cometh that the Lord shall utter his voice out of heaven; the heavens shall shake and the earth shall tremble, and the trump of God shall sound both long and loud, and shall say to the sleeping nations: Ye saints arise and live; ye sinners stay and sleep until I shall call again” (D&C 43:18).

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[1] Jesus, when he had cried again with a loud voice, saying, Father, it is finished, thy will is done, yielded up the ghost. (Joseph Smith Translation Matthew 27:54).

Alma 39:7-19

Alma continues speaking to Corianton.

He tells him he wishes he had not committed such a grievous sin.  He is not mentioning this to devastate him were it not for his own good. “For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend [GR stumble, err] in one point, he is guilty of all” (James 2:10).

He cannot hide his sins from God.  Scriptures make this clear.  “[H]e knoweth the secrets of the heart” (Psalms 44:21). “The eyes of the LORD are in every place, beholding the evil and the good” (Proverbs 15:3). If he does not repent, his sins will serve as a testimony against him in the last day.

Alma calls on Corianton to repent and turn away from his sins.  Stop being led by his lusts.  “For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace” (Romans 8:6). He needed to develop self-control.  “Cease from anger, and forsake wrath: fret not thyself in any wise to do evil” (Psalms 37:8). “I have refrained my feet from every evil way, that I might keep thy word” (Psalms 119:101). “He that hath no rule over his own spirit is like a city that is broken down, and without walls” (Proverbs 25:28).

He commanded him to counsel with his older brothers, this time including Helaman.  Earlier, Alma had only held Shiblon up as the example he should follow (“…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?” [Alma 39:1]).

Don’t allow yourself to be led away by the devil after the harlots. Alma reminded him the effect of his sin on the mission.  In the Old Testament, Eli had problem sons. “Now Eli was very old, and heard all that his sons did unto all Israel; and how they lay with the women that assembled at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation. And he said unto them, Why do ye such things?  for I hear of your evil dealings by all this people. Nay, my sons; for it is no good report that I hear: ye make the LORD's people to transgress. If one man sin against another, the judge shall judge him: but if a man sin against the LORD, who shall intreat for him?  Notwithstanding they hearkened not unto the voice of their father, because the LORD would slay them” (1 Samuel 2:22-25).

His actions seriously affected the missionary work among the Zoramites.  When they saw his conduct, they refused to believe Alma’s teachings.  The scriptures are full of warning those who serve the Lord the consequences of their sin on the people.

“Thou therefore which teachest another, teachest thou not thyself?  thou that preachest a man should not steal, dost thou steal? Thou that sayest a man should not commit adultery, dost thou commit adultery?  thou that abhorrest idols, dost thou commit [GR rob shrines, temples] sacrilege? Thou that makest thy boast of the law, through breaking the law dishonourest thou God” (Romans 2:21 - 23).

“Let us not therefore judge one another any more: but judge this rather, that no man put a stumbling block or an occasion to fall in his brother's way” (Romans 14:13).

“Even so hath the Lord ordained that they which preach the gospel should live of the gospel” (1 Corinthians 9:14).

“And it came to pass in the commencement of the ninth year, Alma saw the wickedness of the church, and he saw also that the example of the church began to lead those who were unbelievers on from one piece of iniquity to another, thus bringing on the destruction of the people” (Alma 4:11).

“Corianton’s actions aggravated the ill feelings that the Zoramites had for the Nephites and made the work much more difficult for the missionaries (see Alma 39:11), but despite all this they taught without formal restrictions or prohibitions.”^[1]

The Lord has commanded Alma to command his children to do well.  If they don’t, they will lead many to eternal destruction.  Alma told Corianton to cease his sin.

Alma told him to repent and return to the Zoramites to confess his sin and the wrongs he had done.  Corianton’s father had done the same thing.  “And they traveled throughout all the land of Zarahemla, and among all the people who were under the reign of king Mosiah, zealously striving to repair all the injuries which they had done to the church, confessing all their sins, and publishing all the things which they had seen, and explaining the prophecies and the scriptures to all who desired to hear them” (Mosiah 27:35).

Remember, Alma told him, don’t chase after riches and the vain things of the world. He can’t take it with him.

