Chapter 13
13: 1 The Lord God Gave These Commandments
Alma notes,
1 And again, my brethren, I would cite your minds forward to the time when the Lord God gave these commandments unto his children; and I would that ye should remember that the Lord God ordained priests, after his holy order, which was after the order of his Son, to teach these things unto the people.
"These commandments" refer to those Alma discussed in chapter 12.
32 Therefore God gave unto them commandments, after having made known unto them the plan of redemption, that they should not do evil, the penalty thereof being a second death, which was an everlasting death as to things pertaining unto righteousness; for on such the plan of redemption could have no power, for the works of justice could not be destroyed, according to the supreme goodness of God.33 But God did call on men, in the name of his Son, (this being the plan of redemption which was laid) saying: If ye will repent, and harden not your hearts, then will I have mercy upon you, through mine Only Begotten Son;34 Therefore, whosoever repenteth, and hardeneth not his heart, he shall have claim on mercy through mine Only Begotten Son, unto a remission of his sins; and these shall enter into my rest. (Alma 12)
Thus the commandments Alma is referencing the commandments to do no evil, repent, and don't harden your heart.
Alma's second statement in verse 1 (the ordaining of priests) coincides with the Lord giving commandments. Alma is explaining that when the Lord gave the commandments, he ordained priests after his holy order (aka -- the Melchizedek priesthood) to teach the commandments to the people.
The Book of Moses gives us an account of priests being ordained to teach the people
1 And Adam hearkened unto the voice of God, and called upon his sons to repent.2 And Adam knew his wife again, and she bare a son, and he called his name Seth. And Adam glorified the name of God; for he said: God hath appointed me another seed, instead of Abel, whom Cain slew.3 And God revealed himself unto Seth, and he rebelled not, but offered an acceptable sacrifice, like unto his brother Abel. And to him also was born a son, and he called his name Enos.4 And then began these men to call upon the name of the Lord, and the Lord blessed them;5 And a book of remembrance was kept, in the which was recorded, in the language of Adam, for it was given unto as many as called upon God to write by the spirit of inspiration;6 And by them their children were taught to read and write, having a language which was pure and undefiled.7 Now this same Priesthood, which was in the beginning, shall be in the end of the world also.8 Now this prophecy Adam spake, as he was moved upon by the Holy Ghost, and a genealogy was kept of the children of God. And this was the book of the generations of Adam, saying: In the day that God created man, in the likeness of God made he him; (Moses 6)
...22 And this is the genealogy of the sons of Adam, who was the son of God, with whom God, himself, conversed.23 And they were preachers of righteousness, and spake and prophesied, and called upon all men, everywhere, to repent; and faith was taught unto the children of men. (Moses 6)
13:2 -- Ordained After the Order
Alma then explains that the priests who were ordained to teach the commandments to the people were ordained in a custom so that people might know how to look forward to Christ for redemption.
13:3 -- Prepared from the Foundation of the World
And what was the custom -- the manner by which the priests were ordained? The custom was to be called with a holy calling based on their faithfulness and repentance in the preexistence.
Thus those who are ordained to the Melchizedek priesthood were ordained to it because of the faithfulness and repentance in the previous life.
3 ...called and prepared from the foundation of the world according to the foreknowledge of God, on account of their exceeding faith and good works; in the first place being left to choose good or evil; therefore they having chosen good, and exercising exceedingly great faith, are called with a holy calling, yea, with that holy calling which was prepared with, and according to, a preparatory redemption for such. (Alma 13)
Note that in verse 3 it says that they were called and prepared from the foundation of the world. From the foundation means at the time the earth was founded. This would be in the preexistence.
Verse 3 further notes that those who were called and ordained to the Melchizedek priesthood (the priesthood after the Holy order of God) was ordained "being left to choose good or evil" they chose the good. And exercised "exceeding faith" and performing good works.
Thus in the preexistence, spirits were given a choice. Some chose the good; others chose the evil. Those who chose the good through the exceeding faith and repentance were called and ordained.
