BoM Translation Guide



Alma 17

Alma 17:1 [LDS 36:1]
[My son,] [give ear] [to my words;] for [I swear] [unto you,] [that inasmuch] [as ye shall keep] [the commandments] [of God,] [ye shall prosper] [in the land.]

Alma 17:2 [LDS 36:2]
[I would that] [ye should do] [as I have done,] [in remembering] [the captivity] [of our fathers;] for [they were] [in bondage,] [and none] [could deliver them,] except [it was the God] [of Abraham,] [and the God] [of Isaac,] [and the God] [of Jacob:] [and he surely] did [deliver them] [in their afflictions.]

Alma 17:3 [LDS 36:3]
[And now,] [O my son] Helaman, behold [thou art] [in thy youth,] [and therefore] [I beseech of thee] [that thou wilt hear] [my words,] [and learn] [of me;] for [I do know] that whosoever [shall put their trust] [in God,] [shall be supported] [in their trials,] [and their troubles,] [and their afflictions,] [and shall be lifted up] [at the last] day;

Alma 17:4 [LDS 36:4]
[And I would] not [that ye think] [that I know] [of myself,] not [of the temporal,] [but of the spiritual;] not [of the carnal mind,] [but of God.]

Alma 17:5 [LDS 36:5]
Now behold [I say] [unto you,] If [I had not] been born [of God,] [I should not] have known these things; [but God] has [by the mouth] [of his <holy> angel,] [made <these> things] [known unto me,] not [of any worthiness] [of myself,] for [I went about] with [the sons] [of Mosiah,] seeking [to destroy] [the church] [of God;] [but behold,] God sent [his <holy> angel] [to stop us] [by the way.]

Alma 17:6 [LDS 36:7]
[And behold,] [he spake] [unto us,] [as it were] [the voice] [of thunder,] [and the whole] earth [did tremble] beneath [our feet,] [and we all] fell [to the earth,] for [the fear] [of the Lord] came [upon us.]

Alma 17:7 [LDS 36:8]
[But behold,] [the voice] said [unto me,] Arise. [And I arose] [and stood up,] [and beheld] [the angel.] [And he said] [unto me,] If [[thou wilt not [of thyself] be <destroyed,> seek no more [to destroy] [the church] [of God.]]]

Alma 17:8 [LDS 36:10]
[And it came to pass] [that I fell] [to the earth;] [and it was] [for the space] [of three] days [and three] nights, [that I could] not open [my mouth;] neither [had I] [the use] [of my limbs.]

Alma 17:9 [LDS 36:11]
[And the angel] spake more things [unto me,] which [were heard] [by my brethren,] [but I did <not> hear them;] for [when I heard] [the words,] If [thou wilt not] be destroyed [of thyself,] seek no more [to destroy] [the church] [of God,] [I was struck] [with such <great> fear] [and amazement,] lest perhaps [I should be destroyed,] [that I fell] [to the earth,] [and I did hear] no more;

Alma 17:10 [LDS 36:12] [Note]
[But I was racked] [with <eternal> torment,] [for my soul] [was harrowed up] [to the <greatest> degree,] [and racked] with all [my sins.] Yea, [I did remember] all [my sins] [and iniquities,] for which [I was tormented] [with the pains] [of hell;]

Alma 17:11 [LDS 36:13]
Yea, [I saw] that [I had rebelled] against [my God,] [and that I had <not> kept] [his <holy> commandments;] yea, [and I had murdered] many [of his children,] [or rather led them away] unto destruction;

Alma 17:12 [LDS 36:14] [Note]
Yea, [and in fine,] [so great] [had been my iniquities,] [that the very thoughts] [of coming] [into the presence] [of my God,] [did rack] [my soul] [with <inexpressible> horror.]

Alma 17:13 [LDS 36:15]
[O,{incorrect punctuation} thought I,] [that I could be banished] [and become extinct] [both soul] and body, [that I might not] be brought [to stand] [in the presence] [of my God,] [to be judged] [of my deeds.]

