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The Book of Mormon > Alma > Chapter 34

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Exegesis

Verse 5

What does this question mean "whether the word is in the Son of God, or whether there shall be no Christ"? At its simplest we can read the question as "whether there shall be a Christ, or whether there shall be no Christ." This reading fits in nicely with the surrounding verses. But how can we make sense of the phrase "word be in the Son of God" and, in verse 6, "word is in Christ unto salvation"? John's discussion of Christ as the word (John 1:1-14) seems relevant, but it isn't clear exactly what the relation is.

It may be that "word" here refers to the scriptures--as a short-hand for the word of God (just as it does in the phrase "feast upon the word"). The word as scripture ties into verse 7 where Amulek talks about the "words of Zenos" and the "words of Zenock." In that sense we can read the question in verse 5 as asking "whether the scripture truly testify of the Son of God or whether there shall be no Christ." Another interpretation sees verse 14 as the summation of the answer to the question posed here. In that case "word" is (or at least includes) the law--specifically the law of Moses, not only the written law but also its practice.

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The Book of Mormon > Alma > Chapter 34

Questions

• What does Amulek mean in verse 10 when he says "for it shall not be a human sacrifice; but it must be an infinite and eternal sacrifice"? What does this teach us of Christ?

Lexical notes

Verse 8

• Atone. Webster's 1828 dictionary defines atone as "to stand as an equivalent; to make reparation, amends or satisfaction for an offense or a crime, by which reconciliation is procured between the offended and offending parties" or "to make compensation or amends" (the other definition does would not seem to apply in this context). It seems this could, but does not necessarily, imply a type of penal-substition view of atonement (note the word amend is defined as "a pecuniary punishment or fine"). An alternative reading would, presumably, emphasize the "reparation" and "satisfaction" aspect of the word atone. For example, if Christ's suffering somehow causes a sinner to repent, then it could be said that atonement was made without concluding that Crhist's suffering is a direct substitute for the sinner's suffering.

Exegesis

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Verse 8

• Penal-substitution theory. See this comment at the New Cool Thang blog for Jacob Morgan's reading of verses 8-16.

The Book of Mormon > Alma > Chapter 34

Questions

• What does it mean in verse 13 when Alma says that there shall be a stop to the shedding of blood and when this happens the law of Moses shall be fulfilled? How is this the whole meaning of the law?

Lexical notes

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Exegesis

In verse 13 Amulek says that after the great and last sacrifice there should be a stop to the shedding of blood. As verse 14 explains, this great and last sacrifice is the sacrifice of Christ, the Son of God. Why is it that with this last sacrifice there comes a stop to the shedding of blood? In this context, the shedding of blood seems to principally refer to blood sacrifices required in the law of Moses. As we see in the Book of Mormon, these sacrifices stop after Christ's death.

In a broader sense a stop to the shedding of blood may be a reference to Christ as the Prince of Peace and an end to the "eye for an eye" bloodshed that is part of the Law of Moses.

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The Book of Mormon > Alma > Chapter 34

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Verse 18-27

• See related quote by Joseph F Smith here.

The Book of Mormon > Alma > Chapter 34

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The Book of Mormon > Alma > Chapter 34

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Verse 26

• See User:Jmsears comment on prayer here.

Verse 28

• See James 2:8

The Book of Mormon > Alma > Chapter 34

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Exegesis

Verse 33-35: procrastinating repentance

Verse 33 tells us not to put off repenting. Amulek says "if we do not improve our time while in this life, then cometh the night of darkness wherein there can be no labor performed." This is a reminder that since we don't know when we will be called back home from this world we should repent early.

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• See quotes related to verses 33 and 34 here.

The Book of Mormon > Alma > Chapter 34

Questions

Why is it that we as mortals need to "pray continually" as the Lord instructs us in verse 39?

Lexical notes

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Exegesis

In verse 39 Amulek tells us that if we pray continually, we will stay close to the Lord. Whether we are praying or not is a good indication of which direction we are going--whether we are moving closer to God or farther away.

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