“But before ye seek for riches, seek ye for the kingdom of God. And after ye have obtained a hope in Christ ye shall obtain riches, if ye seek them; and ye will seek them for the intent to ^ado good—to clothe the naked, and to feed the hungry, and to liberate the captive, and administer relief to the sick and the afflicted” (Jacob 2:18-19).

“Now, as you have asked, behold, I say unto you, keep my commandments, and seek to bring forth and establish the cause of Zion; Seek not for riches but for wisdom, and behold, the mysteries of God shall be unfolded unto you, and then shall you be made rich.  Behold, he that hath eternal life is rich” (D&C 6:6-7).

“Now, I, the Lord, am not well pleased with the inhabitants of Zion, for there are idlers among them; and their children are also growing up in wickedness; they also seek not earnestly the riches of eternity, but their eyes are full of greediness. These things ought not to be, and must be done away from among them; wherefore, let my servant Oliver Cowdery carry these sayings unto the land of Zion” (D&C 68:31-32).

“A careful reading of Alma 39:12–15 suggests that Corianton was not fully committed to the idea of Christ’s coming and the redemptive doctrines associated with it. More to the point, he questioned the relevance of an event that would occur so far in the future. Alma subtly shifted the focus from the coming of Christ, as important as it is, to the plan of redemption, which would have been just as relevant to Corianton’s contemporaries as it would be to the souls of those living at the time of Christ’s coming (see Alma 39:17–18).”[2]

He explained he had been called to teach the people and declare the coming of Christ and His bringing salvation.  He was to tell them to prepare to hear His words when He came.

It apparently concerned Corianton that it was known so far in advance of Christ’s coming. Alma asks, rhetorically, if a soul living at this time is as precious to God as a soul at the time of His coming.  Is it not necessary for all to know about the plan of redemption, the people as well as their children?

“For, for this intent have we written these things, that they may know that we knew of Christ, and we had a hope of his glory many hundred years before his coming; and not only we ourselves had a hope of his glory, but also all the holy prophets which were before us. Behold, they believed in Christ and worshiped the Father in his name, and also we worship the Father in his name.  And for this intent we keep the law of Moses, it pointing our souls to him; and for this cause it is sanctified unto us for righteousness, even as it was accounted unto Abraham in the wilderness to be obedient unto the commands of God in offering up his son Isaac, which is a similitude of God and his Only Begotten Son. Wherefore, we search the prophets, and we have many revelations and the spirit of prophecy; and having all these witnesses we obtain a hope, and our faith becometh unshaken, insomuch that we truly can command in the name of Jesus and the very trees obey us, or the mountains, or the waves of the sea” (Jacob 4:4-6).

He closes asking Corianton, wouldn’t the Lord send an angle to declare this to all before His coming?

“And the things which I shall tell you are made known unto me by an angel from God.  And he said unto me: Awake; and I awoke, and behold he stood before me. And he said unto me: Awake, and hear the words which I shall tell thee; for behold, I am come to declare unto you the glad tidings of great joy” (Mosiah 3:2-3).

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[1] The Zoramite Separation: A Sociological Perspective, Sherrie Mills Johnson, Journal of Book of Mormon Studies 14/1 (2005): 83.

[2] Painting Out the Messiah: The Theologies of Dissidents, John L. Clark, Journal of Book of Mormon Studies 11/1 (2002): 24. 

Alma 39:1-6

The commandments of Alma to his son Corianton.

Comprising chapters 39 to 42 inclusive.

Chapter 39

Sexual sin is an abomination—Corianton's sins kept the Zoramites from receiving the word—Christ's redemption is retroactive in saving the faithful who preceded it. About 74 B.C.

Having spoken to two of his son, Alma turns to his last son, Corianton. As we will see, he was Alma’s problem child.  His concern for him is apparent throughout the counsel he gives him.  As he begins, his holds his brother as “steadiness … his faithfulness, and his diligence in keeping the commandments of God” (Alma 39:1).

