they were filled with pain and anguish, for the welfare of their souls. 12. And it came to pass that those who were the children of Amulon and his brethren, who had taken to wife the daughters of the Lamanites, were displeased with the conduct of their fathers, and they would no longer be called by the names of their fathers, therefore they took upon themselves the name of Nephi, that they might be called the children of Nephi, and be numbered among those who were called Nephites. 13. And now all the people of Zarahemla were numbered with the Nephites, and this because the kingdom had. been conferred upon none but those who were descendants of Nephi. 14. And now it came to pass that when Mosiah had made an end of speaking and "reading to the people, he desired that Alma should also speak to the people. 15. And Alma did speak unto them, when they were. assembled together in large bodies, and he went from one body to another, preaching unto the people repentance and faith on the Lord. 16. And he did exhort the people of Limhi and his brethren, all those that had been "delivered out of bondage, that they should remember that it was the Lord that did deliver them. 17. And it came to pass that after Alma had taught the people many things, and had made an end of speaking to them, that king Limhi was desirous that he might be baptized; and all his people were desirous that they might be baptized also. 18. Therefore Alma did go forth into the water, and did baptize them; yea, he did baptize them after the manner he did his brethren in the waters of Mormon; yea, and as many as he did baptize did belong to the church of God; and this because of their belief on the words of Alma. 19. And it came to pass that king Mosiah granted unto Alma, that he might establish churches throughout all the land of Zarahemla; and gave him power to ordain priests and teachers over every church. 20. Now this was done because there were so many people that they could not all be governed by one teacher; neither could they all hear the word of God in one assembly; 21. Therefore they did assemble themselves together in different bodies, being called churches; every church having their priests and their teachers, and every priest preaching the word according as it was delivered to him by the mouth of Alma. j, Mos. 20: 3-5. m, vers. 5-7. 9. Mos. 21:32-35. k, Mos. 20: 5. 23: 33. 24: 16-25. 7, Omni 1: 19. o, see u, II. Nep. 9, see c, Mos. 6. 22. And thus, notwithstanding there being many churches, they were all one church yea, even the church of God; for there was nothing preached in all the churches except it were repentance and faith in God. 23. And now there were seven churches in the land of Zarahemla. And it came to pass that whosoever were -desirous to take upon them the name of Christ, or of God, they did join the churches of God; 24. And they were called the people of God. And the Lord did pour out his Spirit upon them, and they were blessed, and prospered in the land. CHAPTER 26. 1. Now it came to pass that there were many of the rising generation that could not understand the "words of king Benjamin, being little children at the time he spake unto his people; and they did not believe the tradition of their fathers. 2. They did not believe what had been said concerning the 'resurrection of the dead, neither did they believe concerning the coming of Christ. 3. And now because of their unbelief they could not understand the word of God; and their hearts were hardened. 4. And they would not be baptized; neither would they join the church. And they were a separate people as to their faith, and remained so ever after, even in their carnal and sinful state; for they would not call upon the Lord their God. 5. And now in the reign of Mosiah, they were not half so numerous as the people of God; but because of the dissensions among the brethren, they became more nume rous. 6. And it came to pass that they did deceive many with their flattering words, who were in the church, and did cause them to commit many sins; therefore it became expedient that those who committed sin that were in the church, should be admonished by the church. 7. And it came to pass that they were brought before the priests, and delivered up unto the priests by the teachers; and the priests brought them before Alma, who was the "high priest. r, see e, Mos. 5. a, Mos. 2-5 ch. b, see d, II. Nep. 2. f, see c, Mos. 6. c, see u, II. Nep. 9. d, Mos, 18:17. 25:18-23. Alma 4:4, 5. III. Nep. 26: 21. e, vers. 7-13, 19, 25-36. g, Mos. 23: 16. 29 42. Alma 6: 8. 8:11, 23. 13:1-20. 16:5. 30: 21, 22, Alma 5: 57, 58. 6:3. 4: 4, 18, 20. 5:3, 44, 49. 43: 2. 23, 29. 46: 6, 38. 49: 30. Hela. 3: 25. 8. Now king Mosiah had given Alma the authority overthe church. 9. And it came to pass that Alma did not know concerning them, for there were many witnesses against them; yea, the people stood and testified of their iniquity in abundance. 10. Now there had not any such thing happened before in the church; therefore Alma was troubled in his spirit, and he caused that they should be brought before the king. 11. And he said unto the king, Behold, here are many whom we have brought before thee, who are accused of their brethren; yea, and they have been taken in divers iniquities. And they do not repent of their iniquities; therefore we have brought them before thee, that thou mayst judge them according to their crimes. 12. But king Mosiah said unto Alma, Behold, I judge them not; therefore I deliver them into thy hands to be judged. 13. And now the spirit of Alma was again troubled; and he went and inquired of the Lord what he should do concerning this matter, for he feared that he should do wrong in the sight of God. 14. And it came to pass that after he had poured out his whole soul to God, the voice of the Lord came to him, saying, 15. Blessed art thou, Alma, and blessed are they who were "baptized in the 'waters of Mormon. Thou art blessed because of thy exceeding faith in the words alone of my servant Abinadi. 