Greater Things > Parallels > in Script > Alma 26 = D&C 11 = 108 Parallel in Script |
Alma 26 = D&C 11 = D&C 108 Parallel in Script
With references from Mosiah 8:13-21
from Alma 26 = D&C 11 Parallel
Behold, a great and marvelous work is bursting forth among the children of men.
2 Therefore, behold I say unto you, my brethren, how great reason have we to rejoice;
3 Behold, who can glory too much in the Lord? Therefore, let us glory, yea, we will glory in the Lord; yea, we will rejoice, for our joy is full; yea, we will praise our God forever.(1)
4 O how marvelous are the works of the Lord, and how long doth he suffer with his people;(2)
5 For who could have supposed that our God would have been so merciful that he would have snatch us from our awful, sinful, and polluted state?
6 Could we have supposed when we embarked in these labors that he would have granted unto us such great blessings?
7 Yea, who can say too much of his great power, and of his mercy, and of his long-suffering towards the children of men?
8 And now, I ask, what great blessings has he bestowed upon us? Can ye tell?
9 Behold, I answer for you; yet I cannot say the smallest part which I feel.
10 For our brethren, were encircled about with everlasting darkness and destruction; yea, even in the darkest abyss;
11 But behold, how many of them are brought to behold the marvelous light of the everlasting God!
12 Yea, he has brought them into everlasting salvation; and they are encircled about with the matchless bounty of his love;
13 Yea, this is the blessing which hath been bestowed upon us, that he has made us instruments in his hands in bringing about this great and marvelous work.
14 Behold, thousands of them do rejoice, and have been brought into the fold of God.
15 For they gave heed unto the word of God which saith: Behold, I am God: give heed to my word, which is quick and powerful, sharper than a two-edged sword, to the dividing asunder of both joints and marrow.
16 Thus we see that the preaching of the word of God has had a more powerful effect upon the minds of the people than the sword, or anything else, which has happened unto them.(3)
17 And behold, verily, I say unto you, the field is yet white, ripe for harvesting; therefore, blessed are ye who desireth to reap.
18 Come ye, and thrust in your sickle with your might, and reap; yea, labor all the day long, while the day lasts; that ye may treasure up for your soul many sheaves;
19 That as the storm cometh in these last days, they shall be gathered together in their place, even into the garners, that they are not wasted.
20 Yea, they shall not be beaten down by the storm, for it cannot penetrate to them; yea, neither shall they be harrowed up by the fierce whirlwinds, being driven whithersoever the enemy listeth to carry them;
21 But they, with you, shall gain everlasting salvation in the kingdom of God.
22 For behold, because of you who are thrusting in your sickles, they are in the hands of the Lord of the harvest; and they are his, for you have reaped them;
23 And for this labor hath God raised you up in these last days; or, in other words, ye are called of God to do this great and marvelous work so that the Lord of harvest might raise them up.
24 Therefore, blessed be the name of our God, for if we will ask of him we shall receive; yea let us sing to his praise, for if we will knock it shall be opened unto us.
25 Now therefore let us give thanks to his holy name, for as we have asked, behold, he has spoken unto us, giving us his commandments to keep; and yet it is he that doth work righteousness in us forever, not of ourselves, lest we should boast.(4)
26 Yea, if it had not been for his righteousness, we would not have come up, seeking to bring forth salvation to these our dearly beloved brethren, who have so dearly beloved us, establishing the cause of Zion, but they would still have been racked with hatred against us, yea, and they would also have been strangers to God.
27 Therefore did I rebuke you, saying: Seek not for the riches of this world, lest you be carried away unto boasting in your own strength, for it is the joy of the Lord wherein lies eternal riches and glorying in the Lord.
28 Behold, I say unto you, I do not boast in my own strength, nor in my own wisdom; but it is the wisdom of God for which I seek.
29 How blind and impenetrable are the understandings of the children of men; for they will not seek wisdom, neither do they desire that she should rule over them!
30 Yea, they are as a wild flock which fleeth from the shepherd, and scattereth, and are driven, and are devoured by the beasts of the forest.(5)
31 But behold, my joy is full, in that the mysteries of God have been unfolded unto you; yea, my heart is brim with joy, that in them you are now made rich.
32 Therefore I will rejoice exceedingly(6) in my God, and give thanks unto him;(7) for behold, he that hath eternal life is rich.
