Akna 26:29-37

29  And we have entered into their houses and taught them, and we have taught them in their streets; yea, and we have taught them upon their hills; and we have also entered into their temples and their synagogues and taught them; and we have been cast out, and mocked, and spit upon, and smote upon our cheeks; and we have been stoned, and taken and bound with strong cords, and cast into prison; and through the power and wisdom of God we have been delivered again.

30  And we have suffered all manner of afflictions, and all this, that perhaps we might be the means of saving some soul; and we supposed that our joy would be full if perhaps we could be the means of saving some.

31  Now behold, we can look forth and see the fruits of our labors; and are they few?  I say unto you, Nay, they are many; yea, and we can witness of their sincerity, because of their love towards their brethren and also towards us.

32  For behold, they had rather sacrifice their lives than even to take the life of their enemy; and they have buried their weapons of war deep in the earth, because of their love towards their brethren.

Alma 26:29-32 (Emphasis mine)

Ammon gives us more insight into what they experienced when teaching the Lamanites.  They taught anywhere they could, but they suffered for their teachings.  They were cast out, spit upon,  hit, stoned, and bound and thrown into prison.

Why did the suffer this?  To be the means of saving souls. The souls who were sincerely converted.  How did he know they had been converted?  The people were willing to bury their weapons and die because of their love towards their brethren. 

23  Are they ministers of Christ?  (I speak as a fool) I am more; in labours more abundant, in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequent, in deaths oft.

24  Of the Jews five times received I forty stripes save one.

25  Thrice was I beaten with rods, once was I stoned, thrice I suffered shipwreck, a night and a day I have been in the deep;

26  In journeyings often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils by mine own countrymen, in perils by the heathen, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren;

27  In weariness and painfulness, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness.

28  Beside those things that are without, that which cometh upon me daily, the care of all the churches.

29  Who is weak, and I am not weak?  who is offended, and I burn not?

2 Corinthians 11:23-29 (Emphasis mine)

Paul would have understood Ammon.

33  And now behold I say unto you, has there been so great love in all the land?  Behold, I say unto you, Nay, there has not, even among the Nephites.

34  For behold, they would take up arms against their brethren; they would not suffer themselves to be slain.  But behold how many of these have laid down their lives; and we know that they have gone to their God, because of their love and of their hatred to sin.

35  Now have we not reason to rejoice?  Yea, I say unto you, there never were men that had so great reason to rejoice as we, since the world began; yea, and my joy is carried away, even unto boasting in my God; for he has all power, all wisdom, and all understanding; he comprehendeth all things, and he is a merciful Being, even unto salvation, to those who will repent and believe on his name.

Alma 26:33-35 (Emphasis mine)

Ammon marvels in the love the people have.  He says there has been no greater love found anywhere within the land.

This is why they have reason to boast.  God has all power, wisdom, and understanding.  He will bring salvation to those who repent and believe in Him.

17  But the mercy of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting upon them that fear him, and his righteousness unto children's children;

Psalms 103:17 (Emphasis mine)

4  Then called I upon the name of the LORD; O LORD, I beseech thee, deliver my soul.

5  Gracious is the LORD, and righteous; yea, our God is merciful.

Psalms 116:4-5 (Emphasis mine)

3  Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort;

2 Corinthians 1:3 (Emphasis mine)

36  Now if this is boasting, even so will I boast; for this is my life and my light, my joy and my salvation, and my redemption from everlasting wo.  Yea, blessed is the name of my God, who has been mindful of this people, who are a branch of the tree of Israel, and has been lost from its body in a strange land; yea, I say, blessed be the name of my God, who has been mindful of us, wanderers in a strange land.

37  Now my brethren, we see that God is mindful of every people, whatsoever land they may be in; yea, he numbereth his people, and his bowels of mercy are over all the earth.  Now this is my joy, and my great thanksgiving; yea, and I will give thanks unto my God forever.  Amen.

Alma 26:36-37 (Emphasis mine)

Ammon concludes by telling us that, if praising God is boasting, the he will always boast.  He is his joy, salvation, and redemption.  He has  been merciful to wanderers in a strange land.

And God is not only merciful to them, but He is to all people.  This is Ammon’s joy and thanksgiving.

Hugh Nibley commented on Ammon’s comments is verse 37.

“Now he gets into a universal theme in verse 37, which is very important. ‘Now my brethren, we see that God is mindful of every people, whatsoever land they may be in; yea, he numbereth his people, and his bowels of mercy are over all the earth.’ You can't divide the earth into the godly and the godless, can you?” [1]    (Emphasis mine)

“He numbers them as his own, not as being on one side or the other of a boundary; the Lord doth grant unto all nations . . . to teach his word . . . all that he seeth fit that they should have (Alma 29:8).” [2]

---

[1] Lecture 53: Alma 23-27, Hugh W. Nibley, Maxwell Institute, accessed October 4, 2011.

[2] Last Call: An Apocalyptic Warning from the Book of Mormon, Maxwell Institute, accessed October 4, 2011.