As a side note, we learn something of Helaman.  Alma refers only to Shiblon’s faithfulness (“they brother”). Grant Hardy speculates this gives us insight to Helaman’s character. “Despite the fact that these words immediately follow Alma’s admonitions to his sons Helaman and Shiblon, only one brother – Shiblon – is held up as an example.  Helaman’s character and behavior apparently did not merit the same unqualified approbation.”[1]

Example is an important part of the gospel.  The Savior taught His twelves, “For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you” (John 13:15). Preaching to the gentiles, Paul and Barnabus told them, “For so hath the Lord commanded us, saying, I have set thee to be a light of the Gentiles, that thou shouldest be for salvation unto the ends of the earth” (Acts 13:47).

Corianton was not as faithful in following Alma’s words as was Shiblon^[2] during the mission to the Zoramites. Corianton had very high opinion of himself.  Alma reminds him during the mission, “thou didst go on unto boasting in thy strength and thy wisdom” (Alma 39:2).  Experience has shown me when people (myself included) start getting a high opinion of themselves, the Lord has a way of reminding us His way requires humility and reliance on Him.

In addition to his arrogance, he made a serious mistake.  He went away and visited the “harlot” Isabel.  This was a very serious offense. Solomon counsels, “For the lips of a strange woman drop as an honeycomb, and her mouth is smoother than oil” (Proverbs 5:3).

In Old Testament times, Eli had problems sons. “Now Eli was very old, and heard all that his sons did unto all Israel; and how they lay with the women that assembled at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation. And he said unto them, Why do ye such things?  for I hear of your evil dealings by all this people. Nay, my sons; for it is no good report that I hear: ye make the LORD's people to transgress. If one man sin against another, the judge shall judge him: but if a man sin against the LORD, who shall intreat for him? Notwithstanding they hearkened not unto the voice of their father, because the LORD would slay them” (1 Samuel 2:22-25).

While the sexual sin, occurring during a mission, was a serious sin, Hugh Nibley provides a different perspective, one which would make the sin even more heinous.

Alma 39:3--4, rather than being a simple prostitute, was a priestess. Nibley observes that “Isabel [is] the name of the Patroness of Harlots in the religion of the Phoenicians, “27 that she had many followers, and that, to go to her, Corianton had to “forsake the ministry, and … go over into the land of Siron among the borders of the Lamanites” (Alma 39:3). Corianton's participation there is described as “an abomination” (Alma 39:5), precisely the same term that the Old World prophets used to denounce the Canaanite practices. which often included ritual prostitution and human sacrifice. It is reasonable to assume that some forms of goddess worship were being practiced.^[3]

Alma emphasized the seriousness of the sin, calling it an abomination.  Only two sins are more evil, murder or the denial of the Holy Ghost.

Alma further explains, “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” (Alma 39:6). The Lord explains denial of the Holy Ghost as, “[H]aving denied the Holy Spirit after having received it, and having denied the Only Begotten Son of the Father, having crucified him unto themselves and put him to an open shame” (D&C 76:35).

What is the unpardonable sin? 

Mormons believe that there is only one unpardonable sin, the denial of the Holy Ghost. Joseph Smith stated, “What must a man do to commit the unpardonable sin they must receive the Holy Ghost have the heavens opened unto them, & know God, & then sin against him.” Words of Joseph Smith, 347. Additionally, Alma 39:6 reads: “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.” Likewise, Doctrine and Covenants 76:31, 34–35 identifies the sons of perdition as “those who know my power, and have been made partakers thereof, and suffered themselves through the power of the devil to be overcome, and to deny the truth and defy my power. . . . Concerning whom . . . there is no forgiveness in this world nor in the world to come—having denied the Holy Spirit after having received it, and having denied the Only Begotten Son of the Father, having crucified him unto themselves and put him to an open shame.”^[4]

Mormon would described the situation of the Nephites to Moroni. “Pray for them, my son, that repentance may come unto them.  But behold, I fear lest the Spirit hath ceased striving with them; and in this part of the land they are also seeking to put down all power and authority which cometh from God; and they are denying the Holy Ghost” (Moroni 8:28).

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[1] Understanding the Book of Mormon, Grant Hardy, Kindle Edition.

[2]“I say unto you, my son, that I have had great joy in thee already, because of thy faithfulness and thy diligence, and thy patience and thy long-suffering among the people of the Zoramites” (Alma 38:3).