Alma 17:14 [LDS 36:16]
[And now,] [for three] days [and for three] nights [was I racked,] [even with the pains] [of a <damned> soul.]

Alma 17:15 [LDS 36:17]
[And it came to pass] [that as I was <thus> racked] [with torment,] [while I was harrowed up] [by the memory] [of my many] sins, behold, [I remembered] also [to have heard] [my father] prophesy unto [the people,] concerning [the coming] [of one] Jesus Christ, [a Son] [of God,] [to atone] [for the sins] [of the world.]

Alma 17:16 [LDS 36:18]
[Now as my mind] [caught hold] upon this thought, [I cried] within [my heart,] [O Jesus,] thou Son [of God,] [have mercy on me,] [who art] [in the gall] [of bitterness,] [and art encircled about] [by the <everlasting> chains] [of death.]

Alma 17:17 [LDS 36:19]
[And now] behold, [when I thought] this, [I could remember] [my pains] nor more; yea, [I was harrowed] [by the memory] [of my sins] no more.

Alma 17:18 [LDS 36:20]
[And O,{incorrect punctuation} what] joy, [and what] marvelous light [I did behold;] yea, [my soul] [was filled] [with joy] [as exceeding as] was [my pain;] yea, [I say] [unto you,] [my son,] that [there could be] nothing [so exquisite] [and so bitter] [as were my pains.]

Alma 17:19 [LDS 36:21]
Yea, [and again] [I say] [unto you,] [my son,] [that on the <other> hand,] [there can be] nothing [so exquisite] [and sweet] [as was my joy;]

Alma 17:20 [LDS 36:22]
Yea, methought [I saw] [even as our father] Lehi saw, God sitting upon [his throne,] surrounded [with numberless] concourses [of angels,] [in the attitude] [of singing] [and praising] [their God;] yea, [and my soul] [did long] [to be] there.

Alma 17:21 [LDS 36:23]
[But behold,] [my limbs] [did receive] [their strength] again, [and I stood] upon [my feet,] [and did manifest] unto [the people] [that I had been born] [of God;]

Alma 17:22 [LDS 36:24]
Yea, [and from that time,] [even until] now, [I have labored] without ceasing, [that I might bring] souls [unto repentance;] [that I might bring them] [to taste] [of the <exceeding> joy] [of which] [I did taste;] [that they might also] be born [of God,] [and be filled] [with the <Holy> Ghost.]

Alma 17:23 [LDS 36:25]
Yea, [and now] behold, [O my son,] [the Lord] [doth give] me exceeding great joy [in the fruit] [of my labors;] for [because of the word] which [he has imparted] [unto me,] behold, many [have been born] [of God,] [and have tasted] [as I have tasted,] [and have seen] eye [to eye,] as [I have seen;]

Alma 17:24 [LDS 36:26]
Therefore [they do know] [of <these> things] [of which] [I have spoken,] [as I do know;] [and the knowledge] which [I have] [is of] God.

Alma 17:25 [LDS 36:27]
[And I have been supported] under trials [and troubles] [of every kind,] yea, [and in all manner] [of afflictions;] yea, God [has delivered me] [from prison,] [and from bonds,] [and from death;] yea, [and I do put my trust] [in him,] [and he will still] [deliver me;]

Alma 17:26 [LDS 36:28]
[And I know] that [he will raise me up] [at the last] day, [to dwell] [with him] [in glory;] yea, [and I will praise him] [for ever,] for [he has brought] [our fathers out] [of Egypt,] [and he has swallowed up] [the Egyptians] [in the <Red> Sea;] [and he led them] [by his power] into [the <promised> land;]

Alma 17:27 [LDS 36:29]
Yea, [and he has delivered them] [out of bondage] [and captivity,] [from time] to time; yea, [and he has <also> brought] [our fathers out] [of the land] [of Jerusalem;] [[and he has also [by his <everlasting> power,] delivered them]] [out of bondage] [and captivity,] [from time] to time, [even down to] [the <present> day;]

Alma 17:28 [LDS 36:29]
[And I have always] retained [in remembrance] [their captivity:] yea, [and ye also] ought to retain [in remembrance,] [as I have done,] [their captivity.]