Alma 42 Summary

As I've been discussing Alma 42, I've come to appreciate Alma(2)'s words even more.  The power of his epistle is a great testimony of the importance of the atonement.

The epistle was written to Corianton after he deserted his missionary companions and consorted with a Lamanite harlot.  (39:3).  He was also an arrogant man as he did "...go on unto boasting in thy strength and thy wisdom."  (39:2 - emphasis mine).  It appears he was a constant problem for Alma(2) while he was preaching to the Zoramites.  The heading to chapter 39 tells us that "Corianton's sins kept the Zoramites from receiving the word."  A major problem child, indeed!

He doesn't understand justice.  He even goes so far as to "excuse yourself in the least point because of your sins, by denying the justice of God..." (42:30 - emphasis mine)  Even today we see those who want to justify their actions.  People say things like.  "God will excuse a little sin.  He understand we're not perfect."  As with Corianton, for may of us, it's easier to rationalize rather then humble ourselves before God.  Even so, Corianton still is concerned despite his denial because Alma(2) eventually wrote "I desire that ye should let these things trouble you no more..."  (42:29)

So, Alma(2) preaches the concept of justice and mercy.  We know that God has made laws and assigned punishments for violations of those laws.  In verse 17, Alma(2) writes " How could he sin if there was no law?  How could there be a law save there was a punishment?"  We have a law because " if there was no law given against sin men would not be afraid to sin." (42:20 - emphasis mine).  Because of the Fall, man is cut off from the presence of God (the spiritual death).  We sin and must suffer the affixed punishment.  This justice demand.  

Corianton claims that punishment is an injustice.  He excuses his sin and denies justice.  Alma(2) writes that if God were to ignore the law and punishment, he would cease to be God.  How could God be God if ignores his laws?  He couldn't.  But then Alma(2) tells us that God will not cease to be God  (see 42:13, 22-23).  The demands of justice will be met. 

As I read this, Alma(2) paints a very dark and hopeless picture.  Because we sin, we will have to face justice someday.  We must be punished for our sins.  And, this means we will eternally be cut off from the presence of God.  If this were all he wrote, we would be left with no hope.

But he doesn't leave us with no hope.  He introduces the concept of mercy.  He writes that "...the plan of mercy could not be brought about except an atonement should be made; therefore God himself atoneth for the sins of the world, to bring about the plan of mercy, to appease the demands of justice, that God might be a perfect, just God, and a merciful God also."  (42:15 - emphasis mine).  We have our beacon in the darkness.  Mercy can satisfy the demands of justice.  We now have the hope of someday coming back into the presence of God.  we do this through repentance.  We ask for God's forgiveness for our sins.  Through repentance, we accept the atonement and God's loving sacrifice.  

While there are many great and wonderful truths in Alma 42, there is one this is the most important to us.  Alma(2) writes that God is "a merciful God."  (42:15)   He does not want us to be cut off from his presence for all eternity.  He provided a Savior, a perfect and sinless being who would willingly offer himself as a sacrifice.  This sacrifice would meet the demands of justice.  The "plan of mercy" (42:15) is now offered to us.  Even though we sin and violate the laws of God, we can have the full force of mercy stand between us and the demands of justice.  All we have to do is willingly take the opportunity to have mercy become a part of our life. 

I can't even begin to express my appreciation that our Father is a merciful God, who has so much love for us that he has offered us a way to someday enter into his presence.  My eternal thanks to Alma(2) for his great words and teachings that help us understand the eternal love God has for us, his children.

Alma 42:28-31

28  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.
29  And now, my son, I desire that ye should let these things trouble you no more, and only let your sins trouble you, with that trouble which shall bring you down unto repentance.
30  O my son, I desire that ye should deny the justice of God no more.  Do not endeavor to excuse yourself in the least point because of your sins, by denying the justice of God; but do you let the justice of God, and his mercy, and his long-suffering have full sway in your heart; and let it bring you down to the dust in humility.
31  And now, O my son, ye are called of God to preach the word unto this people.  And now, my son, go thy way, declare the word with truth and soberness, that thou mayest bring souls unto repentance, that the great plan of mercy may have claim upon them.  And may God grant unto you even according to my words.  Amen.

Alma 42:28 - 31 (Emphasis mine)

Alma(2) emphasizes that if a person desires and chooses to do evil, that is what he will get in return.

Choice has been a major theme throughout Alma(2)'s epistle.  He emphasizes that God does not force man to be evil (nor righteous  for that matter).  We all have choices to make.  What we reap  is based on the choices we freely make throughout our lifetime.  The beauty of this is that a way has been provided to us to obtain mercy and return to the presence of God. 

Alma(2) concludes his epistle calling upon Corianton to repent, to cease to "deny the justice of God."  The time had come for Corianton to humble himself before God and to "let the justice of God, and his mercy .. have full sway in your heart..."  (v30).  Now was the time for him to repent of his sin.  

Alma(2) calls upon Corianton to continue his work, calling the people  to repentance so that the "plan of mercy may have claim upon them."  (v31)

Paul wrote:

8  For though I made you sorry with a letter, I do not repent, though I did repent: for I perceive that the same epistle hath made you sorry, though it were but for a season.
9  Now I rejoice, not that ye were made sorry, but that ye sorrowed to repentance: for ye were made sorry after a godly manner, that ye might receive damage by us in nothing.
10  For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death. 

