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Alma 21


An account of the preaching of Aaron, and Muloki, and their brethren, to the Lamanites.

Comprising chapters 21 through 25.

Chapter 21

Aaron teaches the Amalekites about Christ and His Atonement—Aaron and his brethren are imprisoned in Middoni—After their deliverance, they teach in the synagogues and make many converts—Lamoni grants religious freedom to the people in the land of Ishmael. About 90–77 B.C.

Now when Ammon and his brethren separated themselves in the borders of the land of the Lamanites, behold Aaron took his journey towards the land which was called by the Lamanites, Jerusalem, calling it after the land of their fathers’ nativity; and it was away joining the borders of Mormon.

Now the Lamanites and the Amalekites and the people of Amulon had built a great city, which was called Jerusalem.

Now the Lamanites of themselves were sufficiently hardened, but the Amalekites and the Amulonites were still harder; therefore they did cause the Lamanites that they should harden their hearts, that they should wax strong in wickedness and their abominations.

And it came to pass that Aaron came to the city of Jerusalem, and first began to preach to the Amalekites. And he began to preach to them in their synagogues, for they had built synagogues after the order of the Nehors; for many of the Amalekites and the Amulonites were after the order of the Nehors.

Therefore, as Aaron entered into one of their synagogues to preach unto the people, and as he was speaking unto them, behold there arose an Amalekite and began to contend with him, saying: What is that thou hast testified? Hast thou seen an angel? Why do not angels appear unto us? Behold are not this people as good as thy people?

Thou also sayest, except we repent we shall perish. How knowest thou the thought and intent of our hearts? How knowest thou that we have cause to repent? How knowest thou that we are not a righteous people? Behold, we have built sanctuaries, and we do assemble ourselves together to worship God. We do believe that God will save all men.

Now Aaron said unto him: Believest thou that the Son of God shall come to redeem mankind from their sins?

And the man said unto him: We do not believe that thou knowest any such thing. We do not believe in these foolish traditions. We do not believe that thou knowest of things to come, neither do we believe that thy fathers and also that our fathers did know concerning the things which they spake, of that which is to come.

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.

10 And it came to pass as he began to expound these things unto them they were angry with him, and began to mock him; and they would not hear the words which he spake.

11 Therefore, when he saw that they would not hear his words, he departed out of their synagogue, and came over to a village which was called Ani-Anti, and there he found Muloki preaching the word unto them; and also Ammah and his brethren. And they contended with many about the word.

12 And it came to pass that they saw that the people would harden their hearts, therefore they departed and came over into the land of Middoni. And they did preach the word unto many, and few believed on the words which they taught.

13 Nevertheless, Aaron and a certain number of his brethren were taken and cast into prison, and the remainder of them fled out of the land of Middoni unto the regions round about.

14 And those who were cast into prison suffered many things, and they were delivered by the hand of Lamoni and Ammon, and they were fed and clothed.

15 And they went forth again to declare the word, and thus they were delivered for the first time out of prison; and thus they had suffered.

16 And they went forth whithersoever they were led by the Spirit of the Lord, preaching the word of God in every synagogue of the Amalekites, or in every assembly of the Lamanites where they could be admitted.

17 And it came to pass that the Lord began to bless them, insomuch that they brought many to the knowledge of the truth; yea, they did convince many of their sins, and of the traditions of their fathers, which were not correct.

18 And it came to pass that Ammon and Lamoni returned from the land of Middoni to the land of Ishmael, which was the land of their inheritance.

19 And king Lamoni would not suffer that Ammon should serve him, or be his servant.

20 But he caused that there should be synagogues built in the land of Ishmael; and he caused that his people, or the people who were under his reign, should assemble themselves together.

21 And he did rejoice over them, and he did teach them many things. And he did also declare unto them that they were a people who were under him, and that they were a free people, that they were free from the oppressions of the king, his father; for that his father had granted unto him that he might reign over the people who were in the land of Ishmael, and in all the land round about.

22 And he also declared unto them that they might have the liberty of worshiping the Lord their God according to their desires, in whatsoever place they were in, if it were in the land which was under the reign of king Lamoni.

23 And Ammon did preach unto the people of king Lamoni; and it came to pass that he did teach them all things concerning things pertaining to righteousness. And he did exhort them daily, with all diligence; and they gave heed unto his word, and they were zealous for keeping the commandments of God.

      • abomination (noun)

        Something that is loathsome, offensive, sinful, or sacrilegious.

      • according to (preposition)

        In a way that agrees with.

      • account (noun)

        A story; a description or record, written or verbal.

      • angel (noun)

        Messenger from God. Some are spirits of people who have lived or will later live on the earth. Others are people who have been resurrected.

      • appear (verb)

        To make oneself visible; to come to; to show oneself.

      • arise (verb)

        To get up from kneeling, sitting, or lying.

      • Atonement (noun)

        Jesus Christ’s suffering and death, which saves us from death and, if we repent, from the consequences of our sins.

      • B.C. (noun)

        Before the birth of Christ.

      • behold (interjection, archaic)

        Look! See! In fact.

      • border (noun)

        Boundary; division between countries or areas.

      • brother, brethren (noun)

        Peer; neighbor; relative; kinsman.

      • caused that someone should (phrase)

        Had someone.

      • caused that there should be (phrase)

        Had.

      • cause (adverb phrase)

        Reason.

      • Christ (noun)

        A title for Jesus Christ. The titles Christ and Messiah both mean a king or priest sent by God to save the world.

      • it came to pass (verb phrase)

        It happened; it took place.

      • commandment (noun)

        Law; order; binding instruction (especially from God).

      • concerning (preposition)

        About.

      • concerning (preposition)

        About.

