MSH 22:0 Plan to throw off Lamanite yoke--Gideon's proposal--Lamanites made
drunk--The captive people escape and return to Zarahemla--End of Zeniff's
record.
MSH 22:1 And now it came to pass that Ammon and king Limhi began to consult
with the people how they should deliver themselves out of bondage; and even
they did cause that all the people should gather themselves together; and
this they did that they might have the voice of the people concerning the
matter.
MSH 22:2 And it came to pass that they could find no way to deliver
themselves out of bondage, except it were to take their women and children,
and their flocks, and their herds, and their tents, and depart into the
wilderness; for the Lamanites being so numerous, it was impossible for the
people of Limhi to contend with them, thinking to deliver themselves out of
bondage by the sword.
MSH 22:3 Now it came to pass that Gideon went forth and stood before the
king, and said unto him: Now O king, thou hast hitherto hearkened unto my
words many times when we have been contending with our brethren, the
Lamanites.
MSH 22:4 And now O king, if thou hast not found me to be an unprofitable
servant, or if thou hast hitherto listened to my words in any degree, and
they have been of service to thee, even so I desire that thou wouldst listen
to my words at this time, and I will be thy servant and deliver this people
out of bondage.
MSH 22:5 And the king granted unto him that he might speak. And Gideon said
unto him:
MSH 22:6 Behold the back pass, through the back wall, on the back side of the
city. The Lamanites, or the guards of the Lamanites, by night are drunken;
therefore let us send a proclamation among all this people that they gather
together their flocks and herds, that they may drive them into the wilderness
by night.
MSH 22:7 And I will go according to thy command and pay the last tribute of
wine to the Lamanites, and they will be drunken; and we will pass through the
secret pass on the left of their camp when they are drunken and asleep.
MSH 22:8 Thus we will depart with our women and our children, our flocks, and
our herds into the wilderness; and we will travel around the land of Shilom.
MSH 22:9 And it came to pass that the king hearkened unto the words of
Gideon.
MSH 22:10 And king Limhi caused that his people should gather their flocks
together; and he sent the tribute of wine to the Lamanites; and he also sent
more wine, as a present unto them; and they did drink freely of the wine
which king Limhi did send unto them.
MSH 22:11 And it came to pass that the people of king Limhi did depart by
night into the wilderness with their flocks and their herds, and they went
round about the land of Shilom in the wilderness, and bent their course
towards the land of Zarahemla, being led by Ammon and his brethren.
MSH 22:12 And they had taken all their gold, and silver, and their precious
things, which they could carry, and also their provisions with them, into the
wilderness; and they pursued their journey.
MSH 22:13 And after being many days in the wilderness they arrived in the
land of Zarahemla, and joined Mosiah's people, and became his subjects.
MSH 22:14 And it came to pass that Mosiah received them with joy; and he also
received their records, and also the records which had been found by the
people of Limhi.
MSH 22:15 And now it came to pass when the Lamanites had found that the
people of Limhi had departed out of the land by night, that they sent an army
into the wilderness to pursue them;
MSH 22:16 And after they had pursued them two days, they could no longer
follow their tracks; therefore they were lost in the wilderness.
MSH 23:00 An account of Alma and the people of the Lord, who were driven into
the wilderness by the people of king Noah. Comprising chapters 23 and 24.
MSH 23:0 Alma refuses to be king--Land of Helam captured by
Lamanites--Amulon, leader of king Noah's wicked priests, rules subject to the
Lamanite monarch.
MSH 23:1 Now Alma, having been warned of the Lord that the armies of king
Noah would come upon them, and having made it known to his people, therefore
they gathered together their flocks, and took of their grain, and departed
into the wilderness before the armies of king Noah.
MSH 23:2 And the Lord did strengthen them, that the people of king Noah could
not overtake them to destroy them.
MSH 23:3 And they fled eight days' journey into the wilderness.
MSH 23:4 And they came to a land, yea, even a very beautiful and pleasant
land, a land of pure water.
MSH 23:5 And they pitched their tents, and began to till the ground, and
began to build buildings; yea, they were industrious, and did labor
exceedingly.
MSH 23:6 And the people were desirous that Alma should be their king, for he
was beloved by his people.
MSH 23:7 But he said unto them: Behold, it is not expedient that we should
have a king; for thus saith the Lord: Ye shall not esteem one flesh above
another, or one man shall not think himself above another; therefore I say
unto you it is not expedient that ye should have a king.
MSH 23:8 Nevertheless, if it were possible that ye could always have just men
to be your kings it would be well for you to have a king.
MSH 23:9 But remember the iniquity of king Noah and his priests; and I myself
was caught in a snare, and did many things which were abominable in the sight
of the Lord, which caused me sore repentance;
MSH 23:10 Nevertheless, after much tribulation, the Lord did hear my cries,
and did answer my prayers, and has made me an instrument in his hands in
bringing so many of you to a knowledge of his truth.
MSH 23:11 Nevertheless, in this I do not glory, for I am unworthy to glory of
myself.
MSH 23:12 And now I say unto you, ye have been oppressed by king Noah, and
have been in bondage to him and his priests, and have been brought into
iniquity by them; therefore ye were bound with the bands of iniquity.
MSH 23:13 And now as ye have been delivered by the power of God out of these
bonds; yea, even out of the hands of king Noah and his people, and also from
the bonds of iniquity, even so I desire that ye should stand fast in this
liberty wherewith ye have been made free, and that ye trust no man to be a
king over you.
MSH 23:14 And also trust no one to be your teacher nor your minister, except
he be a man of God, walking in his ways and keeping his commandments.
