Alma’s Teachings to the Zoramites

The Son of God

Alma 33:12–14

Zenos taught that God turns away his judgement because of his Son.

And Now Alma said unto them:

Do ye believe those scriptures which have been written by them of old? Behold, if ye do, ye must believe what Zenos said; for, behold he said:

“Thou hast turned away thy judgments because of thy Son.”

Now behold, my brethren, I would ask if ye have read the scriptures? If ye have, how can ye disbelieve on the Son of God?

Alma 33:15–17

Zenock taught that the Lord is angry with this people because they refuse to understand his mercy.

For it is not written that Zenos alone spake of these things, but Zenock also spake of these things— For behold, he said:

‘Thou art angry, O Lord, with this people,
because they will not understand thy mercies,
which thou hast bestowed upon them because of thy Son.’

And now, my brethren, ye see that a second prophet of old has testified of the Son of God, and because the people would not understand his words they stoned him to death.

Alma 33:19

Moses also taught about the Son of God by raising a type in the wilderness.

But behold, this is not all; these are not the only ones who have spoken concerning the Son of God. Behold, he was spoken of by Moses; yea, and behold a type was raised up in the wilderness, that whosoever would look upon it might live. And many did look and live.

Alma 33:20

Not many people understood Moses’ type, and its healing power, and disbelieved because of their hard hearts.

But few understood the meaning of those things, and this because of the hardness of their hearts. But there were many who were so hardened that they would not look, therefore they perished. Now the reason they would not look is because they did not believe that it would heal them.

Alma 33:21

If healing came simply by looking, would you rather look and be healed, or disbelieve and perish?

O my brethren, if ye could be healed by merely casting about your eyes that ye might be healed, would ye not behold quickly, or would ye rather harden your hearts in unbelief, and be slothful, that ye would not cast about your eyes, that ye might perish?

Alma 33:22

If you are inclined to be healed, the believe in the Son of God, his atonement, his resurrection, and his saving power.

If so, wo shall come upon you; but if not so, then cast about your eyes and begin to believe in the Son of God, that he will come to redeem his people, and that he shall suffer and die to atone for their sins; and that he shall rise again from the dead, which shall bring to pass the resurrection, that all men shall stand before him, to be judged at the last and judgment day, according to their works.

Alma 33:23

Plant this word in your hearts, nourish it, and it will become a tree springing up to everlasting life, granting you the joy of the Son of God.

And now, my brethren, I desire that ye shall plant this word in your hearts, and as it beginneth to swell even so nourish it by your faith. And behold, it will become a tree, springing up in you unto everlasting life. And then may God grant unto you that your burdens may be light, through the joy of his Son. And even all this can ye do if ye will. Amen.