Alma 37

“Helaman,” Alma continued, “I want you to take possession of the engraved records of our people, and to continue this sacred record as I have done. Our ancestors have prophesied that these plates should be kept from generation to generation, and that these records will be preserved by the power of God until they are spread to every nation and people. Someday everyone will know of the mysteries contained on them. As long as these plates are kept they will retain their holy brightness. This may seem like a foolish request, but small and simple things bring great things to pass. God works to bring about his eternal purposes, and by small acts he confounds the wise and brings salvation to many souls.

“In his wisdom, God has preserved and maintained these records. Because of this, our memory is enhanced, and many people have become convinced of their errors by having the knowledge of their salvation made available to them. Without these records, Ammon and his brothers could not have convinced thousands of Lamanites of their errors. These words brought them to repentance through the knowledge of God and Jesus Christ. These words may also bring the redemption of many thousands more who close their hearts off to God. These records are being preserved and added to for a wise purpose known only to God.

“Always remember how strict the commandments of God are. If you keep those commandments you will prosper in the land. If you don’t keep them, you will be cut off. God has entrusted you with the safekeeping of these sacred records that will reveal his power to future generations. If you fail to honor God’s commandments these sacred things will be taken from you, and you will be delivered to Satan. If you keep the commandments of God, no power on earth can take these sacred records away from you because God is powerful in fulfilling his promises. I command that you be diligent in exercising this sacred obligation and in keeping the commandments of God.

“The 24 golden plates and their interpreting stones describe the secret works and darkness of the Jaredite people who were destroyed. These records also need to be preserved so that people can always remember the consequences of murder, robbing, plundering, wickedness, and other abominations. God saw that these people had fallen into darkness and warned them that if they didn’t repent, he would destroy them all and remove them from the face of the earth. God prepared the interpreting stones so that we could understand their records and their downfall, because after their failure to repent they were destroyed as promised.

“I want you to withhold knowledge of the Jaredites’ secret oaths and abominations so that our people will not discover these dark forces and fall into darkness themselves. If they did, we would all be destroyed. There is a curse on the land that will bring destruction to any who work in darkness. So make the history of the Jaredite destruction known, but do not reveal their secret plans and abominations. Tell our people that they were destroyed for their murders, wickedness, and abominations.

“Teach our people to hate sinful behavior, and to never grow tired of good works. Teach them to seek repentance and faith in Jesus Christ, to be humble, and to withstand the devil’s temptations. Learn the wisdom of God’s commandments. Cry out to God for support in all things. Let all of your thoughts and actions be directed towards God. Consult with God in all things and he will give you good direction. When you sleep he will watch over you. When you rise let your heart be full of thanks for God. Do these things and you will be redeemed.

“Now I want to show you the magic compass Liahona that was made by God to guide our ancestors in their travels through the wilderness. It worked for them in accordance with their faith in God. If their faith was pure, the spindles pointed the way to go. When they were forgetful of God the Liahona failed to work for them, and they could not progress. When they failed in their devotion to God, they suffered from hunger and thirst because God was not guiding them. Likewise, it is as easy to listen to the word of Jesus Christ pointing in a straight line to eternal bliss as it was for our ancestors to make the magic compass point the way to the promised land.

“If we follow the words of Jesus Christ as our ancestors followed the magic compass we will be guided to a life beyond the sorrow of this world, to a better land of promise. So do not be lazy, negligent, or forgetful of the way. The way is prepared. If we follow it, we will live forever. Take care of these sacred things, and look to God for guidance. Go now among our people, be sober, and declare the word of God. Fare well.” [74 BC]