MSH 23:15 Thus did Alma teach his people, that every man should love his
neighbor as himself, that there should be no contention among them.
MSH 23:16 And now, Alma was their high priest, he being the founder of their
church.
MSH 23:17 And it came to pass that none received authority to preach or to
teach except it were by him from God. Therefore he consecrated all their
priests and all their teachers; and none were consecrated except they were
just men.
MSH 23:18 Therefore they did watch over their people, and did nourish them
with things pertaining to righteousness.
MSH 23:19 And it came to pass that they began to prosper exceedingly in the
land; and they called the land Helam.
MSH 23:20 And it came to pass that they did multiply and prosper exceedingly
in the land of Helam; and they built a city, which they called the city of
Helam.
MSH 23:21 Nevertheless the Lord seeth fit to chasten his people; yea, he
trieth their patience and their faith.
MSH 23:22 Nevertheless--whosoever putteth his trust in him the same shall be
lifted up at the last day. Yea, and thus it was with this people.
MSH 23:23 For behold, I will show unto you that they were brought into
bondage, and none could deliver them but the Lord their God, yea, even the
God of Abraham and Isaac and of Jacob.
MSH 23:24 And it came to pass that he did deliver them, and he did show forth
his mighty power unto them, and great were their rejoicings.
MSH 23:25 For behold, it came to pass that while they were in the land of
Helam, yea, in the city of Helam, while tilling the land round about, behold
an army of the Lamanites was in the borders of the land.
MSH 23:26 Now it came to pass that the brethren of Alma fled from their
fields, and gathered themselves together in the city of Helam; and they were
much frightened because of the appearance of the Lamanites.
MSH 23:27 But Alma went forth and stood among them, and exhorted them that
they should not be frightened, but that they should remember the Lord their
God and he would deliver them.
MSH 23:28 Therefore they hushed their fears, and began to cry unto the Lord
that he would soften the hearts of the Lamanites, that they would spare them,
and their wives, and their children.
MSH 23:29 And it came to pass that the Lord did soften the hearts of the
Lamanites. And Alma and his brethren went forth and delivered themselves up
into their hands; and the Lamanites took possession of the land of Helam.
MSH 23:30 Now the armies of the Lamanites, which had followed after the
people of king Limhi, had been lost in the wilderness for many days.
MSH 23:31 And behold, they had found those priests of king Noah, in a place
which they called Amulon; and they had begun to possess the land of Amulon
and had begun to till the ground.
MSH 23:32 Now the name of the leader of those priests was Amulon.
MSH 23:33 And it came to pass that Amulon did plead with the Lamanites; and
he also sent forth their wives, who were the daughters of the Lamanites, to
plead with their brethren, that they should not destroy their husbands.
MSH 23:34 And the Lamanites had compassion on Amulon and his brethren, and
did not destroy them, because of their wives.
MSH 23:35 And Amulon and his brethren did join the Lamanites, and they were
traveling in the wilderness in search of the land of Nephi when they
discovered the land of Helam, which was possessed by Alma and his brethren.
MSH 23:36 And it came to pass that the Lamanites promised unto Alma and his
brethren, that if they would show them the way which led to the land of Nephi
that they would grant unto them their lives and their liberty.
MSH 23:37 But after Alma had shown them the way that led to the land of Nephi
the Lamanites would not keep their promise; but they set guards round about
the land of Helam, over Alma and his brethren.
MSH 23:38 And the remainder of them went to the land of Nephi; and a part of
them returned to the land of Helam, and also brought with them the wives and
the children of the guards who had been left in the land.
MSH 23:39 And the king of the Lamanites had granted unto Amulon that he
should be a king and a ruler over his people, who were in the land of Helam;
nevertheless he should have no power to do anything contrary to the will of
the king of the Lamanites.
MSH 24:0 Amulon persecutes Alma and his followers--The Lord makes their
burdens light and delivers them from bondage--They return to Zarahemla.
MSH 24:1 And it came to pass that Amulon did gain favor in the eyes of the
king of the Lamanites; therefore, the king of the Lamanites granted unto him
and his brethren that they should be appointed teachers over his people, yea,
even over the people who were in the land of Shemlon, and in the land of
Shilom, and in the land of Amulon.
MSH 24:2 For the Lamanites had taken possession of all these lands;
therefore, the king of the Lamanites had appointed kings over all these
lands.
MSH 24:3 And now the name of the king of the Lamanites was Laman, being
called after the name of his father; and therefore he was called king Laman.
And he was king over a numerous people.
MSH 24:4 And he appointed teachers of the brethren of Amulon in every land
which was possessed by his people; and thus the language of Nephi began to be
taught among all the people of the Lamanites.
MSH 24:5 And they were a people friendly one with another; nevertheless they
knew not God; neither did the brethren of Amulon teach them anything
concerning the Lord their God, neither the law of Moses; nor did they teach
them the words of Abinadi;
MSH 24:6 But they taught them that they should keep their record, and that
they might write one to another.
MSH 24:7 And thus the Lamanites began to increase in riches, and began to
trade one with another and wax great, and began to be a cunning and a wise
people, as to the wisdom of the world, yea, a very cunning people, delighting
in all manner of wickedness and plunder, except it were among their own
brethren.
MSH 24:8 And now it came to pass that Amulon began to exercise authority over
Alma and his brethren, and began to persecute him, and cause that his
children should persecute their children.
MSH 24:9 For Amulon knew Alma, that he had been one of the king's priests,
and that it was he that believed the words of Abinadi and was driven out
before the king, and therefore he was wroth with him; for he was subject to
king Laman, yet he exercised authority over them, and put tasks upon them,
and put task-masters over them.
