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CHAPTER 6The Church in Zarahemla is cleansed and set in order—Alma goes to Gideon to preach. [About 83 B.C.] |
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The Church in the City of ZarahemlaThe City of Zarahemla, like the City of Salt Lake, was understood to be the headquarters city of the church during the time of Alma. |
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1 AND now it came to pass that after Alma
had made an end of speaking unto the people of the church, which was
established in the city of Zarahemla, he aordained priests
and belders, by laying on his chands
according to the order of God, to preside and dwatch over
the church.
2 And it came to pass that whosoever did not belong to the church who arepented of their sins were baptized unto repentance, and were received into the church. 3 And it also came to pass that whosoever did belong to the church that did not arepent of their wickedness and humble themselves before Goda—I mean those who were lifted up in the bpride of their hearts—the same were rejected, and their names were cblotted out, that their names were not numbered among those of the righteous. 4 And thus they began to establish the order of the church in the acity of Zarahemla.
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3a whosoever did belong to the church that did not repent of their wickedness and humble themselves before God Now the spirit of repentance is continually required of those of the church. When one is wicked and is brought before the church and does not repent of their wickedness, they were blotted out from off the records of the church. This is the true order of the church. |
1a
TG
Ordination;
TG
Priesthood b TG Elder; TG Priest c TG Hands, Laying on of d D&C 52:39 2a TG Baptism, Qualifications for 3a Mosiah 26:6 b 1 Cor. 5:2 c Ex. 32:33; Mosiah 26:36; Alma 1:24; Alma 5:57-58; TG Excommunication 4a Alma 2:26
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5 Now I would that ye should understand that the word of God was
liberal unto all, that none were deprived of the privilege of
assembling themselves together to hear the word of God.
6 Nevertheless the children of God were commanded that they should gather themselves together oft, and join in afasting and mighty prayer in behalf of the welfare of the souls of those who knew not God.
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6a
TG
Fasting
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7 And now it came to pass that when Alma had made these regulations
he departed from them, yea, from the church which was in the city of
Zarahemla, and went over upon the east of the ariver Sidon,
into the bvalley of Gideon, there having been a city built,
which was called the city of Gideon, which was in the valley that was
called Gideon, being called after the
mana who was
cslain by the hand of Nehor with the sword.
8 And Alma went and began to declare the word of God unto the church which was established in the valley of Gideon, according to the revelation of the truth of the word which had been spoken by his fathers, and according to the spirit of prophecy which was in him, according to the atestimony of Jesus Christ, the Son of God, who should come to redeem his people from their sins, and the holy order by which he was called. And thus it is written. Amen.
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7a was called the city of Gideon, there having been a city built, called Gideon, being called after the man When the people of Limhi and Alma came into the land of Zarahemla, it was necessary to expand the places of residence in to all the quarters of the land as stated in Mosiah 27:6. For the people began to be very numerous. And is so doing they built large cities and villages to the north, south, east and west. The city of Gideon happens to be one such city built during this time. Gideon of the people of Limhi had a following of people which were the more righteous of the people which remained with the people of King Noah. Gideon and his followers were in the very process of overthrowing wicked King Noah when the Lamanites came upon them, sparing King Noah's life. It is significant that the city of Gideon is strategically positioned in that eastward running valley which connected the central valley of Zarahemala and the river Sidon with the eastern regions of the national lands of Zarahemla. It was a stronghold and a security to have that city so placed with its righteous followers of Gideon, protecting that crucial valley passage into and out of the heart of the land. Captain Moroni will use the valley passage in his first defense against the Zoramite led Lamanites. The Chief Judge Pahorah will retreat to Gideon as a city of refuge against those who would taken over the government. And it would have been a key city in the centralized defense required against the Gadianton Robbers later in Nephite history. |
7a
Alma 4:4;
Alma 8:3 b Alma 2:20 c Alma 1:9 8a Rev. 19:10
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