Alma 39
1 And now, my son, I have somewhat more to say unto thee than what I
said unto thy brother; for behold, have ye not observed the steadiness of thy
brother, his faithfulness, and his diligence in keeping the commandments of
God? Behold, has he not set a good example for thee?
2 For thou didst not give so much heed unto my words as did thy brother,
among the people of the Zoramites. Now this is what I have against thee;
thou didst go on unto boasting in thy strength and thy wisdom.
3 And this is not all, my son. 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 Lamanites, after the harlot Isabel.
4 Yea, 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.
5 Know ye not, my son, that these things are an abomination in the sight of
the Lord; yea, most abominable above all sins save it be the shedding of
innocent blood or denying the Holy Ghost?
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 murdereth against the light and knowledge of God, it is not
easy for him to obtain forgiveness; yea, I say unto you, my son, that it is not
easy for him to obtain a forgiveness.
7 And now, my son, I would to God that ye had not been guilty of so great a
crime. I would not dwell upon your crimes, to harrow up your soul, if it
were not for your good.
8 But behold, ye cannot hide your crimes from God; and except ye repent
they will stand as a testimony against you at the last day.
9 Now my son, I would that ye should repent and forsake 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 with 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 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, I 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?
