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Alma 9


The words of Alma, and also the words of Amulek, which were declared unto the people who were in the land of Ammonihah. And also they are cast into prison, and delivered by the miraculous power of God which was in them, according to the record of Alma.

Comprising chapters 9 through 14.

Chapter 9

Alma commands the people of Ammonihah to repent—The Lord will be merciful to the Lamanites in the last days—If the Nephites forsake the light, they will be destroyed by the Lamanites—The Son of God will come soon—He will redeem those who repent, are baptized, and have faith in His name. About 82 B.C.

And again, I, Alma, having been commanded of God that I should take Amulek and go forth and preach again unto this people, or the people who were in the city of Ammonihah, it came to pass as I began to preach unto them, they began to contend with me, saying:

Who art thou? Suppose ye that we shall believe the testimony of one man, although he should preach unto us that the earth should pass away?

Now they understood not the words which they spake; for they knew not that the earth should pass away.

And they said also: We will not believe thy words if thou shouldst prophesy that this great city should be destroyed in one day.

Now they knew not that God could do such marvelous works, for they were a hard-hearted and a stiffnecked people.

And they said: Who is God, that sendeth no more authority than one man among this people, to declare unto them the truth of such great and marvelous things?

And they stood forth to lay their hands on me; but behold, they did not. And I stood with boldness to declare unto them, yea, I did boldly testify unto them, saying:

Behold, O ye wicked and perverse generation, how have ye forgotten the tradition of your fathers; yea, how soon ye have forgotten the commandments of God.

Do ye not remember that our father, Lehi, was brought out of Jerusalem by the hand of God? Do ye not remember that they were all led by him through the wilderness?

10 And have ye forgotten so soon how many times he delivered our fathers out of the hands of their enemies, and preserved them from being destroyed, even by the hands of their own brethren?

11 Yea, and if it had not been for his matchless power, and his mercy, and his long-suffering towards us, we should unavoidably have been cut off from the face of the earth long before this period of time, and perhaps been consigned to a state of endless misery and woe.

12 Behold, now I say unto you that he commandeth you to repent; and except ye repent, ye can in nowise inherit the kingdom of God. But behold, this is not all—he has commanded you to repent, or he will utterly destroy you from off the face of the earth; yea, he will visit you in his anger, and in his fierce anger he will not turn away.

13 Behold, do ye not remember the words which he spake unto Lehi, saying that: Inasmuch as ye shall keep my commandments, ye shall prosper in the land? And again it is said that: Inasmuch as ye will not keep my commandments ye shall be cut off from the presence of the Lord.

14 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.

15 Nevertheless I say unto you, that it shall be more tolerable for them in the day of judgment than for you, if ye remain in your sins, yea, and even more tolerable for them in this life than for you, except ye repent.

16 For there are many promises which are extended to the Lamanites; for it is because of the traditions of their fathers that caused them to remain in their state of ignorance; therefore the Lord will be merciful unto them and prolong their existence in the land.

17 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.

18 But behold, I say unto you that if ye persist in your wickedness that your days shall not be prolonged in the land, for the Lamanites shall be sent upon you; and if ye repent not they shall come in a time when you know not, and ye shall be visited with utter destruction; and it shall be according to the fierce anger of the Lord.

19 For he will not suffer you that ye shall live in your iniquities, to destroy his people. I say unto you, Nay; he would rather suffer that the Lamanites might destroy all his people who are called the people of Nephi, if it were possible that they could fall into sins and transgressions, after having had so much light and so much knowledge given unto them of the Lord their God;

20 Yea, after having been such a highly favored people of the Lord; yea, after having been favored above every other nation, kindred, tongue, or people; after having had all things made known unto them, according to their desires, and their faith, and prayers, of that which has been, and which is, and which is to come;

21 Having been visited by the Spirit of God; having conversed with angels, and having been spoken unto by the voice of the Lord; and having the spirit of prophecy, and the spirit of revelation, and also many gifts, the gift of speaking with tongues, and the gift of preaching, and the gift of the Holy Ghost, and the gift of translation;

22 Yea, and after having been delivered of God out of the land of Jerusalem, by the hand of the Lord; having been saved from famine, and from sickness, and all manner of diseases of every kind; and they having waxed strong in battle, that they might not be destroyed; having been brought out of bondage time after time, and having been kept and preserved until now; and they have been prospered until they are rich in all manner of things—

23 And now behold I say unto you, that if this people, who have received so many blessings from the hand of the Lord, should transgress contrary to the light and knowledge which they do have, I say unto you that if this be the case, that if they should fall into transgression, it would be far more tolerable for the Lamanites than for them.

