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THE SON OF ALMA An account of the sons of Mosiah, who rejected their rights to the kingdom for the word of God, and went up to the land of Nephi to preach to the Lamanites; their sufferings and deliverance—according to the record of Alma. [Comprising chapters 17 to 26 inclusive.] |
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CHAPTER 17
The sons of Mosiah have the spirit of prophecy and of revelation— |
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1 AND now it came to pass that as
Alma was journeying from the land of Gideon southward, away to the land
of aMantia,
behold, to his astonishment, he bmet with the
csons of Mosiah journeying towards the land of Zarahemla.
2 Now these sons of Mosiah were with Alma at the time the angel afirst appeared unto him; therefore Alma did rejoice exceedingly to see his brethren; and what added more to his joy, they were still his brethren in the Lord; yea, and they had waxed strong in the knowledge of the truth; for they were men of a sound understanding and they had bsearched the scriptures diligently, that they might know the word of Goda.
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1a Alma was journeying from the land of
Gideon southward, away to the land of Manti This route from Gideon
to Manti is the same route which Captain Moroni will latter take from the
land of Jershon via the east-west running valley of Gideon to arrive at the
land of Manti prior to the armies of the Lamanites and Zoramites in
Alma chapter 43. This was the 'shortcut' route
which enabled Moroni's armies to arrive in the upper valley of Manti prior to
Zerahemnah whose armies traveled through Antionum and round about the
southern end of the eastern cordilleras and coming into the upper Sidon
valley through the pass which ran by the hill named Riplah.
2a men of a sound understanding and they had searched the scriptures diligently, that they might know the word of God There is no shortcut to gospel understanding. The scriptures must be read, searched and comprehended in order to obtain the word of God. Lehi did it when he first obtained the plates of brass. It is obvious that Nephi did it for he had studied and understood the words of Isaiah. Scripture study is the means by which men come to know and understand the things and the mysteries of God. Certainly that study is most fruitful when accompanied by pray and the guiding spirit, but nothing circumvents the actual time and effort of reading and studying the scriptures. |
1a
Alma 16:6 b Alma 27:16 c Mosiah 27:34 2a Mosiah 27:11-17 c Jacob 7:23; D&C 84:85; TG Scriptures, Study of
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3 But this is not all; they had given themselves to much prayer, and
afasting; therefore they had the spirit of prophecy,
and the spirit of revelationa, and
when they taught, they taught with bpower and authority of
God.
4 And they had been teaching the word of God *for the space of fourteen years among the Lamanites, having had much asuccess in bringing many to the bknowledge of the truth; yea, by the power of their words many were brought before the altar of God, to call on his name and cconfess their sins before him.
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3a the spirit of prophecy, and the spirit of revelation The ministration of prophecy and revelation given unto man is by the power of the Spirit of the Holy Ghost, as is also the ministering of angels, visions and dreams. Now such may come upon man as an external power but when one has entered into the ordinances and covenants of God, then that power of the Holy Ghost does reside with and in a person. Most revelation and guidance to man is thus given by the means of the whisperings of the spirit from within once a man has obtained the blessing of the constant companionship of the Holy Ghost. That is the sons of Mosiah did not need to have daily ministerings of angels for the spirit of prophecy and revelation did dwell within them as a constant companion revealing light and truth, quiding them in what they would say and do. This is the common manner of spiritual guidance in the church today though special occasions still warrent outward manifestations. |
3a
TG
Fasting b W of M 1:17; TG Authority; TG Teaching with the Spirit 4* [From abouot 91 to 77 B.C.] a Alma 29:14 b TG Missionary Work c Num. 5:7 (6-10); Mosiah 26:29, 35; 3 Ne. 1:25
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5 Now these are the circumstances which attended them in their
journeyings, for they had many afflictions; they did suffer much, both in
body and in mind, such as hunger, thirst and fatigue, and also much
alabor in the spirit.