Abraham 3 also teaches us about the nature of the pre-existence
22 Now the Lord had shown unto me, Abraham, the intelligences that were organized before the world was; and among all these there were many of the noble and great ones;23 And God saw these souls that they were good, and he stood in the midst of them, and he said: These I will make my rulers; for he stood among those that were spirits, and he saw that they were good; and he said unto me: Abraham, thou art one of them; thou wast chosen before thou wast born. (Abraham 3)
These verses show that a hierarchy among heavenly beings existed in the preexistence, with those at the top called the noble and great ones. The noble and great ones are made rulers.
Alma 13 gives us insight as to what qualified one to be noble and great. Those who were categorized as the noble and great are those who performed good works and exercised exceeding faith.
4 And thus they have been called to this holy calling on account of their faith, while others would reject the Spirit of God on account of the hardness of their hearts and blindness of their minds, while, if it had not been for this they might have had as great privilege as their brethren. (Alma 13)
Thus in the preexistence, there were people who chose to exercise faith and repent. While on the other hand, there were those who rejected the Spirit of God because they had a hard heart and blind minds. And as we learned before, the condition of having a hard heart is the result of succumbing to sin.
13:8 -- Taken Upon the Holy Priesthood
Verse 8 lays out the process for receiving the Holy Priesthood
8 Now they were ordained after this manner—being called with a holy calling, and ordained with a holy ordinance, and taking upon them the high priesthood of the holy order, which calling, and ordinance, and high priesthood, is without beginning or end (Alma 13)
The process is as follows: 1) receive a calling; 2) be ordained; and 3) take upon or receive the Holy Priesthood
To take upon/receive the Holy Priesthood, is to have it conferred upon you. This is the last step. But before we discuss the meaning of taking upon the priesthood (having the priesthood conferred), we need to address the other terms first. It's important to understand the difference in the terms of being called, being ordained, and taken upon (being conferred). We tend to use these terms interchangeably. But they actually have different and unique meanings.
1. Receive a Calling
The first term is the meaning of calling. For most of us, we assume that it refers to a church calling. However, based on the language in chapter 13, Alma explains that one receives a calling based on their exceeding faith, repentance, and working good works. And this happens in the pre-existence (from the foundation of the world)
..called and prepared from the foundation of the world according to the foreknowledge of God, on account of their exceeding faith and good works
Because one receives a "calling" in the pre-existence, this indicates that a calling is not a church calling, but refers to something different. What does this calling refer to? A calling, as used by Alma, refers to a specific calling that each male is given when he comes to earth. This calling is unique to the individual. It is a calling specifically given to them by the Lord. Another name for calling is an assignment.
For example, Joseph Smith received a calling to translate the Book of Mormon.
The Three Witnesses to the Book of Mormon were called for that purpose:
11 And in addition to your testimony, the testimony of three of my servants, whom I shall call and ordain, unto whom I will show these things, and they shall go forth with my words that are given through you. (Doctrine and Covenants 5)
Oliver Cowdrey was called to write for Joseph Smith
4 Behold, the work which you are called to do is to write for my servant Joseph....14 Stand fast in the work wherewith I have called you, and a hair of your head shall not be lost, and you shall be lifted up at the last day. Amen. (Doctrine and Covenants 9)
Hyrum Smith's calling (assignment) was as to "exhorting and strengthening the church continually (see Doctrine and Covenants 23:2)
The Lord was called to establish the kingdom of God, preach repentance, and atone for the sins of humankind.
Mormon was called to abridge the record of the Nephite records.
The end time servant who will come to lead the way for Christ has the calling (the assignment) of gathering the House of Israel.
And as a reminder, Amulek was given a calling, but which he rejected multiple times -- refusing to hear.
6...I did harden my heart, for I was called many times and I would not hear; therefore I knew concerning these things, yet I would not know; therefore I went on rebelling against God, in the wickedness of my heart... (Alma 10)
Likewise, those who were true and faithful in the pre-existence, were given a calling (an assignment) that they are expected to perform. This is what it means to magnify you calling. Those who perform their calling (i.e., magnify their calling) receive the actual priesthood.
