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Alma

Capítulo 17

39 versículos

Resumen

Alma se encuentra con los hijos de Mosíah, quienes han pasado años predicando a los lamanitas. Amón se convierte en siervo del rey Lamoni y defiende los rebaños del rey con valentía y fuerza extraordinarias.

1

Mientras Alma viajaba desde la tierra de Gideón hacia el sur, rumbo a la tierra de Manti, se sorprendió al encontrarse con los hijos de Mosíah, quienes iban camino a la tierra de Zarahemla.

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And now it came to pass that as Alma was journeying from the land of Gideon southward, away to the land of Manti, behold, to his astonishment, he met with the sons of Mosiah journeying towards the land of Zarahemla.

2

Los hijos de Mosíah habían estado con Alma cuando el ángel se le apareció por primera vez, así que Alma se alegró muchísimo de ver a sus hermanos de nuevo. Lo que le dio aún más felicidad fue que seguían siendo sus hermanos en el Señor, y que habían crecido en su conocimiento de la verdad. Eran hombres de entendimiento sólido que habían estudiado cuidadosamente las escrituras para poder conocer la palabra de Dios.

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Now these sons of Mosiah were with Alma at the time the angel first 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 searched the scriptures diligently, that they might know the word of God.

3

Pero eso no es todo; se dedicaban mucho a la oración y al ayuno. Por eso tenían el espíritu de profecía y el espíritu de revelación, y cuando enseñaban, lo hacían con el poder y la autoridad de Dios.

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But this is not all; they had given themselves to much prayer, and fasting; therefore they had the spirit of prophecy, and the spirit of revelation, and when they taught, they taught with power and authority of God.

4

Habían estado enseñando la palabra de Dios entre los lamanitas durante catorce años y habían tenido gran éxito ayudando a muchos a conocer la verdad. Por el poder de sus palabras, muchos se acercaron al altar de Dios para orar y confesarle sus pecados.

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And they had been teaching the word of God for the space of fourteen years among the Lamanites, having had much success in bringing many to the knowledge of the truth; yea, by the power of their words many were brought before the altar of God, to call on his name and confess their sins before him.

5

Estas son las circunstancias que vivieron durante sus viajes: enfrentaron muchas dificultades y sufrieron mucho, tanto física como mentalmente, soportando hambre, sed, cansancio y también mucho esfuerzo espiritual.

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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 labor in the spirit.

6

Estos fueron sus viajes: Después de despedirse de su padre Mosíah en el primer año de los jueces, rechazaron el reino que su padre quería darles, lo cual también era el deseo del pueblo.

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Now these were their journeyings: Having taken leave of their father, Mosiah, in the first year of the judges; having refused the kingdom which their father was desirous to confer upon them, and also this was the minds of the people;

7

Salieron de la tierra de Zarahemla y llevaron consigo sus espadas, lanzas, arcos, flechas y hondas para poder proveerse de alimento mientras estaban en el desierto.

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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 provide food for themselves while in the wilderness.

8

Así que partieron y se adentraron en el desierto con el grupo que habían escogido, para viajar a la tierra de Nefi y predicar la palabra de Dios a los lamanitas.

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And thus they departed into the wilderness with their numbers which they had selected, to go up to the land of Nephi, to preach the word of God unto the Lamanites.

9

Viajaron durante muchos días por el desierto, ayunando y orando con frecuencia para que tú, Señor, les dieras una porción de tu Espíritu que los acompañara y permaneciera con ellos, para que pudieran ser instrumentos en tus manos y ayudar, si fuera posible, a sus hermanos los lamanitas a conocer la verdad y reconocer las falsas tradiciones de sus antepasados, que no eran correctas.

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And it came to pass that they journeyed many days in the wilderness, and they fasted much and prayed 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 instrument 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 traditions of their fathers, which were not correct.

10

El Señor los visitó con su Espíritu y les dijo: "Consolaos." Y ellos fueron consolados.

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And it came to pass that the Lord did visit them with his Spirit, and said unto them: Be comforted. And they were comforted.

11

El Señor también les dijo: Vayan entre los lamanitas, sus hermanos, y enseñen mi palabra. Sean pacientes mediante la longanimidad y las aflicciones, para que puedan ser buenos ejemplos para ellos por medio de mí. Yo los usaré como instrumentos para ayudar a salvar muchas almas.

