Volume 3 The Record of Alma
Now available on KINDLE and NOOK
The third installment in the Book of Mormon Commentary Series is entitled The Record of Alma. This book is 568 pages, and covers the first 42 Chapters of the book of Alma. Two men named Alma are prominent in the Book of Mormon. The first one was prominent in the last half of the book of Mosiah, and is discussed in Volume 2 of the series. He was best known for his organization of the Church in the land of Mormon (Mosiah 18). The second was Alma’s son, also named Alma. He became the first chief judge of the new political system established among the Nephites in the land of Zarahemla in 91 B.C. The new government is referred to in the Book of Mormon as the reign of the judges. The son of Alma was also appointed the high priest of the Church by his father, giving him charge over all the affairs of the Church. (Mosiah 29:42-47). The first forty-four chapters of the Book of Alma are an abridgement made by Mormon of the record of Alma. This record was kept by or under the direction of Alma, the son of Alma. These first forty-two chapters of Alma are discussed in volume 3. Although covering less than a twenty year period (91-74 B.C), these chapters are rich in principles and doctrines that contribute to the validation of the Book of Mormon as containing the fullness of the gospel of Jesus Christ.
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Introduction
Also available on KINDLE:
The Record of Alma: Book of Mormon Commentary, Volume 3
Also available on the Nook
Mormon’s abridgment of the record of Alma, the son of Alma, is
the first forty-four chapters of the present day book of Alma in
the Book of Mormon. Since chapters 43 and 44 discuss the first of the
fourteen-year war between the Nephites and the Lamanites, the
eighteenth through the thirty-first year of the reign of the judges (see
Alma 43:3 and 62:38), these two chapters will be included in volume
four of this work, The Record of Helaman. The remaining thirteen
years of the war are abridged by Mormon in Alma chapters 45 through
62.
The first forty-two chapters of Alma included in this volume are
broken into five sections. The first sixteen chapters are an account of
the reformation labors of Alma, son of Alma, among the members of
the Church in the various regions of the general land of Zarahemla.
The second section or next ten chapters (17 through 26) is an account
of the sons of Mosiah doing missionary work among the Lamanites.
These chapters cover the same fourteen year period as the first sixteen
chapters of Alma. The third section, chapters 27 through 29, is about
the reuniting of Alma and the sons of Mosiah following their labors
among the two separate peoples. The fourth section, chapters 30
through 35, is an account of Alma’s encounter with Korihor, the anti-
Christ and Alma’s mission among the apostate Zoramites. He is
accompanied by three of the sons of Mosiah and two of his own sons.
He was also joined by Amulek and Zeezrom (see Alma 31:6–8). The
fifth section, chapters 36 through 42, is an account of Alma instructing
his sons following his two missions. The chapters are broken into
sections of varying verse lengths as determined by the incidents and
comments that were recorded, and comments on those sections are
added.
The forty-two chapters are again a light touch of history, as Nephi,
son of Lehi, had instructed his brother Jacob to keep the records (see
Jacob 1:2–3). Although basically an historical account, the record
includes much “preaching which was sacred, or revelation which was
great, or prophesying” as Nephi also instructed (Jacob 1:4). These three
categories are summarized at the end of each chapter. It is often
difficult to determine whether it is Alma or Mormon, as he is abridging,
who inserts many precepts for the readers to apply to their lives.
The Prophet Joseph Smith said: “the Book of Mormon was the most
correct of any book on earth, and the keystone of our religion, and a
man would get nearer to God by abiding by its precepts, than by any
other book” (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, 194, see also
Book of Mormon Introduction, in the front of the book). Although
there are many such precepts, the ones inserted by Alma or Mormon
are usually introduced with phrases such as “I will show unto you,”
or “thus we see.”
There are also many points of doctrine taught throughout the Book
of Mormon. Isaiah foretold that when the Book of Mormon came forth,
“They also that erred in spirit shall come to understanding, and they
that murmured shall learn doctrine” (Isaiah 29:24; 2 Nephi 27:35).
In a revelation given on the day the Church was established, the Lord
enumerated many doctrines that are found in the Book of Mormon
(see D&C 20:17–36). The doctrines taught in each reading are
summarized, along with helpful commentary by General Authorities
in the end of each chapter. Hopefully the analysis of the Book of
Mormon that follows will enlarge the reader’s understanding of the
record of these ancient peoples.
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Category: Volume 3