33 Yea, I know that I am nothing; as to my strength I am weak; therefore I will not boast of myself, but I will boast of my God, for in his strength I can do all things.
34 Doubtless a great mystery is contained within these plates, and these interpreters were doubtless prepared for the purpose of unfolding all such mysteries to the children of men.(8)
35 And the voice of the Lord came unto me, saying, Verily, verily, thus saith the Lord unto you: Even as you desire of me so it shall be done unto you, my servant; and if you desire you shall be the means of doing much good in this generation.
36 Yea, behold, my brethren, how many mighty miracles we have wrought in this land, for which we will praise his name forever.
37 Thus God has provided a means that man, through faith, might work mighty miracles; therefore he becometh a great benefit to his fellow beings.(9)
38 Yea, in saying nothing but repentance unto this generation, by which we have retained a remission of our sins,(10) behold, how many thousands of our brethren has he loosed from the pains of hell; and they are brought to sing redeeming love;
39 And this because of the power of his word which is in us, because we have obeyed his commandment to assist in bringing forth his work according to his commandments.
40 Therefore have we not great reason to rejoice? Behold, I say unto you, Yea, for we have been blessed to the obtaining of his voice. Yea, we have reason to praise him forever, for this gift from God.(11)
41 For it came to pass that the Lord spake unto me, saying: Behold, thou hast a gift, or thou shalt have a gift if thou wilt desire of me in faith, with an honest heart.
42 Therefore, believing in the power of Jesus Christ, I was commanded to come up hither unto the Most High God; and he gave unto me this high gift from God.(12)
43 And a gift which is greater can no man have, except he should possess the power of God, which no man can; yet a man may have great power given him from God.(13)
44 Yea, Jesus Christ, who is the Most High God, commanded me that I was to be the man to do these things.(14)
45 And it is the power of Jesus Christ which speaketh unto me; and it is by his power that I speak unto thee;
46 Yea, by this same power has the Most High God loosed our brethren from the chains of hell, bringing them up hither.
47 Yea, they were encircled about with everlasting darkness and destruction; but behold, he has brought them into his everlasting light, yea, into everlasting salvation; and they are encircled about with the matchless bounty of his love;
48 For thus saith the Lord: I will send my servant unto you who are blind; yea, a messenger to open the eyes of the blind, and unstop the ears of the deaf;
49 And they shall be made perfect nothstanding their blindness, if they will hearken unto the messenger, the Lord's servant.(15)
50 For a seer can know of things which are past, and also of things which are to come, and by them shall all things be revealed, or, rather, shall secret things be made manifest, and hidden things shall come to light, and things which are not known shall be made known by them, and also things shall be made known by them which otherwise could not be known.(16)
51 For, behold, saith the Lord, it is I that speak; behold, I am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and morning star.(17)
52 I am the light which shineth in darkness, and the darkness comprehendeth it not.(18)
53 I the LORD have called thee in righteousness, and will hold thine hand, and will keep thee, and give thee for a covenant of the people, for a light of the Gentiles;
54 To open the blind eyes, to bring out the prisoners from the prison, and them that sit in darkness out of the prison house.
55 I am the LORD: that is my name: and my glory will I not give to another, neither my praise to graven images.(19)
56 And by my power I give these words unto thee. Thou art him whom I have appointed that they might receive counsel.
57 Therefore, my beloved brethren, by this means have we been made instruments in the hands of the Most High God to do this great and marvelous work.
58 Therefore, let your souls glory; yea, we will glory in the Lord; yea, we will rejoice in this charge from him:
59 For verily, verily, thus saith the Lord: Put your trust in that Spirit, which I will impart unto you, which leadeth to do good--yea, to do justly, to walk humbly, to judge righteously; or, in other words: walk in my statutes, hallow my sabbaths, and execute my judgements;(20) and this is my Spirit--which shall enlighten your mind, which shall fill your soul with joy: that ye may enter into my rest.
60 And now, my beloved brethren, is not this our joy full? Verily I say unto you, Yea, and we will praise our God forever.
61 Behold, who can glory too much in the Lord who makes known to us all things? Yea, who can say too much of his great power which he imparts to us,(21) and of his mercy concerning our spiritual standing, and of his long-suffering towards the children of men?