MSH 24:10 And it came to pass that so great were their afflictions that they
began to cry mightily to God.
MSH 24:11 And Amulon commanded them that they should stop their cries; and he
put guards over them to watch them, that whosoever should be found calling
upon God should be put to death.
MSH 24:12 And Alma and his people did not raise their voices to the Lord
their God, but did pour out their hearts to him; and he did know the thoughts
of their hearts.
MSH 24:13 And it came to pass that the voice of the Lord came to them in
their afflictions, saying: Lift up your heads and be of good comfort, for I
know of the covenant which ye have made unto me; and I will covenant with my
people and deliver them out of bondage.
MSH 24:14 And I will also ease the burdens which are put upon your shoulders,
that even you cannot feel them upon your backs, even while you are in
bondage; and this will I do that ye may stand as witnesses for me hereafter,
and that ye may know of a surety that I, the Lord God, do visit my people in
their afflictions.
MSH 24:15 And now it came to pass that the burdens which were laid upon Alma
and his brethren were made light; yea, the Lord did strengthen them that they
could bear up their burdens with ease, and they did submit cheerfully and
with patience to all the will of the Lord.
MSH 24:16 And it came to pass that so great was their faith and their
patience that the voice of the Lord came unto them again, saying: Be of good
comfort, for on the morrow I will deliver you out of bondage.
MSH 24:17 And he said unto Alma: Thou shalt go before this people, and I will
go with thee and deliver this people out of bondage.
MSH 24:18 Now it came to pass that Alma and his people in the night-time
gathered their flocks together, and also of their grain; yea, even all the
night-time were they gathering their flocks together.
MSH 24:19 And in the morning the Lord caused a deep sleep to come upon the
Lamanites, yea, and all their task-masters were in a profound sleep.
MSH 24:20 And Alma and his people departed into the wilderness; and when they
had traveled all day they pitched their tents in a valley, and they called
the valley Alma, because he led their way in the wilderness.
MSH 24:21 Yea, and in the valley of Alma they poured out their thanks to God
because he had been merciful unto them, and eased their burdens, and had
delivered them out of bondage; for they were in bondage, and none could
deliver them except it were the Lord their God.
MSH 24:22 And they gave thanks to God, yea, all their men and all their women
and all their children that could speak lifted their voices in the praises of
their God.
MSH 24:23 And now the Lord said unto Alma: Haste thee and get thou and this
people out of this land, for the Lamanites have awakened and do pursue thee;
therefore get thee out of this land, and I will stop the Lamanites in this
valley that they come no further in pursuit of this people.
MSH 24:24 And it came to pass that they departed out of the valley, and took
their journey into the wilderness.
MSH 24:25 And after they had been in the wilderness twelve days they arrived
in the land of Zarahemla; and king Mosiah did also receive them with joy.
MSH 25:0 Zarahemla, a descendent of Mulek--The record of Zeniff and the
account of Alma read to the people--Alma authorized to establish the church
of Christ throughout the land.
MSH 25:1 And now king Mosiah caused that all the people should be gathered
together.
MSH 25:2 Now there were not so many of the children of Nephi, or so many of
those who were descendants of Nephi, as there were of the people of
Zarahemla, who was a descendant of Mulek, and those who came with him into
the wilderness.
MSH 25:3 And there were not so many of the people of Nephi and of the people
of Zarahemla as there were of the Lamanites; yea, they were not half so
numerous.
MSH 25:4 And now all the people of Nephi were assembled together, and also
all the people of Zarahemla, and they were gathered together in two bodies.
MSH 25:5 And it came to pass that Mosiah did read, and caused to be read, the
records of Zeniff to his people; yea, he read the records of the people of
Zeniff, from the time they left the land of Zarahemla until they returned
again.
MSH 25:6 And he also read the account of Alma and his brethren, and all their
afflictions, from the time they left the land of Zarahemla until the time
they returned again.
MSH 25:7 And now, when Mosiah had made an end of reading the records, his
people who tarried in the land were struck with wonder and amazement.
MSH 25:8 For they knew not what to think; for when they beheld those that had
been delivered out of bondage they were filled with exceedingly great joy.
MSH 25:9 And again, when they thought of their brethren who had been slain by
the Lamanites they were filled with sorrow, and even shed many tears of
sorrow.
MSH 25:10 And again, when they thought of the immediate goodness of God, and
his power in delivering Alma and his brethren out of the hands of the
Lamanites and of bondage, they did raise their voices and give thanks to God.
MSH 25:11 And again, when they thought upon the Lamanites, who were their
brethren, of their sinful and polluted state, they were filled with pain and
anguish for the welfare of their souls.
MSH 25:12 And it came to pass that those who were the children of Amulon and
his brethren, who had taken to wife the daughters of the Lamanites, were
displeased with the conduct of their fathers, and they would no longer be
called by the names of their fathers, therefore they took upon themselves the
name of Nephi, that they might be called the children of Nephi and be
numbered among those who were called Nephites.
MSH 25:13 And now all the people of Zarahemla were numbered with the
Nephites, and this because the kingdom had been conferred upon none but those
who were descendants of Nephi.
MSH 25:14 And now it came to pass that when Mosiah had made an end of
speaking and reading to the people, he desired that Alma should also speak to
the people.
MSH 25:15 And Alma did speak unto them, when they were assembled together in
large bodies, and he went from one body to another, preaching unto the people
repentance and faith on the Lord.
MSH 25:16 And he did exhort the people of Limhi and his brethren, all those
that had been delivered out of bondage, that they should remember that it was
the Lord that did deliver them.
