Alma 5

These are the words that Alma spoke to the people of the church in Zarahemla: I ask you, have you spiritually been born of God? Do you have his image in your face? Have you felt a mighty change in your hearts? Can you see yourself standing before God to be judged for your actions? Can you look to God with a pure heart and clean hands?

Can you imagine the voice of the Lord, saying to you: Come to me; your works have been good? Do you think you can lie to the Lord in that day?

Imagine being brought to stand before God with your soul filled with guilt and regret. You cannot think of being saved when you have followed the devil. Such persons cannot have a place in the kingdom of heaven. They will be thrown out.

Have you kept yourself innocent before God? Can you say that you are humble? Are you empty of pride? If you are not, you are not prepared to meet God. Are you empty of envy? Do you make fun of others? If you do, you are not prepared to meet God.

Repent, repent, for the Lord God has spoken it! His arms of mercy reach out to all people. He says: Repent and I will accept you. He says: Come to me and you will enjoy the fruit of the tree of life. You will never be thrown out.

The Good Shepherd calls you. Listen to the voice of the Good Shepherd; follow Him. But if you do evil, you are listening to the devil and following him.

I promise you these things are true. How do you think that I know? I have fasted and prayed many days so I could know them. The Holy Spirit of God has told them to me.

Jesus Christ will come. The Son of our Heavenly Father is full of mercy and truth. He will come to pay for the sins of the world; yes, for the sins of every man who steadily believes in Him.

I ask you, how can you push away God’s words. How can you be puffed up in pride? Will you continue to wear fancy clothes and put your hearts on your riches? Will you keep thinking you are better than others? Will you keep turning away from the poor?

If you want to follow the Good Shepherd, come away from evil. The Good Shepherd calls to you. If you listen to His voice, you are His sheep. He will bring you into His flock. He will watch over you. A shepherd does not allow wolves to come into his flock.

I command you people of the Church to obey my words. People who do not belong to the Church, I invite you to obey. Come, repent and be baptized that you too may enjoy the fruit of the tree of life.