62 Behold, I say unto you, I cannot say the smallest part which I feel.
63 For he hath made all things known unto us by his great power, imparting to us(22) whatsoever things we desire of him, which are pertaining unto the things of righteousness, which righteousness even is granted unto us according to his mercy, in faith believing in him with long-suffering that we shall receive.
64 For he that diligently seeketh shall find; and the mysteries of God shall be unfolded unto them, by the power of the Holy Ghost, as well in these times as in times of old, and as well in times of old as in times to come; wherefore, the course of the Lord is one eternal round.(23)
65 And also, by these things called interpreters,(24) which he hath given me, shall all things be revealed.(25)
66 And no man can look in them except he be commanded, lest he should look for that he ought not and he should perish. And whosoever is commanded to look in them, the same is called seer.(26) And a seer is greater than a prophet.(27)
67 And behold, the Lord commanded me, saying: Resist no more, for you need not suppose that you are not called to proclaim my voice, for I, the Lord, have called you from the womb.(28)
68 And now, my beloved brethren, who could have supposed that our God would have been so merciful as to have snatched us from our awful, sinful, and polluted state? Did he not call us forth with his voice to preach his voice?
69 Behold, we went forth even in wrath, with mighty threatenings, when we were yet commanded to wait a little longer before arising up to put on strength, yea to put on our beautiful garments.(29)
70 Yea, did he not also commmand us to first obtain his word, his rock, his church, and his gospel, that we might know of a surety his doctrine, and not go about to destroy his church? Behold, I say unto you, Yea, and he commanded us to be more careful henceforth.
71 Oh then, behold, why did he not consign us to an awful destruction? Was it not because of our desires?
72 Yea, why did he not let the sword of his justice fall upon us, and doom us to eternal despair? Was it not even because of our faith?
73 Oh, my soul, almost as it were, fleeth at the thought; yea, it was truly a gift from God,(30) for we cannot merit anything of ourselves.(31)
74 Behold, he did not exercise his justice upon us, as it should have been done upon us;
75 But in his great mercy hath he brought us over that everlasting gulf of death and misery, even to the salvation of our souls. And all that he doth require of us is to keep his commandments,(32) and observe our vows which we have made--even before he formed us in the womb.(33)
76 And now behold, my brethren, what natural man is there that knoweth these things? For the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.(34)
77 And the Lord hath given unto me wherewith that I can look, and translate all records that are of ancient date;(35)
78 Yea, and the Lord commanded us, saying, Thou shalt ask, and my scriptures shall be given as I have appointed, and they shall be preserved in safety;
79 And it is expedient that thou shouldst hold thy peace concerning them, and not teach them until ye have received them in full.
80 And I give unto you a commandment that then ye shall teach them unto all men; for they shall be taught unto all nations, kindreds, tongues and people.
81 Thou shalt take the things which thou hast received, which have been given unto thee in my scriptures for a law, to be my law to govern my church;
82 And he that doeth according to these things shall be saved, and he that doeth them not shall be damned if he so continue.
83 If thou shalt ask, thou shalt receive revelation upon revelation, knowledge upon knowledge, that thou mayest know the mysteries and peaceable things--that which bringeth joy, that which bringeth life eternal.(36)
84 I say unto you, there is none that knoweth these things, save it be the penitent who appeal unto my Spirit.
85 Therefore, my beloved brethren, this is the vow which we do make: to appeal unto his Spirit in all humility; yea, to cleave unto the Lord with all our hearts, repenting and exercising faith, and bringing forth good works, and praying continually without ceasing.
86 For which the Lord has promised, saying: You shall be blessed with exceeding great blessings,(37) for unto such it is given to know the mysteries of God, that you may assist in bringing to light those things of which has been spoken--
87 Yea, unto such it shall be given to reveal things which never have been revealed, yea, even the translation of my work;
88 Yea, and it shall be given unto such to bring thousands of souls to repentance.
89 Now, my brethren, for all these things have we waited patiently, until it has been given, even unto us, to accomplish bringing these our brethren to repentance.
90 Now do ye remember, my brethren, that we said unto our brethren when the the solemn assembly was called, We go to preach unto our brethren, who are likened to the Lamanites, and they laughed us to scorn? yet we knew from God that this was our work.
