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CHAPTER 34Amulek testifies that the word is in Christ unto salvation—Unless an atonement is made, all mankind must perish—The whole law of Moses points toward the sacrifice of the Son of God—The eternal plan of redemption is based on faith and repentance—Pray for temporal and spiritual blessings—This life is the time for men to prepare to meet God—Work out your salvation with fear and trembling. [About 74 B.C.] |
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1 AND now it came to pass that after Alma had spoken these words unto
them he sat down upon the ground, and aAmulek arose and
began to teach them, saying:
2 My brethren, I think that it is impossible that ye should be ignorant of the things which have been spoken concerning the coming of Christ, who is taught by us to be the Son of God; yea, I know that athese things were taught unto you bountifully before your dissension from among us. 3 And as ye have desired of my beloved brother that he should make known unto you awhat ye should do, because of your afflictionsa; and he hath spoken somewhat unto you to prepare your minds; yea, and he hath exhorted you unto faith and to patienceb—
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3a what ye should do, because of your
afflictions This life is full of the afflictions of mortality, of
this temporal corruption. None escape them in life and there is only one
course that man may follow to bring an eternal end to them and that is
through Christ who restoreth fallen men to God, who restoreth the soul, who
doeth make it possible that this corruption may be raised again unto
incorruption, that this temporal may become eternal and in a state of rest
and happiness forever more. Christ is that way out of this world's
afflications great or small and there is none other by whom we may be
delivered. He is the one hope there is for us all.
3b he hath exhorted you unto faith and to patience That faith is in Jesus Christ to the end of salvation. And that salvation is to the end of all of man's afflictions of the flesh, not only to those of sin but to all that is of human failing and suffering which man here below is subject unto. By that faith he is able to succor us here below and in the end he is able to redeem us from all the afflictions of this world unto God's rest and salvation. |
1a
Alma 8:21;
Alma 31:32 2a Alma 16:15 (13-21) 3a Alma 32:5
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4 Yea, even that ye would have so much faith as even to
aplant the word in your hearts, that ye may try the
experiment of its goodness.
5 And we have beheld that the great question which is in your minds is whether the word be in the Son of God, or whether there shall be ano Christ. 6 And ye also beheld that my brother has proved unto you, in many instances, that the aword is in Christ unto salvationa.
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6a the word is in Christ unto salvation The name 'JESUS' is the Greek form of the same name as 'JOSHUA', which has it most appropriate form in the name 'JEHOSHUA'. And the meaning of this name 'JESUS - JOSHUA - JEHOSHUA' is 'JEHOVAH SALVATION' or it is to say 'IN JEHOVAH IS FOUND SALVATION'. And this is the name given by the Father of Spirits unto the Firstborn Son which he selected before the foundation of the world in that great and grand preexistant council (Moses 4:1-2; Abraham 3:27). This name 'JESUS' was name upon Jehovah in that great preexistant realm (Philippians 2:9-11). And the Father did call him by that name at that judgment council in which Lucifer was condemned as Satan and Jehovah was exalted as the Christ (See Zechariah 3). And surely did Adam from the beginning (Moses 6:51-52) know him by this name which does mean that 'it is in Christ unto salvation' that we must seek and there is none other nor no other way by which men are saved, he being the one true God given by the Father of this Second Estate unto its Creation, Redemption and Judgment. |
4a
Alma 33:23 5a Jacob 7:2, 9; Alma 30:12, 22; Alma 31:16, 29 6a John 1:14 (1, 14)
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7 My brother has called upon the words of aZenos,
that redemption cometh through the Son of God, and also upon the words of
bZenock; and also he has appealed unto
cMoses, to prove that these things are true.
8 And now, behold, I will atestify unto you of myself that these things are true. Behold, I say unto you, that I do know that Christ shall come among the children of men, to take upon him the btransgressions of his people, and that he shall catone for the sins of the world; for the Lord God hath spoken it.
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7a
Alma 33:13;
Hel. 8:19 b Alma 33:15; Hel. 8:20 (19-20) c Alma 33:19 8a TG Testimony; TG Witnesses b TG Jesus Christ, Redeemer c TG Jesus Christ, Atonement through
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9 For it is expedient that an aatonement should be
made; for according to the great bplan of the Eternal God
there must be an atonement made, or else all mankind must unavoidably perish;
yea, all are hardened; yea, all are cfallen and are lost,
and must perish except it be through the atonement which it is expedient
should be made.
