Site:SS lessons/BOM lesson 31

The Book of Mormon > Alma

Subpages (record of Alma the Younger):

Subpages (record of Helaman):

                                                                 Next page: Chapter 1

[edit] Historical setting

• Click the edit link above and to the right to add historical setting

[edit] Brief outline and summary

The relationship of Alma to the rest of the Book of Mormon is discussed at The Book of Mormon.

It is almost universally recognized that there is a qualitative difference between "the atonement chapters" at the beginning of Alma and "the war chapters" at the end. The wide extent of this recognition suggests that Mormon, who was a skillful editor, intended to draw a contrast between the two halves of the book. He even marked the point of contrast by labeling the first half as being taken from the record of Alma the Younger (superscript to Alma 1), and the second half from the record of Alma's son Helaman (superscript to Alma 45).

But Mormon did edit the book of Alma into its final form as a single book, not two books. This suggests that the reader should read each half of Alma in light of the other. In other words, the reader should look for correspondences or points of similarity between the two halves, and then use those similarities as guides to recognize what in the first half should be contrasted with what in the second half.

[edit] Alma Part 1, the record of Alma the Younger (chapters 1-44)

I. Nehor, invasion by dissenter Amlici at River Sidon (1-3)

II. Alma regulates two churches(4-7)

III. Nehors kill converts (8-16)

IV. Mission of sons of Mosiah (17-29)

IV. Korihor (30)

III. Zoramites expel converts (31-35)

II. Alma's last counsel and regulation of his sons (36-42)

I. Invasion by dissenter Zoramites at River Sidon(43-44)

Part 1 of Alma (chapters 1-44) addresses the atonement from several different angles. Chapters 4-7 focus on church members who, though many of them needed exhortation and stirring up unto remembrance, knew the truth and were entreated back into the way of righteousness without raising opposition: If you have felt to sing the song of redeeming love, do you still feel that now? The parallel chapters 36-42 focus on Alma's sons, who were similarly situated.

Chapters 8-16 focus on the Nehors, who took the liberal doctrine of universal salvation to a murderous logical extreme: Since God is going to save both you and me no matter what we do in mortality, I can kill you today without any consequence on judgment day. The parallel chapters 30-35 focus on the Zoramites, who took the conservative doctrine of predestination to an equally murderous logical extreme: Since God is going to save me and condemn you no matter what we do in mortality, I can kill you today without any consequence on judgment day. These groups illustrate incorrect beliefs about God's salvation.

The middle chapters focus on two groups who did not know what to believe. Like the Nehors and Zoramites, the Lamanites (chapters 17-29) also believed that whatever they did was okay. But this Lamanite belief did not derive from a mistaken belief about God, but rather from a lack of knowledge about God. This is epitomized in King Lamoni's prayer: God, if there is a God, and if you are God, ... Like the Lamanites, Korihor (chapter 30) was also agnostic. But he was much more certain and militant about his agnosticism: I don't know, and neither do you.

Part 1 of Alma (chapters 1-44) is a record of preaching the atonement to people holding each of these different points of view. It is not surprising then that so many of the great atonement sermons in the Book of Mormon are contained in these chapters.

[edit] Alma Part 2, the record of Helaman I (chapters 45-62)

I. Change of leadership (45)

II. Amalackiah becomes Lamanite king, attack repelled (46-49)

III. Kingmen dissension put down (50-51)

IV. Dissensions lead to defeat (52-53)

IV. Unity leads to victory (54-55)

II. Stripling warriors (56-58)

III. Kingmen dissension put down (59-62)

I. Change of leadership (63)

Part 2 of Alma (chapters 45-63) is very different. While it contains references to righteousness and revelation from God, it does not contain a single reference to the atonement or to the process of personal conversion. What is discussed is the need for unity. Mromon expressly tells us that the cause of all the Nephites' hardship was the internal dissension of the kingmen. And it is after the Nephites finally deal with the kingmen that they begin again to be victorious and rather quickly recover all of their territory.

[edit] Correspondences between the two halves of Alma

• Click the edit link above and to the right to add summary

[edit] Detailed discussion

[edit] Two halves of Alma through the lens of free agency

The Book of Mormon repeatedly addresses two social institutions that affect free agency: the church and the state. The role of the church is to provide accurate information so that people accurately understand the nature and consequences of their choices. Part 1 of Alma shows the prophet Alma providing this accurate information in his role as high priest of the church and prophet of God. It also shows others such as Ammon, Amulek and Zeezrom who either volunteered or were enlisted to preach. But Part 1 also recounts a time when there were many threats to this function as anti-Christs preached false doctrine so that people were misled and misunderstood their choices. Indeed, with the sole exception of Sherem in Jacob 7, lists of anti-Christs in the Book of Mormon usually draw exclusively from Part 1 of Alma.

The role of the state is too protect liberty so that people are free to in fact act upon their choices. Part 2 of Alma recounts a time when this function was threatened. The Lamanite invasion is characterized as a threat to life, livelihood and free exercise of religion. So is the internal dissension that threatened the Nephite democracy with paralysis and overthrow. Part 2 of Alma likewise describes how people can protect their liberty by standing up to both external and internal threats.

The main character at the middle of Part 1 is Ammon, a Nephite prince who gives up the throne to go be a servant among the Lamanites. He refuses an offer to marry the king's daughter, and when it appears that he has killed the king, he explains the situation to the king's wife. His Lamanite converts eventually migrate to go live with the Nephites in peace. Ammon does all this in the process of fulfilling the church's mission to preach truth to all and thereby increase their free agency.

