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Book of Mormon Commentary
Alma Chapter 17
TWENTY-FOUR GOLD PLATES A SPECIAL CHARGE, VER. 52-84
Alma 17:52 And now, I will speak unto you concerning those twenty-four plates, that ye keep them,
that the mysteries and the works of darkness, and their secret works, or the secret works of those people,
who have been destroyed, may be made manifest unto this people;
Alma said that their murders, robbings, plunderings, and all their wickedness are to be "made
manifest unto this people" and for Helaman to "preserve these directors" (53). Later Alma restricts
him from revealing the Jaredite oaths, covenants, agreements in secret combinations, their signs
and wonders "lest per- adventure they should fall into darkness also, and be destroyed"
(59). Hence the reference to their "mysteries and the works of darkness" should be understood in
the light of this more specific instruction, He could manifest these evil works as to their
destructive Character but not in such detail as to give ideas to, those who may fall under the power
of Satan (see 54).
Alma 17:55 And the Lord said, I will prepare unto my servant Gazelem, a stone, which shall shine forth
in darkness unto light, that I may discover unto my people who serve me, that I may discover unto them
the works of their brethren; yea, their secret works, their works of darkness, and their wickedness and
abominations.
The "stone" is called directors in the verse following.
Later Alma refers to "a ball, or director; or our fathers called it Liahona, which is, being
interpreted, a compass, and the Lord prepared it'! (71). These should not be confused, as they were
different instruments and served in a different manner. In I Nephi 5:11, 12 we learn that the ball
had within it two spindles and indicated to Lehi the direction to travel in the wilderness.
The stone or stones, as mentioned in the Jaredite record, is called "the interpreters" (Ether 1:99).
These many names are all significant. Some of them describe the instrument and some allude to its
functions. The Lord prepared them but did not name them. The titles are those used by "our
fathers." However, according to Joseph Smith, Jr., the name of the latter was "Urim and
Thummim" (D. and C. 3:1a; 15:1b). Gazalem is a name given to a servant of God. The word
appears to have its roots in Gaz-a stone, and Aleim, a name of God as a revelator or the interposer
in the affairs of men. If this suggestion is correct, its roots admirably agree with its apparent
meaning-a seer.
Alma 17:64 And thus the judgments of God did come upon these workers of darkness and secret
combinations; yea, and cursed be the land for ever and ever unto those workers of darkness and secret
combinations, even unto destruction, except they repent before they are fully ripe.
The whole nation was ultimately destroyed because of their wickedness, and .Alma adds, "Trust
not those secret plans unto this people, but teach them an everlasting hatred against sin and
iniquity" (65).
“O remember my son, and learn wisdom in thy youth; ... keep the commandments of God; yea,
and cry unto God for all thy support" (68).