Alma 29:1-17

Chapter 29

Alma desires to cry repentance with angelic zeal—The Lord grants teachers for all nations—Alma glories in the Lord's work and in the success of Ammon and his brethren. About 76 B.C.

1  O THAT I were an angel, and could have the wish of mine heart, that I might go forth and speak with the trump of God, with a voice to shake the earth, and cry repentance unto every people!

2  Yea, I would declare unto every soul, as with the voice of thunder, repentance and the plan of redemption, that they should repent and come unto our God, that there might not be more sorrow upon all the face of the earth.

3  But behold, I am a man, and do sin in my wish; for I ought to be content with the things which the Lord hath allotted unto me.

4  I ought not to harrow up in my desires, the firm decree of a just God, for I know that he granteth unto men according to their desire, whether it be unto death or unto life; yea, I know that he allotteth unto men, yea, decreeth unto them decrees which are unalterable, according to their wills, whether they be unto salvation or unto destruction.

5  Yea, and I know that good and evil have come before all men; he that knoweth not good from evil is blameless; but he that knoweth good and evil, to him it is given according to his desires, whether he desireth good or evil, life or death, joy or remorse of conscience.

6  Now, seeing that I know these things, why should I desire more than to perform the work to which I have been called?

Alma 29:1-6 (Emphasis mine)

In Chapter 29, we have one of those special chapters in the Book of Mormon.  Here we have a psalm from Alma(2).  We are reading the deepest feelings of his soul, which he is now pouring out unto God.

His desires come from a man who had a major change in his life.  He was the “vilest of sinners” (Mosiah 28:4).  His soul was lost.  He was about to lose everything for all eternity.  Then, through a miraculous conversion, he experienced a mighty change.  The vile man died that day.  He was reborn as a servant of Christ. 

His greatest desire is to call the people to repentance.  Is it any wonder that a man who knows the results of true repentance would emphasize this principle?  As we’ve read Alma(2)’s teaching, repentance was the main gospel principle he preached. 

Robert Millet wrote about this experience.

“A relatively young man at the time of his conversion, Alma lived fewer than twenty years thereafter. Yet in those two decades he almost single-handedly invigorated and established the cause of truth and liberty in the Nephite church and society. Never forgetting the thunderous voice of the angel at the time of his conversion, Alma always carried with him this unchanging desire: ‘O that I were an angel, and could have the wish of mine heart, that I might go forth and speak with the trump of God, with a voice to shake the earth, and cry repentance unto every people! . . . that there might not be more sorrow upon all the face of the earth’ (Alma 29:1—2).” [1] (Emphasis mine)

Alma(2) also mentions an important principle.  In verse 5, he teaches we all face the choice of good and evil.  Those who know the difference will reap the consequences of their choice.  But before this, he tells us that those who don’t know good from evil; those who have not heard the word of Christ, will be held blameless.  The rest of us will be held accountable.

7  Why should I desire that I were an angel, that I could speak unto all the ends of the earth?

8  For behold, the Lord doth grant unto all nations, of their own nation and tongue, to teach his word, yea, in wisdom, all that he seeth fit that they should have; therefore we see that the Lord doth counsel in wisdom, according to that which is just and true.

9  I know that which the Lord hath commanded me, and I glory in it.  I do not glory of myself, but I glory in that which the Lord hath commanded me; yea, and this is my glory, that perhaps I may be an instrument in the hands of God to bring some soul to repentance; and this is my joy.

10  And behold, when I see many of my brethren truly penitent, and coming to the Lord their God, then is my soul filled with joy; then do I remember what the Lord has done for me, yea, even that he hath heard my prayer; yea, then do I remember his merciful arm which he extended towards me.

Alma 29:7-10 (Emphasis mine)

He continues to share important insights as he celebrates God.  In verse 8, he tells us that the Lord deals differently with people and nations.  Not all people receive all gospel principles.  The Lord determines what they should have.  Even though they might not have all truth, we learn that most have important truths.

Alma(2) rejoices not because of all that the Lord commanded, but because he was an instrument in the hands of God.  Why?  To bring the people to repentance (here’s that important principle again).

