Alma — Chapter 13
Alma continues talking to the people of Ammonihah.
1 Again, my brothers and sisters, I tell you to think about the time the Lord God gave these commandments to his children. I want you to remember that the Lord God called priests to be part of the priesthood of his Son, to teach these things to the people.
2 These priests were called to the priesthood of his Son in such a way that the people would know how to look to his Son for salvation.
3 This is how they were called: They were called and prepared before the world was made, because God knew about the faith and good works they would have on earth. They would choose good over evil. After choosing good, and having great faith, they would be called to this holy work to prepare people for salvation.
4 So they were called to this holy work because of their faith. Some would reject God’s Spirit because of their hard hearts and blind minds. If it wasn’t for that, they could have been called just like those others.
5 Or in other words, they were the same at first as those who were called, because this holy work was for all who would not harden their hearts. This work was done in and through the atonement of the Only Begotten Son, who was prepared to do this thing.
6 “So they were called to this holy work and became part of the high and holy priesthood of God, to teach people his commandments so they could rest with him.
7 This high priesthood was the same priesthood of the Son, which was before the world began, having no beginning and no end. It was prepared from eternity to eternity, because God knows all things.
8 They were called in this way: Chosen and called, they took on the high and holy priesthood, which is without beginning or end.
9 So they became high priests forever in the priesthood of the Only Begotten Son of the Father, who is without beginning or end, and full of grace, and fairness, and truth. So it is. Amen.
10 As I said about this high and holy priesthood, many were called and made high priests because of their great faith and repentance and righteousness before God. They chose to do righteous things instead of being destroyed.
11 So they were called to this holy priesthood and made holy, and their clothes were washed white through the Savior’s blood.
12 After the Holy Ghost made them holy, and after their clothes were made white and they were clean and pure before God, they could not look at sin except to hate it. Many were made pure and went in to rest with the Lord their God.
13 Now, my brothers and sisters, I want you to humble yourselves before God, and do things which show you repent, so you can rest in the Lord, too.
14 Humble yourselves like the people in Melchizedek’s days. Melchizedek promised to be a high priest forever in the priesthood I talked about.
15 This was the same Melchizedek to whom Abraham paid his tithing of one-tenth of all he owned.
16 These things were done in a way to help the people look forward to the Son of God, looking to him to take away their sins so they could rest in the Lord.
17 Melchizedek was the king over the land of Salem, and his people had become very wicked. They had all chosen the wrong way.
18 But Melchizedek used his strong faith and became a high priest in God’s holy priesthood. He told his people to repent. They repented, and Melchizedek had peace in the land during his life, so he was called the prince of peace. He was the king of Salem, ruling under his father.
19 There were many others before him, and many others after him, but none were greater than he was, so the records talk a lot about him.
20 I do not need to say any more about this. I have said enough. The scriptures are in front of you. If you change what they mean, you will destroy yourselves.
21 When Alma was done saying this, he shouted in a loud voice: Now is the time to repent, because the day of salvation is almost here.
22 Yes, God’s angels are telling this good news to all nations so they can have joy. Yes, God is telling this good news to all his people–even to those who are scattered all over the earth. This is why we know about it.
23 We have been told this good news plainly so we can understand and not make mistakes, because we are strangers in a strange land. We have been very blessed. This good news has been told to us in all our land.
24 Angels are telling many people these things in our land now, so the hearts of the people will be ready to hear the Lord’s words when he comes in his glory.
25 Now all we are waiting for is to hear the angels tell us when he is coming. We don’t know when that will be. How I wish to God it would be during my life! But whether it is sooner or later, it gives me great joy.
26 Angels will tell good and holy people when he will come. Our ancestors’ words will come true which they spoke by the spirit of prophecy in them.
27 Now, my brothers and sisters, I wish with all my heart — with so much worry that it gives me pain — that you would listen to my words, and stop sinning, and not put off repenting.
28 Humble yourselves before the Lord, and pray to him, and watch and pray always so you will not be tested more than you can stand. Let yourselves be led by the Holy Spirit and become humble, meek, patient, and full of service and love.
29 Have faith on the Lord and a hope that you will be given eternal life. Have God’s love in your heart always, so you will be lifted up at the last day and come in to his rest.
30 May the Lord help you repent so he will not be angry with you, and so you will not be tied down by the chains of hell and die the second death. [Amen.]
31 Alma said many more things to the people which are not written in this book.
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