2. Ordained
Having received a calling (an assignment) in the pre-existence, men are foreordained to receive the holy priesthood on earth provided that they remain true and faithful. When men come to earth, they are ordained to receive the priesthood. This happens through the laying on of hands.
Men then are ordained twice. Foreordained in the pre-existence and ordained on earth.
2 Which commandments were given to Joseph Smith, Jun., who was called of God, and ordained an apostle of Jesus Christ, to be the first elder of this church;3 And to Oliver Cowdery, who was also called of God, an apostle of Jesus Christ, to be the second elder of this church, and ordained under his hand; (Doctrine and Covenants 20)
3. Taken Upon/Receiving
Having been called and foreordained, the male is to magnify his calling, and by so doing receive the fullness of the priesthood.
This means that the priesthood is not active in our lives until we have magnified our calling. Just like we do not automatically receive the gift of the Holy Ghost when hands are laid upon our heads, the same applies to receiving the Melchizedek priesthood. The laying on of hands is simply an ordination; we still have to seek out and obtain the real thing.
Consider Elder Packer's statement:
We have done very well at distributing the authority of the priesthood. We have priesthood authority planted nearly everywhere. We have quorums of elders and high priests worldwide. But distributing the authority of the priesthood has raced, I think, ahead of distributing the power of the priesthood.
In Packer's statements, he distinguishes between the authority of the priesthood and the power of the priesthood. Ordination to the priesthood bestows authority. Power only comes once we take upon the priesthood. (have it conferred upon us). To rephrase Packer's statement, "we have done very well at ordaining men to the priesthood. But we have not done a good job at getting men to take upon the priesthood."
This process is mapped out in Doctrine and Covenants 84. We take upon the priesthood by an oath and covenant with the Lord. That oath and covenant is between the receiver and the Lord. It is conferred by the voice of the Lord.
39 And this (receiving the Father) is according to the oath and covenant which belongeth to the priesthood.40 Therefore, all those who receive the priesthood, receive this oath and covenant of my Father, which he cannot break, neither can it be moved.41 But whoso breaketh this covenant after he hath received it, and altogether turneth therefrom, shall not have forgiveness of sins in this world nor in the world to come.42 And wo unto all those who come not unto this priesthood which ye have received, which I now confirm upon you who are present this day, by mine own voice out of the heavens; and even I have given the heavenly hosts and mine angels charge concerning you. (Doctrine and Covenants 84)
Receiving the Melchizedek priesthood is in line with scriptures. JST Genesis 14 teaches:
29 And it (the Melchizedek priesthood) was delivered unto men by the calling of his own voice, according to his own will, unto as many as believed on his name.30 For God having sworn unto Enoch and unto his seed with an oath by himself; [the oath and covenant] that every one being ordained after this order and calling should have power, by faith, to break mountains, to divide the seas, to dry up waters, to turn them out of their course;
Although we teach that the Melchizedek priesthood was restored by Peter, James, and John, this is not accurate. Doctrine and Covenants 27 talks about ordination to the priesthood (actual it talks about ordination to the apostleship, but that's a complicated topic), not conferral of the priesthood. This happened on May 15, 1829.
12 And also with Peter, and James, and John, whom I have sent unto you, by whom I have ordained you and confirmed you to be apostles, and especial witnesses of my name, and bear the keys of your ministry and of the same things which I revealed unto them (Doctrine and Covenants 27)
The actual conferring of the Melchizedek priesthood happened in June 1831, at a Conference on Isaac Morley's farm. This is what Joseph Smith recorded in his journal about the event.
“On the 3rd of June, the authority of the Melchizedek Priesthood was manifested and conferred for the first time upon several of the Elders. It was clearly evident that the Lord gave us power in proportion to the work to be done.” (History of the Church, Vol.1, p.175).
Notice that Joseph Smith uses the word conferral instead of ordination. Further note that Joseph Smith says this was the "first time" the Melchizedek Priesthood was conferred. Further note that the conference took place in June 1831 -- almost a year after Peter, James, and John visited Joseph and Oliver.