Alma 17:29 [LDS 36:30]
[But behold,] [my son,] this [is not] all; for [ye ought to know,] [as I] [do know,] [that inasmuch] [as ye shall keep] [the commandments] [of God,] [ye shall prosper] [in the land;]

Alma 17:30 [LDS 36:30]
[And ye ought to know] also, [that inasmuch] [as ye will <not> keep] [the commandments] [of God,] [ye shall be cut off] [from his presence.] [Now this] [is according to his word.]

Alma 17:31 [LDS 37:1]
[And now] [my son] Helaman, [I command] you [that ye take] [the records] which [have been entrusted] [with me;] [and I also] command you [that ye keep] [a record] [of <this> people,] [according as I have done,] upon [the plates] [of Nephi,] [and keep] all these things sacred which [I have kept,] [even as I have kept them:] for [it is] [for a <wise> purpose] that [they are kept;]

Alma 17:32 [LDS 37:3]
[And <these> plates] [of brass] which contain [these engravings,] which [have the records] [of the <holy> scriptures] [upon them,] [which have the genealogy] [of our forefathers,] [even from the beginning.]

Alma 17:33 [LDS 37:4]
[And behold,] [it has been prophesied] [by our fathers,] [that they should be kept] [and handed down] [from <one> generation] [to another,] [and be kept] [and preserved] [by the hand] [of the Lord,] until [they should go forth] unto every nation, kindred, tongue [and people,] [that they shall know] [of the mysteries] contained thereon.

Alma 17:34 [LDS 37:5]
[And now] behold, if [they are kept,] [they must retain] [their brightness;] yea, [and they will retain] [their brightness;] yea, [and also] [shall all] [the plates] which [do contain] [that which] [is <holy> writ.]

Alma 17:35 [LDS 37:6] [Note]
[Now ye may suppose] that this [is foolishness] [in me;] [but behold] [I say] [unto you,] [that by small] [and simple things,] [are great things] [brought to pass;] [and <small> means] [in <many> instances,] [doth confound] [the wise.]

Alma 17:36 [LDS 37:7]
[And the Lord] God [doth work] [by means] [to bring about] [[his great [and eternal] purposes; [and by very] small means [the Lord] [doth confound] [the wise,] [and bringeth about] [the salvation] [of <many> souls.]]]

Alma 17:37 [LDS 37:8]
[And now,] [it has hitherto] been wisdom [in God,] [that <these> things] [should be preserved:] for behold, [they have enlarged] [the memory] [of <this> people,] yea, [and convinced] many [of the error] [of their ways,] [and brought them] [to the knowledge] [of their God,] [unto the salvation] [of their souls.]

Alma 17:38 [LDS 37:9]
Yea, [I say] [unto you,] [were it not] for these things [that <these> records] [do contain,] which [are on these] plates, Ammon [and his brethren] [could <not> have convinced] [so <many> thousands] [of the Lamanites,] [of the <incorrect> tradition] [of their fathers;]

Alma 17:39 [LDS 37:9]
Yea, these records [and their words,] [brought them] [unto repentance;] [that is,{incorrect punctuation} they brought them] [to the knowledge] [of the Lord] [their God,] [and to rejoice] [in Jesus] Christ [their Redeemer.]

Alma 17:40 [LDS 37:10]
[And who] knoweth [but what] [they will be] [the means] [of bringing] many thousands [of them,] yea, [and also] many thousands [of our <stiff-necked> brethren,] [the Nephites,] [who are] [now hardening] [their hearts,] [in sins] [and iniquities,] [to the knowledge] [of their Redeemer.]