The main character in Part 2 of Alma is Amalackiah, a Nephite who acquires the Lamanite throne by killing the king, lying about it, and marrying the king's widow. He then sends his Lamanite subjects into a lengthy war against the Nephites. This is done as Amalackiah abuses the state to compel his own people - against their own better judgment - to attack another people for the purpose of subjugating them and ending their access to the church and the accurate information it provides.^[1]

It is significant that in both halves part of the lesson is that regular people are able to act and influence the outcome of both struggles.

[edit] Mormon and His Sources

The superscription to the Book of Alma—the italicized paragraph found immediately following "The Book of Alma, the Son of Alma" in the current edition of the Book of Mormon—is, like many superscriptions in the Book of Mormon, original text. This superscription not only offers a summary of the material to be found in the Book of Alma; it also tells the reader something about Mormon's relationship to his sources. Most important in this regard is the following phrase: "according to the record of Alma, the first and chief judge."

What this phrase implies, though, is difficult to know. In order to sort out its implications, it is necessary to look at other clues about Mormon's editorial procedure, clues that are scattered throughout the Book of Alma.

Alma 1-29

Occasional lengthy quotations from "the record of Alma" make clear that the source Mormon was working with was—or at least purported to be—originally written and/or compiled by Alma (the Younger) himself. Alma was, according to Mosiah 28:20 and Alma 37:1, the keeper of the large plates of Nephi for twenty years or more (from before the inauguration of the reign of the judges to the eighteenth year of the judges' reign. Usually, it is clear that Mormon is the "author" of the text, since Alma appears in the narrative as a character, but at times—for instance, in Alma 9 and Alma 28-29—it is clear that Alma's own words from the original record are quoted at length, since Alma appears as narrator, speaks of himself in the first person, and describes events in the present (rather than past) tense. Of course, even where it is clear that Mormon is the authorial voice, much (most?) of what he says can be presumed to be copied directly over from his sources, but it is much more difficult in these cases to determine what is Mormon's contribution and what comes directly from Mormon's sources.

Addressing these issues somewhat naively, one might divide up the first half of the Book of Alma as follows:

  Alma 1:1 - 5:1 — Mormon as author/editor
  Alma 5:2 - 5:62 — Alma's original words
  Alma 6:1 - 6:8 — Mormon as author/editor
  Alma 7:1 - 7:27 — Alma's original words
  Alma 8:1 - 8:32 — Mormon as author/editor
  Alma 9:1 - 9:33 — Alma's original words
  Alma 9:34 - 28:6 — Mormon as author/editor
  Alma 28:7 - 29:17 — Alma's original words

(Parts of this interpretation can be called into question and are based on what at times is somewhat problematic evidence. See, in particular, the commentary for the superscription to Alma 9, for Alma 9:34, for Alma 10:12, for Alma 11:20, for Alma 11:46, for Alma 13:31, and for Alma 28:7.)

[edit] Direct address to the reader

• Click the edit link above and to the right to add detailed discussion

[edit] Relation to other scriptures

[edit] Related books and chapters

The relationship of Alma to the rest of the Book of Mormon is discussed at The Book of Mormon.

Preaching in First and Second Nephi and in Jacob tends to emphasize exhortation, or obedience to what the audience already knows is correct behavior. Mosiah and Alma tend to emphasize teaching people so they will feel the Holy Ghost and have a change of heart. Ether and Moroni tend to address those who are already living correctly how to obtain greater faith to not only obey but to also work miracles, ant to obtain hope and charity.

First Nephi teaches that God will deliver those who come unto him so that they will not perish. Mosiah teaches that there is not other name given by which we can be saved than the name of Christ. Alma Part 1 teaches that we do in fact need to be saved or delivered.

Mosiah teaches that there is a problem with monarchy: it is not accountable to you and may abuse you. Alma Part 2 teaches that there is also a problem with democracy: it is accountable to your neighbor, and may therefore become paralyzed by disunity. Helaman teaches that democracies are also susceptible to secret combinations. Ether teaches that monarchies are likewise susceptible.

[edit] Parallel passages

[edit] Previous editions

The original 1830 edition of Alma was divided into only thirty chapters (I-XXX). For the 1879 edition Parley Pratt further divided those thirteen into the sixty three chapters (1-63) still used today. • I: 1-3 • II: 4 • III: 5 • IV: 6 • V: 7 • VI: 8 • VII: 9 • VIII: 10-11 • IX: CH.12-13:9 • X: 13:10-ch.15:19 • XI: 16 • XII: 17-20 • XIII: 21-22 • XIV: 23-26 • XV: 27-29 • XVI: 30-35 • XVII: 36-37 • XVIII: 38 • XIX: 39-42 • XX: 43-44 • XXI: 45-49 • XXII: 50 • XXIII: 51 • XXIV: 52-53 • XXV: 54-55 • XXVI: 56-68 • XXVII: 59-60 • XXVIII: 61 • XXIX: 62 • XXX: 63

[edit] Complete outline and page map

Items in blue or purple text indicate hyperlinked pages that address specific portions of Mosiah.

Alma

I. Nehor, invasion by dissenter Amlici at River Sidon (1-3)

II. Alma regulates two churches(4-7)

III. Nehors kill converts (8-16)

IV. Mission of sons of Mosiah (17-29)

IV. Korihor (30)

III. Zoramites expel converts (31-35)

II. Alma's last counsel and regulation of his sons (36-42)

I. Invasion by dissenter Zoramites at River Sidon (43-44)

I. Change of leadership (45)

II. Amalackiah becomes Lamanite king, attack repelled (46-49)

III. Kingmen dissension put down (50-51)

IV. Dissensions lead to defeat (52-53)

IV. Unity leads to victory (54-55)

II. Stripling warriors (56-58)

III. Kingmen dissension put down (59-62)

I. Change of leadership (63)

[edit] Questions for further study and reflection

• Click the edit link above and to the right to add questions

[edit] Footnotes

1. ↑ Many of these correspondences are noted and explored in a blog post by Joe Spencer.