6 Now these were their journeyings: Having ataken leave of their father, Mosiah, in the bfirst year of the judges; having crefused the kingdom which their father was desirous to confer upon thema, and also this was the minds of the people;
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6a their father [Mosiah II] was desirous to confer upon them Now the mind and well of God is often carried out without the designs and plans of man. Even though the people of Alma had been prepared to be a 'free people' with having a king, it was not the particular design of Mosiah to give up the throne in the land of Zarahemla that they might still be a free people. But because the sons of Mosiah did not desire the kingdom, then a system of freedom was so devised. And it was Alma's son Alma who had become the chief judge as well as the high priest and prophet of the church. Thus the goverment had moved from that of a 'kingom' to that of a democratic republic according to the design and preparation of God. And this was the land of 'liberty' which captain Moroni would be called up to defend. |
5a
Alma 8:10 6a Mosiah 28:9 (1, 5-9; Alma 26:1 b Mosiah 29:44 (41-44) c Mosiah 29:3
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7 Nevertheless they departed out of the land of Zarahemla, and took
their swords, and their spears, and their bows, and their arrows, and their
slings; and this they did that they might aprovide food for
themselves while in the wilderness.
8 And thus they departed into the wilderness with their numbers which they had aselected, to go up to the land of Nephi, to preach the word of God unto the Lamanites.
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7a
1 Ne. 16:15-32 8a Mosiah 28:1
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9 And it came to pass that they journeyed many days in the
wilderness, and they fasted much and aprayed much that the
Lord would grant unto them a portion of his Spirit to go with them, and abide
with them, that they might be an binstrument in the hands
of God to bring, if it were possible, their brethren, the Lamanites, to the
knowledge of the truth, to the knowledge of the baseness of the
ctraditions of their fathers, which were not correct.
10 And it came to pass that the Lord did avisit them with his bSpirit, and said unto them: Be ccomforted. And they were comforted.
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9a
Alma 25:17;
TG
Guidance, Devine b Mosiah 23:10; Alma 26:3 c Alma 3:11 10a 1 Ne. 2:16; D&C 5:16 b TG God, Spirit of c Alma 26:27
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11 And the Lord said unto them also: Go forth among the Lamanites,
thy brethren, and establish my word; yet ye shall be
apatient in long-suffering and afflictions, that ye may
show forth good bexamples unto them in me, and I will make
an instrument of thee in my hands unto the salvation of many souls.
12 And it came to pass that the hearts of the sons of Mosiah, and also those who were with them, took courage to go forth unto the Lamanites to declare unto them the word of God.
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11a
Alma 20:29;
Alma 26:27; TG Forbearance; TG Patience b TG Example
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13 And it came to pass when they had arrived in the borders of the
land of the Lamanites, that they aseparated themselves and
departed one from another, trusting in the Lord that they should meet again
at the close of their bharvest; for they supposed that
great was the work which they had undertaken.
14 And assuredly it was great, for they had undertaken to preach the word of God to a awild and a hardened and a ferocious people; a people who delighted in murdering the Nephites, and robbing and plundering them; and their hearts were set upon riches, or upon gold and silver, and precious stones; yet they sought to obtain these things by murdering and plundering, that they might not labor for them with their own hands.
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13a
Alma 21:1 b Matt. 9:27 14a Mosiah 10:12
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15 Thus they were a very indolent people, many of whom did worship
idols, and the acurse of God had fallen upon them because
of the btraditions of their fathers; notwithstanding the
promises of the Lord were extended unto them on the conditions of repentance.
16 Therefore, this was the acause for which the sons of Mosiah had undertaken the work, that perhaps they might bring them unto repentance; that perhaps they might bring them to know of the plan of redemption. 17 Therefore they separated themselves one from another, and went forth among them, every man alone, according to the word and power of God which was given unto him.
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15a
Alma 3:19 (6-19);
3 Ne. 2:15-16 b Alma 9:16-24; Alma 18:5 16a Mosiah 28:2 (1-3)
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18 Now Ammon being the chief among them, or rather he did administer
unto them, and he departed from them, after having ablessed
them according to their several stations, having imparted the word of God
unto them, or administered unto them before his departure; and thus they took
their several journeys throughout the land.
19 And Ammon went to the land of aIshmael, the land being called after the sons of bIshmael, who also became Lamanites.
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18a
TG
Blessing 19a Alma 21:18, 20; Alma 22:1, 4; Alma 25:13 b 1 Ne. 7:6 (4-6)
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20 And as Ammon entered the land of Ishmael, the Lamanites took him
and abound him, as was their custom to bind all the
Nephites who fell into their hands, and carry them before the king; and thus
it was left to the pleasure of the king to slay them, or to retain them in
captivity, or to cast them into prison, or to cast them out of his land,
according to his will and pleasure.