He also rejoices in his brethren being truly repentant. 

John Tvedtnes observes:

 

“Similar wording is found in Alma's poem, making it clear that he was thinking about his earlier experience with the angel. ‘I ought not to harrow up in my desires, the firm decree of a just God,’ said he, speaking of life and death, of salvation and destruction (Alma 29:4). Man's desire for ‘good or evil, life or death’ results in ‘joy or remorse of conscience’ (Alma 29:5), as Alma knew from firsthand experience: ‘Now, seeing that I know these things, why should I desire more than to perform the work to which I have been called?’ (Alma 29:6).

“Much of Alma's poem speaks of his joy (see Alma 29:9, 13, 16). Seeing others come unto the Lord, he exclaimed, ‘then is my soul filled with joy; then do I remember what the Lord has done for me, yea, even that he hath heard my prayer; yea, then do I remember his merciful arm which he extended towards me’ (Alma 29:10).” [2] (Emphasis mine)

Lindon Robinson writes:

“Alma declared that his joy was in being an instrument in the hands of God to bring some soul to repentance. He added that his joy was more full because of the success of his brethren (Alma 29:9, 14). Later, Alma declared that his reward for his service to the Church was the happiness he felt because of the joy of his brethren (Alma 30:34).” [3] (Emphasis mine)

11  Yea, and I also remember the captivity of my fathers; for I surely do know that the Lord did deliver them out of bondage, and by this did establish his church; yea, the Lord God, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, did deliver them out of bondage.

12  Yea, I have always remembered the captivity of my fathers; and that same God who delivered them out of the hands of the Egyptians did deliver them out of bondage.

13  Yea, and that same God did establish his church among them; yea, and that same God hath called me by a holy calling, to preach the word unto this people, and hath given me much success, in the which my joy is full.

Alma 29:11-13 (Emphasis mine)

The captivity of his fathers features prominently in the next three scriptures.  They were in captivity, but were delivered out of bondage by the Lord. 

I would also look at this is a form of Alma(2)’s rejoicing for his freedom from bondage as well.  It was recorded that Alma(2) suffered the “pains of hell” before obtaining forgiveness.  Sin, is a form of captivity. We allow our spiritual welfare to be held captive when we do not repent of our sins. 

14  But I do not joy in my own success alone, but my joy is more full because of the success of my brethren, who have been up to the land of Nephi.

15  Behold, they have labored exceedingly, and have brought forth much fruit; and how great shall be their reward!

16  Now, when I think of the success of these my brethren my soul is carried away, even to the separation of it from the body, as it were, so great is my joy.

17  And now may God grant unto these, my brethren, that they may sit down in the kingdom of God; yea, and also all those who are the fruit of their labors that they may go no more out, but that they may praise him forever.  And may God grant that it may be done according to my words, even as I have spoken.  Amen.

Alma 29:14-17 (Emphasis mine)

Alma(2) continues to praise his brethren because of their successes.  It’s not a large stretched to say that Alma(2) might be experiencing more joy from their successes than his own.  What matters to him is bringing souls unto the Lord.  It doesn’t matter who does it.  What matters is that it’s done.

He ends asking that his brethren and all who the fruits of their labor are may sit in the king of God and praise him forever.

In verses 14-16, we have an example of chiasmus.  This is where we find some important point being made, and then the point is made a second time, only in reverse.  This is a common feature of Hebrew writing.

Let’s look at this example.

“Another example of the abundant number of chiasms in the Book of Mormon is found in Alma 29:14—16. A but my joy is more full
	B because of the success of my brethren, who have been up to the land of Nephi.
		C Behold, they have labored exceedingly,
		C and have brought forth much fruit; and how great shall be their reward!
	B Now, when I think of the success of these my brethren my soul is carried away,
A even to the separation of it from the body, as it were, so great is my joy.” [4] (Emphasis in original article)

I  want to end this post with this observation from Richard Rust.