10 For it is expedient that there should be a great and last asacrifice; yea, not a bsacrifice of man, neither of beast, neither of any manner of fowl; for it shall not be a human sacrificea; but it must be an cinfinite and deternal esacrifice. 11 Now there is not any man that can sacrifice his own blood which will atone for the sins of anothera. Now, if a man murdereth, behold will our law, which is ajust, take the life of his brother? I say unto you, Nay.
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10a it shall not be a human
sacrifice Man can not be sacrificed unto salvation for he is
of this corruption himself, hiself being a sinful being of this mortal
natural man subject to the eventual pains of death.
11a there is not any man that can sacrifice his own blood which will atone for the sins of another It is a false and pagan concept that human sacriface does satify the demands of God. It is a doctrine of Satan directly opposed to and in mockry of the infinite sacrifice of the Son of God. Even animal sacrifice was but that which was performed in a similitude of the sacrifice of Christ, pointing man to the true concept of the infinite atonement of the Son of God. And if done and performed without this true intent, purpose and understanding, it to is a mockery before God. It is not a doctrine of the the true Gospel of God that human sacrifice is ever so required to bring about redemption of any type. Thus martyrdom is not a sacrifice unto God, but a witness against the wicked and a testimony unto God, but not a sacrifice unto salvation. Thus it is a false concept that if one dies for the name of Christ, that that death guarantees salvation in and off it self regardless of sin, repentance thereof and forgiveness received. It is only in and through the infinite eternal sacrifice of the Son of God performed by Him, that mankind is claimed from the pains of justice through his great love and mercy for those who do come unto him with a broken heart and a contrite spirit. Which contrite spirit is the humility before God and the meekness to submit one's self to the mind and the will of God in all things, living according to the course of God which is eternal righteousness. |
9a
2 Ne. 2:10;
2 Ne. 9:7-9; Alma 22:14; Alma 33:22 b Alma 12:26 (22-33); Alma 42:8 (6-28); Moses 6:62; c TG Fall of Man 10a 1 Chr. 6:49; Moses 5:7 (6-7) b TG Blood, Symbolism of c 2 Ne. 9:7 d Isa. 45:17; Heb. 5:9 e TG Sacrifice 11a Deut. 24:16; Mosiah 29:25
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12 But the law requireth the alife of him who
hath bmurdereda;
therefore there can be nothing which is short of an infinite atonement which
will suffice for the sins of the world.
13 Therefore, it is expedient that there should be a great and last sacrifice; and then shall there be, or it is expedient there should be, a astop to the shedding of bblood; then shall the claw of Moses be fulfilled; yea, it shall be all fulfilled, every jot and tittle, and none shall have passed away. 14 And behold, this is the whole ameaning of the blaw, every whit cpointing to that great and last dsacrifice; and that great and last esacrifice will be the Son of God, yea, finfinite and eternal.
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12a the law requireth the life of him who hat murdered Now there is a general salvation which is applied unto all, that all men are resurrected into a state of immortality and incorruption, that is that they are no more subject to death and the frailties of the flesh. This is applied unto all and this because of the infinite sacrifice of the Son of God unto death. For as stated here, if he is to atone for all, murderers included, he must need suffer death, that his life also be taken, the just for the unjust. Now do you suppose that it is not requisite that murderers do also repent and look unto Chirst? Yea, I say unto you that all men, even murderers need look unto Christ and repent. Thus it was with King David upon whom the lives of Uriah and Uriah's son by him born be laid upon David and from David be suffered by by Christ unto the salvation of the resurrection. And from thence to that reward or lack thereof because of such acts performed in this mortality. All must repent and look unto Christ. Every knee shall bow and every tongue confess for all sin is suffered for in Christ. Not unto exaltation but unto that general salvation which is so applied unto all through the atonement of Christ and faith on his name. And only those sons of perdition who turn there from completely, go down to that pit to be confined in the state with the Devil for ever and ever. |
12a
TG
Blood, Shedding of; TG Life, Sanctity of b TG Capital Punishment; TG Murder 13a 3 Ne. 9:19 b TG Blood, Symbolism of c 3 Ne. 1:24; 3 Ne. 15:5 14a 2 Ne. 25:24; Jarom 1:5; Mosiah 2:3; Alma 30:3 b TG Law of Moses c TG Jesus Christ, Types of, in Anticipation d Ex. 12:21 (1-30) e D&C 138:35 f D&C 20:17, 28
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15 And thus he shall bring asalvation to all
those who shall believe on his
namea; this being the intent of
this last sacrifice, to bring about the bowels of mercy, which overpowereth
justice, and bringeth about means unto men that they may have faith unto
repentance.