[3] Nephite Feminism Revisited: Thoughts on Carol Lynn, Pearson’s View of Women in the Book of Mormon, Kevin and Shauna Christensen, FARMS Review of Books 10/2 (1998): 33.

[4] Redeeming the Dead: Tender Mercies, Turning of Hearts, and Restoration of Authority, David L. Paulsen, Kendel J. Christensen, and Martin Pulido, Journal of the Book of Mormon and Other Restoration Scripture 20/1 (2011): 50.

Alma 38:6-15

Alma goes on to testify to Shiblon that he knows the things he teaches through the Spirt of God.  Had he not been born of God, he would not have known these things.  “But behold, my limbs did receive their strength again, and I stood upon my feet, and did manifest unto the people that I had been born of God … For because of the word which he has imparted unto me, behold, many have been born of God, and have tasted as I have tasted, and have seen eye to eye as I have seen; therefore they do know of these things of which I have spoken, as I do know; and the knowledge which I have is of God” (Alma 36:23, 26).

“And behold, whosoever believeth on my words, them will I visit with the manifestation of my Spirit; and they shall be born of me, even of water and of the Spirt” (D&C 5:16).

The Lord sent an angel to Alma.  And as I said unto you, as they were going about rebelling against God, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto them; and he descended as it were in a cloud; and he spake as it were with a voice of thunder, which caused the earth to shake upon which they stood … [H]e cried again, saying: Alma, arise and stand forth, for why persecutest thou the church of God?  For the Lord hath said: This is my church, and I will establish it; and nothing shall overthrow it, save it is the transgression of my people” (Mosiah 27:11, 13).

Alma was commanded to cease his work of destruction among the church.  “Now they were desirous that salvation should be declared to every creature, for they could not bear that any human soul should perish; yea, even the very thoughts that any soul should endure endless torment did cause them to quake and tremble. And thus did the Spirit of the Lord work upon them, for they were the very vilest of sinners.  And the Lord saw fit in his infinite mercy to spare them; nevertheless they suffered much anguish of soul because of their iniquities, suffering much and fearing that they should be cast off forever” (Mosiah 28:3-4).

“Who could have supposed that our God would have been so merciful as to have snatched us from our awful, sinful, and polluted state? Behold, we went forth even in wrath, with mighty threatenings to destroy his church” (Alma 26:17-18).

“For I went about with the sons of Mosiah, seeking to destroy the church of God; but behold, God sent his holy angel to stop us by the way” (Alma 36:6).

Alma experienced pain and anguish for three days and nights.  “And it came to pass that I fell to the earth; and it was for the space of three days and three nights that I could not open my mouth, neither had I the use of my limbs … And now, for three days and for three nights was I racked, even with the pains of a damned soul” (Alma 36:10, 16). He cried to the Lord, and found peace in his soul and a remission of his sins. 

Virtually every time remission of sins is described as having occurred in the Book of Mormon, it refers to a relatively well focused event (Enos 1:2, Mosiah 4:2-3, Alma 5:6-13. Alma 38:8. 3 Nephi 1:23.3 Nephi 7:25). Rather than being portrayed as a lifelong process completed only when one is perfect, remission of sins is almost always described as something which occurs at the outset of an individual’s acceptance of Christ/the Gospel (2 Nephi 3 1: 17-20) and which must be retained (Mosiah 4: 11-12.26; Alma 4: 14) during the long and gradual process of sanctification (Helaman 3:35, Alma 13: 10-12).^[1]

He tells Shiblon his words were given him so that he would learn wisdom.  There is no other name by which we can be saved is that of Christ.

“Now Aaron began to open the scriptures unto them concerning the coming of Christ, and also concerning the resurrection of the dead, and that there could be no redemption for mankind save it were through the death and sufferings of Christ, and the atonement of his blood” (Alma 21:9).

“And moreover, I say unto you, that there shall be no other name given nor any other way nor means whereby salvation can come unto the children of men, only in and through the name of Christ, the Lord Omnipotent” (Mosiah 3:17).

Christ is the light of the world.  He is truth and righteousness.  “THE LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear?  the LORD is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?” (Psalms 27:1).

“Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life” (John 8:12).

“And whatsoever thing persuadeth men to do good is of me; for good cometh of none save it be of me.  I am the same that leadeth men to all good; he that will not believe my words will not believe me—that I am; and he that will not believe me will not believe the Father who sent me.  For behold, I am the Father, I am the light, and the life, and the truth of the world” (Ether 4:12).

The word light is specifically linked throughout the scriptures to many words pertaining to “the light of the gospel” (D&C 138:30). Light is connected to or synonymous with life (John 8:12), joy (Alma 36:20), intelligence (D&C 93:36), truth (D&C 93:36–40), salvation (Psalm 27:1; Alma 26:15), knowledge (D&C 77:4), the glory of Zion (D&C 124:6), understanding and wisdom (Daniel 5:11, 14), law (3 Nephi 15:9), a standard for the nations (D&C 115:5), power (D&C 50:27), righteousness (Alma 38:9), and redemption (D&C 93:9).^[2]

Alma told Shiblon to continue preaching the word of God.  Be diligent and temperate in all things. “And as [Paul] reasoned of righteousness, temperance [GR self-control], and judgment to come, Felix trembled [GR feared], and answered, Go thy way for this time; when I have a convenient season, I will call for thee” (Acts 24:25).

“[T]he “man [or woman] of Christ” (Helaman 3:29) is spiritual and bridles all passions (see Alma 38:12), is temperate and restrained, and is benevolent and selfless. Men and women of Christ lay hold upon the word of God, deny themselves and take up His cross (see Matthew 16:24; Mark 8:34; Luke 9:23; D&C 56:2), and press forward along a strait and narrow course of faithfulness, obedience, and devotion to the Savior and His gospel.”[3]

Be not lifted in pride nor boast in your own wisdom Shiblon was advised.

Shiblon was advised to speak with boldness, but not overbearance.  “And Ammon began to speak unto [King Lamoni] with boldness…” (Alma 18:24). Control his passions so he would be filled with love. 

“A SOFT answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger” (Proverbs 15:1).

“He that hath no rule over his own spirit is like a city that is broken down, and without walls” (Proverbs 25:28).

“Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me” (Matthew 16:24).^[4]

Don’t be idle. Don’t pray as the Zoramites.[5]

Remember you are to pray acknowledge your unworthiness.  The Savior gave us the same command. “The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican. I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess [GR acquire, gain, or possess]. And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner. I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted” (Luke 18:11-14).

He left the Lord’s blessing on his soul.  He closes with advice similar to what Peter gave us, “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour” (1 Peter 5:8).

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[1] Review of Doctrines of the Book of Mormon: The 1991 Sperry Symposium (1992), edited by Bruce A. Van Orden, and Brent L. Top, Mack C. Stirling, Review of Books on the Book of Mormon 5/1 (1993): 253.

[2] Light: A Masterful Symbol, Richard Dilworth Rust, Journal of the Book of Mormon and Other Restoration, Scripture 20/1 (2011): 59.

[3] We Believe in Being Chaste, By Elder David A. Bednar, April 2013 General Conference.

[4] “Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. And now for a man to take up his cross, is to deny himself all ungodliness, and every worldly lust, and keep my commandments” (Joseph Smith Translation, Matthew 16:26).

[5] “Therefore, whosoever desired to worship must go forth and stand upon the top thereof, and stretch forth his hands towards heaven, and cry with a loud voice, saying: 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. 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. 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. And again we thank thee, O God, that we are a chosen and a holy people.  Amen. Now it came to pass that after Alma and his brethren and his sons had heard these prayers, they were astonished beyond all measure. For behold, every man did go forth and offer up these same prayers. Now the place was called by them Rameumptom, which, being interpreted, is the holy stand” (Alma 31:14-21).

Alma 38:1-5

The commandments of Alma to his son Shiblon.

Chapter 38

Shiblon was persecuted for righteousness' sake—Salvation is in Christ, who is the life and the light of the world—Bridle all your passions. About 74 B.C.

Having finished his words to Helaman, Alma now speaks to Shiblon.