MSH 25:17 And it came to pass that after Alma had taught the people many
things, and had made an end of speaking to them, that king Limhi was desirous
that he might be baptized; and all his people were desirous that they might
be baptized also.
MSH 25:18 Therefore, Alma did go forth into the water and did baptize them;
yea, he did baptize them after the manner he did his brethren in the waters
of Mormon; yea, and as many as he did baptize did belong to the church of
God; and this because of their belief on the words of Alma.
MSH 25:19 And it came to pass that king Mosiah granted unto Alma that he
might establish churches throughout all the land of Zarahemla; and gave him
power to ordain priests and teachers over every church.
MSH 25:20 Now this was done because there were so many people that they could
not all be governed by one teacher; neither could they all hear the word of
God in one assembly;
MSH 25:21 Therefore they did assemble themselves together in different
bodies, being called churches; every church having their priests and their
teachers, and every priest preaching the word according as it was delivered
to him by the mouth of Alma.
MSH 25:22 And thus, notwithstanding there being many churches they were all
one church, yea, even the church of God; for there was nothing preached in
all the churches except it were repentance and faith in God.
MSH 25:23 And now there were seven churches in the land of Zarahemla. And it
came to pass that whosoever were desirous to take upon them the name of
Christ, or of God, they did join the churches of God;
MSH 25:24 And they were called the people of God. And the Lord did pour out
his Spirit upon them, and they were blessed, and prospered in the land.
MSH 26:0 Concerning unbelievers and evil-doers--The Lord instructs Alma how
to deal with them.
MSH 26:1 Now it came to pass that there were many of the rising generation
that could not understand the words of king Benjamin, being little children
at the time he spake unto his people; and they did not believe the tradition
of their fathers.
MSH 26:2 They did not believe what had been said concerning the resurrection
of the dead, neither did they believe concerning the coming of Christ.
MSH 26:3 And now because of their unbelief they could not understand the word
of God; and their hearts were hardened.
MSH 26:4 And they would not be baptized; neither would they join the church.
And they were a separate people as to their faith, and remained so ever
after, even in their carnal and sinful state; for they would not call upon
the Lord their God.
MSH 26:5 And now in the reign of Mosiah they were not half so numerous as the
people of God; but because of the dissensions among the brethren they became
more numerous.
MSH 26:6 For it came to pass that they did deceive many with their flattering
words, who were in the church, and did cause them to commit many sins;
therefore it became expedient that those who committed sin, that were in the
church, should be admonished by the church.
MSH 26:7 And it came to pass that they were brought before the priests, and
delivered up unto the priests by the teachers; and the priests brought them
before Alma, who was the high priest.
MSH 26:8 Now king Mosiah had given Alma the authority over the church.
MSH 26:9 And it came to pass that Alma did not know concerning them; but
there were many witnesses against them; yea, the people stood and testified
of their iniquity in abundance.
MSH 26:10 Now there had not any such thing happened before in the church;
therefore Alma was troubled in his spirit, and he caused that they should be
brought before the king.
MSH 26:11 And he said unto the king: Behold, here are many whom we have
brought before thee, who are accused of their brethren; yea, and they have
been taken in divers iniquities. And they do not repent of their iniquities;
therefore we have brought them before thee, that thou mayest judge them
according to their crimes.
MSH 26:12 But king Mosiah said unto Alma: Behold, I judge them not; therefore
I deliver them into thy hands to be judged.
MSH 26:13 And now the spirit of Alma was again troubled; and he went and
inquired of the Lord what he should do concerning this matter, for he feared
that he should do wrong in the sight of God.
MSH 26:14 And it came to pass that after he had poured out his whole soul to
God, the voice of the Lord came to him, saying:
MSH 26:15 Blessed art thou, Alma, and blessed are they who were baptized in
the waters of Mormon. Thou art blessed because of thy exceeding faith in the
words alone of my servant Abinadi.
MSH 26:16 And blessed are they because of their exceeding faith in the words
alone which thou hast spoken unto them.
MSH 26:17 And blessed art thou because thou hast established a church among
this people; and they shall be established, and they shall be my people.
MSH 26:18 Yea, blessed is this people who are willing to bear my name; for in
my name shall they be called; and they are mine.
MSH 26:19 And because thou hast inquired of me concerning the transgressor,
thou art blessed.
MSH 26:20 Thou art my servant; and I covenant with thee that thou shalt have
eternal life; and thou shalt serve me and go forth in my name, and shalt
gather together my sheep.
MSH 26:21 And he that will hear my voice shall be my sheep; and him shall ye
receive into the church, and him will I also receive.
MSH 26:22 For behold, this is my church; whosoever is baptized shall be
baptized unto repentance. And whomsoever ye receive shall believe in my name;
and him will I freely forgive.
MSH 26:23 For it is I that taketh upon me the sins of the world; for it is I
that hath created them; and it is I that granteth unto him that believeth
unto the end a place at my right hand.
MSH 26:24 For behold, in my name are they called; and if they know me they
shall come forth, and shall have a place eternally at my right hand.
MSH 26:25 And it shall come to pass that when the second trump shall sound
then shall they that never knew me come forth and shall stand before me.
MSH 26:26 And then shall they know that I am the Lord their God, that I am
their Redeemer; but they would not be redeemed.
MSH 26:27 And then I will confess unto them that I never knew them; and they
shall depart into everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels.
MSH 26:28 Therefore I say unto you, that he that will not hear my voice, the
same shall ye not receive into my church, for him I will not receive at the
last day.
