“Not Many Days Hence the Son of God Shall Come in His Glory”

Brant Gardner

Reference: The need to repent is urgent because of the Messiah’s approaching advent. Alma’s reference to the Messiah’s coming is couched in terms that echoes John’s similar declaration: “And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth” (John 1:14). Of course, Alma 9:26 is not copying John 1:14 exactly. It is another indication of how New Testament phrasing influenced Joseph Smith’s translation. A significant difference between the experience of the New World with the Atoning Messiah is that he comes in glory to the New World where he is born into modest mortality in Jerusalem. The Nephites knew of the mortal Messiah only from visions, never from their prophecies, but later from their direct experience.

Second Witness: Analytical & Contextual Commentary on the Book of Mormon, Vol. 4

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