“The Fruit of Their Labors”

Brant Gardner

Alma’s conclusion focuses on the sons of Mosiah and the Anti-Nephi-Lehies who were the results of that missionary journey. Alma first desires that his brethren, the sons of Mosiah should “sit down in the kingdom of God.” By this Alma means that the sons of Mosiah should receive their exaltation in the heavenly kingdom of God.

Alma then discusses “all those who are the fruit of their labors.” This refers to the Anti-Nephi-Lehies. For them Alma wishes that “they may go no more out, but that they may praise him forever.”  This language is not completely clear, as we do not have a clear picture of what it meant to Alma to “go out.” It appears that he is referring to “going out” as leaving the gospel and their belief in God. Thus the desire that they “go no more out” would indicate that Alma desires that they remain steadfast in the gospel. This reading is supported by the phrase “but that they may praise him forever.” Clearly God is the one that they would praise, and since this phrase is linked with the former clause with “but,” we may expect that it presents a condition that contrasts with the former clause. That reaffirms the idea that “going out” would create a situation that would lead to the Anti-Nephi-Lehies not praising God forever.

Textual: This is the end of a chapter in the 1830 edition.

: This is the end of a chapter in the 1830 edition.

Multidimensional Commentary on the Book of Mormon

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