CHAPTER 39
Alma Jr. begins a long talk to his son, Corianton--He rebukes him for going after the harlot Isabel--And he
explains why God sent an angel to announce Jesus's coming long before he actually came. (73 BCE)
Previous chapter |
Next chapter
The devil led Corianton astray after the harlot Isabel
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.
Here's what Alma said to his third son, Corianton: [1]
I have somewhat more to say to you than I did to your brother, Helaman.
You haven't behaved as well as he has.
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.
You abandoned the ministry and went after the harlot Isabel in the land of Siron. [2]
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?
That's an abomination to God.
It's the worst thing you can do after shedding innocent blood or denying the Holy Ghost -- which is the unforgivable sin.
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.
Once the Holy Ghost has been placed in you, and then you deny it, you can never be forgiven. [3]
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.
So don't go after the lusts of your eyes,
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.
listen to your older brothers,
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.
and don't let the devil lead you after those wicked harlots.
15And 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.
Now I want to talk about the coming of Christ.
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?
You might wonder how we could know that Jesus is coming so long before it happens.
18 Is it not as necessary that the plan of redemption should be made known unto this people as well
as unto their children?
Well, God wants us know that we are saved by Jesus before Jesus comes to save us.
19Is 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?
Besides, isn't it just as easy for God to send an angel now as it would be later to our children or at the time of his coming?