91 For they who were then the Lord's servants, who professed to be intent to keep his commandments with all their might, mind and strength, said unto us:
92 Do ye suppose that ye can bring thy brethren who are likened to the Lamanites to the knowledge of the truth? Do ye suppose that ye can convince them of the incorrectness of the traditions of their fathers, as stiffnecked a people as they are; whose hearts delight in the shedding of blood; whose days have been spent in the grossest iniquity; whose ways have been the ways of a transgressor from the beginning?
93 Now my brethren, ye remember that this was their language; and it was then that the Lord did remember us with the First of his elders, because we sought to declare his word, having first obtained his word according to the arrangment of the language contained in the word of God.
94 Yea, we did hearken to the commandment to teach one another the doctrine of the kingdom(38) that we might be prepared in all things when the Lord, Jesus Christ, should send us again the second time to magnify this calling whereunto he had called us, and the mission with which he had commissioned us.(39)
95 And moreover because they did say: Let us take up arms against them, that we destroy them and their iniquity out of the land, lest they overrun us and destroy us--yea, it was then that we did receive right by ordination, and our tongues were loosed.
96 For behold, my beloved brethren, we came into the wilderness not with the intent to destroy our brethren, but rather it was our desire to be endowed from on high with God's Spirit and his word, that perhaps we might save some few of their souls; and thus we were ordained with the rest of his elders.
97 Therefore, we were chosen of God, and were granted the power of God unto the convincing of men.
98 Now when we were yet under the commandment to hold our peace, and our hearts were depressed, and we were about to turn back from the course, behold, we did remember the promise of the Father unto us.
99 Yea, the Lord comforted us, and inspired us with this charge, that we might remain faithful, saying: Study my word which hath gone forth and which shall come forth among the children of men, or that which is now translating, yea, until you have obtained all which I shall grant unto the children of men in this generation;
100 And then shall all things be added thereto; and it shall be fulfilled that thou mayest go amongst thy brethren, who are likened to the Lamanites. Yea bear with patience thine afflictions, and I will give unto you success.
101 And the voice of the Lord came unto me, saying: Behold thou, my son, art heir as was Hyrum, who has come, and been forth amongst you, to bestow upon you these things.
102 And now behold, my brethren, we have been patient in our sufferings, looking forth, seeking for that day of the full establishment of the kingdom of God.
103 And having suffered every privation; the day has finally come that all things have been added according to that which is just.
104 For we did rely on the promise which says: With men who trust in God and leave all for my sake, with such all these things are possible.(40)
105 Yea, having built upon the rock of Jesus Christ, which is his gospel, we were given right;
106 Yea, we have traveled from house to house, relying upon the mercies of the world--not upon the mercies of the world alone but upon the mercies of God.
107 Yea, we have relied upon the spirit of revelation, and the spirit of prophecy, to preach his gospel, woe being unto them that denieth these things;
108 For to them we sealed up the testimony and bound up the law, and they were delivered over unto darkness.(41)
109 And we have entered into their houses and taught them, and we have taught them in their streets; yea, and we have taught them upon their hills; and we have also entered into their temples and their synagogues and taught them;
110 Yea, going whithersoever the Lord has sent us, we have been cast out, and mocked, and spit upon, and smote upon our cheeks; and we have been stoned, and taken and bound with strong cords, and cast into prison;
111 And we would not turn and revile again, but were humble and penitent before God;(42) and we treasured these things up in our hearts, suffering his cross and bearing the shame of the world,(43) rejoicing that we have been counted worthy to suffer shame for his name.(44)
112 Yea, even suffering it until the time which was in the wisdom of God that we might be delivered again through his power;
113 For we have had power given unto us, insomuch that we cannot be confined; neither is it possible that any man can slay us;
114 Nevertheless we do not exercise our power until we are bound in bands and cast into prison. And this is done that the Lord might show forth his power in us.(45)
115 For this is the time of making bear his arm in the eyes of all the nations(46) according to his wisdom, that he might set his hand again the second time to recover his people which are of the house of Israel.(47)
116 Nevertheless from the time that we have gone forth, we have suffered all manner of afflictions;
117 And all this, because we supposed that our joy would be full if perhaps we could be the means of saving some; for did not the Lord speak unto all who have good desires, that they should strengthen their brethren?
118 Therefore have we thrust in our sickles to reap, even in all our conversations, and in all our prayers, and in all our exortations, yea, and in all our doings have we sought to strengthen our brethren.
119 Now behold, we can look forth and see the fruits of our labors; and are they few? I say unto you, Nay, they are many; yea, and we can witness of their sincerity, because of their love towards their brethren and also towards us.