Seven other men who also received this Melchizedek priesthood recorded the event. See this link for each account: https://scottwoodward.org/churchhistory_restorationofmelchizedekpriesthood.html#a3
13:11 -- Entered into the Rest of the Lord
Those who receive the Melchizedek priesthood are able to enter into the rest of the Lord because thee receiving of the Melchizedek priesthood leads to sanctification of the individual
11 Therefore they were called after this holy order, and were sanctified, and their garments were washed white through the blood of the Lamb.12 Now they, after being sanctified by the Holy Ghost, having their garments made white, being pure and spotless before God, could not look upon sin save it were with abhorrence; and there were many, exceedingly great many, who were made pure and entered into the rest of the Lord their God. (Alma 13)
Alma's call for the people of Ammonihah to repent and enter into the rest of the Lord suggests that they were righteous in the preexistence, having been called and ordained, and now they are squandering their calling by their wickedness.
13 And now, my brethren, I would that ye should humble yourselves before God, and bring forth fruit meet for repentance, that ye may also enter into that rest.
13:21 -- Cried With A Might Voice
We tend to read verses in a monotone way, missing out on the emphasis placed by the speaker. Notice here that after Alma explains the nature and order to the Melchizedek priesthood and the works of Melchizedek, he cries with a mighty voice saying: Now is the time to repent, for the day of salvation draweth nigh;
A more accurate rendition would be to write: NOW IS THE TIME TO REPENT, FOR THE DAY OF SALVATION DRAWETH NIGHT!!
Chapter 14
Summary
After Alma finished speaking, we learn that many "did believe on his words, and began to repent, and search the scriptures."
Notice that Mormon says the people began to repent. Thus the people had not yet repented. That is because to fully repent means receiving a remission of sins. Instead, the people began to repent . And what actions did they show that they were on their way to repenting? They began to "search the scriptures." Again, notice that the verb is search, not read. The people, then, went back through the scriptures to see if what Alma taught matched up with what was written in the scriptures. Zeezrom was one of these people.
Yet despite many beginning the process of repentance, the majority refused. And once again respond emotionally to Alma and Amulek's teachings, which is a sign of having a hard heart. Instead of listening to their words and considering and evaluating, like a rational person would do. They instead accuse Alma and Amulek of violating the law. Accusing them of violating the law is much easier than addressing their claims.
And here is what it gets ugly. When emotions take over and remove reason for the individual, then the devil takes over. In the case of the people of Ammonihah, the devil gets them to kill their own people for believing in the words of Alma.
We learn that some are cast out. We learn that others (wives and children) are cast into a fire. The reason why the people would kill their own people is not clear. Could be anger that some of the people would believe Alma. It could also be to mock and taunt Alma.
Earlier in Alma's sermon, he explained that those who don't repent would be cast into a lake of fire and brimstone. Notice what the chief judge says that Alma during their killing of the people:
14...the chief judge of the land came and stood before Alma and Amulek, as they were bound; and he smote them with his hand upon their cheeks, and said unto them: After what ye have seen, will ye preach again unto this people, that they shall be cast into a lake of fire and brimstone?
15 Behold, ye see that ye had not power to save those who had been cast into the fire; neither has God saved them because they were of thy faith...
From these verses, it appears that the people were throwing in the fire to mock Alma for teaching that the wicked will be cast into the fire of hell.
Later Alma and Amulek are thrown into prison, where they suffer hunger and abuse from the lawyers, priests, and teacher, remaining silent.
It's interesting to point out the similarity between Alma and Amulek's response to the lawyers and priests, with that of Jesus to the Sanhedrin -- both remain silent. Why? One explanation is that both Alma (Amulek) and Jesus have no more to say. They have spoken what was commanded and the people rejected the light. Moreover, Alma and Jesus don't speak because the actions of the people in unjustly treating them speaks to the people's condemnation -- i.e., their actions speak for themselves.
Eventually, the Lord releases Alma and Amulek. But Alma also appears to be have become a broken man. Verse 26 states that Alma "cried" to the Lord. Upon hearing Alma's cry and plea, the Lord gives them strength. Alma and Amulek break the bonds and the prison collapses, killing all who were within.
14:11 -- The Theodicy
One critique of God's existence is the problem of evil. This is the theodicy argument. It goes like this: if God is good, why does he allow evil and suffering to exist?