MSH 26:29 Therefore I say unto you, Go; and whosoever transgresseth against
me, him shall ye judge according to the sins which he has committed; and if
he confess his sins before thee and me, and repenteth in the sincerity of his
heart, him shall ye forgive, and I will forgive him also.
MSH 26:30 Yea, and as often as my people repent will I forgive them their
trespasses against me.
MSH 26:31 And ye shall also forgive one another your trespasses; for verily I
say unto you, he that forgiveth not his neighbor's trespasses when he says
that he repents, the same hath brought himself under condemnation.
MSH 26:32 Now I say unto you, Go; and whosoever will not repent of his sins
the same shall not be numbered among my people; and this shall be observed
from this time forward.
MSH 26:33 And it came to pass when Alma had heard these words he wrote them
down that he might have them, and that he might judge the people of that
church according to the commandments of God.
MSH 26:34 And it came to pass that Alma went and judged those that had been
taken in iniquity, according to the word of the Lord.
MSH 26:35 And whosoever repented of their sins and did confess them, them he
did number among the people of the church;
MSH 26:36 And those that would not confess their sins and repent of their
iniquity, the same were not numbered among the people of the church, and
their names were blotted out.
MSH 26:37 And it came to pass that Alma did regulate all the affairs of the
church; and they began again to have peace and to prosper exceedingly in the
affairs of the church, walking circumspectly before God, receiving many, and
baptizing many.
MSH 26:38 And now all these things did Alma and his fellow laborers do who
were over the church, walking in all diligence, teaching the word of God in
all things, suffering all manner of afflictions, being persecuted by all
those who did not belong to the church of God.
MSH 26:39 And they did admonish their brethren; and they were also
admonished, every one by the word of God, according to his sins, or to the
sins which he had committed, being commanded of God to pray without ceasing,
and to give thanks in all things.
MSH 27:0 Persecution forbidden and equality enjoined--Alma, the younger, and
the four sons of Mosiah, among the unbelievers--Their miraculous
conversion--They become preachers of righteousness.
MSH 27:1 And now it came to pass that the persecutions which were inflicted
on the church by the unbelievers became so great that the church began to
murmur, and complain to their leaders concerning the matter; and they did
complain to Alma. And Alma laid the case before their king, Mosiah. And
Mosiah consulted with his priests.
MSH 27:2 And it came to pass that king Mosiah sent a proclamation throughout
the land round about that there should not any unbeliever persecute any of
those who belonged to the church of God.
MSH 27:3 And there was a strict command throughout all the churches that
there should be no persecutions among them, that there should be an equality
among all men;
MSH 27:4 That they should let no pride nor haughtiness disturb their peace;
that every man should esteem his neighbor as himself, laboring with their own
hands for their support.
MSH 27:5 Yea, and all their priests and teachers should labor with their own
hands for their support, in all cases save it were in sickness, or in much
want; and doing these things, they did abound in the grace of God.
MSH 27:6 And there began to be much peace again in the land; and the people
began to be very numerous, and began to scatter abroad upon the face of the
earth, yea, on the north and on the south, on the east and on the west,
building large cities and villages in all quarters of the land.
MSH 27:7 And the Lord did visit them and prosper them, and they became a
large and wealthy people.
MSH 27:8 Now the sons of Mosiah were numbered among the unbelievers; and also
one of the sons of Alma was numbered among them, he being called Alma, after
his father; nevertheless, he became a very wicked and an idolatrous man. And
he was a man of many words, and did speak much flattery to the people;
therefore he led many of the people to do after the manner of his iniquities.
MSH 27:9 And he became a great hinderment to the prosperity of the church of
God; stealing away the hearts of the people; causing much dissension among
the people; giving a chance for the enemy of God to exercise his power over
them.
MSH 27:10 And now it came to pass that while he was going about to destroy
the church of God, for he did go about secretly with the sons of Mosiah
seeking to destroy the church, and to lead astray the people of the Lord,
contrary to the commandments of God, or even the king--
MSH 27:11 And as I said unto you, as they were going about rebelling against
God, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto them; and he descended as it
were in a cloud; and he spake as it were with a voice of thunder, which
caused the earth to shake upon which they stood;
MSH 27:12 And so great was their astonishment, that they fell to the earth,
and understood not the words which he spake unto them.
MSH 27:13 Nevertheless he cried again, saying: Alma, arise and stand forth,
for why persecutest thou the church of God? For the Lord hath said: This is
my church, and I will establish it; and nothing shall overthrow it, save it
is the transgression of my people.
MSH 27:14 And again, the angel said: Behold, the Lord hath heard the prayers
of his people, and also the prayers of his servant, Alma, who is thy father;
for he has prayed with much faith concerning thee that thou mightest be
brought to the knowledge of the truth; therefore, for this purpose have I
come to convince thee of the power and authority of God, that the prayers of
his servants might be answered according to their faith.
MSH 27:15 And now behold, can ye dispute the power of God? For behold, doth
not my voice shake the earth? And can ye not also behold me before you? And I
am sent from God.
MSH 27:16 Now I say unto thee: Go, and remember the captivity of thy fathers
in the land of Helam, and in the land of Nephi; and remember how great things
he has done for them; for they were in bondage, and he has delivered them.
And now I say unto thee, Alma, go thy way, and seek to destroy the church no
more, that their prayers may be answered, and this even if thou wilt of
thyself be cast off.
MSH 27:17 And now it came to pass that these were the last words which the
angel spake unto Alma, and he departed.
MSH 27:18 And now Alma and those that were with him fell again to the earth,
for great was their astonishment; for with their own eyes they had beheld an
angel of the Lord; and his voice was as thunder, which shook the earth; and
they knew that there was nothing save the power of God that could shake the
earth and cause it to tremble as though it would part asunder.