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And the Lord said unto them also: Go forth among the Lamanites, thy brethren, and establish my word; yet ye shall be patient in long-suffering and afflictions, that ye may show forth good examples unto them in me, and I will make an instrument of thee in my hands unto the salvation of many souls.

12

Los hijos de Mosíah, y los que estaban con ellos, cobraron valor para ir a los lamanitas y compartir la palabra de Dios.

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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.

13

Cuando llegaron a los límites de la tierra de los lamanitas, se separaron y tomaron caminos diferentes, confiando en el Señor en que se volverían a reunir al final de la cosecha, porque creían que la obra que habían emprendido era muy importante.

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And it came to pass when they had arrived in the borders of the land of the Lamanites, that they separated themselves and departed one from another, trusting in the Lord that they should meet again at the close of their harvest; for they supposed that great was the work which they had undertaken.

14

Su desafío era realmente grande, porque habían decidido predicar la palabra de Dios a un pueblo salvaje, endurecido y feroz—un pueblo que se deleitaba en matar a los nefitas, robarles y saquearlos. Sus corazones estaban enfocados en las riquezas, como el oro, la plata y las piedras preciosas, y trataban de obtener estas cosas asesinando y robando, para no tener que trabajar por ellas ellos mismos.

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And assuredly it was great, for they had undertaken to preach the word of God to a wild 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.

15

Eran un pueblo muy perezoso, y muchos de ellos adoraban ídolos. La maldición de Dios había caído sobre ellos por las tradiciones de sus padres, pero las promesas del Señor aún les eran ofrecidas si se arrepentían.

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Thus they were a very indolent people, many of whom did worship idols, and the curse of God had fallen upon them because of the traditions of their fathers; notwithstanding the promises of the Lord were extended unto them on the conditions of repentance.

16

Por eso los hijos de Mosíah habían asumido esta obra: para ayudar al pueblo a arrepentirse y llegar a comprender el plan de redención.

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Therefore, this was the cause 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

Así que se separaron y salieron entre el pueblo, cada uno solo, siguiendo la palabra y el poder de Dios que le habían sido dados.

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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.

18

Ammon era el líder entre ellos, y les servía. Después de bendecirlos según sus diferentes responsabilidades y de compartir la palabra de Dios con ellos antes de irse, se apartó de ellos. Entonces cada uno siguió su propio camino por toda la tierra.

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Now Ammon being the chief among them, or rather he did administer unto them, and he departed from them, after having blessed 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

Amón viajó a la tierra de Ismael, que llevaba el nombre de los hijos de Ismael, quienes también se habían convertido en lamanitas.

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And Ammon went to the land of Ishmael, the land being called after the sons of Ishmael, who also became Lamanites.

20

Cuando Ammon entró en la tierra de Ismael, los lamanitas lo capturaron y lo ataron, como era su costumbre con todos los nefitas que caían en sus manos, y los llevaron ante el rey. Entonces le correspondía al rey decidir si los mataba, los mantenía cautivos, los echaba en prisión o los expulsaba de su tierra, según su voluntad.

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And as Ammon entered the land of Ishmael, the Lamanites took him and bound 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

Así que llevaron a Amón ante el rey que gobernaba la tierra de Ismael. Su nombre era Lamoni, y era descendiente de Ismael.

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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

El rey le preguntó a Ammón si quería vivir en la tierra entre los lamanitas o entre su propio pueblo.

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And the king inquired of Ammon if it were his desire to dwell in the land among the Lamanites, or among his people.

23

Amón le dijo: "Sí, quiero vivir entre este pueblo por un tiempo, y quizás hasta el día en que muera."

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And Ammon said unto him: Yea, I desire to dwell among this people for a time; yea, and perhaps until the day I die.

24

El rey Lamoni estaba muy complacido con Ammón y ordenó que le soltaran las ataduras. Quería que Ammón se casara con una de sus hijas.

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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

Pero Amón le dijo: "No, sino que seré tu siervo." Así que Amón se convirtió en siervo del rey Lamoni, y fue puesto junto con los otros siervos para cuidar los rebaños de Lamoni, según la costumbre de los lamanitas.