Verse 11 provides the answer: God allows evil to exist so that God can exercise just judgment against the wicked, with the blood of the killed standing "as a witness against them...and cry mighty against them on the last day."
This image of the blood of the innocent is vivid. You can imagine the day of judgment, where the wicked of Ammonihah are before God. The wicked may proclaim their innocence or at least ask for mercy. But then the murdered are brought to the "stand" -- one by one. Each, in all explicitness, witnessing against their actions -- you killed me! You threw my child and I into a fire for believing in the words of God. Witness after witness coming to the stand to testify against the deeds of the people of Ammonihah.
If God would have intervened, then the people of Ammonihah could not be held fully accountable for their deeds. Only by performing the act have they sealed their fate. And now because they have done such an evil of a deed, God is justified in sounding the Lamanites to annihilate them -- sparing no mercy.
CS Lewis noted that the Christian view of judgment is much different from the Hebrew view. Christian tend to view judgment as negative. Hebrew as a positive. Quoting Psalms, Lewis shows that the Psalmists viewed judgment as a day of relief. A day of recompense The time where the injustices committed against the world will be recompensed unto the wicked. And where the righteous will be delivered.
This should be a source of hope. All though judgment does mean destruction. It is also a blessing for the righteous -- because they will be delivered for their afflictions.
14:6-7--Zeezrom Was Astonished
Zeezrom's response gives us a window into the pain the wicked will experience once they come to a perfect knowledge of their guilt. Zeezrom, who intended to trap Amulek in his words, ended up realizing his own guilt. Mormon explains his reaction:
6 And it came to pass that Zeezrom was astonished at the words which had been spoken; and he also knew concerning the blindness of the minds, which he had caused among the people by his lying words; and his soul began to be harrowed up under a consciousness of his own guilt; yea, he began to be encircled about by the pains of hell.
Notice that Zeezrom's guilt is a mental one. His guilt causes him to experience the fire of hell.
Later, in chapter 15 we learn more about the extent of Zeezrom's mental anguish:
3...Zeezrom lay sick at Sidom, with a burning fever, which was caused by the great tribulations of his mind on account of his wickedness, for he supposed that Alma and Amulek were no more; and he supposed that they had been slain because of his iniquity. And this great sin, and his many other sins, did harrow up his mind until it did become exceedingly sore, having no deliverance; therefore he began to be scorched with a burning heat. (Alma 15)
...
5... Zeezrom; and they found him upon his bed, sick, being very low with a burning fever; and his mind also was exceedingly sore because of his iniquities; and when he saw them he stretched forth his hand, and besought them that they would heal him. (Alma 15)
It's interesting to observe that Zeezrom's guilt manifested itself in physical symptoms, similar to a fever. Mormon explains that Zeezrom's pain was that of a burning heat. Thus, while hell may not be a place of fire and brimstones, as depicted in pop culture, the experience of hell will involve a feeling of burning of sort.
Chapter 15
15: 6 -- Believest Thou in the Power of Christ
Zeezrom could only be healed according to his belief in Christ. Just as Alma and Amulek were only able to be delivered according to their faith, the same applies with anyone who seeks to be healed and receive a miracle from Christ. They are healed according to their faith.
10 And then Alma cried unto the Lord, saying: O Lord our God, have mercy on this man, and heal him according to his faith which is in Christ.
We decide how much of the Lord's power we'll have in our life.
15:15 -- Repented Not of Their Sins
Despite many of the people of Ammonihah witnessing the collapse of the prison, they still did not repent. Instead, they attributed Alma's powers to the devil. This verse shows us that unless a person wants to change, no power or sign will convince them.
This same principle could apply to us. Perhaps some of us wonder why God doesn't give us greater signs of his existence. One reason is because the greater signs won't do anything for us if we don't believe in the lesser signs.
15:15 -- Profession of Nehor
It's important to recognize that the profession of Nehor was a fairly widespread belief and was largely adopted by the people of Ammonihah. This is interesting because it gives insight into the different belief systems during this time period. In general, there is the church of Christ, profession of Nehor, and then those who believe in neither.