[edit] Additional resources

• Book of Mormon, 1830 edition: Alma

• Overview of the structure of Alma (by Joe Spencer).

• Conkling, J. Christopher. "Alma's Enemies: The Case of the Lamanites, Amlicites, and Mysterious Amalekites." Journal of Book of Mormon Studies, Vol. 14, No. 1, p. 108-17. (Provo, Maxwell Institute: 2005).

                                                                 Next page: Chapters 1

The Book of Mormon > Alma > Chapter 43

[edit] Questions

• Click the edit link above and to the right to add questions

[edit] Lexical notes

• Click the edit link above and to the right to add lexical notes

[edit] Exegesis

Click the edit link above and to the right to add exegesis

[edit] Related links

• Click the edit link above and to the right to add related links

The Book of Mormon > Alma > Chapter 43

[edit] Questions

• Click the edit link above and to the right to add questions

[edit] Lexical notes

• Click the edit link above and to the right to add lexical notes

[edit] Exegesis

Click the edit link above and to the right to add exegesis

[edit] Related links

• Click the edit link above and to the right to add related links

The Book of Mormon > Alma > Chapter 43

[edit] Questions

• Click the edit link above and to the right to add questions

[edit] Lexical notes

[edit] Verse 14

• "Descendants." The word "descendants" here seems to be a mistranscription by Oliver Cowdery of "dissenters," as in verse 13 (see reference to Royal Skousen's work below).

[edit] Exegesis

Click the edit link above and to the right to add exegesis

[edit] Related links

[edit] Verse 14

• "Descendants." See a preview of Royal Skousen's Anaylsis of Textual Variants of the Book of Mormon (forthcoming summer 2007) in the FARMS newsletter Insights, v. 27/2, 2007, p. 8 (electronic edition is not available as of May 8, 2008, but should be coming soon).

The Book of Mormon > Alma > Chapter 43

[edit] Questions

• Click the edit link above and to the right to add questions

In verse 20, what is a cimeter?

[edit] Lexical notes

• Click the edit link above and to the right to add lexical notes

[edit] Exegesis

Click the edit link above and to the right to add exegesis

[edit] Related links

• Click the edit link above and to the right to add related links

The Book of Mormon > Alma > Chapter 43

[edit] Questions

• Click the edit link above and to the right to add questions

[edit] Lexical notes

• Click the edit link above and to the right to add lexical notes

[edit] Exegesis

As in verse 2, no matter what the circumstance, as long as it is a righteous cause, the Lord will help us if we ask.

[edit] Related links

• Click the edit link above and to the right to add related links

The Book of Mormon > Alma > Chapter 43

[edit] Questions

• Click the edit link above and to the right to add questions

[edit] Lexical notes

• Click the edit link above and to the right to add lexical notes

[edit] Exegesis

Click the edit link above and to the right to add exegesis

[edit] Related links

• Click the edit link above and to the right to add related links

The Book of Mormon > Alma > Chapter 43

[edit] Questions

• Click the edit link above and to the right to add questions

[edit] Lexical notes

• Click the edit link above and to the right to add lexical notes

[edit] Exegesis

Click the edit link above and to the right to add exegesis

[edit] Related links

• Click the edit link above and to the right to add related links

The Book of Mormon > Alma > Chapter 43

[edit] Questions

• Click the edit link above and to the right to add questions

[edit] Lexical notes

• Click the edit link above and to the right to add lexical notes

[edit] Exegesis

Click the edit link above and to the right to add exegesis

[edit] Related links

• Click the edit link above and to the right to add related links

The Book of Mormon > Alma > Chapter 43

[edit] Questions

• Click the edit link above and to the right to add questions

[edit] Lexical notes

• Click the edit link above and to the right to add lexical notes

[edit] Exegesis

Click the edit link above and to the right to add exegesis

[edit] Related links

• Click the edit link above and to the right to add related links

The Book of Mormon > Alma > Chapter 43

[edit] Questions

• Click the edit link above and to the right to add questions

[edit] Lexical notes

• Click the edit link above and to the right to add lexical notes

[edit] Exegesis

Alma 43: 47 The Lord gives commandments that we should not kill--yet here he as an exception the command that we defend our families even unto the shedding of blood. This emphasizes the importance of the family to God and is just more evidence of the sacred nature of the family.

[edit] Related links

• Click the edit link above and to the right to add related links

The Book of Mormon > Alma > Chapter 43

[edit] Questions

• Click the edit link above and to the right to add questions

[edit] Lexical notes

• Click the edit link above and to the right to add lexical notes

[edit] Exegesis

Click the edit link above and to the right to add exegesis

[edit] Related links

• Click the edit link above and to the right to add related links

The Book of Mormon > Alma > Chapter 44

[edit] Questions

• v.4. What is "the true faith of God" Moroni is talking about?

[edit] Lexical notes

• Click the edit link above and to the right to add lexical notes

[edit] Exegesis

Click the edit link above and to the right to add exegesis

[edit] Related links

• Click the edit link above and to the right to add related links

The Book of Mormon > Alma > Chapter 44

[edit] Questions

• v. 7 ~ The nature of covenants. Are these "covenants" as we think of them today? Or merely oaths/promises? (It is called an "oath" up until verse 14, where it specifically mentions the "covenant of peace.") If the former, how can it be a true covenant when the only other option is destruction?
• v. 8-9 ~ Zarahemnah refuses on the grounds that he won't be able to keep the oath? Isn't this honorable--refusing to promise something you won't be able to do? Or is it proud--refusing to take the oath, because he doesn't want to maintain peace for the rest of his life? Which of the two does Zarahemnah mean when he says "we will not suffer ourselves to take an oath unto you, which we know that we shall break"? He goes on to speak of his children as also being unable to keep this oath--how can he speak for them? Does this support the latter interpretation of his refusal?