16 And thus amercy can satisfy the demands of bjustice, and encircles them in the arms of safety, while he that exercises no faith unto repentance is exposed to the whole law of the demands of cjustice; therefore only unto him that has faith unto repentance is brought about the great and eternal dplan of eredemption.
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15a thus he shall bring salvation to all those who shall believe on his name When it says all it means ALL. Thus King David was correct in his course of faith and repentance despite the greatness of his sin. For all must sooner or later come unto Christ to receive of his general salvation unto the resurrection of the body uniting it with the spirit to the result of the immortal soul. And then from thence to be judged according to one's works. And while such crimes as the knowing and understood murder of the innocent may cut off a man from his exaltation, it does not prevent that universal salvation and does not preempt a man's need to exercise faith upon Christ and to repent of that which is sin. For all must so look unto Christ and repent of their sins, even the most vile of sinners though for some it may take an eternal punishment and a 1000 year term in spirit prison before their redemption is effective. |
15a
TG
Salvation 16a TG Mercy b TG God, Justice of c Mosiah 15:27; Alma 12:32 d TG Salvation, Plan of e TG Redemption
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17 Therefore may God grant unto you, my brethren, that ye may begin
to exercise your afaith unto repentance, that ye begin to
bcall upon his holy name, that he would have mercy upon
you;
18 Yea, cry unto him for mercy; for he is amighty to save. 19 Yea, humble yourselves, and continue in aprayer unto him.
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17a
TG
Faith b TG God, Access to; TG Prayer 18a Heb. 7:25 (24-25) 19a TG Prayer
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20 Cry unto him when ye are in your afields, yea,
over all your flocks.
21 aCry unto him in your houses, yea, over all your household, both morning, mid-day, and evening.
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20a
Alma 33:5 (4-5) 21a Ps. 5:3 (1-3); Dan. 6:10; 3 Ne. 18:21
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22 Yea, cry unto him against the power of your
aenemies.
23 Yea, acry unto him against the bdevil, who is an enemy to all crighteousness.
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22a
TG
Enemies 23a 3 Ne. 18:15, 18 b TG Devil c TG Righteousness
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24 Cry unto him over the crops of your fields, that ye may
prosper in them.
25 Cry over the flocks of your fields, that they may increase.
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26 But this is not all; ye must apour out your
souls in your bclosets, and your secret places, and in your
wilderness.
27 Yea, and when you do not cry unto the Lord, let your ahearts be bfull, drawn out in prayer unto him continually for your cwelfare, and also for the welfare of dthose who are around you.
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26a
1 Sam. 1:15;
Enos 1:9 b Matt. 6:6 (5-6); Alma 33:7 (4-11) 27a TG Heart b TG Meditation c 2 Ne. 32:9; TG Welfare d D&C 108:7
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28 And now behold, my beloved brethren, I say unto you, do not
suppose that this is all; for after ye have done all these things, if ye
aturn away the bneedy, and the
cnaked, and visit not the sick and afflicted, and
dimpart of your substance, if ye have, to those who stand
in need—I say unto you, if ye do not any of these things, behold, your
eprayer is fvain, and availeth you
nothing, and ye are as ghypocrites who do deny the faith.
29 Therefore, if ye do not remember to be acharitable, ye are as dross, which the refiners do cast out, (it being of no worth) and is trodden under foot of men.
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28a
TG
Apathy b TG Poor c Ezek. 18:7 (5-9) d TG Almsgiving; TG Good Works e Ezek. 33:31; Matt. 15:8 (7-8) f Isa. 58:3; Moro. 7:6-8 g TG Hypocrisy 29a TG Charity; TG Generousity
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30 And now, my brethren, I would that, after ye have
areceived so many witnesses, seeing that the holy
scriptures testify of these things, ye come forth and bring
bfruit unto repentance.