21 And thus Ammon was carried before the king who was over the land of Ishmael; and his name was Lamoni; and he was a descendant of Ishmael. 22 And the king inquired of Ammon if it were his desire to dwell in the land among the Lamanites, or among his people. 23 And Ammon said unto him: Yea, I desire to adwell among this people for a time; yea, and perhaps until the day I die.
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20a
Mosiah 7:7-10 23a Alma 19:19
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24 And it came to pass that king Lamoni was much pleased with
Ammon, and caused that his bands should be loosed; and he would
that Ammon should take one of his daughters to wife.
25 But Ammon said unto him: Nay, but I will be thy servant. Therefore Ammon became a aservant to king Lamoni. And it came to pass that he was set among other servants to watch the flocks of Lamoni, according to the custom of the Lamanites. 26 And after he had been in the service of the king three days, as he was with the Lamanitish servants going forth with their flocks to the place of awater, which was called the water of Sebus, and all the Lamanites drive their flocks hither, that they may have water—
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25a
Alma 21:19 26a Ex. 2:17 (15-20)
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27 Therefore, as Ammon and the servants of the king were driving
forth their flocks to this place of water, behold, a certain number of the
Lamanites, who had been with their flocks to water, stood and
ascattered the flocks of Ammon and the servants of the
king, and they scattered them insomuch that they fled many ways.
28 Now the servants of the king began to murmur, saying: Now the king will slay us, as he has our brethren because their flocks were scattered by the wickedness of these men. And they began to weep exceedingly, saying: Behold, our flocks are scattered already. 29 Now they wept because of the fear of being slain. Now when Ammon saw this his heart was swollen within him with joy; for, said he, I will show forth my power unto these my fellow-servants, or the power which is in me, in restoring these flocks unto the king, that I may win the hearts of these my fellow-servants, that I may lead them to abelieve in my words. 30 And now, these were the thoughts of Ammon, when he saw the afflictions of those whom he termed to be his brethren.
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27a
Alma 18:3-7;
Alma 19:21 (20-21) 29a 2 Kings 5:8
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31 And it came to pass that he flattered them by his words,
saying: My brethren, be of good cheer and let us go in search of
the flocks, and we will gather them together and bring them back
unto the place of water; and thus we will preserve the flocks
unto the king and he will not slay us.
32 And it came to pass that they went in search of the flocks, and they did follow Ammon, and they rushed forth with much swiftness and did head the flocks of the king, and did gather them together again to the place of water.
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33 And those men again stood to scatter their flocks; but Ammon
said unto his brethren: Encircle the flocks round about that they
flee not; and I go and contend with these men who do scatter our
flocks.
34 Therefore, they did as Ammon commanded them, and he went
forth and stood to contend with those who stood by the waters of
Sebus; and they were in number not a few.
35 Therefore they did not fear Ammon, for they supposed that one of their men could slay him according to their pleasure, for they knew not that the Lord had promised Mosiah that he would adeliver his sons out of their hands; neither did they know anything concerning the Lord; therefore they delighted in the destruction of their brethren; and for this cause they stood to scatter the flocks of the king.
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35a
Mosiah 28:7;
Alma 19:23 (22-23)
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36 But aAmmon stood forth and began to cast stones
at them with his sling; yea, with mighty power he did sling stones amongst
them; and thus he slew a bcertain number of them insomuch
that they began to be astonished at his power; nevertheless they were angry
because of the slain of their brethren, and they were determined that he
should fall; therefore, seeing that they ccould not hit him
with their stones, they came forth with clubs to slay him.
37 But behold, every man that lifted his club to smite Ammon, he smote off their arms with his sword; for he did withstand their blows by smiting their arms with the edge of his sword, insomuch that they began to be astonished, and began to flee before him; yea, and they were not few in number; and he caused them to flee by the strength of his arm.
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36a
Ether 12:15 b Alma 18:16, 20 c Alma 18:3
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38 Now six of them had fallen by the sling, but he
aslew none save it were their leader with his sword; and he
smote off as many of their arms as were lifted against him, and they were not
a few.
39 And when he had driven them afar off, he returned and they watered their flocks and returned them to the pasture of the king, and then went in unto the king, bearing the arms which had been smitten off by the sword of Ammon, of those who sought to slay him; and they were carried in unto the king for a testimony of the things which they had done. |
38a
Alma 19:22
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| * Verse 4 [From about 91 to 77 B.C.] | ||
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