It is apparent Shiblon has been faithful in his service to the Lord. The tone of his words are different than those he used when speaking to Helaman. 

He reminds him of the Lord’s basic promise – keep the Lord’s commandments and you will prosper in the land of promise.[1] If they fail to keep the commandments, they will be cut off from the presence of the Lord. 

“But now, ye behold that the Lord is with us; and ye behold that he has delivered you into our hands.  And now I would that ye should understand that this is done unto us because of our religion and our faith in Christ.  And now ye see that ye cannot destroy this our faith” (Alma 44:3).

“And inasmuch as thy brethren shall rebel against thee, they shall be cut off from the presence of the Lord” (1 Nephi 2:21).

“Wherefore, the word of the Lord was fulfilled which he spake unto me, saying that: Inasmuch as they will not hearken unto thy words they shall be cut off from the presence of the Lord. And behold, they were cut off from his presence” (2 Nephi 5:20).

“Now I would that ye should remember, that inasmuch as the Lamanites have not kept the commandments of God, they have been cut off from the presence of the Lord.  Now we see that the word of the Lord has been verified in this thing, and the Lamanites have been cut off from his presence, from the beginning of their transgressions in the land” (Alma 9:14).

Alma praises his steadiness and faithfulness.  As a young man, he looked to the Lord, band he hopes he will continue and endure to the end.

Enduring to the end is an essential part of being a disciple of Christ.

“And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake [GR because of my name]: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved” (Matthew 10:22).

.

“Behold, I am the law, and the light.  Look unto me, and endure to the end, and ye shall live; for unto him that endureth to the end will I give eternal life” (3 Nephi 15:9)

“And whoso taketh upon him my name, and endureth to the end, the same shall be saved at the last day” (3 Nephi 27:6).

“And now, my beloved brethren, I know by this that unless a man shall endure to the end, in following the example of the Son of the living God, he cannot be saved” (2 Nephi 31:16).

“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. 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? 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 32:13-15).

“And we know that all men must repent and believe on the name of Jesus Christ, and worship the Father in his name, and endure in faith on his name to the end, or they cannot be saved in the kingdom of God” (D&C 20:29).

“And again, I would that ye should learn that he only is saved who endureth unto the end” (D&C 53:7).

Shiblon is praised “because of the faithfulness and thy diligence, and thy patience and thy long-suffering among the people of the Zoramites.”  (Alma 38:3).  Remember, the mission to the Zoramites was challenging due to their strange beliefs.

In spite of being held in bondage and stoned, Shiblon remained faithful and continued to fulfil his mission responsibilities. “Despite the Zoramites’ hatred toward them, demonstrated to its fullest extent in the binding and stoning of Shiblon (see Alma 38:4), they preached.”^[2]

“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 34:40).

He told Shiblon to remember, as much as he trusts the Lord, He will deliver him from trials, afflictions, and troubles. 

“And call upon me in the day of trouble: I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify me”

(Psalms 50:15).

“And all that call upon the name of the Lord, and keep his commandments, shall be saved” (D&C 100:17).

“Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28).

“Thou calledst in trouble, and I delivered thee; I answered thee in the secret place of thunder: I proved [HEB tested] thee at the waters of Meribah” (Psalms 81:7).

“And at some period of time they will be brought to believe in his word, and to know of the incorrectness of the traditions of their fathers; and many of them will be saved, for the Lord will be merciful unto all who call on his name” (Alma 9:17).

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[1] The words of General Moroni. “Yea, had it not been for the war which broke out among ourselves; yea, were it not for these king–men, who caused so much bloodshed among ourselves; yea, at the time we were contending among ourselves, if we had united our strength as we hitherto have done; yea, had it not been for the desire of power and authority which those king–men had over us; had they been true to the cause of our freedom, and united with us, and gone forth against our enemies, instead of taking up their swords against us, which was the cause of so much bloodshed among ourselves; yea, if we had gone forth against them in the strength of the Lord, we should have dispersed our enemies, for it would have been done, according to the fulfilling of his word” (Alma 60:16).

[2] The Zoramite Separation: A Sociological Perspective, Sherrie Mills Johnson, Journal of Book of Mormon Studies 14/1 (2005): 83.