“They Did Declare Unto the People That the Lord Reigneth.”

Brant Gardner

These final verses repeat (see v. 32) their efforts to preach their new understanding of the gospel, undoing the damage they had previously caused. The first mention had stressed only Alma2’s preaching, but here the four sons of Mosiah are explicitly included. Their story will be told in detail in Alma 21–26.

Text: These verses conclude a chapter in the 1830 edition and therefore a concept. Mormon closes his record of this transformation by naming the most notable participants: Alma2, Ammon, Aaron, Omner, and Himni all preach the word. The earlier discussion of Alma2’s mission describes the resulting persecution, not mentioned in this recapitulation. Perhaps Mormon is electing to leave the story on the most positive level. These men who began by denying Yahweh, now actively declare him.

Second Witness: Analytical & Contextual Commentary on the Book of Mormon, Vol. 3

References