[edit] Lexical notes

• Click the edit link above and to the right to add lexical notes

[edit] Exegesis

Verse 10

An interesting distinction arises beginning in this verse. Although in verse 8 Zarahemnah surrenders "his sword and his cimeter and his bow," in verse 10 Moroni returns "the sword and the weapons of war." This distinction between "sword" and "weapons of war" continues until verse 20. The sword is further singled out in verse 12, where Zarahemnah rushes to kill Moroni, who is defended by one of his soldiers: "as he raised his sword, behold, one of Moroni's soldiers smote it even to the earth, and it broke by the hilt" (emphasis added). Not only is the word "sword" distinguished from the all-inclusive "weapons of war," but this dramatic moment is related in detail; Zarahemnah's sword is shattered at the hilt and falls to the earth, followed by the shameful scalping of this Lamanite leader, who the retreats to hide among the throng of his armies, leaving the borken sword at Moroni's feet. What does the sword symbolize in this culture? Is it involved in a kind of ritual of surrender? Or does it have something to do with the sword of Laban and its role in the legitimacy of Nephite government?

[edit] Related links

• Click the edit link above and to the right to add related links

The Book of Mormon > Alma > Chapter 44

[edit] Questions

• Click the edit link above and to the right to add questions

[edit] Lexical notes

• Click the edit link above and to the right to add lexical notes

[edit] Exegesis

Click the edit link above and to the right to add exegesis

[edit] Related links

• Click the edit link above and to the right to add related links

The Book of Mormon > Alma > Chapter 44

[edit] Questions

• v. 18 ~ The Nephite soldier is said to have "prophesied"--was this prophesy as we think of it today? What is prophecy, and what does it have to do with this soldier's seemingly spontaneous, perhaps somewhat arrogant, bold speech?

[edit] Lexical notes

• Click the edit link above and to the right to add lexical notes

[edit] Exegesis

Click the edit link above and to the right to add exegesis

[edit] Related links

• Click the edit link above and to the right to add related links

The Book of Mormon > Alma > Chapter 44

[edit] Questions

• v. 24 ~ It is apparent that Alma has not yet passed the plates on to his son, Helaman. Why is that? Alma's discourse in Alma 36 was contextualized precisely by the event of passing on the records. Is it possible that Helaman wasn't quite prepared, or even had misgivings about his role as record-keeper (see Alma 45:2-8)?

[edit] Lexical notes

• Click the edit link above and to the right to add lexical notes

[edit] Exegesis

Click the edit link above and to the right to add exegesis

[edit] Related links

• Click the edit link above and to the right to add related links

The Book of Mormon > Alma > Chapter 45

[edit] Questions

• Click the edit link above and to the right to add questions

[edit] Lexical notes

• Click the edit link above and to the right to add lexical notes

[edit] Exegesis

Click the edit link above and to the right to add exegesis'

It is interesting to see how Alma makes Helaman confirm his faith before sharing with him the prophesy. It is like when the angel visiting Nephi asks him if he has faith in God.

[edit] Related links

• Click the edit link above and to the right to add related links

The Book of Mormon > Alma > Chapter 45

[edit] Questions

• Click the edit link above and to the right to add questions

Why does Alma say "will ye keep my commandments" when really they are God's commandments?

[edit] Lexical notes

• Click the edit link above and to the right to add lexical notes

[edit] Exegesis

In these opening verses (v. 2-8), Alma spontaneously, almost randomly, comes to Helaman and asks him very directly: "Believes thou the words which I spake unto thee concerning those records which have been kept?" (v. 2). This is followed by further questions about the state of Helaman's testimony. These questions are rapid-fire, point-blank, almost urgent in their quick succession. Is it possible that Alma knows his time is up, that he is being called to return to the Lord, and is quickly finishing his business? It's also possible that the reason Helaman has not yet recieved the records (as the context of Alma 36 would imply) is that he maintained misgivings about the church and his role as guardian of the plates. Is Alma sounding out the state of his son's faith? The very first question asked is about the records and what Alma has said about them in Alma 36. It's interesting, also, to note that Alma does not ask if Helaman will keep the Lord's commandments, in verses 6 and 7, but whether he will keep Alma's commands in particular--perhaps regarding the care of the records? Only after Helaman responds affirmatively (v. 7) does Alma say, "Blessed art thou," prophesy to his son, and then immediately leave, never to be heard from/seen again (v. 18). It appears that Helaman had misgivings about assuming the responsibility of the records and needed time to come to terms with it. Finally, Alma comes to him and urgently sounds out his son's faith, entrusts him with the records and a final prophesy, and then leaves the land of Zarahemla, presumably translated (v. 19).

[edit] Related links

• Click the edit link above and to the right to add related links

The Book of Mormon > Alma > Chapter 45

[edit] Questions

• The people that survive the destruction of the Nephites will become what people?

[edit] Lexical notes

• Click the edit link above and to the right to add lexical notes

[edit] Exegesis

Verse 12 mentions that the the Nephites will sin against great light and knowledge. At the same time, obviously, the Lamanites were sinning but they weren't sinning against the same knowledge. It's interesting to note how the Nephites had to be destroyed for that sin. We are responsible to live up to the knowledge that we are given.

In verse 15 Alma blesses the earth for the righteous' sake. I wonder if he was just blessing the land of America or the whole earth. Its like he reaffirmed the blessing that the Lord had already placed upon the Americas.