MSH 27:19 And now the astonishment of Alma was so great that he became dumb,
that he could not open his mouth; yea, and he became weak, even that he could
not move his hands; therefore he was taken by those that were with him, and
carried helpless, even until he was laid before his father.
MSH 27:20 And they rehearsed unto his father all that had happened unto them;
and his father rejoiced, for he knew that it was the power of God.
MSH 27:21 And he caused that a multitude should be gathered together that
they might witness what the Lord had done for his son, and also for those
that were with him.
MSH 27:22 And he caused that the priests should assemble themselves together;
and they began to fast, and to pray to the Lord their God that he would open
the mouth of Alma, that he might speak, and also that his limbs might receive
their strength--that the eyes of the people might be opened to see and know
of the goodness and glory of God.
MSH 27:23 And it came to pass after they had fasted and prayed for the space
of two days and two nights, the limbs of Alma received their strength, and he
stood up and began to speak unto them, bidding them to be of good comfort:
MSH 27:24 For, said he, I have repented of my sins, and have been redeemed of
the Lord; behold I am born of the Spirit.
MSH 27:25 And the Lord said unto me: Marvel not that all mankind, yea, men
and women, all nations, kindreds, tongues and people, must be born again;
yea, born of God, changed from their carnal and fallen state, to a state of
righteousness, being redeemed of God, becoming his sons and daughters;
MSH 27:26 And thus they become new creatures; and unless they do this, they
can in nowise inherit the kingdom of God.
MSH 27:27 I say unto you, unless this be the case, they must be cast off; and
this I know, because I was like to be cast off.
MSH 27:28 Nevertheless, after wading through much tribulation, repenting nigh
unto death, the Lord in mercy hath seen fit to snatch me out of an
everlasting burning, and I am born of God.
MSH 27:29 My soul hath been redeemed from the gall of bitterness and bonds of
iniquity. I was in the darkest abyss; but now I behold the marvelous light of
God. My soul was racked with eternal torment; but I am snatched, and my soul
is pained no more.
MSH 27:30 I rejected my Redeemer, and denied that which had been spoken of by
our fathers; but now that they may foresee that he will come, and that he
remembereth every creature of his creating, he will make himself manifest
unto all.
MSH 27:31 Yea, every knee shall bow, and every tongue confess before him.
Yea, even at the last day, when all men shall stand to be judged of him, then
shall they confess that he is God; then shall they confess, who live without
God in the world, that the judgment of an everlasting punishment is just upon
them; and they shall quake, and tremble, and shrink beneath the glance of his
all-searching eye.
MSH 27:32 And now it came to pass that Alma began from this time forward to
teach the people, and those who were with Alma at the time the angel appeared
unto them, traveling round about through all the land, publishing to all the
people the things which they had heard and seen, and preaching the word of
God in much tribulation, being greatly persecuted by those who were
unbelievers, being smitten by many of them.
MSH 27:33 But notwithstanding all this, they did impart much consolation to
the church, confirming their faith, and exhorting them with long-suffering
and much travail to keep the commandments of God.
MSH 27:34 And four of them were the sons of Mosiah; and their names were
Ammon, and Aaron, and Omner, and Himni; these were the names of the sons of
Mosiah.
MSH 27:35 And they traveled throughout all the land of Zarahemla, and among
all the people who were under the reign of king Mosiah, zealously striving to
repair all the injuries which they had done to the church, confessing all
their sins, and publishing all the things which they had seen, and explaining
the prophecies and the scriptures to all who desired to hear them.
MSH 27:36 And thus they were instruments in the hands of God in bringing many
to the knowledge of the truth, yea, to the knowledge of their Redeemer.
MSH 27:37 And how blessed are they! For they did publish peace; they did
publish good tidings of good; and they did declare unto the people that the
Lord reigneth.
MSH 28:0 Mosiah permits his sons to preach to the Lamanites--The twenty-four
plates translated--Alma, the younger, made the custodian of the records.
MSH 28:1 Now it came to pass that after the sons of Mosiah had done all these
things, they took a small number with them and returned to their father, the
king, and desired of him that he would grant unto them that they might, with
these whom they had selected, go up to the land of Nephi that they might
preach the things which they had heard, and that they might impart the word
of God to their brethren, the Lamanites--
MSH 28:2 That perhaps they might bring them to the knowledge of the Lord
their God, and convince them of the iniquity of their fathers; and that
perhaps they might cure them of their hatred towards the Nephites, that they
might also be brought to rejoice in the Lord their God, that they might
become friendly to one another, and that there should be no more contentions
in all the land which the Lord their God had given them.
MSH 28:3 Now they were desirous that salvation should be declared to every
creature, for they could not bear that any human soul should perish; yea,
even the very thoughts that any soul should endure endless torment did cause
them to quake and tremble.
MSH 28:4 And thus did the Spirit of the Lord work upon them, for they were
the very vilest of sinners. And the Lord saw fit in his infinite mercy to
spare them; nevertheless they suffered much anguish of soul because of their
iniquities, suffering much and fearing that they should be cast off forever.
MSH 28:5 And it came to pass that they did plead with their father many days
that they might go up to the land of Nephi.
MSH 28:6 And king Mosiah went and inquired of the Lord if he should let his
sons go up among the Lamanites to preach the word.
MSH 28:7 And the Lord said unto Mosiah: Let them go up, for many shall
believe on their words, and they shall have eternal life; and I will deliver
thy sons out of the hands of the Lamanites.
