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 28:1-14

We’ve previously looked at Alma 17-27 previously.  I want to pick up with Alma 28.

Chapter 28

The Lamanites are defeated in a tremendous battle—Tens of thousands are slain—The wicked are consigned to a state of endless woe; the righteous attain a never–ending happiness. About 77–76 B.C.

1  AND now it came to pass that after the people of Ammon were established in the land of Jershon, and a church also established in the land of Jershon, and the armies of the Nephites were set round about the land of Jershon, yea, in all the borders round about the land of Zarahemla; behold the armies of the Lamanites had followed their brethren into the wilderness.

2  And thus there was a tremendous battle; yea, even such an one as never had been known among all the people in the land from the time Lehi left Jerusalem; yea, and tens of thousands of the Lamanites were slain and scattered abroad.

3  Yea, and also there was a tremendous slaughter among the people of Nephi; nevertheless, the Lamanites were driven and scattered, and the people of Nephi returned again to their land.

4  And now this was a time that there was a great mourning and lamentation heard throughout all the land, among all the people of Nephi—

5  Yea, the cry of widows mourning for their husbands, and also of fathers mourning for their sons, and the daughter for the brother, yea, the brother for the father; and thus the cry of mourning was heard among all of them, mourning for their kindred who had been slain.

6  And now surely this was a sorrowful day; yea, a time of solemnity, and a time of much fasting and prayer.

7  And thus endeth the fifteenth year of the reign of the judges over the people of Nephi;

Alma 28:1-7 (Emphasis mine)

A quick note.  Chapter 18 ended around 77 B.C.  This chapter picks up where Chapter 18 ends and with the settlement of the people of Anti-Nephi-Lehi (hereafter referred to as Ammonites) in Jershon.

As the Ammonites settled in Jershon, the Nephites deployed the armies around the land to protect them.  This was a good thing because Lamanite armies had followed them. 

This led to a mighty battle.  Mormon informs us that this was the worst battle seen among the people in the land since Lehi had left Jerusalem.  This battle caused much death and suffering among both people.

The Nephites turned to the Lord for comfort.  It was a time of fasting and prayer in their time of tremendous suffering.

What does Mormon mean by discussing the deaths and “tens of thousands of Lamanites … slain and scattered…?” (verse 3)  A. Brent Merrill explains:

“The text does not specify how many soldiers took part in these battles and what the actual number of casualties were for each side. This is because the reference to ‘thousands’ and ‘tens of thousands’ being cut off is an imprecise indicator (compare to Alma 28:2; note the reference to ‘slain and scattered’). For example, it is unclear whether this refers to actual casualties, or whether it just indicates that units of ‘thousands’ and ‘tens of thousands’ were defeated. What is clear is that Nephite wars were gradually becoming larger and more destructive than those of the preceding six centuries.” [1] (Emphasis mine)

8  And this is the account of Ammon and his brethren, their journeyings in the land of Nephi, their sufferings in the land, their sorrows, and their afflictions, and their incomprehensible joy, and the reception and safety of the brethren in the land of Jershon.  And now may the Lord, the Redeemer of all men, bless their souls forever.

9  And this is the account of the wars and contentions among the Nephites, and also the wars between the Nephites and the Lamanites; and the fifteenth year [76 B.C.]  of the reign of the judges is ended.

10  And from the first year to the fifteenth has brought to pass the destruction of many thousand lives; yea, it has brought to pass an awful scene of bloodshed.

11  And the bodies of many thousands are laid low in the earth, while the bodies of many thousands are moldering in heaps upon the face of the earth; yea, and many thousands are mourning for the loss of their kindred, because they have reason to fear, according to the promises of the Lord, that they are consigned to a state of endless wo.

12  While many thousands of others truly mourn for the loss of their kindred, yet they rejoice and exult in the hope, and even know, according to the promises of the Lord, that they are raised to dwell at the right hand of God, in a state of never–ending happiness.

Alma 28:8-12 (Emphasis mine)

We get a brief summary about what had been happening.  We learn about Ammon and his brethren, their sufferings and successes.  We learn about the wars that caused so much death and suffering.  We also learn that, while there is sorrow because of the deaths, there was joy knowing the promises of the Lord and that they are in a state of never-ending happiness.

Who wrote this summary?  John Tvedtnes believes Alma(2) wrote these words.

“These statements, in present rather than past tense, imply that the writer was Alma, not Mormon. Further evidence of contemporaneity is found in the wording of Alma 28:9, where we read ‘and the fifteenth year of the reign of the judges is ended,’  rather than simply ‘ended,’ as Mormon would write, and Alma 28:10, where it reads ‘has brought to pass,’ rather than ‘had.’ “ [2] (Emphasis mine)

As the chapter ends, Mormon shares his observations.

13  And thus we see how great the inequality of man is because of sin and transgression, and the power of the devil, which comes by the cunning plans which he hath devised to ensnare the hearts of men.

14  And thus we see the great call of diligence of men to labor in the vineyards of the Lord; and thus we see the great reason of sorrow, and also of rejoicing—sorrow because of death and destruction among men, and joy because of the light of Christ unto life.

Alma 28:13-14 (Emphasis mine)

Mormon’s final observations remind us that, because of the cunning plans of the devil, we suffer great inequality because of sin and transgression.

On the other hand, Mormon tells us that while we have sorrow because of death and destruction, we also have “joy because of the light of Christ unto life.”

A final observation about the light of Christ.

“Thus, if we have the light of Christ then we know the power of God. We experience it even if we do not have [an intellectual] understanding of it. Implicit in our experience of life in the world is the knowledge that God has the power to do good and to persuade us to do good … To know he is the omnipotent ruler is to know we need not fear that Satan will win the confrontation between good and evil, for our Father has the eternal power to bring about good.” [3] (Emphasis mine)

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[1] Nephite Captains and Armies, A. Brent Merrill, Provo, Utah: Maxwell Institute, accessed November 12, 2011.

[2] The Voice of an Angel, John A. Tvedtnes, Provo, Utah: Maxwell Institute, accessed November 12, 2011.

[3] Romans 1: Notes and Reflections, Verses 18-23, Maxwell Institute, accessed November 12, 2011.