[edit] Related links

• Click the edit link above and to the right to add related links

The Book of Mormon > Alma > Chapter 45

[edit] Questions

• Where was Alma buried?

[edit] Lexical notes

• Click the edit link above and to the right to add lexical notes

[edit] Exegesis

Click the edit link above and to the right to add exegesis

[edit] Related links

• Click the edit link above and to the right to add related links

The Book of Mormon > Alma > Chapter 45

[edit] Questions

• Click the edit link above and to the right to add questions

[edit] Lexical notes

• Click the edit link above and to the right to add lexical notes

[edit] Exegesis

Click the edit link above and to the right to add exegesis

From verse 21 it sounds like the war caused some disorganization throughout the church. Perhaps that was caused by so many priesthood leaders being killed by the Lamanites and Zoramites.

[edit] Related links

• Click the edit link above and to the right to add related links

The Book of Mormon > Alma > Chapter 46

[edit] Questions

• Click the edit link above and to the right to add questions

Why did the lower judges want Amalickiah to be king?

[edit] Lexical notes

• Click the edit link above and to the right to add lexical notes

[edit] Exegesis

Click the edit link above and to the right to add exegesis

[edit] Related links

• Click the edit link above and to the right to add related links

The Book of Mormon > Alma > Chapter 46

[edit] Questions

• Click the edit link above and to the right to add questions

Would the Nephite pride be more or less dangerous than the danger from the attacking Lamanites?

[edit] Lexical notes

• Click the edit link above and to the right to add lexical notes

[edit] Exegesis

Click the edit link above and to the right to add exegesis

Many times we want to have peace but things or people come along that disrupt our desire. Amalikiah is a good example of how someone can come along and shatter any peace that could be had. Unfortunately, we have to stand up against such people and sacrifice our personal comfort for what is right.

[edit] Related links

• Click the edit link above and to the right to add related links

The Book of Mormon > Alma > Chapter 46

[edit] Questions

• Verse 11 seems to indicate that the Title of Liberty episode was inspired by Moroni's anger. In several cases Moroni is said to be angry (Alma 44:17; Alma 55:1; Alma 59:13). Given Christ's teachings that we shouldn't contend with one another in anger (3 Ne 11:29-30), how should we understand Captain Moroni's anger?

[edit] Lexical notes

• Click the edit link above and to the right to add lexical notes

Moroni uses inspiring words in his Title of Liberty. These words remind the people what is their duty to defend.

[edit] Exegesis

Verse 11 tells us that Moroni was angry with Amalickiah. Jesus teaches in 3 Ne 11:30 that it is his doctrine to do away with anger from one person to another. But we also know from Alma 48:17 that if all were like Moroni the devil would have no power over the hearts of men. In light of these scriptures there are two possible ways to interpret Moroni's anger here:

1. The first interpretation distinguishes righteous and unrighteous anger. In that interpretation the anger referred to in 3 Ne 11:29-30 would obviously be unrighteous anger, but Moroni's anger, as displayed here, Alma 44:17, Alma 55:1 and Alma 59:13, would be righteous anger. That reading fits well with the strongly positive comment about Moroni in Alma 48:17.
2. In the second interpretation Moroni does have a problem with anger despite the positive words about him in Alma 48:17. This interpretation makes sense of those positive words by looking at the context. The previous verse tells us of Moroni's strengths: his great faith, that he didn't glory in shedding blood, that he did glory in preserving his people, and that he gloried in keeping the commandments. In this interpretation it it is these positive characteristics that Mormon is praising--not his anger. This interpretation inteprets 3 Ne 11:29-30 without needing to interject the concept of righteous anger which isn't mentioned there. This interpretation is also supported by the fact that Moroni is angry in Alma 59:13 when he falsely accuses Pahoran in Alma 60. The fact that Mormon chooses to include this episode where Moroni's anger leads him to false accusation suggests that Mormon did not want us to emulate Moroni's anger when he praises him in Alma 48:17.

Verse 12 - The Title of Liberty The Title of Liberty stands as a symbol to Nephites (or Christians) at the time of their great difficulty to inspire and build confidence in their cause against the Lamanites. Moroni rends his coat (a symbol in and of itself) and writes on it the following: "In memory of our God, our religion, and freedom, and our peace, our wives, and our children." The Nephites were in dire circumstances at this time and the Title of Liberty helped stir up the Nephites into remembrance for what their duty was to their God, religion, freedom, peace, and families. It is important to remember that God has commanded us that as long as we are not guilty of the first or second offense, we have a duty to defend ourselves against our enemies. Moroni could not have put this more appropriately than by writing on his rent piece of coat and establishing the Title of Liberty. Our God, our religon, our freedom, our peace and our families are truly the most important things to us and we should always hold the Title of Liberty in the back of our minds to remind us to not only fight appropriately for these things, but live worthily of them as well.

[edit] Related links

• Click the edit link above and to the right to add related links

The Book of Mormon > Alma > Chapter 46

[edit] Questions

• Click the edit link above and to the right to add questions

[edit] Lexical notes

• Click the edit link above and to the right to add lexical notes

[edit] Exegesis

Click the edit link above and to the right to add exegesis

In verse 18 Moroni expresses his confidence that the Lord will uphold his people as long as they are righteous. This shows that Moroni had great faith in the Lord and in the cause for which he fought.

[edit] Related links

• Click the edit link above and to the right to add related links

The Book of Mormon > Alma > Chapter 46

[edit] Questions

[edit] Verses 21-22

• Symbolism of rending garments. What symbolism was there in the Nephites rending their garments and throwing them at Moroni's feet?