MSH 28:8 And it came to pass that Mosiah granted that they might go and do
according to their request.
MSH 28:9 And they took their journey into the wilderness to go up to preach
the word among the Lamanites; and I shall give an account of their
proceedings hereafter.
MSH 28:10 Now king Mosiah had no one to confer the kingdom upon, for there
was not any of his sons who would accept of the kingdom.
MSH 28:11 Therefore he took the records which were engraven on the plates of
brass, and also the plates of Nephi, and all the things which he had kept and
preserved according to the commandments of God, after having translated and
caused to be written the records which were on the plates of gold which had
been found by the people of Limhi, which were delivered to him by the hand of
Limhi;
MSH 28:12 And this he did because of the great anxiety of his people; for
they were desirous beyond measure to know concerning those people who had
been destroyed.
MSH 28:13 And now he translated them by the means of those two stones which
were fastened into the two rims of a bow.
MSH 28:14 Now these things were prepared from the beginning, and were handed
down from generation to generation, for the purpose of interpreting
languages;
MSH 28:15 And they have been kept and preserved by the hand of the Lord, that
he should discover to every creature who should possess the land the
iniquities and abominations of his people;
MSH 28:16 And whosoever has these things is called seer, after the manner of
old times.
MSH 28:17 Now after Mosiah had finished translating these records, behold, it
gave an account of the people who were destroyed, from the time that they
were destroyed back to the building of the great tower, at the time the Lord
confounded the language of the people and they were scattered abroad upon the
face of all the earth, yea, and even from that time back until the creation
of Adam.
MSH 28:18 Now this account did cause the people of Mosiah to mourn
exceedingly, yea, they were filled with sorrow; nevertheless it gave them
much knowledge, in the which they did rejoice.
MSH 28:19 And this account shall be written hereafter; for behold, it is
expedient that all people should know the things which are written in this
account.
MSH 28:20 And now, as I said unto you, that after king Mosiah had done these
things, he took the plates of brass, and all the things which he had kept,
and conferred them upon Alma, who was the son of Alma; yea, all the records,
and also the interpreters, and conferred them upon him, and commanded him
that he should keep and preserve them, and also keep a record of the people,
handing them down from one generation to another, even as they had been
handed down from the time that Lehi left Jerusalem.
MSH 29:0 King Mosiah discourses upon kingcraft--Recommends representative
form of government--Judges elected--Death of Alma, the elder--Mosiah's death
ends the reign of the Nephite kings.
MSH 29:1 Now when Mosiah had done this he sent out throughout all the land,
among all the people, desiring to know their will concerning who should be
their king.
MSH 29:2 And it came to pass that the voice of the people came, saying: We
are desirous that Aaron thy son should be our king and our ruler.
MSH 29:3 Now Aaron had gone up to the land of Nephi, therefore the king could
not confer the kingdom upon him; neither would Aaron take upon him the
kingdom; neither were any of the sons of Mosiah willing to take upon them the
kingdom.
MSH 29:4 Therefore king Mosiah sent again among the people; yea, even a
written word sent he among the people. And these were the words that were
written, saying:
MSH 29:5 Behold, O ye my people, or my brethren, for I esteem you as such, I
desire that ye should consider the cause which ye are called to consider--for
ye are desirous to have a king.
MSH 29:6 Now I declare unto you that he to whom the kingdom doth rightly
belong has declined, and will not take upon him the kingdom.
MSH 29:7 And now if there should be another appointed in his stead, behold I
fear there would rise contentions among you. And who knoweth but what my son,
to whom the kingdom doth belong, should turn to be angry and draw away a part
of this people after him, which would cause wars and contentions among you,
which would be the cause of shedding much blood and perverting the way of the
Lord, yea, and destroy the souls of many people.
MSH 29:8 Now I say unto you let us be wise and consider these things, for we
have no right to destroy my son, neither should we have any right to destroy
another if he should be appointed in his stead.
MSH 29:9 And if my son should turn again to his pride and vain things he
would recall the things which he had said, and claim his right to the
kingdom, which would cause him and also this people to commit much sin.
MSH 29:10 And now let us be wise and look forward to these things, and do
that which will make for the peace of this people.
MSH 29:11 Therefore I will be your king the remainder of my days;
nevertheless, let us appoint judges, to judge this people according to our
law; and we will newly arrange the affairs of this people, for we will
appoint wise men to be judges, that will judge this people according to the
commandments of God.
MSH 29:12 Now it is better that a man should be judged of God than of man,
for the judgments of God are always just, but the judgments of man are not
always just.
MSH 29:13 Therefore, if it were possible that you could have just men to be
your kings, who would establish the laws of God, and judge this people
according to his commandments, yea, if ye could have men for your kings who
would do even as my father Benjamin did for this people--I say unto you, if
this could always be the case then it would be expedient that ye should
always have kings to rule over you.
MSH 29:14 And even I myself have labored with all the power and faculties
which I have possessed, to teach you the commandments of God, and to
establish peace throughout the land, that there should be no wars nor
contentions, no stealing, nor plundering, nor murdering, nor any manner of
iniquity;
MSH 29:15 And whosoever has committed iniquity, him have I punished according
to the crime which he has committed, according to the law which has been
given to us by our fathers.
MSH 29:16 Now I say unto you, that because all men are not just it is not
expedient that ye should have a king or kings to rule over you.
MSH 29:17 For behold, how much iniquity doth one wicked king cause to be
committed, yea, and what great destruction!
MSH 29:18 Yea, remember king Noah, his wickedness and his abominations, and
also the wickedness and abominations of his people. Behold what great
destruction did come upon them; and also because of their iniquities they
were brought into bondage.