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But Ammon said unto him: Nay, but I will be thy servant. Therefore Ammon became a servant 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

Después de haber servido al rey durante tres días, fue con los siervos lamanitas para llevar sus rebaños al lugar llamado las aguas de Sebus, donde todos los lamanitas llevan sus rebaños para darles de beber.

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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 water, which was called the water of Sebus, and all the Lamanites drive their flocks hither, that they may have water—

27

Así que, mientras Amón y los siervos del rey llevaban sus rebaños al abrevadero, un grupo de lamanitas que ya había llevado sus rebaños a beber se levantó y dispersó los rebaños de Amón y de los siervos del rey, haciéndolos huir en tantas direcciones que los animales corrieron por todos lados.

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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 scattered the flocks of Ammon and the servants of the king, and they scattered them insomuch that they fled many ways.

28

Los siervos del rey empezaron a quejarse, diciendo: "Ahora el rey nos matará, así como hizo con nuestros hermanos, porque la maldad de estos hombres hizo que los rebaños se dispersaran." Comenzaron a llorar intensamente, diciendo: "Nuestros rebaños ya están dispersos."

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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

Lloraron porque tenían miedo de ser asesinados. Cuando Ammon vio esto, se llenó de gozo y dijo: "Mostraré mi poder a estos compañeros siervos, o el poder que está en mí, al regresar estos rebaños al rey. Así podré ganar sus corazones y hacer que crean en mis palabras."

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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 believe in my words.

30

Estos eran los pensamientos de Ammón cuando vio el sufrimiento de aquellos a quienes llamaba sus hermanos.

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And now, these were the thoughts of Ammon, when he saw the afflictions of those whom he termed to be his brethren.

31

Él los animó, diciendo: "Mis hermanos, tengan esperanza y vayamos a buscar los rebaños. Los reuniremos y los llevaremos de regreso al abrevadero. De esta manera, salvaremos los rebaños para el rey, y él no nos matará."

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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

Buscaron los rebaños y siguieron a Ammon. Corrieron rápidamente, se adelantaron a los rebaños del rey y los reunieron de nuevo en el lugar de agua.

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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.

33

Los hombres intentaron de nuevo dispersar los rebaños, pero Amón les dijo a sus hermanos: "Rodeen los rebaños para que no se escapen, y yo iré a encargarme de los hombres que los están dispersando."

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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

Así que hicieron como Amón les dijo, y él salió y se puso de pie para enfrentarse a los que estaban junto a las aguas de Sebus; y eran muchos.

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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

Así que no le tenían miedo a Amón, porque pensaban que cualquiera de ellos podía matarlo cuando quisiera. No sabían que el Señor le había prometido a Mosíah que protegería a sus hijos de ellos, y no sabían nada acerca del Señor. Por eso, disfrutaban destruir a su propio pueblo, y por eso intentaron dispersar los rebaños del rey.

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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 deliver 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.

36

Amón dio un paso al frente y comenzó a lanzarles piedras con su honda. Con gran poder, arrojó piedras entre ellos y mató a varios, lo cual los asombró por su fuerza. Sin embargo, estaban enojados porque sus hermanos habían sido muertos, y estaban decididos a matarlo. Cuando vieron que no podían alcanzarlo con sus piedras, se le acercaron con garrotes para matarlo.

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But Ammon 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 certain 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 could not hit him with their stones, they came forth with clubs to slay him.

37

Todo hombre que levantaba su garrote para golpear a Ammon tenía el brazo cortado por la espada de Ammon, porque él se defendía golpeando sus brazos con el filo de su espada. Se asombraron tanto que empezaron a huir de él, y eran muchos. Los hizo huir por la fuerza de su brazo.

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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.

38

Seis de ellos habían sido muertos por la honda, pero él solo mató a su líder con su espada. Cortó muchos de sus brazos cuando los levantaban contra él, y eran muchos.

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Now six of them had fallen by the sling, but he slew 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

Después de haberlos ahuyentado lejos, regresó, y ellos dieron de beber a sus rebaños y los llevaron de vuelta al pastizal del rey. Luego entraron ante el rey, llevando los brazos que habían sido cortados por la espada de Ammón de aquellos que habían intentado matarlo, y se los presentaron al rey como prueba de lo que habían hecho.

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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.