24 For behold, the promises of the Lord are extended to the Lamanites, but they are not unto you if ye transgress; for has not the Lord expressly promised and firmly decreed, that if ye will rebel against him that ye shall utterly be destroyed from off the face of the earth?

25 And now for this cause, that ye may not be destroyed, the Lord has sent his angel to visit many of his people, declaring unto them that they must go forth and cry mightily unto this people, saying: Repent ye, for the kingdom of heaven is nigh at hand;

26 And not many days hence the Son of God shall come in his glory; and his glory shall be the glory of the Only Begotten of the Father, full of grace, equity, and truth, full of patience, mercy, and long-suffering, quick to hear the cries of his people and to answer their prayers.

27 And behold, he cometh to redeem those who will be baptized unto repentance, through faith on his name.

28 Therefore, prepare ye the way of the Lord, for the time is at hand that all men shall reap a reward of their works, according to that which they have been—if they have been righteous they shall reap the salvation of their souls, according to the power and deliverance of Jesus Christ; and if they have been evil they shall reap the damnation of their souls, according to the power and captivation of the devil.

29 Now behold, this is the voice of the angel, crying unto the people.

30 And now, my beloved brethren, for ye are my brethren, and ye ought to be beloved, and ye ought to bring forth works which are meet for repentance, seeing that your hearts have been grossly hardened against the word of God, and seeing that ye are a lost and a fallen people.

31 Now it came to pass that when I, Alma, had spoken these words, behold, the people were wroth with me because I said unto them that they were a hard-hearted and a stiffnecked people.

32 And also because I said unto them that they were a lost and a fallen people they were angry with me, and sought to lay their hands upon me, that they might cast me into prison.

33 But it came to pass that the Lord did not suffer them that they should take me at that time and cast me into prison.

34 And it came to pass that Amulek went and stood forth, and began to preach unto them also. And now the words of Amulek are not all written, nevertheless a part of his words are written in this book.

      • above (adjective)

        More than.

      • according to (preposition)

        In a way that agrees with.

      • all manner of (adjective phrase)

        Every kind of.

      • Alma, son of Alma (proper noun)

        Prophet, chief judge, high priest, and main author of the book of Alma; sometimes known as Alma the Younger.

      • 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.

      • answer (verb)

        To satisfy; to meet the requirements of.

      • art thou (phrase)

        Are you.

      • authority (noun)

        The power or right to give commands or act officially; the power or right to act on behalf of someone else.

      • away (adverb)

        Out of existence.

      • B.C. (noun)

        Before the birth of Christ.

      • baptize (verb)

        To perform the ordinance of baptism. In baptism a person is immersed in water to symbolize being cleansed from sin.

      • because of (conjunction)

        By reason of; through.

      • behold (interjection, archaic)

        Look! See! In fact.

      • beloved (adjective)

        Dear; well-loved.

      • bring forth (verb)

        To produce; to bear.

      • brother, brethren (noun)

        Peer; neighbor; relative; kinsman.

      • cause (adverb phrase)

        Reason.

      • it came to pass (verb phrase)

        It happened; it took place.

      • cometh (verb, archaic)

        Comes.

      • command (verb)

        To give a law, order, or binding instruction.

      • commandment (noun)

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

      • converse (verb)

        To talk with each other.

      • cry (verb)

        To speak loudly.

      • cut off (verb)

        Exiled; separated from God.

      • latter days; last days (noun)

        Modern times; the period before the Second Coming of Jesus Christ (sometimes also called the “end times”).