[edit] Verse 24

• Remainder of Joseph destroyed. Who is the "remainder of the seed of Joseph" that has perished (or will perish)?

[edit] Lexical notes

• Click the edit link above and to the right to add lexical notes

[edit] Exegesis

Click the edit link above and to the right to add exegesis

Here Mormon records how the people's covenant to keep the Lord's commandments or be rent apart is like the story of Joseph and how his garment was rent and he was sold into slavery.

[edit] Related links

[edit] Verse 24

• See Garment of Joseph: An Update by Brian Hauglid (FARMS Occasional Papers #4).

The Book of Mormon > Alma > Chapter 46

[edit] Questions

• Click the edit link above and to the right to add questions

[edit] Lexical notes

• Click the edit link above and to the right to add lexical notes

[edit] Exegesis

Click the edit link above and to the right to add exegesis

We can see in these verses that Moroni was a man of action. He wasted no time in visiting the affected cities and establishing the loyalty of the people again. He acted quickly to stop the dissention of the Kingmen.

[edit] Related links

• Click the edit link above and to the right to add related links

The Book of Mormon > Alma > Chapter 46

[edit] Questions

• Click the edit link above and to the right to add questions

[edit] Lexical notes

• Click the edit link above and to the right to add lexical notes

[edit] Exegesis

Click the edit link above and to the right to add exegesis

[edit] Related links

• Click the edit link above and to the right to add related links

The Book of Mormon > Alma > Chapter 46

[edit] Questions

• Click the edit link above and to the right to add questions

[edit] Lexical notes

• Click the edit link above and to the right to add lexical notes

[edit] Exegesis

Click the edit link above and to the right to add exegesis

[edit] Related links

• Click the edit link above and to the right to add related links

The Book of Mormon > Alma > Chapter 47

[edit] Questions

• Click the edit link above and to the right to add questions

[edit] Lexical notes

• Click the edit link above and to the right to add lexical notes

[edit] Exegesis

We might want to read these verses allegorically. Amalickiah tries unsucessfully to bring him off the mount. It is only after Lehonti uses his free agency and chooses to go down off the mount that he is in danger. Mountains are often symbolic of temples. Temples are somewhere safe from Satan and the outside world. Satan can not reach us in our temples. It is only after we willfully choose to go outside of our temples and sin can we be in Satan's grasp.

[edit] Related links

• Click the edit link above and to the right to add related links

The Book of Mormon > Alma > Chapter 47

[edit] Questions

• Click the edit link above and to the right to add questions

[edit] Lexical notes

• Click the edit link above and to the right to add lexical notes

[edit] Exegesis

Click the edit link above and to the right to add exegesis

[edit] Related links

• Click the edit link above and to the right to add related links

The Book of Mormon > Alma > Chapter 47

[edit] Questions

• Click the edit link above and to the right to add questions

[edit] Lexical notes

• Click the edit link above and to the right to add lexical notes

[edit] Exegesis

Click the edit link above and to the right to add exegesis

[edit] Related links

• Click the edit link above and to the right to add related links

The Book of Mormon > Alma > Chapter 47

[edit] Questions

• Click the edit link above and to the right to add questions

[edit] Lexical notes

• Click the edit link above and to the right to add lexical notes

[edit] Exegesis

Click the edit link above and to the right to add exegesis

[edit] Related links

• Click the edit link above and to the right to add related links

pter 47]]"

[edit] Questions

• Click the edit link above and to the right to add questions

[edit] Lexical notes

• Click the edit link above and to the right to add lexical notes

[edit] Exegesis

Click the edit link above and to the right to add exegesis

[edit] Related links

• Click the edit link above and to the right to add related links

The Book of Mormon > Alma > Chapter 47

[edit] Questions

• Click the edit link above and to the right to add questions

[edit] Lexical notes

• Click the edit link above and to the right to add lexical notes

[edit] Exegesis

Click the edit link above and to the right to add exegesis

[edit] Related links

• Click the edit link above and to the right to add related links

The Book of Mormon > Alma > Chapter 47

[edit] Questions

• Click the edit link above and to the right to add questions

[edit] Lexical notes

• Click the edit link above and to the right to add lexical notes

[edit] Exegesis

Click the edit link above and to the right to add exegesis

[edit] Related links

• Click the edit link above and to the right to add related links

The Book of Mormon > Alma > Chapter 48

[edit] Questions

• Click the edit link above and to the right to add questions

[edit] Lexical notes

• Click the edit link above and to the right to add lexical notes

[edit] Exegesis

Click the edit link above and to the right to add exegesis

[edit] Related links

• Click the edit link above and to the right to add related links

The Book of Mormon > Alma > Chapter 48

[edit] Questions

• Click the edit link above and to the right to add questions

[edit] Lexical notes

• Click the edit link above and to the right to add lexical notes

[edit] Exegesis

Click the edit link above and to the right to add exegesis

[edit] Related links

• Click the edit link above and to the right to add related links

The Book of Mormon > Alma > Chapter 48

[edit] Questions

• Click the edit link above and to the right to add questions

[edit] Lexical notes

• Click the edit link above and to the right to add lexical notes

[edit] Exegesis

Click the edit link above and to the right to add exegesis

[edit] Related links

• Click the edit link above and to the right to add related links

The Book of Mormon > Alma > Chapter 48

[edit] Questions

• What does it mean that if we were all like Moroni "the very powers of hell would have been shaken forever; yea, the devil would never have power over the hearts of the children of men" (vs. 17)? Does that mean we should seek to be like Moroni in every respect?
• If the binding of Satan brings about a Terrestrial condition (cf. Rev 20:2, D&C 43:31, D&C 45:55, D&C 84:100, D&C 88:110), does that imply that Moroni's actions are an example of living the laws of the Terrestrial Kingdom?
• If Moroni is living a Terrestrial law, is he a valid role-model in every respect for modern LDS members seeking to obtain a Celestial glory?
• Do Moroni's actions differ in any significant way from the teachings or example of Jesus Christ?