16. And blessed are they, because of their exceeding faith in the words alone which thou hast spoken unto them. 17. And blessed art thou because thou hast established a church among this people; and they shall be established, and they shall be my people. 18. Yea, blessed is this people, who are willing to bear my name; for in my name shall they be called; and they are mine. 19. And because thou hast inquired of me, concerning the 'transgressor, thou art blessed. 20. Thou art my servant; and I covenant with thee, that thou shalt have eternal life; and thou shalt serve me, and go forth in my name, and shalt gather together my sheep. 21. And he that will hear my voice shall be my sheep; and him shall ye receive into the church, and him will I also receive. 22. For behold, this is my mchurch: whosoever is "baptized, shall be baptized unto repentance. And whosoever ye receive shall believe in my name; and him will I freely forgive; h, see u, II. Nep. 9. e, Mos. 5. 1, see e. i, see t, Mos. 18. j, Mos. 25: 19-24. k, see: m, see d. n, see u, II. Nep. 9. 23. For it is I that taketh upon me the sins of the world; for it is I that hath created them; and it is I that granteth unto him that believeth unto the end, a place at my right hand. 24. For behold, in my name are they called; and if they know me they shall come forth, and shall have a place eternally at my right hand. 25. And it shall come to pass that when the second trump shall sound, then shall they that never knew me come forth and shall stand before me; 26. And then shall they know that I am the Lord their God, that I am their Redeemer; but they would not be redeemed. 27. And then will I confess unto them that I never knew them; and they shall depart into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels. 28. Therefore I say unto you, that he that will not hear my voice, the same shall ye "not receive into my church, for him I will not receive at the last day; 29. Therefore I say unto you, Go; and whosoever 'transgresseth against me, him shall ye judge according to the sins which he has committed; and if he confess his sins before thee and me, and repenteth in the sincerity of his heart, him shall ye forgive, and I will forgive him also; 30. Yea, and as often as my people repent, will I forgive them their trespasses against me. 31. And ye shall also forgive 'one another your trespasses; for verily I say unto you, He that forgiveth not his neighbour's trespasses, when he says that he repents, the same hath brought himself under condemnation. 32. Now I say unto you, Go; and whosoever will not repent of his sins, the same shall "not be numbered among my people; and this shall be observed from this time forward. 33. And it came to pass when Alma had heard these words, he wrote them down that he might have them, and that he might judge the people of that church, according to the "commandments of God. 34. And it came to pass that Alma went and judged those that had been taken in iniquity, according to the word of the Lord. 35. And whosoever repented of their sins and did "confess them, them he did number among the people of the church; 36. And those that would not confess their sins and repent of their iniquity, the same were "not numbered among the people of the church, and their names were blotted out. o, see l, Mos. 5. p, see e, Mos. 5. t, ш. Nep. 13: 14, 15. w, vers. 29,30. x, ver. 32. 8, see e. 9, see k, 1. Nep. 15. r, see d. u, vers. 34-36. v, vers. 28-32. 37. And it came to pass that Alma did regulate all the affairs of the church; and they began again to have peace and to prosper exceedingly in the affairs of the church; walking circumspectly before God; receiving many, and baptizing many. 38. And now all these things did Alma and his fellow labourers do who were over the church; walking in all diligence; teaching the word of God in all things; suffering all manner of afflictions; being persecuted by all those who did not belong to the church of God. 39. And they did admonish their brethren; and they were also admonished, every one by the word of God, according to his sins, or to the sins which he had committed, being commanded of God to pray without ceasing, and to give thanks in all things. CHAPTER 27. 1. AND now it came to pass that the persecutions which were inflicted on the church by the unbelievers became so great, that the church began to murmur, and complain to their leaders concerning the matter; and they did complain to Alma. And Alma laid the case before their king, Mosiah. And Mosiah consulted with his priests. 2. And it came to pass that king Mosiah sent a proclamation throughout the land round about, that there should not any unbeliever persecute any of those who belonged to the church of God; 3. And there was a strict command throughout all the churches, that there should be no persecutions among them, that there should be an "equality among all men ; 4. That they should let no pride nor haughtiness disturb their peace; that every man should esteem his neighbour 'as himself, labouring with their own hands for their support; 5. Yea, and all their priests and teachers should labour with their down hands for their support, in all cases save it were in sickness, or in much want; and doing these things, they did abound in the grace of God. 6. And there began to be much peace again in the land; and the people began to be very numerous, and began to scatter abroad upon the face of the earth, yea, on the north and on the south, on the east and on the west, building large cities and villages in all quarters of the land. 7. And the Lord did visit them and prosper them, and they became a large and wealthy people. |