31 Yea, I would that ye would come forth and aharden not your hearts any longer; for behold, now is the time and the bday of your csalvation; and therefore, if ye will repent and dharden not your hearts, immediately shall the great plan of redemption be brought about unto you. 32 For behold, this alife is the time for men to bprepare to meet God; yea, behold the day of cthis life is the day for men to perform their dlabors.
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30a
TG
Witnesses b Matt. 3:8; Alma 13:13 31a TG Self-mastery b Rom. 13:12 (11-12): c Matt. 11:20; 3 Ne. 9:3; D&C 84:114 d TG Hardheartedness 32a TG Mortality b 2 Cor. 6:2; 2 Ne. 2:21; Alma 12:24; Alma 42:4-6; TG Self-mastery c D&C 138:57 d TG Good Works; TG Industry
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33 And now, as I said unto you before, as ye have had so many
awitnesses, therefore, I beseech of you that ye do not
bprocrastinate the day of your
crepentance until the end; for after this day of life,
which is given us to prepare for eternity, behold, if we do not improve our
time while in this life, then cometh the dnight of
edarkness wherein there can be no labor performed.
34 Ye cannot say, when ye are brought to that awful acrisis, that I will repent, that I will return to my God. Nay, ye cannot say this; for that same spirit which doth bpossess your bodies at the time that ye go out of this life, that same spirit will have power to possess your body in that eternal world. 35 For behold, if ye have procrastinated the day of your repentance even until death, behold, ye have become asubjected to the spirit of the devil, and he doth bseal you his; therefore, the Spirit of the Lord hath withdrawn from you, and hath no place in you, and the devil hath all power over you; and this is the final state of the wicked. 36 And this I know, because the Lord hath said he dwelleth not in aunholy temples, but in the bhearts of the crighteous doth he dwell; yea, and he has also said that the righteous shall sit down in his kingdom, to go no more out; but their garments should be made white through the dblood of the Lamb.
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33a
TG
Witnesses b Job 27:8; Hel. 13:38; D&C 45:2; TG Apathy; TG Idleness; TG Procrastination c TG Repentance d Eccl. 9:10; John 9:4 e TG Darkness, Spiritual 34a Alma 40:14 (13-14); Ether 9:34 b Rom. 6:16 (14-18) 35a 2 Ne. 28:19-23 b 2 Ne. 9:9; 3 Ne. 2:10; TG Devil; TG Sealing 36a Mosiah 2:37; Alma 7:21; Hel. 4:24; TG Cleanliness b D&C 130:3 c TG Righteousness d Rev. 12:11
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37 And now, my beloved brethren, I desire that ye should remember
these things, and that ye should awork out your salvation
with fear before God, and that ye should no more deny the coming of Christ;
38 That ye acontend no more against the Holy Ghost, but that ye receive it, and take upon you the bname of Christ; that ye humble yourselves even to the dust, and cworship God, in whatsoever place ye may be in, in spirit and in truth; and that ye live in dthanksgiving daily, for the many emercies and blessings which he doth bestow upon you.
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37a
Philip. 2:12-16 38a TG Holy Ghost, Loss of b Mosiah 5:8; Alma 5:38; TG Jesus Christ, Taking the Name of c TG Worship d Ps. 69:30-31; D&C 46:7; TG Thanksgiving e Gen. 32:10; 1 Ne. 1:20; D&C 46:15
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39 Yea, and I also aexhort you, my brethren, that
ye be bwatchful unto prayer continually, that ye may not be
led away by the ctemptations of the devil, that he may not
overpower you, that ye may not become his subjects at the last day; for
behold, he rewardeth you dno good thing.
40 And now my beloved brethren, I would exhort you to have apatience, and that ye bear with all manner of bafflictions; that ye do not crevile against those who do cast you out because of your dexceeding poverty, lest ye become sinners like unto them; 41 But that ye have apatience, and bear with those bafflictions, with a firm hope that ye shall one day rest from all your afflictionsa.
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41a bear with those afflictions, with a firm hope that ye shall one day rest from all you afflictions This is the great hope of mortality to one day rest from all the afflictions of this temporal state. While there is a peace and rest to be found in Chirst while yet in mortality, there is that great and final state of peace and rest for the eternal and immortal soul in our Lord and in that state of exaltation. |
39a
Heb. 3:13 b TG Watchfulness c TG Temptation d Alma 30:60 40a TG Patience; TG Steadfastness b TG Affliction c TG Reviling d Alma 32:3 41a TG Patience b Job 23:2-5
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