Alma 38

Alma spoke next to his son Shiblon. “As I told Helaman, if you keep God’s commandments you will prosper in the land. If you don’t, you will be cut off from him. I anticipate great joy in your steadiness and faithfulness to God. As a young man you looked to God for guidance early in your life. I hope you continue in keeping his commandments because you will be blessed if you continue. Already I have taken great joy in your faithfulness, diligence, patience, and endurance of suffering during our mission to the Zoramites. I know that you were tied up and stoned for speaking the word of God. You endured this torment because you knew God was with you, and you learned that God will deliver you.

“Now I want you to remember that if you put your trust in God, you will be delivered from your trials, troubles, and adversities. If you trust God, you will be redeemed on the last day. Don’t imagine that I know these things from my earthly life. I know these things through the Spirit of God. If I hadn’t been born of God, I wouldn’t know what I do. God in his great mercy sent an angel to demand that I stop undermining the faith of the people. I saw that angel face to face, and he spoke to me with a voice like thunder that shook the whole earth. When I fell into a coma for three days and nights I suffered the most bitter pain and anguish imaginable until I cried out to Jesus Christ for mercy. When I did cry out I received a remission of my sins and peace in my soul.

“I want to pass on the wisdom that I’ve learned. There is no way that man can be saved except through Jesus Christ. He is the light and the life of the world. He is the word of truth and righteousness. I hope that you will continue to teach God’s word, and be diligent and temperate in all things. Don’t become inflated with pride, or boast of your wisdom and strength. Be bold, but not overbearing. Bridle your passions so that you can be filled with love. And avoid idleness. Don’t labor for the praise of other men or think of yourself as better than others. Ask forgiveness for your deficiencies and remember to be merciful to others. Acknowledge your unworthiness before God at all times. May God bless your soul and receive you into his kingdom of peace on the last day. Go forward and teach the word of God unto our people. Stay sober. Fare well.” [74 BC]