Alma’s Words to his Son Shiblon

Shiblon’s Righteousness

Alma 38:1

Alma reminds Shiblon to keep the commandments and prosper in the land.

My son, give ear to my words, for I say unto you, even as I said unto Helaman, that

“Inasmuch as ye shall keep
the commandments of God
ye shall prosper in the land.

And inasmuch as ye will not keep
the commandments of God
ye shall be cut off from his presence.”

Alma 38:2

Alma commends Shiblon for his faithfulness.

And now, my son, I trust that I shall have great joy in you, because of your steadiness and your faithfulness unto God; for as you have commenced in your youth to look to the Lord your God, even so I hope that you will continue in keeping his commandments; for blessed is he that endureth to the end.

Alma 38:3–5

Alma recalls their experiences among the Zoramites, and praises Shiblon for being patient through his trials.

I say unto you, my son, that I have had great joy in thee already, because of thy faithfulness and thy diligence, and thy patience and thy long–suffering among the people of the Zoramites. For I know that thou wast in bonds; yea, and I also know that thou wast stoned for the word’s sake; and thou didst bear all these things with patience because the Lord was with thee; and now thou knowest that the Lord did deliver thee.

and now my son, Shiblon, I would that ye should remember, that as much as ye shall put your trust in God even so much ye shall be delivered out of your trials, and your troubles, and your afflictions, and ye shall be lifted up at the last day.

Alma 38:6–8

Alma refers to his own conversion and knowledge of God.

Now, my son, I would not that ye should think that I know these things of myself, but it is the Spirit of God which is in me which maketh these things known unto me; for if I had not been born of God I should not have known these things.

But behold, the Lord in his great mercy sent his angel to declare unto me that I must stop the work of destruction among his people; yea, and I have seen an angel face to face, and he spake with me, and his voice was as thunder, and it shook the whole earth.

And it came to pass that I was three days and three nights in the most bitter pain and anguish of soul; and never, until I did cry out unto the Lord Jesus Christ for mercy, did I receive a remission of my sins. But behold, I did cry unto him and I did find peace to my soul.