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Book of Mormon Commentary
Alma Chapter 16
Alma finished his sermon and sat down upon the ground. Then Amulek, sensing they needed
further light, arose and continued on the same subject. Note that the original question to which
Alma addressed his remarks did not mention Christ. It was "whether they should believe in one
God" (174). Amulek discerned what was behind their question, as did Alma. Only Amulek comes
more directly to the point: "My brother has proven unto you, in many instances, that the word is in
Christ, unto salvation'. (204). Alma had cited the words of Zenos, Zenock, and Moses "to prove
that these things are true." Then Amulek adds his testimony.
Alma 16:207 Behold, I say unto you, that I do know that Christ shall come among the children of men,
to take upon him the transgressions of his people, and that he shall atone for the sins of the world; for the
Lord God has spoken it;
The language of Alma and Amulek is forthright and powerful. Mankind should be grateful to
Alma for recording their sermons, as they leave no doubt about the Father and Son relation in the
Godhead.
Alma 16:210 For it is expedient that there should be a great and last sacrifice; yea, not a sacrifice of
man, neither of beast, neither of any manner of fowl; for it shall not be a human sacrifice: but it must be
an infinite and eternal sacrifice.
No man can atone for the sins of another by shedding his own blood. If a man commits murder,
his brother cannot pay his debt to society by a legal execution. The murderer must pay. For the
sins of the world only an infinite atonement will do, and then the law will be fulfilled and there
will be no more need for the shedding of blood. The expression "faith unto repentance" (216) is
significant. It indicates that faith without repentance or the changing of our ways for better cannot
bring about eternal salvation. (See also Mosiah 11:129)
Alma 16:218 Therefore may God grant unto you, my brethren, that ye may begin to exercise your faith
unto repentance, that ye begin to call upon his holy name, that he would have mercy upon you; yea, cry
unto him for mercy; for he is mighty to save;
Amulek continued by admonishing the Zoramites to humble themselves and continue in prayer,
"cry unto him when ye are in your fields; yea, over your flocks; cry unto him in your houses, yea,
over all your household, both morning, mid-day, and evening" (219). Then he lists some subjects
for which to pray. Cry against the power of your enemies, against the devil, over your crops, and
flocks.
"Pour out your souls in your closets, and your secret places, and in your wilderness. ...Let your
hearts be full, drawn out in prayer unto him continually for your welfare, and also for the welfare
of those who are around you" (221, 222),
He warns them not to let their prayers stop there, for if they turn away the needy and the naked
and fail to visit the sick and afflicted and do not impart their substance to the needy, their prayers
will be vain, and they will be ''as hypocrites who do deny the faith" (224).
Alma 16:228 For behold, this life is the time for men to prepare to meet God: yea, behold, the day of
this life is the day for men to perform their labors.