Book of Mormon Commentary CofC - Odessa, Missouri Community ...

Book of Mormon Commentary
Alma Chapter 9
By partaking of the fruit of the tree of knowledge they were enlightened to know the difference
between good and evil. They acquired their personal agency "to act according to their wills and
pleasures" (51).
This brought a responsibility which carried both penalties and rewards. If men choose to reject the
plan of salvation, the penalty is called the second death. Those who die in their sins, after
receiving spiritual light, will go to a place prepared for the wicked and rebellious. They will be
separated from God and the righteous forever. Thus they suffer the second death, which pertains to
their spirits (See 9:28, 29; Jacob 2:65; He leman 5:73, 74; D. and C. 76:4d, e; 63: 5b). They “shall
not enter into my rest" (56).
PRIESTHOOD IS DISCUSSED, VER. 62-73
Alma 9:63 And I would that ye should remember that the Lord God ordained priests, after his holy
order, which was after the order of his Son, to teach these things unto the people;
The priests in the church of Alma's day were teaching the people to keep the law of Moses, but
they were priests after the order of the Son of God. There were priests in the days of John the
Baptist, but they performed temple rites and taught the laws of Moses. Alma is careful to point out
that these priests taught the people that by the "atonement of the only begotten Son, who was
prepared" (68), and through the ministry of "the high priesthood [Melchisedec] of the holy order
of God (69) ...they also might enter into his rest."
Alma 9:72 Now they were ordained after this manner: Being called with a holy calling, and ordained
with a holy ordinance, and taking upon them the high priesthood of the holy order, which calling, and
ordinance, and high priesthood, is without beginning or end;
A divine call should initiate every ordination to priesthood in Christ's church. This should come
through one of authority in the administrative line, such as the branch, district, or stake presidency
wherever the church is organized (D. and C. 125:14). Notice also that this is not like electing an
officer in the church school, but “is without beginning or end." It obligates the ordained man to
keep his life and service in strict accord with a covenant relationship to Christ and his church
throughout life (Read D. and C. 83:6h).