Alma Instructs His Son Shiblon

“Listen my son, Shiblon. I will tell you what I told Helaman, that if you keep God’s commandments, you will prosper in the land. Otherwise, you will be cut off from His presence. I trust that I will have great joy in you because of your steadiness and faithfulness to God. I hope that when you are older you will continue looking to the Lord your God by keeping His commandments, for whoever continues in righteousness throughout his life is blessed. I have had great joy in you already because of your faithfulness, diligence, patience, and long-suffering among the Zoramites. I know you were in prison and had rocks thrown at you for preaching. You have suffered all this with patience because the Lord was with you. And you know it was the Lord who delivered you. Remember, if you put your trust in God, you will be delivered out of your trials, troubles, and afflictions, and you will be exalted on the day of judgment.

“Now, my son, do not think that I know this on my own, for it is God’s Spirit in me that makes these things known to me. For if I had not been born of God, I would not have known these things. But in His great mercy, the Lord sent His angel to tell me to stop the work of destruction among His people. I saw the angel face to face, and he spoke to me. His voice was like thunder, and it shook the earth beneath my feet. For three days and nights I was in the most bitter pain and anguish of soul. Only after I cried out to the Lord Jesus Christ for mercy did I receive a remission of my sins and peace to my soul. My son, I tell you this so that you may learn wisdom from me, that there is no other way or means that can save anyone other than Christ. He is the life and light of the world. He is the word of truth and righteousness.

“Continue to teach the word and be diligent and temperate in all things. Do not be lifted up in pride, boasting in your own wisdom or strength. Be bold, but not overbearing. Control your passions so that you may be filled with love. Do not be idle. Do not pray like the Zoramites, for you have seen how they pray to be heard by others and to be praised for their wisdom. Do not say, ‘Oh God, I thank Thee that we are better than our brethren,’ but rather say, ‘Oh Lord, forgive my unworthiness and remember my brethren in mercy.’ Acknowledge your unworthiness before God at all times.

“May the Lord bless your soul and receive you at the last day into His kingdom, to sit down in peace. Now go my son, and teach the word to this people. Be serious minded. Farewell, my son.”