“The Son of God Cometh in His Glory”

Brant Gardner

Alma continues his call to all. His specific message is one of repentance and preparation for the coming of the atoning Messiah. It is interesting that even in the prophetic foreknowledge of the atoning mission of the Messiah, the more humble circumstances were not a part of the general understanding. Thus Alma can proclaim the coming "Son of God" but have him "come…in his glory, in his might, majesty, power, and dominion."

While Jesus' appearance to the Nephites in the New World certainly comes closer to this description than the Old World events of Christ's life, the specific descriptions of the glory of the Messiah are much more often reserved for his appearance at the last days. Regardless of the nature of the predicted coming, Alma is clear that it is close at hand, and he warns his audience that this great occasion is "very soon."

Multidimensional Commentary on the Book of Mormon

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