seek to destroy the church no more, that their prayers may be answered; and this even if thou wilt of thyself be cast off. 17. And now it came to pass that these were the last words which the angel spake unto Alma, and he departed. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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; 24. For, said he, I have repented of my sins, and have been redeemed of the Lord; behold I am born of the Spirit. 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; 26. And thus they become new creatures; and unless they do this, they can in no wise inherit the kingdom of God. 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. p, see g. q, see h. o, ver. 12. r, ver. t, ver. 23. Alma 5: 46. 6: 6. 8:26. 10: 7. 17: 3, 9. 35. III. Nep. 13: 16 -18. 27: 1. IV. Nep. 1: 12. 19, 23. Mos. 5 v, vers. 19, 23. w, ver. 22. See t. x, see c, Mos. 5. P y, see c, 28. Nevertheless, after wandering 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: 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 marvellous light of God. My soul was racked with 2 aeternal torment; but I am snatched, and my soul is pained no more. 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; 31. Yea, 2 every knee shall bow, and every tongue confess before him. Yea, even at tl 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 2 dglance of his all-searching eye. 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: travelling 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; 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. 34. And 2efour 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. 35. And they travelled throughout all the 2 land of Za rahemla, 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 29things which they had seen, and explaining the prophecies and the scriptures to all who desired to hear them; 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. 37. And how blessed are they! For they did 27publish peace they did publish good tidings of good; and they did declare unto the people that the Lord reigneth. z, see k, 1. Nep. 15. 2a, see m, Jacob 6. Cov. 88: 104. 2c, see m, Jacob 6. 2f, see h, Omni 1, 2g, vers. 10-17. 2b, Mos. 16: 1, 2. Doc. and 2e, ver. 10. 2d, see c, Jacob 2. CHAPTER 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; 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. 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. 4. And thus did the Spirit of the Lord work upon them, for they were the every 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; and suffering much, fearing that they should be cast off for ever. 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. 6. And king Mosiah went and inquired of the Lord, if he would let his sons go up among the Lamanites to preach the word. 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. 8. And it came to pass that Mosiah granted that they might go, and do according to their request; 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. 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; 11. Therefore he took the records which were engraven a, Mos. 27: 34. b, see b, 11. Nep. 5. c, see n, Jacob 7. Jacob 6. 22, 23. 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; 12. And this he did because of the great anxiety of his people, for they were desirous beyond measure, to know concerning those neopie 'who had been destroyed. 13. And now he translated them by the means of hose two stones which were fastened into the two rims o" a bow. 14. Now these things were prepare from the beginning, and were handed down from generation to generation, for the purpose of interpreting languages; 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: 16. And whosoever has these things, is called "seer, after the manner of old times. 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 until the "creation of Adam. 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. 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. 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. i, see a, 1. Nep. 3. j, see Mos. 8. m, see n, Mos. 8. Tower of Babel, Omni 1: 20-22. 8, Book of Ether. r, see f, I. Nep. 1. k, see k, Mos. 8. 1, see j, n, Mos. 8: 13-18. o, see j, Mos. 8. P. Ether 1: 1-5. q, Ether 1: 33. t, see a, 1. Nep. 3. u, The two sets of plates of Nephi, sword of Laban, miraculous ball, twenty-four plates of gold, the brass plates, &c. v, seen, Mos. 8. m, Mos. 2. CHAPTER 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. 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. 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, 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, 5. Behold, O ye my people, or my brethren, for I esteem you as such; for I desire that ye should consider the cause which ye are called to consider; for ye are desirous to have a king. 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. 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. 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 a right to destroy another, if he should be appointed in his stead. 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. 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. 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 a, see b, II. Nep. 5. b, Mos. 27: 34. 2, 3, 6, 9. e, vers. 25-27, 34, 38, 39, 41. Hela. 1:3-5, 13. 2:2. 3:37. 5: 1, 2, 9 ch. 1. Nep. 1:1. 3: 1. 6:19, 21-30. c, vers. 2, 3, 7, 9. d, vers. Alma 2: 3-7. 4:16, 17. 50:39. 6: 15, 19, 39. 7:4. 8:27, 28. 7:1-3. 4. |