of the Lord; thus we follow after their own will. see they became subjects to 8. Now behold, it was not expedient that man should be reclaimed from this temporal death, for that would destroy the great plan of happiness; 9. Therefore, as the soul could never die, and the fall had brought upon all mankind a spiritual death as well as a temporal; that is they were cut off from the presence of the Lord; it was expedient that mankind should be reclaimed from this spiritual death; 10. Therefore as they had become carnal, sensual, and devilish, by nature, this "probationary state became a state for them to prepare; it became a preparatory state. 11. And now remember, my son, if it were not for the plan of redemption, (laying it aside,) as soon as they were "dead, their souls were miserable, being cut off from the presence of the Lord. 12. And now there was no means to reclaim men from this fallen state which man had brought upon himself, because of his own disobedience; 13. Therefore, according to justice, the plan of redemption could not be brought about, only on conditions of repentance of men in this "probationary state; yea, this preparatory state; for except it were for these conditions, mercy could not take effect except it should destroy the work of justice. Now the work of justice could not be destroyed; if so, God would 'cease to be God. 14. And thus we see that all mankind were fallen, and they were in the grasp of justice; yea, the justice of God, which consigned them for ever to be cut off from his pre sence. 15. And now the plan of mercy could not be brought about, except an "atonement should be made; therefore God himself atoneth for the sins of the world, to bring about the plan of mercy, to "appease the demands of justice, that God might be a perfect, just God, and a merciful God also. 16. Now repentance could not come unto men, except there were a punishment, which also was "eternal as the life of the soul should be, affixed opposite to the plan of happiness, which was as eternal also as the life of the soul. 17. Now, how could a man repent, except he should sin? How could he sin, if there was no law, how could there be a law, save there was a punishment? h, see 1, II. Nep. 2. i, see d. j, ver. 11. Never be dissolved, or its parts be separated, so as to disorganize the spiritual personage. k, see C, II. Nep. 2. l, see b, II. Nep. 2. m, see 2a, Alma 12. o, their spirits. as their bodies were dead. n, as soon P, see 2a, Alma 12. 8, see e and g, II. Nep. 9. 2m, Alma 12. Vers. 8, 9. w, see m, See e and g, y rethren in ney: yea, excre fodat ul mes 12 01.nd nesive you at ita damngdom, to inwn leats. Now go, each the vera, "into this people. Besaber. My The Commandments of zima o ns som Carianten. CHEAPTER 9. I A In 10Y ny on. I have somewhat more to say unto thea han what said into thy brother: for behcil have ye Ant sheer test the steadiness of thy brother, his faithfulness, and als diligenca in keeping the commandments of God? Behold has le not set a good example for thee? 2. Por than didst not give so much heed unto my words Aid Chy brother, among the people of the "Zoramites. Now this is what I have against thee; thou didst go on unto boasting in Shy strength and thy wisdom. 2. And this is not all, myison. Thou didst do that which was grievous unto me; for thou didst forsake the ministry, and did go over into the land of Siron, among the borders of the Famanites, after the harlot Isabel; 4. Yes, she did steal away the hearts of many; but this Was no excuse for thee, my son. Thou shouldst have tended to the ministry wherewith thou wast entrusted. h. Know ye not, my son, that these things are an abomination in the sight of the Lord; yea, 'most abominable above all sips, save it be the shedding of innocent blood, or denying A 6. For behold, if ye deny the Holy Ghost when it once has had place in you, and ye know that ye deny it, behold, this is a sin which is unpardonable; yea, and whosoever murderoth against the light and knowledge of God, it is Hut pest for him to obtain forgiveness; yea, I say unto you, my so, that it is not easy for him to obtain a forgive 7. And now, my son, I would to God that ye had not Mom moity of so great a crime. I would not dwell upon Competimes, to Barrow up your soul if it were not for your Auld re men die we erènes from God; www they estimony against sake your sins, and go no more after the lusts of your eyes, but cross yourself in all these things; for except ye do this, ye can in nowise inherit the kingdom of God. Oh, remember, and take it upon you, and cross yourself in these things. 10. And I command you to take it upon you to counsel your elder brothers in your undertakings; for behold, thou art in thy youth, and ye stand in need to be nourished by your brothers. And give heed to their counsel; 11. Suffer not yourself to be led away by any vain or foolish thing; suffer not the devil to lead away your heart again after those wicked harlots. Behold, O my son, how great iniquity ye brought upon the Zoramites: for when they saw your conduct, they would not believe in my words. 12. And now the Spirit of the Lord doth say unto me, Command thy children to do good, lest they lead away the hearts of many people to destruction; therefore I command you, my son, in the fear of God, that ye refrain from your iniquities; 13. That ye turn to the Lord with all your mind, might, and strength; that ye lead away the hearts of no more to do wickedly; but rather return unto them, and acknowledge your faults, and retain that wrong which ye have done; 14. Seek not after riches, nor the vain things of this world, for behold, you cannot carry them with you. 15. And now, my son, I would say somewhat unto you concerning the coming of Christ. Behold, I say unto you, that it is he that surely shall come, to take away the sins of the world; yea, he cometh to declare glad tidings of salvation unto his people. 