The people of Ammonihah adopted the profession (or teachings) of Nehor. To connect to dotes, let's consider the following:
Those who taught after the manner of Nehor practiced priestcraft. This means that they teachers taught so that they might get gain and receive the praise of the world. Those who believed in the teachings of Nehor believed that there was no need to repent of one's sins. And this is because they believed that all "mankind should be saved at the last day." (see Alma 1:4) because the Lord has redeemed all men and thus all men will have eternal life." (see Alma 1:4)
Thus the wickedness of the people of Ammonihah came as a result of priestcraft having disseminated throughout the land.
The result of adopting these beliefs means that people became prideful and wore costly apparel. (note: it seems that wearing costly apparel is common practice among those who practice the teachings of Nehor).
And we can see why they would become proud -- if God is to save all no matter what, then where's the incentive to be good? Where's the incentive to repent or listen to the truth?
15:16,18 -- Having Forsaken All
Amulek's experience shows us what is required in following God -- the sacrifice of all things. We learn from verse 16, that Almulek forsook all in teaching the word of God. He lost his gold and silver. He also lost his friends, father, and his kindred (of which he had many -- see Alma 10:4)
The word kindred, seems to be a catchall to refer to his relatives and family (see Alma 10:11). When Alma says that he lost is kindred, this seems to include his wives (Amulek seems to have had more than one wife (see Alma 10:11)) and children. How this happened it's not clear. Did he lose them because they rejected him or did he lose them in the fire? As a reminder, the people of Ammonihah threw women and children into the fire. Were his wives and children those thrown into the fire?
Although it's not clear what happened. Verse 16 indicates that Amulek is alone after the events in chapter 14.
18...Alma having seen all these things, therefore he took Amulek [note: doesn't say anything about his family] and came over to the land of Zarahemla, and took him to his own house, and did administer unto him in his tribulations, and strengthened him in the Lord. (Alma 15)
Notice that after the events of Ammonihah, Amulek is alone. We never hear about his family after verse 16.
Chapter 16
16:12 -- Destroyed the People of Ammonihah.
Chapter 16 begins in the 11th year of the reign of the judges -- about 1 year after the events in Ammonihah. We learn that the Lamanites "destroyed the people who were in the city of Ammonihah, and also some around the borders of Noah, and taken others captive into the wilderness." Thus fulfilling Alma's prophecy in chapter 9.
12 Behold, now I say unto you that he commandeth you to repent; and except ye repent, ye can in nowise inherit the kingdom of God. But behold, this is not all—he has commanded you to repent, or he will utterly destroy you from off the face of the earth; yea, he will visit you in his anger, and in his fierce anger he will not turn away.
Further note that manner in which the Lord will destroy the people -- Alma's states that the Lord will destroy the people of Ammonihah in "his fierce anger" which he will not "turn away."
With this in mind, consider Mormon's description of what happened the Lamanites:
9...the Lamanites having been driven out of the land, and the people of Ammonihah were destroyed; yea, every living soul of the Ammonihahites was destroyed, and also their great city, which they said God could not destroy, because of its greatness.10 But behold, in one day it was left desolate; and the carcasses were mangled by dogs and wild beasts of the wilderness. (Alma 16)
We read about the destruction of the people of Ammonihah in Alma 25
2 But they took their armies and went over into the borders of the land of Zarahemla, and fell upon the people who were in the land of Ammonihah and destroyed them. (Alma 25)
The cause of the Lamanites attacking the Nephites was due the Amulonites and Amalekites "stirring" the Lamanites to anger
1 And it came to pass that the Amalekites and the Amulonites and the Lamanites who were in the land of Amulon, and also in the land of Helam, and who were in the land of Jerusalem, and in fine, in all the land round about, who had not been converted and had not taken upon them the name of Anti-Nephi-Lehi, were stirred up by the Amalekites and by the Amulonites to anger against their brethren. (Alma 24)
16:21--Alma's Missionary Efforts
We learn that Alma (with the help of Amulek) finished establishing the church in the 14th year of the reign of the judges. Alma spent 5 years calling repentance to the people.
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