      • one’s days (noun)

        One’s life.

      • declare (verb)

        To announce; to state energetically.

      • deliver (verb)

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

      • desire (noun)

        Wish; request.

      • destroy (verb)

        To kill; to thwart.

      • destroy (verb)

        To kill; to tear down or ruin completely.

      • destruction (noun)

        The tearing down or complete ruin of something.

      • devil (noun)

        Satan (also called Lucifer), a spiritual being who rebelled against God and opposes Him. Satan deceives people and tempt them to sin.

      • did, didst (verb, archaic)

        A term used before verbs to make them past tense.

      • even (adverb)

        In fact.

      • evil (adjective)

        Wicked; unrighteous; morally wrong; sinful; opposed to God’s laws.

      • except (conjunction)

        Unless.

      • faith (noun)

        Belief in God, willingness to follow His gospel, and trust in the impressions of the Holy Ghost.

      • fall into sin or transgression (verb)

        To start to sin without originally intending to (similar to falling into a trap).

      • fathers (noun)

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

      • Father (proper noun)

        God the Father. He created all life and is the Father of our spirits. He rules all things and is just, righteous, merciful, and loving. He is the father of Jesus Christ.

      • for behold (conjunction)

        Therefore; so you see.

      • for (conjunction)

        Because.

      • forth (adverb)

        Forward; away.

      • from before my presence (prepositional phrase)

        Away from me.

      • from (preposition)

        Starting from or with.

      • full of (adjective)

        Characterized by; having an excess of.

      • generation (noun)

        An age; a long period of time; the people living at a given time.

      • gift (noun)

        A special ability, power, or blessing given to someone by God.

      • glory (noun)

        Power; greatness; splendor; magnificence.

      • go forth (verb)

        To go ahead; to start out.

      • 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.

      • kingdom of God (noun)

        The place where the righteous live in the presence of God in the next life (sometimes called heaven).

      • Spirit of God (noun)

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

      • 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.

      • grace (noun)

        Gifts given by God regardless of whether we deserve them.

      • heaven (noun)

        The place where God lives.

      • Holy Ghost (proper noun)

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

      • if this be the case (phrase)

        If this is how it is.

      • in his name (adverb phrase)

        In Him.

      • inasmuch as (adverb phrase)

        Insofar as; to the extent that.

      • inherit (verb)

        To receive as a right.

      • Jerusalem (proper noun)

        Capital of the ancient kingdom of Judah, located in modern Israel; site of key events of the Bible.

      • land of Jerusalem (proper noun)

        The area around Jerusalem, the capital of the ancient kingdom of Judah.

      • Jesus Christ (proper noun)

        The Son of God. He created the earth and rules it. He often speaks and acts for His Father. He suffered so that we could be forgiven of our sins and be resurrected.

      • keep (verb)

        To follow; to obey; to live according to.

      • kindred (noun)

        A group of people who are related to each other.

      • 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.

      • Lehi (proper noun)

        A prophet who lived in about 600 B.C.; ancestor of the Nephites and Lamanites.

      • long-suffering (noun)

        Willingness to endure difficult things.

      • Lord (noun)

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

      • lost (adjective)

        Separated from God because of mortality and sin.

      • make known (verb)

        To teach; to tell; to reveal.

      • men (noun)

        People; humanity.

      • man (noun)

        Adult male human being.

      • marvelous (adjective)

        Wonderful; astonishing.

      • may, might (verb)

        Can; could.

      • may (verb)

        Can; could.

      • merciful (adjective)

        Kind; forgiving.

      • mercy (noun)

        Kindness; forgiveness.

      • might (verb)

        Can; could.

      • mightily (adverb)

        Strongly; fervently; earnestly.

      • misery (noun)

        Unhappiness; pain, guilt, loss, or discomfort.

      • nation (noun)

        A large group of people who are related to each other or who have the same language, history, or government; the country where they live.

      • nay (adverb)

        No.

      • Nephites, people of Nephi (proper noun)

        A people of the Book of Mormon descended from Nephi and from those who followed him.

      • nevertheless (adverb)

        But still; in spite of this.

