“They Are Preserved for a Wise Purpose, Which Purpose Is Known Unto God”

Brant Gardner

Why does Alma, who breaks off from sharing his prophetic insights, terminate with the simple testimony that “they are preserved for a wise purpose”? Alma desires that the records may lead his people to Yahweh as they had led the people of Ammon. He wants them to be pulled away from the world’s grasp and instead powerfully return to Yahweh’s teachings. He is watching the beginnings of a major apostasy. He doesn’t know the end, but he knows the path, and he fervently desires that these records assist in reclaiming his beloved but erring people. Unfortunately, he does not know if that will happen. He knows that the records will be preserved, but not for whom or how they will fulfill Yahweh’s purpose. Given his righteous hopes and longings, it shows great faith that Alma accepts Yahweh’s judgments.

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

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