Alma 17:41 [LDS 37:11]
[Now <these> mysteries] [[are not yet fully made [known unto me;] therefore [I shall forbear.]]]

Alma 17:42 [LDS 37:12]
[And it may suffice,] If [I <only> say,] [they are preserved] for [a <wise> purpose,] which purpose [is known] [unto God:] for [he doth counsel] [in wisdom] over all [his works,] [and his paths] [are straight] [and his course] [is <one> eternal] round.

Alma 17:43 [LDS 37:13]
[O remember,] remember, [my son] Helaman, how strict [are the commandments] [of God.]

Alma 17:44 [LDS 37:13]
[And he said,] If [ye will keep] [my commandments,] [ye shall prosper] [in the land;] [but if] [ye keep] not [my commandments,] [ye shall be cut off] [from my presence.]

Alma 17:45 [LDS 37:14]
[And now] remember, [my son,] that God [has entrusted you] with these things, [which are] sacred, which [he has kept] sacred, [and also] which [he will keep] [and preserve] for [a <wise> purpose] [in him,] [that he may shew forth] [his power] [unto <future> generations.]

Alma 17:46 [LDS 37:15]
[And now] behold, [I tell you] [by the spirit] [of prophecy,] [that if] [ye transgress] [the commandments] [of God,] behold, these things [which are] sacred, [shall be taken away] [from you] [by the power] [of God,] [and ye shall be delivered up] unto Satan, [that he may sift you] [as chaff] before [the wind;]

Alma 17:47 [LDS 37:16]
[But if] [ye keep] [the commandments] [of God,] [and do] with these things [which are] sacred, [according to that which] [the Lord] [doth command] you (for [you must appeal] unto [the Lord] for [all things] whatsoever [ye must do] [with them),] behold no power [of earth] [or hell] [can take them] [from you,] for God [is powerful] [to the fulfilling] [of all] [his words:]

Alma 17:48 [LDS 37:17]
For [he will fulfill] all [his promises] which [he shall make] [unto you,] for [he has fulfilled] [his promises] which [he has made] unto [our fathers.]

Alma 17:49 [LDS 37:17]
For [he promised] [unto them] [that he would reserve] these things for [a <wise> purpose] [in him,] [that he might shew forth] [his power] [unto <future> generations.]

Alma 17:50 [LDS 37:19]
[And now] behold, one purpose [hath he fulfilled,] [even to the restoration] [of <many> thousands] [of the Lamanites] [to the knowledge] [of the truth;] [and he hath shewn forth] [his power] [in them,] [and he will <also> still] [shew forth] [his power] [in them,] [unto <future> generations;] therefore [they shall be preserved;]

Alma 17:51 [LDS 37:20]
Therefore [I command] you, [my son] Helaman, that [ye be diligent] [in fulfilling] all [my words,] [and that ye be diligent] [in keeping] [the commandments] [of God,] [as they are written.]

Alma 17:52 [LDS 37:21]
[And now,] [I will speak] [unto you] concerning [those twenty-four] plates, [that ye keep them,] [that the mysteries] [and the works] [of darkness,] [and their <secret> works,] [or the <secret> works] [of <those> people,] who [have been destroyed,] [may be made manifest] unto this people;

Alma 17:53 [LDS 37:21]
Yea, all [their murders,] [and robbings,] [and their plunderings,] [and all] [their wickedness,] [and abominations,] [may be made manifest] unto this people; yea, [and that ye preserve] these directors.

Alma 17:54 [LDS 37:22]
For, behold, [the Lord] saw [that his people] began [to work] [in darkness,] yea, work secret murders [and abominations;] therefore [the Lord] said, if [they did <not> repent,] [they should be destroyed] [from off] [the face] [of the earth.]

Alma 17:55 [LDS 37:23]
[And the Lord] said, [I will prepare] [unto my servant] Gazelem, [a stone,] which [shall shine forth] [in darkness] [unto light,] [that I may discover] unto [my people] [who serve me,] [that I may discover] [unto them] [the works] [of their brethren;] yea, [their <secret> works,] [their works] [of darkness,] [and their wickedness] [and abominations.]