      • correct (adjective)

        True; free from mistakes.

      • declare (verb)

        To announce; to state energetically.

      • deliver (verb)

        To help someone escape; to save someone; to set someone free.

      • deliverance (noun)

        To be saved from death, disaster, or the effects of sin.

      • depart (verb)

        To leave.

      • desire (noun)

        Wish; request.

      • did, didst (verb, archaic)

        A term used before verbs to make them past tense.

      • enter (verb)

        To go into.

      • except (conjunction)

        Unless.

      • exhort (verb)

        To urge; to try to persuade.

      • fathers (noun)

        Ancestors (one’s parents, their parents, theirs, and so on).

      • flee, fled (verb)

        To run away; to escape.

      • for (conjunction)

        Because.

      • free (adjective)

        Having the ability to choose; not being forced.

      • freedom (noun)

        The ability to choose; not being forced.

      • go forth (verb phrase)

        To move forward from a starting point.

      • God (proper noun)

        God the Father or His Son, Jesus Christ. God the Father rules all things with perfect justice, mercy, and love. Jesus Christ often speaks and acts for His Father. He suffered so that we could be forgiven of our sins and be resurrected. The Father and Son are separate individuals but are united in purpose.

      • Son of God (proper noun)

        A title of Jesus Christ. He is Heavenly Father’s Firstborn Child in the spirit and His Only Child in the flesh.

      • grant (verb)

        To give.

      • harden one’s heart (verb phrase)

        Make or become stubborn, wicked, or resistant to good influences.

      • hast thou (phrase, archaic)

        Have you.

      • heart (noun)

        A person’s thoughts, desires, and feelings.

      • How knowest thou (phrase, archaic)

        How do you know.

      • land or place of one’s inheritance (noun phrase)

        A land or place one has received from God or from one’s ancestors.

      • insomuch (adverb)

        With the result that.

      • keep (verb)

        To follow; to obey; to live according to.

      • king (noun)

        Ruler or leader of a country. Kings are usually the son of the previous king.

      • knowest (verb, archaic)

        Know.

      • Lamanites (proper noun)

        A people of the Book of Mormon, often enemies of the Nephites, who descended from Nephi’s brother Laman and of those who followed him.

      • Lord (noun)

        A term of respect for God the Father or Jesus Christ.

      • men (noun)

        People; humanity.

      • man (noun)

        Adult male human being.

      • mankind (noun)

        All people.

      • might (verb)

        Can; could.

      • mock (verb)

        To make fun of; to treat with scorn or disrespect.

      • nevertheless (adverb)

        But still; in spite of this.

      • over (preposition)

        Above in authority or power; having responsibility for.

      • over (preposition)

        About.

      • perish (verb)

        To die or be killed; to be lost spiritually.

      • preach (verb)

        To give a public speech on principles of faith or on how to live a righteous life.

      • preach (verb)

        To teach or proclaim the gospel.

      • preach (verb)

        To give a public speech on principles of faith or on how to live a righteous life.

      • redeem (verb)

        To rescue or save someone, often by paying a ransom.

      • redemption (noun)

        To be rescued or saved, often through the payment of a ransom. Jesus Christ gave His life to free the world from death and the effects of sin.

      • reign (noun)

        The period during which a king or judge rules over a people.

      • rejoice (verb)

        To feel or express great joy.

      • repent (verb)

        To feel sorrow for one’s sins, ask to be forgiven, and change one’s life.

      • resurrection (noun)

        Coming to life after being dead; the body and spirit coming together permanently; becoming immortal.

      • righteous (adjective)

        Good; virtuous; just; consistent with God’s law.

      • righteousness (noun)

        Goodness; morality; obedience to God’s commandments.

      • round about (preposition)

        Around; surrounding.

      • save it were (adverb phrase)

        Except for.

      • save (verb)

        To rescue from death and sin.

      • scripture (noun)

        Sacred writings given by God or recording God’s dealings with His children.

      • servant (noun)

        Someone who serves or works for someone else.

      • shall, should (verb)

        Will, would.

      • sin (noun)

        An evil act; disobedience to God’s commandments.

      • sin (noun)

        An evil act; disobedience to God’s commandments.

      • spake (verb, archaic)

        Said.

      • Spirit of the Lord (noun)

        The Holy Ghost. He is a divine spirit, one in purpose with God the Father and Jesus Christ. He speaks to our hearts and testifies of truth.

      • suffer (verb, archaic)

        To allow; to permit.

      • suffer (verb)

        To endure; to have something bad happen.

      • suffering (noun)

        Pain; difficulties.

      • sufficiently (adverb)

        Enough.

      • synagogue (noun)

        A place of worship.

      • testify (verb)

        To state that something is true.

      • therefore (adverb)

        For this reason.

      • therefore (adverb)

        Now; so.

      • thou hast (phrase, archaic)

        You have.

      • thou (pronoun, archaic)

        You.

      • through (preposition)

        By means of; because of.

      • thus (adverb)

        In this way.

      • thy (pronoun, archaic)

        Your.

      • tradition (noun)

        Belief or practice received from previous generations.

      • unto (preposition)

        To.

      • unto (preposition)

        To.

      • unto (preposition)

        To.

      • unto (preposition)

        To.

      • whatsoever (pronoun)

        Whatever.

      • wickedness (noun)

        Evil; wrongdoing; disobedience to God’s commandments.

      • with all diligence (adverb phrase)

        Conscientiously; with all one’s strength and effort.

      • word (noun)

        Message; teachings.

      • word (noun)

        Teachings of the gospel.

      • worship (verb)

        To honor, venerate, or praise God.

      • yea (interjection, archaic)

        Indeed; yes. This is pronounced “yay.”