2 Corinthians 7:8-10 (Emphasis mine)

Paul reinforces Alma(2)'s words about repentance.  We must humble ourselves before God.  But being sorry isn't enough.  We must have a "godly" sorrow.  

James wrote:

8  Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you.  Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded.
9  Be afflicted, and mourn, and weep: let your laughter be turned to mourning, and your joy to heaviness.
10 Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.

James 4:8 - 10 (Emphasis mine)

Once again, we see the call to "humble ourselves in the sight of the Lord..."  (v 10)  To truly repent, we must feel the sorrow deep in our soul.  We must ache for this sins we have committed.  We must want to obtain the forgiveness and mercy of God with all our soul.  Again, just being sorry isn't enough.

How important is humility? The scriptures tell us:

8  He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the LORD require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?

Micah 6:8

7  But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:
8  And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.

Philippians 2:7 - 8

5  Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder.  Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble.

1 Peter 5:5

(Emphasis in scriptures mine.)

Even the Son of God humbled himself.  In Peter's words, he was "clothed with humility."  What should that teach us?  

Talking about Christ's baptism, Nephi wrote:

5  And now, if the Lamb of God, he being holy, should have need to be baptized by water, to fulfil all righteousness, O then, how much more need have we, being unholy, to be baptized, yea, even by water!

2 Nephi 31:5 (Emphasis mine)

Paraphrasing Nephi, if the Lamb of God have need to humble himself, how much more need have we to humble ourselves?  

Through the atonement, we have the promise that, if we truly humble ourselves, feel great and deep sorrow for our sins, and ask forgiveness of God, we will be able to partake of the mercies offered to us by a merciful God.

It doesn't get any better than this.

Alma 42:15-21

15  And now, the plan of mercy could not be brought about except an atonement should be made; therefore God himself atoneth for the sins of the world, to bring about the plan of mercy, to appease the demands of justice, that God might be a perfect, just God, and a merciful God also.

Alma 42:15 (Emphasis mine)

Alma(2) emphasized how the demands of justice must be met.  Now Alma(2) formally introduces the concept of mercy.  How is the plan of mercy to be brought about?  There must be an atonement. 

I'd like to look at the etymology of the word.  

According to the Online Etymology Dictionary,  atone comes from the "1550s, from adv. phrase atonen (c.1300) 'in accord,' lit. 'at one,' a contraction of at and one. It retains the older pronunciation of one. The phrase perhaps is modeled on L. adunare 'unite,' from ad- 'to, at' + unum "'ne.'"   So, atone comes from words meaning "at one" or "unite."  

Now, we move to atonement.  According to the Online Etymology Dictionary, atonement is from the "1510s, 'condition of being at one (with others)', from atone + -ment. Meaning 'reconciliation' (especially of sinners with God) is from 1520s."  

Further, according to the Oxford DIctionary, "1533 Q. Cath. Parr Erasm. Comm. Crede 162 To reconcile hymselfe and make an onement with god [sic].1599 Bp. Hall Sat. iii. vii. 69 Which never can be set at onement more.1555 Fardle Facions ii. xii. 298 The redempcion, reconciliacion, and at onement of mankinde with God the father.]"  (Quote accessed at The etymology of “Atonement”  (accessed 2/8/2011).

Through the atonement, we not only "unite" with God, but we reconcile our sins with God and are redeemed by God.  

Alma(2) tells us the "God himself anotneth" for our sins.  Because "God himself atoneth," the plan of mercy will "appease" the demands of justice.  The makes God a just and merciful God.

16  Now, repentance could not come unto men except there were a punishment, which also was eternal as the life of the soul should be, affixed opposite to the plan of happiness, which was as eternal also as the life of the soul.

17  Now, how could a man repent except he should sin?  How could he sin if there was no law?  How could there be a law save there was a punishment?
18  Now, there was a punishment affixed, and a just law given, which brought remorse of conscience unto man.
19  Now, if there was no law given—if a man murdered he should die—would he be afraid he would die if he should murder?
20  And also, if there was no law given against sin men would not be afraid to sin.
21  And if there was no law given, if men sinned what could justice do, or mercy either, for they would have no claim upon the creature?

Alma 42:16 - 21 (Emphasis mine)

There had to be law.  Without law, there is no sin.   Without law, there is no punishment.  Without law, neither mercy nor justice could have claim upon us.  There had to be law for there to be an atonement. Neither justice nor mercy could make a claim upon us.  It was essential there be a law for the works of God to go forward.

The words of Paul.

7  What shall we say then?  Is the law sin?  God forbid.  Nay, I had not known sin, but by the law: for I had not known lust, except the law had said, Thou shalt not covet.
8  But sin, taking occasion by the commandment, wrought in me all manner of concupiscence.  For without the law sin was dead.

Romans 7:7 - 8  (Emphasis mine)

For there to be sin, justice, and mercy, there must be a law.