“Cry Unto God for All Thy Support”

Brant Gardner

Literature: Alma lists what Helaman should do to be prepared. These admonitions are paralleled repetitions with a focus on Yahweh:

Cry unto God for all thy support
let all thy doings be unto the Lord
whithersoever thou goest let it be in the Lord
let all thy thoughts be directed unto the Lord
let the affections of thy heart be placed upon the Lord forever

Each injunction assumes two participants, Helaman and the Lord, and also assumes their relationship. Helaman is being told to dedicate himself to this particular relationship. He is kin to Yahweh and should understand that relationship as one of mutual obligations. If Helaman “belongs” to Yahweh, then Yahweh has obligations to him. Implied in each command is Yahweh’s beneficial response should Helaman perform the action. For instance, “cry unto God for all thy support” contains the premise that Yahweh will hear and provide the support.

To bring out the conceptual parallels more explicitly, I would retranslate this passage:

Cry to Yahweh to direct his support to you
Let your actions be directed to Yahweh
Let your movements be directed to Yahweh
Let your thoughts be directed to Yahweh,
Let your feelings forever be directed to Yahweh.

This restructuring highlights the directionality of the relationship: Yahweh supports Helaman, and Helaman focuses his entire being on Yahweh.

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

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