Difference between revisions of "Alma 45:6-10"
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== Exegesis == | == 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). | ||
== Related links == | == Related links == | ||
Revision as of 10:41, 21 October 2007
The Book of Mormon > Alma > Chapter 45
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Lexical notes
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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).
Related links
- Click the edit link above and to the right to add related links
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