Alma 17:56 [LDS 37:24]
[And now] [my son,] these directors [were prepared,] [that the word] [of God] [might be fulfilled,] which [he spake,] saying: [I will bring forth out] [of darkness] [unto light,] all [their <secret> works] [and their abominations.]

Alma 17:57 [LDS 37:25]
[And except] [they repent,] [I will destroy them] [from off] [the face] [of the earth;] [and I will bring] [to light] all [their secrets] [and abominations,] unto every nation [that shall hereafter] possess [the land.]

Alma 17:58 [LDS 37:26]
[And now] [my son,] [we see] [that they did <not> repent;] therefore [they have been destroyed;] [and thus] far [the word] [of God] [has been fulfilled;] yea, [their <secret> abominations] [have been brought out] [of darkness,] [and made known] [unto us.]

Alma 17:59 [LDS 37:27]
[And now] [my son,] [I command] you that [ye retain] all [their oaths,] [and their covenants,] [and their agreements] [in their <secret> abominations;] yea, [and all] [their signs] [and their wonders] [ye shall retain] [from <this> people,] [that they know them] not, lest peradventure [they should fall] [into darkness] also, [and be destroyed.]

Alma 17:60 [LDS 37:28]
For behold, [there is] [a curse] upon all this land, [that destruction] [shall come] upon all those workers [of darkness,] [according to the power] [of God,] [when they are <fully> ripe;] therefore [I desire] that this people [might <not> be destroyed.]

Alma 17:61 [LDS 37:29]
[Therefore ye shall keep] [these <secret> plans] [of their oaths] [and their covenants] [from <this> people,] [and only] [their wickedness,] [and their murders,] [and their abominations,] [shall ye make known] [unto them:]

Alma 17:62 [LDS 37:29]
[And ye shall teach them] [to abhor] [such wickedness,] [and abominations,] [and murders;] [and ye shall <also> teach them,] that these people [were destroyed] [on account of] [their wickedness,] [and abominations,] [and their murders.]

Alma 17:63 [LDS 37:30]
For behold, [they murdered] all [the prophets] [of the Lord] [who came] [among them] [to declare] [unto them] concerning [their iniquites;] [and the blood] [of those whom] [they murdered,] [did cry] unto [the Lord] [their God,] [for vengeance] upon [those who] [were their murderers;]

Alma 17:64 [LDS 37:31]
[And thus] [the judgments] [of God] [did come] upon these workers [of darkness] [and <secret> combinations;] yea, [and cursed] [be the land] [for ever] and ever [unto <those> workers] [of darkness] [and <secret> combinations,] [even unto] destruction, except [they repent] before [they are <fully> ripe.]

Alma 17:65 [LDS 37:32]
[And now] [my son,] remember [the words] which [I have spoken] [unto you:] trust not [those <secret> plans] unto this people, [but teach them] [an <everlasting> hatred] against sin [and iniquity;]

Alma 17:66 [LDS 37:33]
Preach [unto them] repentance, [and faith] [on the Lord] Jesus Christ: [teach them] [to humble themselves,] [and to be] meek [and lowly] [in heart;] [teach them] [to withstand] every temptation [of the devil,] with [their faith] [on the Lord] Jesus Christ;

Alma 17:67 [LDS 37:34]
[Teach them] [to never] [be weary] [of <good> works,] [but to be] meek [and lowly] [in heart:] for [such shall find] rest [to their souls.]