16. And now my son, this was the ministry unto which ye were called, to declare these glad tidings unto this people, to prepare their minds; or rather that salvation might come unto them, that they may prepare the minds of their children to hear the word at the time of his coming. 17. And now I will ease your mind somewhat on this subject. Behold, you marvel why these things should be known so long beforehand. Behold, say unto you, is not a soul at this time as precious unto God, as a soul will be at the time of his coming? 18. Is it not as necessary that the plan of redemption should be made known unto this people, as well as unto their children? 19. Is it not as easy at this time, for the Lord to send his angel to declare these glad tidings unto us, as unto our children; or as after the time of his coming? e, ш. Nep. 12:30. Alma 11: 31. 13: 24. f, vers. 3, 7-8. g, Mos. 3:2-27. 27:11-17, diligence and then those marvellous works ceased, and they did not progress in their journey; 42. Therefore they tarried in the wilderness, or did not travel a direct course, and were afflicted with hunger and thirst, because of their transgressions. 43. And now my son, I would that ye should understand that these things are not without a shadow; for as our fathers were slothful to give heed to this compass, (now these things were temporal,) they did not prosper; even so it is with things which are spiritual. 44. For behold, it is as easy to give heed to the word of Christ, which will point to you a 2 straight course to eternal bliss, as it was for our fathers to give heed to this compass, which would point unto them a straight course to the promised land. 45. And now I say, is there not a type in this thing? For just as surely as this 2 director did bring our fathers, by following its course to the 2 promised land, shall the words of Christ, if we follow their course, carry us beyond this vale of sorrow, into a far better land of promise. 46. O my son, do not let us be slothful because of the easiness of the way; for so was it with our fathers; for so was it prepared for them, that if they would look, they might live; even so it is with us. The way is prepared, and if we will look, we may live for ever. 47. And now, my son, see that ye take care of these sacred things; yea, see that ye look to God and live. Go unto this people, and declare the word, and be sober. My son, farewell. CHAPTER 38. The Commandments of Alma to his son Shiblon. 1. My son, give ear to my words, for I say unto you, even as I said unto Helaman, That "inasmuch as ye shall keep the commandments of God, ye shall prosper in the land; and inasmuch as ye will not keep the commandments of God, ye shall be cast off from his presence. 2. And now, my son, I trust that I shall have great joy in you, because of your steadiness and your faithfulness unto God; for as you have commenced in your youth, to look to the Lord your God, even so I hope that you will continue in keeping his commandments; for blessed is he that 'endureth to the end. 3. I say unto you, my son, that I have had great joy in thee already, because of thy faithfulness and thy diligence, and thy patience, and thy long suffering among the people of the Zoramites. 4. For I know that thou wast in bonds; yea, and I also knew that thou wast stoned for the word's sake; and thou didst bear all these things with patience, because the Lord was with thee; and now thou knowest that the Lord did deliver thee. 5. And now my son, Shiblon, I would that ye should remember that as much as ye shall put your trust in God, even so much ye shall be delivered out of your trials, and your troubles, and your afflictions, and ye shall be "lifted up at the last day. 6. Now, my son, I would not that ye should think that I know these things of myself, but it is the Spirit of God which is in me, which maketh these things known unto me; for if I had not been born of God, I should not have known these things. 7. But behold, the Lord in his great mercy sent his angel to declare unto me, that I must stop the work of destruction among his people: yea, and I have seen an angel face to face; and he spake with me, and his voice was as thunder, and it shook the whole earth. 8. And it came to pass that I was three days and three nights in the most bitter pain and anguish of soul; and never, until I did cry out unto the Lord Jesus Christ for mercy, did I receive a remission of my sins. But behold, I did cry unto him, and I did find peace to my soul. 9. And now, my son, I have told you this that ye may learn wisdom, that ye may learn of me that there is no other way or means whereby man can be saved, only in and through Christ. Behold, he is the life and the light of the world. Behold, he is the word of truth and righteousness. 10. And now, as ye have begun to teach the word, even so I would that ye should continue to teach; and I would that ye would be diligent and temperate in all things. 11. See that ye are not lifted up unto pride: yea, see that ye do not boast in your own wisdom, nor of your much strength; 12. Use boldness, but not overbearance; and also see that ye bridle all your passions, that ye may be filled with love; see that ye refrain from idleness; 13. Do not pray as the Zoramites do, for ye have seen that they pray to be heard of men, and to be praised for their wisdom. 14. Do not say, O God, I thank thee that we are better than our brethren; but rather say, O Lord, forgive my c, see 2j, Alma 30. d, see p, Mos. 23. e, see c, Mos. 5. 27:11-17. i, see m, Mos. 16. j, see 2j, Alma 30. Alma 36: 10, 16. f, Mos. h, see d, Mos. 5. |