[edit] Lexical notes

• Click the edit link above and to the right to add lexical notes

[edit] Exegesis

• Many LDS members admire Captain Moroni's valor and see verse 17 as a statement confirming his righteousness. While Captain Moroni certainly has many admirable qualities, his propensity for anger and possibly his propensity for seeking military solutions seem to contradict the Savior's teachings on contending in anger (3 Ne 11:29) and renouncing war (D&C 98:16).
• From D&C 98 it appears that while wars can sometimes be "justified" under very narrow conditions, it is preferable to not fight even when attacked D&C 98:30. Since it is harder to allow oneself to be killed than to fight back, the Lord allows for self defense, though this violates what may well be the higher law and self-sacrificing example of the Savior.
• Reading that Moroni's actions would lead Satan to be bound (vs. 17)--a condition of the Terrestrial Kingdom--shouldn't lead us see Moroni as the ultimate example for us to follow, especially in attempts to justify entering into our own modern wars. By recognizing that Moroni and his people were living a Terrestrial law, we can celebrate their valor and faith without seeing their actions as the ultimate standards for righteous living.

[edit] Related links

• Click the edit link above and to the right to add related links

The Book of Mormon > Alma > Chapter 48

[edit] Questions

• Click the edit link above and to the right to add questions

[edit] Lexical notes

• Click the edit link above and to the right to add lexical notes

[edit] Exegesis

Click the edit link above and to the right to add exegesis

[edit] Related links

• Click the edit link above and to the right to add related links

The Book of Mormon > Alma > Chapter 49

[edit] Questions

• Click the edit link above and to the right to add questions

[edit] Lexical notes

• Click the edit link above and to the right to add lexical notes

[edit] Exegesis

Click the edit link above and to the right to add exegesis

[edit] Related links

• Click the edit link above and to the right to add related links

The Book of Mormon > Alma > Chapter 49

[edit] Questions

• Click the edit link above and to the right to add questions

[edit] Lexical notes

• Click the edit link above and to the right to add lexical notes

[edit] Exegesis

Click the edit link above and to the right to add exegesis

[edit] Related links

• Click the edit link above and to the right to add related links

The Book of Mormon > Alma > Chapter 49

[edit] Questions

• Click the edit link above and to the right to add questions

[edit] Lexical notes

• Click the edit link above and to the right to add lexical notes

[edit] Exegesis

Click the edit link above and to the right to add exegesis

[edit] Related links

• Click the edit link above and to the right to add related links

The Book of Mormon > Alma > Chapter 49

[edit] Questions

• Click the edit link above and to the right to add questions

[edit] Lexical notes

• Click the edit link above and to the right to add lexical notes

[edit] Exegesis

Click the edit link above and to the right to add exegesis

[edit] Related links

• Click the edit link above and to the right to add related links

The Book of Mormon > Alma > Chapter 49

[edit] Questions

• Click the edit link above and to the right to add questions

[edit] Lexical notes

• Click the edit link above and to the right to add lexical notes

[edit] Exegesis

Click the edit link above and to the right to add exegesis

[edit] Related links

• Click the edit link above and to the right to add related links

The Book of Mormon > Alma > Chapter 49

[edit] Questions

• Click the edit link above and to the right to add questions

[edit] Lexical notes

• Click the edit link above and to the right to add lexical notes

[edit] Exegesis

Click the edit link above and to the right to add exegesis

[edit] Related links

• Click the edit link above and to the right to add related links

The Book of Mormon > Alma > Chapter 50

[edit] Questions

• Click the edit link above and to the right to add questions

[edit] Lexical notes

• Click the edit link above and to the right to add lexical notes

[edit] Exegesis

Click the edit link above and to the right to add exegesis

[edit] Related links

• Click the edit link above and to the right to add related links

The Book of Mormon > Alma > Chapter 50

[edit] Questions

• Click the edit link above and to the right to add questions

[edit] Lexical notes

• Click the edit link above and to the right to add lexical notes

[edit] Exegesis

Click the edit link above and to the right to add exegesis

[edit] Related links

• Click the edit link above and to the right to add related links

The Book of Mormon > Alma > Chapter 50

[edit] Questions

• Click the edit link above and to the right to add questions

[edit] Lexical notes

• Click the edit link above and to the right to add lexical notes

[edit] Exegesis

Click the edit link above and to the right to add exegesis

[edit] Related links

• Click the edit link above and to the right to add related links

The Book of Mormon > Alma > Chapter 50

[edit] Questions

• Click the edit link above and to the right to add questions

[edit] Lexical notes

• Click the edit link above and to the right to add lexical notes

[edit] Exegesis

Click the edit link above and to the right to add exegesis

[edit] Related links

• Click the edit link above and to the right to add related links

The Book of Mormon > Alma > Chapter 50

[edit] Questions

• Click the edit link above and to the right to add questions

[edit] Lexical notes

• Click the edit link above and to the right to add lexical notes

[edit] Exegesis

Click the edit link above and to the right to add exegesis

[edit] Related links

• Click the edit link above and to the right to add related links

The Book of Mormon > Alma > Chapter 50

[edit] Questions

• Click the edit link above and to the right to add questions

[edit] Lexical notes

• Click the edit link above and to the right to add lexical notes

[edit] Exegesis

Click the edit link above and to the right to add exegesis

[edit] Related links

• Click the edit link above and to the right to add related links

The Book of Mormon > Alma > Chapter 50

[edit] Questions

• Click the edit link above and to the right to add questions

[edit] Lexical notes

• Click the edit link above and to the right to add lexical notes

[edit] Exegesis

Click the edit link above and to the right to add exegesis

[edit] Related links

• See 3 Ne 4 for a similar tactic of the Nephites preventing their enemies from fleeing to regroup--Gidgiddoni heading off Zemnarihah.