MSH 29:19 And were it not for the interposition of their all-wise Creator,
and this because of their sincere repentance, they must unavoidably remain in
bondage until now.
MSH 29:20 But behold, he did deliver them because they did humble themselves
before him; and because they cried mightily unto him he did deliver them out
of bondage; and thus doth the Lord work with his power in all cases among the
children of men, extending the arm of mercy towards them that put their trust
in him.
MSH 29:21 And behold, now I say unto you, ye cannot dethrone an iniquitous
king save it be through much contention, and the shedding of much blood.
MSH 29:22 For behold, he has his friends in iniquity, and he keepeth his
guards about him; and he teareth up the laws of those who have reigned in
righteousness before him; and he trampleth under his feet the commandments of
God;
MSH 29:23 And he enacteth laws, and sendeth them forth among his people, yea,
laws after the manner of his own wickedness; and whosoever doth not obey his
laws he causeth to be destroyed; and whosoever doth rebel against him he will
send his armies against them to war, and if he can he will destroy them; and
thus an unrighteous king doth pervert the ways of all righteousness.
MSH 29:24 And now behold I say unto you, it is not expedient that such
abominations should come upon you.
MSH 29:25 Therefore, choose you by the voice of this people, judges, that ye
may be judged according to the laws which have been given you by our fathers,
which are correct, and which were given them by the hand of the Lord.
MSH 29:26 Now it is not common that the voice of the people desireth anything
contrary to that which is right; but it is common for the lesser part of the
people to desire that which is not right; therefore this shall ye observe and
make it your law--to do your business by the voice of the people.
MSH 29:27 And if the time comes that the voice of the people doth choose
iniquity, then is the time that the judgments of God will come upon you; yea,
then is the time he will visit you with great destruction even as he has
hitherto visited this land.
MSH 29:28 And now if ye have judges, and they do not judge you according to
the law which has been given, ye can cause that they may be judged of a
higher judge.
MSH 29:29 If your higher judges do not judge righteous judgments, ye shall
cause that a small number of your lower judges should be gathered together,
and they shall judge your higher judges, according to the voice of the
people.
MSH 29:30 And I command you to do these things in the fear of the Lord; and I
command you to do these things, and that ye have no king; that if these
people commit sins and iniquities they shall be answered upon their own
heads.
MSH 29:31 For behold I say unto you, the sins of many people have been caused
by the iniquities of their kings; therefore their iniquities are answered
upon the heads of their kings.
MSH 29:32 And now I desire that this inequality should be no more in this
land, especially among this my people; but I desire that this land be a land
of liberty, and every man may enjoy his rights and privileges alike, so long
as the Lord sees fit that we may live and inherit the land, yea, even as long
as any of our posterity remains upon the face of the land.
MSH 29:33 And many more things did king Mosiah write unto them, unfolding
unto them all the trials and troubles of a righteous king, yea, all the
travails of soul for their people, and also all the murmurings of the people
to their king; and he explained it all unto them.
MSH 29:34 And he told them that these things ought not to be; but that the
burden should come upon all the people, that every man might bear his part.
MSH 29:35 And he also unfolded unto them all the disadvantages they labored
under, by having an unrighteous king to rule over them;
MSH 29:36 Yea, all his iniquities and abominations, and all the wars, and
contentions, and bloodshed, and the stealing, and the plundering, and the
committing of whoredoms, and all manner of iniquities which cannot be
enumerated--telling them that these things ought not to be, that they were
expressly repugnant to the commandments of God.
MSH 29:37 And now it came to pass, after king Mosiah had sent these things
forth among the people they were convinced of the truth of his words.
MSH 29:38 Therefore they relinquished their desires for a king, and became
exceedingly anxious that every man should have an equal chance throughout all
the land; yea, and every man expressed a willingness to answer for his own
sins.
MSH 29:39 Therefore, it came to pass that they assembled themselves together
in bodies throughout the land, to cast in their voices concerning who should
be their judges, to judge them according to the law which had been given
them; and they were exceedingly rejoiced because of the liberty which had
been granted unto them.
MSH 29:40 And they did wax strong in love towards Mosiah; yea, they did
esteem him more than any other man; for they did not look upon him as a
tyrant who was seeking for gain, yea, for that lucre which doth corrupt the
soul; for he had not exacted riches of them, neither had he delighted in the
shedding of blood; but he had established peace in the land, and he had
granted unto his people that they should be delivered from all manner of
bondage; therefore they did esteem him, yea, exceedingly, beyond measure.
MSH 29:41 And it came to pass that they did appoint judges to rule over them,
or to judge them according to the law; and this they did throughout all the
land.
MSH 29:42 And it came to pass that Alma was appointed to be the first chief
judge, he being also the high priest, his father having conferred the office
upon him, and having given him the charge concerning all the affairs of the
church.
MSH 29:43 And now it came to pass that Alma did walk in the ways of the Lord,
and he did keep his commandments, and he did judge righteous judgments; and
there was continual peace through the land.
MSH 29:44 And thus commenced the reign of the judges throughout all the land
of Zarahemla, among all the people who were called the Nephites; and Alma was
the first and chief judge.
MSH 29:45 And now it came to pass that his father died, being eighty and two
years old, having lived to fulfil the commandments of God.
MSH 29:46 And it came to pass that Mosiah died also, in the thirty and third
year of his reign, being sixty and three years old; making in the whole, five
hundred and nine years from the time Lehi left Jerusalem.
MSH 29:47 And thus ended the reign of the kings over the people of Nephi; and
thus ended the days of Alma, who was the founder of their church.
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