      • in nowise (noun)

        In no way.

      • O (interjection, archaic)

        A word placed before the name of someone being addressed, often to show strong feeling.

      • out of someone’s hands (adverb)

        From someone.

      • patience (noun)

        Willingness to wait.

      • prayer (noun)

        Asking God for something; speaking to God, vocally or in one’s heart.

      • preach (verb)

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

      • preach (verb)

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

      • from the presence of (prepositional phrase)

        From being in front of or next to; from receiving inspiration, blessings, or protection from; from being able to live with God in the next life.

      • prolong (verb)

        To extend; to make longer.

      • spirit of prophecy (noun)

        A gift from God to be able to foretell future events or deliver messages from Him.

      • prophesy (verb)

        To deliver a message or predict future events by inspiration from God.

      • prosper (verb)

        To do well; to thrive; to succeed.

      • reap (verb)

        To gather; to harvest; to receive.

      • rebel (verb)

        To reject or resist the authority of someone; to struggle against a leader; to refuse to obey.

      • receive (verb)

        To get; to have given to you.

      • record (noun)

        A written description or account.

      • redeem (verb)

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

      • remain (verb)

        To stay.

      • repent (verb)

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

      • repentance (noun)

        Feeling sorrow for one’s sins, making amends, changing one’s life, and seeking forgiveness.

      • spirit of revelation (noun)

        A gift from God to be able to foretell future events or deliver messages from Him.

      • righteous (adjective)

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

      • salvation (noun)

        Being saved by God from death and the effects of sin; being saved by God from enemies or other physical danger.

      • save (verb)

        To rescue from death and sin.

      • seek, sought (verb)

        Try, tried.

      • send (verb)

        To cause someone to go to someone or someplace or to do something.

      • shall, should (verb)

        Will, would.

      • shall, should (verb)

        Will, would.

      • should (verb)

        May; must; ought to.

      • should (verb)

        Were to.

      • soul (noun)

        Spirit; the part of us that exists before birth, that continues after death, and that has awareness and the ability to choose.

      • spake (verb, archaic)

        Said.

      • spake (verb, archaic)

        Spoke.

      • state (noun)

        Condition; circumstance.

      • stiffnecked (adjective)

        Stubborn; proud.

      • suffer (verb, archaic)

        To allow; to permit.

      • suppose (verb)

        To believe.

      • testify (verb)

        To state that something is true.

      • testimony (noun)

        A statement by someone with personal knowledge that something is true.

      • that (conjunction)

        In order that; so that.

      • that (conjunction)

        Who.

      • therefore (adverb)

        For this reason.

      • thou (pronoun, archaic)

        You.

      • through (preposition)

        By means of; because of.

      • thy (pronoun, archaic)

        Your.

      • tongue (noun)

        A group of people who speak the same language.

      • tongue (noun)

        Language. The gift of tongues is the ability to speak or understand a language that one does not know.

      • tradition (noun)

        Belief or practice received from previous generations.

      • transgress (verb)

        To break a commandment from God.

      • transgression (noun)

        Breaking a commandment from God.

      • transgression (noun)

        Breaking a commandment from God.

      • translation (noun)

        A document or speech that gives the meaning of something written or spoken in another language.

      • unto (preposition)

        To.

      • unto (preposition)

        To.

      • unto (preposition)

        To.

      • voice of the Lord (noun)

        Words spoken by God the Father or Jesus Christ (whether heard physically or in one’s mind or heart); divine instruction or reasoning.

      • wickedness (noun)

        Evil; wrongdoing; disobedience to God’s commandments.

      • wilderness (noun)

        Land where few or no people live.

      • would (verb)

        Desire to; want to; would like to.

      • with (preposition)

        Through; by means of.

      • word (noun)

        Message; teachings.

      • word (noun)

        Teachings of the gospel.

      • works (noun)

        Actions; deeds.

      • would that ye should (verb)

        Want you to.

      • wroth (adverb)

        Angry.

      • ye (pronoun, archaic)

        You.

      • yea (interjection, archaic)

        Indeed; yes. This is pronounced “yay.”