“Alma, too, considers both past and future from his present: He always remembers the captivity and deliverance of his fathers, he rejoices in the present repentance of many of his brethren, and he looks forward to bringing some soul to repentance, with the hope that his redeemed brethren will enter the timeless state of the heavenly kingdom of God ‘to go no more out’ (Alma 29:17).” [5] (Emphasis mine)

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[1] Alma₂, Robert L. Millet, Provo, Utah: Maxwell Institute, accessed November 13, 2011.

[2] The Voice of an Angel, John A. Tvedtnes, Provo, Utah: Maxwell Institute, accessed November 13, 2011.

[3] Economic Insights from the Book of Mormon, Lindon J. Robison, Provo, Utah: Maxwell Institute, accessed November 13, 2011.

[4] Forms of Parallelism, Hugh W. Pinnock, Provo, Utah: Maxwell Institute, accessed November 13, 2011.

[5] "Great Things the Lord Hath Done" - Epic Elements, Richard Dilworth Rust, Provo, Utah: Maxwell Institute, accessed November 13, 2011.

Alma 13:20-31

20  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.

21  And now it came to pass that when Alma had said these words unto them, he stretched forth his hand unto them and cried with a mighty voice, saying: Now is the time to repent, for the day of salvation draweth nigh;

22  Yea, and the voice of the Lord, by the mouth of angels, doth declare it unto all nations; yea, doth declare it, that they may have glad tidings of great joy; yea, and he doth sound these glad tidings among all his people, yea, even to them that are scattered abroad upon the face of the earth; wherefore they have come unto us.

23  And they are made known unto us in plain terms, that we may understand, that we cannot err; and this because of our being wanderers in a strange land; therefore, we are thus highly favored, for we have these glad tidings declared unto us in all parts of our vineyard.

Alma 13:20–23 (Emphasis mine)

Alma(2) reminded them that they had the scriptures.  If they ignore them, if they twist their meanings, this will lead to their destruction. 

“It can be done, just as it can be done with the Constitution or anything else—you can wrest them. How can you avoid that natural tendency to wrest them in your own interest? Of course, take them in their full context and with prayer. Prayer doesn't give me a franchise to give my personal interpretation and impose it on anybody else.” [1] (Emphasis mine)

He called them to repent.  The Lord, through the mouth of angels, has declared his words for the people to have great joy.  He spreads this joy to all people, including “them that are scattered abroad upon the face of the earth.”  (verse 22).  This is how they know the word of God.

“Five hundred years after Jacob, Alma could write that his people were both blessed and sorrowful in their wandering state. Because of their isolation, he says, God gives them special revelation, and glad tidings ‘are made known to us in plain terms, that we may understand, that we cannot err; and this because of our being wanderers in a strange land; therefore, we are thus highly favored’ (Alma 13:23).” [2] (Emphasis mine)

The Lord speaks in plain language so that we can understand His words.  This is so we can fully live his teachings and be found worthy later.

24  For behold, angels are declaring it unto many at this time in our land; and this is for the purpose of preparing the hearts of the children of men to receive his word at the time of his coming in his glory.

25  And now we only wait to hear the joyful news declared unto us by the mouth of angels, of his coming; for the time cometh, we know not how soon.  Would to God that it might be in my day; but let it be sooner or later, in it I will rejoice.

26  And it shall be made known unto just and holy men, by the mouth of angels, at the time of his coming, that the words of our fathers may be fulfilled, according to that which they have spoken concerning him, which was according to the spirit of prophecy which was in them.

Alma 13:24-26 (Emphasis mine)

Angels are preparing the hearts of men to receive the word of Christ when He comes in his glory.  They are being prepared to hear the word of Christ preached directly to them when he comes to visit the Nephites.  These words are based on the spirit of prophecy.

7  Surely the Lord GOD will do nothing, but he revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets.

Amos 3:7 (Emphasis mine)

“[Alma(2)] and others were preparing the hearts of the people of their land to receive Christ's word when he came among them, just as Nephi promised they would need to do. Christ would come among them, Alma says, ‘that the words of our fathers may be fulfilled, according to that which they have spoken concerning him, which was according to the spirit of prophecy which was in them.’ “ [3] (Emphasis mine)

27  And now, my brethren, I wish from the inmost part of my heart, yea, with great anxiety even unto pain, that ye would hearken unto my words, and cast off your sins, and not procrastinate the day of your repentance;

28  But that ye would humble yourselves before the Lord, and call on his holy name, and watch and pray continually, that ye may not be tempted above that which ye can bear, and thus be led by the Holy Spirit, becoming humble, meek, submissive, patient, full of love and all long-suffering;

29  Having faith on the Lord; having a hope that ye shall receive eternal life; having the love of God always in your hearts, that ye may be lifted up at the last day and enter into his rest.

