Post by Nephihah – Chief Judge
Permit me to share one more observation we found particularly fundamental in Alma’s discourse. The first thing is, he is speaking specifically to those who belong to the church, and in so doing he stands boldly for the commandments, and supports the call to repentance with reason and promise. He presents God as a loving shepherd, but as a firm, concerned, and no nonsense shepherd. Alma then finished the discourse addressing those who do not belong to the church saying ” unto those who do not belong to the church I speak by way of invitation, saying: Come and be baptized unto repentance, that ye also may be partakers of the fruit of the tree of life.” He concludes with an invitation, instruction, a call to action and a promise. Typically that is Alma’s style.
The core message as I read it focuses on God’s power and desire to deliver us from the bands of death and the chains of hell. So much of God’s work is to facilitate and encourage our humility, our faith, our willingness to repent, for thus He is enabled to loose the bands of death, create a mighty change in our hearts, wash our garments white, purify us from stain of sin, and prepare us to stand before God being found guiltless.
The contrast between bondage and freedom is made very clear. God extends His arms of mercy to all, and invites us all to repent, and He will receive us. We may partake freely of the fruit of the tree of life. Yet those who refuse to repent become children of the devil. Their wages are death as to things of righteousness, being dead to all good works. All who persist in their wickedness, are they who shall be hewn down and cast into the fire except they speedily repent.
Alma is certainly not afraid to speak plainly.