The Book of Mormon > Alma > Chapter 50

[edit] Questions

• Click the edit link above and to the right to add questions

[edit] Lexical notes

• Click the edit link above and to the right to add lexical notes

[edit] Exegesis

Click the edit link above and to the right to add exegesis

[edit] Related links

• Click the edit link above and to the right to add related links

The Book of Mormon > Alma > Chapter 51

[edit] Questions

• Why would Pahoran not allow some of the people alter some of the particular points of the law?

[edit] Lexical notes

• Click the edit link above and to the right to add lexical notes

[edit] Exegesis

Click the edit link above and to the right to add exegesis

[edit] Related links

• Click the edit link above and to the right to add related links

The Book of Mormon > Alma > Chapter 51

[edit] Questions

• Click the edit link above and to the right to add questions

[edit] Lexical notes

• Click the edit link above and to the right to add lexical notes

[edit] Exegesis

Click the edit link above and to the right to add exegesis

[edit] Related links

• Click the edit link above and to the right to add related links

The Book of Mormon > Alma > Chapter 51

[edit] Questions

• Click the edit link above and to the right to add questions

[edit] Lexical notes

• Click the edit link above and to the right to add lexical notes

[edit] Exegesis

Click the edit link above and to the right to add exegesis

[edit] Related links

• Click the edit link above and to the right to add related links

The Book of Mormon > Alma > Chapter 51

[edit] Questions

• Click the edit link above and to the right to add questions

[edit] Lexical notes

• Click the edit link above and to the right to add lexical notes

[edit] Exegesis

Click the edit link above and to the right to add exegesis

[edit] Related links

• Click the edit link above and to the right to add related links

The Book of Mormon > Alma > Chapter 51

[edit] Questions

[edit] Verse 25

• If Amalickiah is not attacking the Nephite cities, how is he possessing them? Is he luring them out to battle against him on the seashore? Is there something missing from our text?

[edit] Lexical notes

• Click the edit link above and to the right to add lexical notes

[edit] Exegesis

Click the edit link above and to the right to add exegesis

[edit] Related links

• Click the edit link above and to the right to add related links

The Book of Mormon > Alma > Chapter 51

[edit] Questions

• Click the edit link above and to the right to add questions

[edit] Lexical notes

• Click the edit link above and to the right to add lexical notes

[edit] Exegesis

Click the edit link above and to the right to add exegesis

[edit] Related links

• Click the edit link above and to the right to add related links

The Book of Mormon > Alma > Chapter 51

[edit] Questions

• Click the edit link above and to the right to add questions

[edit] Lexical notes

• Click the edit link above and to the right to add lexical notes

[edit] Exegesis

Click the edit link above and to the right to add exegesis

[edit] Related links

• Click the edit link above and to the right to add related links

The Book of Mormon > Alma > Chapter 52

[edit] Questions

• Click the edit link above and to the right to add questions

[edit] Lexical notes

• Click the edit link above and to the right to add lexical notes

[edit] Exegesis

Click the edit link above and to the right to add exegesis

[edit] Related links

• Click the edit link above and to the right to add related links

The Book of Mormon > Alma > Chapter 52

[edit] Questions

• Click the edit link above and to the right to add questions

[edit] Lexical notes

• Click the edit link above and to the right to add lexical notes

[edit] Exegesis

Click the edit link above and to the right to add exegesis

[edit] Related links

• Click the edit link above and to the right to add related links

The Book of Mormon > Alma > Chapter 52

[edit] Questions

• Click the edit link above and to the right to add questions

[edit] Lexical notes

• Click the edit link above and to the right to add lexical notes

[edit] Exegesis

Click the edit link above and to the right to add exegesis

[edit] Related links

• Click the edit link above and to the right to add related links

The Book of Mormon > Alma > Chapter 52

[edit] Questions

• Click the edit link above and to the right to add questions

[edit] Lexical notes

• Click the edit link above and to the right to add lexical notes

[edit] Exegesis

Click the edit link above and to the right to add exegesis

[edit] Related links

• Click the edit link above and to the right to add related links

The Book of Mormon > Alma > Chapter 52

[edit] Questions

• Click the edit link above and to the right to add questions

[edit] Lexical notes

• Click the edit link above and to the right to add lexical notes

[edit] Exegesis

Click the edit link above and to the right to add exegesis

[edit] Related links

• Click the edit link above and to the right to add related links

The Book of Mormon > Alma > Chapter 52

[edit] Questions

• Click the edit link above and to the right to add questions

[edit] Lexical notes

• Click the edit link above and to the right to add lexical notes

[edit] Exegesis

Click the edit link above and to the right to add exegesis

[edit] Related links

• Click the edit link above and to the right to add related links

The Book of Mormon > Alma > Chapter 52

[edit] Questions

• Click the edit link above and to the right to add questions

[edit] Lexical notes

• Click the edit link above and to the right to add lexical notes

[edit] Exegesis

Click the edit link above and to the right to add exegesis

[edit] Related links

• Click the edit link above and to the right to add related links

The Book of Mormon > Alma > Chapter 52

[edit] Questions

• Click the edit link above and to the right to add questions

[edit] Lexical notes

• Click the edit link above and to the right to add lexical notes

[edit] Exegesis

Click the edit link above and to the right to add exegesis

[edit] Related links

• Click the edit link above and to the right to add related links