30  And may the Lord grant unto you repentance, that ye may not bring down his wrath upon you, that ye may not be bound down by the chains of hell, that ye may not suffer the second death.

31  And Alma spake many more words unto the people, which are not written in this book.

Alma 13:27-31 (Emphasis mine)

Alma(2) closes his words with an appeal to them to listen to and accept his words.  Don’t procrastinate the day of your repentance he tells them.  Cast off their sins, humble themselves before the Lord, watch and pray continually that they will not suffer greater temptations than they can bear, be lead by the Spirit to become humble, meek, submissive, patient, full of love, and long-suffering. 

M. Catherine Thomas comments on the traits Alma(2) emphasizes.

“It is interesting that Alma mentions humility, patience, and love as the spiritual tools of resistance to Satan.

“How important it is for us to know that the spirits who followed Satan in the great rebellion in Heaven got here before even Adam and Eve and are still here. What are they doing? They are influencing you and me. They dwell in the hearts of the children of men (see Mosiah 3:6). We are their victims until we learn to discern what is of God from what is not of God. There are only two options and only two voices…”  [4] (Emphasis mine)

13  There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.

1 Corinthians 10:13 (Emphasis mine)

May they repent and receive eternal life and the rest of God; may they not be bound by the chains of hell and suffer the second death, the spiritual death, being cut off from God.

“The antidote for pride is humility, ‘a broken heart and a contrite spirit’ (3 Ne. 9:20, 12:19). Men can choose to do those things that will foster the growth of humility: they can choose to confess and forsake their sins, forgive others, receive counsel and chastisement, esteem others as themselves, render service, love God, and submit to his will (Benson, 1989, p. 7). By yielding ‘to the enticing of the Holy Spirit,’ the prideful individual can become ‘a saint through the atonement of Christ’ and become ‘as a child, submissive, meek, humble’ (Mosiah 3:19; cf. Alma 13:28).” [5] (Emphasis mine)

Mormon concludes by telling us that, while Alma(2) said more, this is all he included in his record.

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[1] Lecture 49: Alma 12-14, Hugh W. Nibley, Provo, Utah: Maxwell Institute, accessed November 3, 2011.

[2] The Flight into the Wilderness, Hugh W. Nibley, Provo, Utah: Maxwell Institute, accessed November 3, 2011.

[3] A More Perfect Priority? Matthew Roper, Provo, Utah: Maxwell Institute, accessed November 3, 2011.

[4] Alma the Younger, Part 2, M. Catherine Thomas, Provo, Utah: Maxwell Institute, accessed November 3, 2011.

[5] Pride, Reed A. Benson, Provo, Utah: Maxwell Institute, accessed November 3, 2011.

Alma 10:19-24

19  Yea, well did Mosiah say, who was our last king, when he was about to deliver up the kingdom, having no one to confer it upon, causing that this people should be governed by their own voices—yea, well did he say that if the time should come that the voice of this people should choose iniquity, that is, if the time should come that this people should fall into transgression, they would be ripe for destruction.

20  And now I say unto you that well doth the Lord judge of your iniquities; well doth he cry unto this people, by the voice of his angels: Repent ye, repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.

21  Yea, well doth he cry, by the voice of his angels that: I will come down among my people, with equity and justice in my hands.

22  Yea, and I say unto you that if it were not for the prayers of the righteous, who are now in the land, that ye would even now be visited with utter destruction; yet it would not be by flood, as were the people in the days of Noah, but it would be by famine, and by pestilence, and the sword.

Alma 10:19-22 (Emphasis mine)

Amulek reminds the people that Mosiah told them if they chose iniquity that they would be ready for destruction. 