Alma 17:68 [LDS 37:35]
[O remember] [my son,] [and learn] wisdom [in thy youth;] yea, learn [in thy youth] [to keep] [the commandments] [of God;] yea, [and cry] unto God [for all] [thy support;]

Alma 17:69 [LDS 37:36]
Yea, [let all] thy doings [be unto] [the Lord,] [and whithersoever] [thou goest,] [let it be] [in the Lord;] yea, [[let [thy thoughts] be <directed> <unto> [the Lord;] yea, [let the affections] [of thy heart] [be placed] [upon the Lord] [for ever;] counsel [the Lord] [in all] [thy doings,] [and he will direct thee] [for good:]]]

Alma 17:70 [LDS 37:37]
Yea, [when thou liest down] [at night,] [lie down] unto [the Lord,] [that he may watch] [over you] [in your sleep;] [and when thou riseth] [in the morning,] [[let [thy heart] [be full] [of thanks] unto God; [and if] [ye do] these things, [ye shall be lifted up] [at the last] day.]]

Alma 17:71 [LDS 37:38]
[And now] [my son,] I [have somewhat to say] concerning [the thing] which [our fathers] call [a ball,] [or director;] [or our fathers] [called it] liahona, [which is,] [being interpreted,] [a compass;] [and the Lord] [prepared it.]

Alma 17:72 [LDS 37:39]
[And behold,] [there can not] [any man] work [after the manner] [of so curious] [a workmanship.]

Alma 17:73 [LDS 37:39]
[And behold,] [it was prepared] [to shew] unto [our fathers] [the course] which [they should travel] [in the wilderness;] [and it did work] [for them] [according to their faith] [in God;]

Alma 17:74 [LDS 37:40]
[Therefore if] [they had faith] [to believe] that God [could cause that those] spindles [should point] [the way] [they should go,] behold, [it was done;] therefore [they had] this miracle, [and also] many other miracles wrought [by the power] [of God,] day [by day;]

Alma 17:75 [LDS 37:41]
[Nevertheless,{incorrect punctuation} because] those miracles [were worked] [by <small> means,] [it did shew] [unto them] [marvelous works.]

Alma 17:76 [LDS 37:41]
[They were slothful,] [and forgot] [to exercise] [their faith] [and diligence,] [and then those] [marvelous works] ceased, [and they did <not> progress] [in their journey:]

Alma 17:77 [LDS 37:42]
Therefore [they tarried] [in the wilderness,] [or did <not> travel] [a <direct> course,] [and were afflicted] [with hunger] [and thirst,] [because of their transgressions.]

Alma 17:78 [LDS 37:43]
[And now] [my son,] [I would that] [ye should understand] [that these things] [are not] without [a shadow;] for [as our fathers] [were slothful] [to give heed] [to <this> compass,] (now [these things] were temporal,) [they did <not> prosper;] [even so] [it is] with things which [are spiritual.]

Alma 17:79 [LDS 37:44] [Note]
For behold, [it is as easy] [to give heed] [to the word] [of Christ,] which [will point] [to you] [a <straight> course] [to <eternal> bliss,] as [it was] for [our fathers] [to give heed] [to <this> compass,] which [would point] [unto them] [a <straight> course,] to [the <promised> land.]

Alma 17:80 [LDS 37:45] [Note]
[And now] [I say,] [Is there] not [a type] [in <this> thing?] [For just] [as surely as] this director [did bring] [our fathers,] [by following] [its course,] to [the <promised> land,] [shall the words] [of Christ,] if [we follow] [their course,] [carry us] beyond this vale [of sorrow,] into [a <far> <better> land] [of promise.]

Alma 17:81 [LDS 37:46]
[O my son,] [do not] [let us be slothful] [because of the easiness] [of the way;] for [so was it with our fathers;] for so [was it prepared] [for them,] [that if] [they would look,] [they might live;] [even so] [it is] [with us.]

Alma 17:82 [LDS 37:46]
[The way] [is prepared,] [and if] [we will look,] [we may live] [for ever.]

Alma 17:83 [LDS 37:47]
[And now] [my son,] see [that ye take care] [of <these> <sacred> things;] yea, see [that ye look] to God [and live.]

Alma 17:84 [LDS 37:47] [Note]
Go unto this people, [and declare] [the word,] [and be sober.] [My son,] farewell.