Alma
17 verses
Overview
Alma reflects on his desire to preach with angelic power, learns to accept his calling, and rejoices in the success of his and his brothers’ missionary efforts.
I wish I were an angel and could have the desire of my heart—to go out and speak with the voice of God, with a voice powerful enough to shake the earth, and call everyone to repentance.
O that I were an angel, and could have the wish of mine heart, that I might go forth and speak with the trump of God, with a voice to shake the earth, and cry repentance unto every people!
I wish I could declare to every person, with a voice like thunder, the need for repentance and the plan of redemption, so they would repent and come to our God, and there would be no more sorrow on the whole earth.
Yea, I would declare unto every soul, as with the voice of thunder, repentance and the plan of redemption, that they should repent and come unto our God, that there might not be more sorrow upon all the face of the earth.
But I am a man, and I sin in my desire; for I should be content with the things the Lord has given me.
But behold, I am a man, and do sin in my wish; for I ought to be content with the things which the Lord hath allotted unto me.
I shouldn't let my desires challenge the firm decree of a just God, because I know that he gives people according to their desires, whether it's for death or for life. I know that he assigns and sets unchangeable decrees for people according to their wills, whether those lead to salvation or to destruction.
I ought not to harrow up in my desires, the firm decree of a just God, for I know that he granteth unto men according to their desire, whether it be unto death or unto life; yea, I know that he allotteth unto men, yea, decreeth unto them decrees which are unalterable, according to their wills, whether they be unto salvation or unto destruction.
I know that good and evil have been presented to everyone; anyone who doesn't know good from evil is blameless. But for those who know good and evil, they receive according to their desires—whether they desire good or evil, life or death, joy or remorse of conscience.
Yea, and I know that good and evil have come before all men; he that knoweth not good from evil is blameless; but he that knoweth good and evil, to him it is given according to his desires, whether he desireth good or evil, life or death, joy or remorse of conscience.
Now that I know these things, why should I want more than to do the work I have been called to do?
Now, seeing that I know these things, why should I desire more than to perform the work to which I have been called?
Why should I wish to be an angel so I could speak to people everywhere on earth?
Why should I desire that I were an angel, that I could speak unto all the ends of the earth?
The Lord grants all nations, in their own language, to teach his word in wisdom, giving them all that he sees fit for them to have. We see that the Lord gives counsel in wisdom, according to what is just and true.
For behold, the Lord doth grant unto all nations, of their own nation and tongue, to teach his word, yea, in wisdom, all that he seeth fit that they should have; therefore we see that the Lord doth counsel in wisdom, according to that which is just and true.
I know what the Lord has commanded me, and I take pride in it. I don't take pride in myself, but I take pride in what the Lord has commanded me. This is my pride: that I might be an instrument in God's hands to help bring someone to repentance. This is my joy.
I know that which the Lord hath commanded me, and I glory in it. I do not glory of myself, but I glory in that which the Lord hath commanded me; yea, and this is my glory, that perhaps I may be an instrument in the hands of God to bring some soul to repentance; and this is my joy.
When I see many of my brothers truly repentant and coming to the Lord their God, my soul is filled with joy. I remember what the Lord has done for me, that he has heard my prayer, and I remember his merciful arm which he extended toward me.
And behold, when I see many of my brethren truly penitent, and coming to the Lord their God, then is my soul filled with joy; then do I remember what the Lord has done for me, yea, even that he hath heard my prayer; yea, then do I remember his merciful arm which he extended towards me.
I also remember the captivity of my fathers, for I know that the Lord delivered them out of bondage, and by this established his church. The Lord God, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, delivered them out of bondage.
Yea, and I also remember the captivity of my fathers; for I surely do know that the Lord did deliver them out of bondage, and by this did establish his church; yea, the Lord God, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, did deliver them out of bondage.
I have always remembered the captivity of my fathers, and that same God who delivered them from the hands of the Egyptians also delivered them from bondage.
Yea, I have always remembered the captivity of my fathers; and that same God who delivered them out of the hands of the Egyptians did deliver them out of bondage.
That same God established his church among them, and that same God has called me by a holy calling to preach the word to this people, and has given me much success, which fills me with joy.
Yea, and that same God did establish his church among them; yea, and that same God hath called me by a holy calling, to preach the word unto this people, and hath given me much success, in the which my joy is full.
I don't rejoice only in my own success; my joy is even greater because of the success of my brothers who went up to the land of Nephi.
But I do not joy in my own success alone, but my joy is more full because of the success of my brethren, who have been up to the land of Nephi.
They have worked very hard and have brought forth much fruit, and how great their reward will be!
Behold, they have labored exceedingly, and have brought forth much fruit; and how great shall be their reward!
When I think about the success of my brothers, I feel so much joy that it's as if my soul is lifted out of my body.
Now, when I think of the success of these my brethren my soul is carried away, even to the separation of it from the body, as it were, so great is my joy.
Now may God grant that my brothers can sit down in the kingdom of God, and also that all those who are the fruit of their labors will never have to leave, but will be able to praise Him forever. May God make it happen according to my words, just as I have said. Amen.
And now may God grant unto these, my brethren, that they may sit down in the kingdom of God; yea, and also all those who are the fruit of their labors that they may go no more out, but that they may praise him forever. And may God grant that it may be done according to my words, even as I have spoken. Amen.