They are being judged by the Lord fairly.  They are being warned that they need to repent.

7  But the LORD shall endure for ever: he hath prepared his throne for judgment.

8  And he shall judge the world in righteousness, he shall minister judgment to the people in uprightness.

Psalms 9:7-8 (Emphasis mine)

6  And the heavens shall declare his righteousness: for God is judge himself.  Selah.

Psalms 50:6 (Emphasis mine)

17  I said in mine heart, God shall judge the righteous and the wicked: for there is a time there for every purpose and for every work.

Ecclesiastes 3:17 (Emphasis mine)

26  For as the Father hath life in himself; so hath he given to the Son to have life in himself;

27  And hath given him authority to execute judgment also, because he is the Son of man.

John 5:26-27 (Emphasis mine)

15  Ye judge after the flesh; I judge no man.

16  And yet if I judge, my judgment is true: for I am not alone, but I and the Father that sent me.

John 8:15 – 16 (Emphasis mine)

42  And he commanded us to preach unto the people, and to testify that it is he which was ordained of God to be the Judge of quick and dead.

Acts 10:42 (Emphasis mine)

 14  And Enoch also, the seventh from Adam, prophesied of these, saying, Behold, the Lord cometh with ten thousands of his saints,

15  To execute judgment upon all, and to convince all that are ungodly among them of all their ungodly deeds which they have ungodly committed, and of all their hard speeches which ungodly sinners have spoken against him.

16  These are murmurers, complainers, walking after their own lusts; and their mouth speaketh great swelling words, having men's persons in admiration because of advantage.

Jude 1:14-16 (Emphasis mine)

Amulek then informs them that, were it not for the prayers of the righteous, they would have already been destroyed. 

What did Mosiah mean that if the people fell into transgression, they would be “ripe for destruction?”  Richard Draper wrote:

“When iniquity ripens fully the cursings come. But what constitutes being ripe in iniquity? The Book of Mormon gives specific conditions: (1) when ‘the voice of this people should choose iniquity’ (Alma 10:19); (2) when the people ‘turn aside the just for a thing of naught and revile against that which is good, and say that it is of no worth’ (2 Nephi 28:16); (3) when they reject ‘every word of God’ (1 Nephi 17:35); and (4) ‘when [they] shall cast out the righteous from among [them], then shall [they] be ripe for destruction’ (Helaman 13:14).” [1] (Emphasis mine)

Hugh Nibley remarked:

“ In Mosiah's constitution the people chose the local judges in local elections, and it was the local judges that decided everything, after all, because they chose the chief judge and could remove him if they wanted to. So the people were responsible, and they will be responsible; that's the whole idea of it. Not that they will always do right. He says, the voice of the people does right more often than not, but if they don't—if you should choose iniquity—then it's your own fault. You've made your own choice. If that time should come, then you would be ripe for destruction. These are the ground rules of the promise in the land.” [2] (Emphasis mine)

23  But it is by the prayers of the righteous that ye are spared; now therefore, if ye will cast out the righteous from among you then will not the Lord stay his hand; but in his fierce anger he will come out against you; then ye shall be smitten by famine, and by pestilence, and by the sword; and the time is soon at hand except ye repent.

24  And now it came to pass that the people were more angry with Amulek, and they cried out, saying: This man doth revile against our laws which are just, and our wise lawyers whom we have selected.

Alma 10:23-24 (Emphasis mine)

Since the prayers of the righteous were keeping them from destruction, Amulek tells them that if they cast out the righteous, there will be no reason for the Lord to stay his hand.  Destruction would come upon them.

If it was possible, the people became even more angry.  How dare he revile against their just laws and their wise lawyers they chose!

A learned blockhead is a greater blockhead than an ignorant one.

Benjamin Franklin

Being ignorant is not so much a shame, as being unwilling to learn.

Benjamin Franklin

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[1] Hubris and Ate: A Latter-day Warning from the Book of Mormon, Richard D. Draper, Maxwell Institute, accessed October 20, 2011.

[2] Lecture 48: Alma 10-12, Hugh W. Nibley, Maxwell Institute, accessed October 20, 2011.