120 For behold, they had rather sacrifice their lives than even to take the life of their enemy; and they have buried their weapons of war deep in the earth, because of their love towards their brethren.
121 And now behold I say unto you, has there been so great love in all the land? Behold, I say unto you, Nay, there has not, even among those likened to the Nephites.
122 For behold, they would take up arms against their brethren; they would not suffer themselves to be slain. But behold how many of these have laid down their lives; and we know that they have gone to their God, because of their love and of their hatred to sin.
123 And now, behold, and lo, have we not reason to rejoice in Jesus Christ, the Son of God? Yea, I say unto you, there never were men that had so great reason to rejoice as we, since the world began;
124 Yea, and my joy is carried away, even unto boasting in my God; for he has all power, all wisdom, and all understanding; he comprehendeth all things, and he is a merciful Being, even unto salvation, to those who will repent and believe on his name.
125 Now if this is boasting, even so will I boast, for he is the life and light of the world, even my life and my light, my joy and my salvation, and my redemption from everlasting wo, yea, he is the Great I Am.
126 He is the same who came unto his own, and his own received him not. And I am the tender(48) branch which was to be broken off,(49) sent by him to be with you as he now calls again.(50)
127 Yea, I say, blessed is the name of my God, who has been mindful of this people, even us, who are ourselves a branch of the tree of Israel, being a remnant of Joseph,(51) wanderers in a strange land, cast out and hated of our brethren.(52)
128 Hath the Lord commanded any that they should not partake of his salvation? Behold I say unto you, Nay; but he hath given it free for all men; and he hath commanded his people that they should persuade all men to repentance.
129 Behold, hath the Lord commanded any that they should not partake of his goodness? Behold I say unto you, Nay; but all men are privileged the one like unto the other, and none are forbidden.(53)
130 Now my brethren, we see that God is mindful of every people, whatsoever land they may be in, to bless them.
131 Therefore, come, my brethren, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters; and he that hath no money, come buy and eat; yea, come buy wine and milk without money and without price.
132 Wherefore, do not spend money for that which is of no worth, nor your labor for that which cannot satisfy. Hearken diligently unto me, and remember the words which I have spoken; and come unto the Holy One of Israel, and feast upon that which perisheth not, neither can be corrupted, and let your soul delight in fatness.(54)
133 Yea, verily, verily, thus saith the Holy One of Israel: as many as receive me will I deliver, and to them will I give power to become the sons of God, yea, I number my people, and my bowels of mercy are over all the earth, even to them that believe on my name, forever.
134 Now, my beloved brethren, this is my joy, and my great thanksgiving; yea, and I will give thanks unto my God forever. Amen, Amen, and Amen.
by Sterling D. Allan; Fountain Green, Utah; July 31, 1995
Notes
1. From Alma 26 Chiasm A.
2. Mosiah 8:20.
3. Alma 31:5.
4. Ephesians 2:9.
5. Mosiah 8:20,21.
6. Mosiah 8:19.
7. Ibid.
8. Mosiah 8:19.
9. Mosiah 8:18.
10. Doctrine and Covenants 84:61.
11. Mosiah 8:13.
12. Mosiah 8:14.
13. Mosiah 8:16.
14. Mosiah 8:14.
15. JST-Isaiah 42:19,20.
16. Mosiah 8:17.
17. Revelation 22:16.
18. John 1:5; D&C 10:58; 39:2; 88:49.
19. Isaiah 42:6-8.
20. Ezekiel 20:11-25; 2 Ne. 5:10.
21. Mosiah 8:16.
22. Ibid.
23. 1 Nephi 10:19.
24. Mosiah 8:13.
25. Mosiah 8:17.
26. Mosiah 8:13.
27. Mosiah 8:15.
28. Isaiah 49:1.
29. D&C 113:8-10; Isaiah 52:1,2.
30. Mosiah 8:13.
31. Alma 22:14.
32. Mosiah 2:22.
33. Isaiah 49:5; Jeremiah 1:5.
34. 1 Corinthians 2:14.
35. Mosiah 8:13.
36. Doctrine and Covenants 42:56-61.
37. Mosiah 8:15,16a.
38. Doctrine and Covenants 88:77.
39. Doctrine and Covenants 88:80.
40. JST-Mark 10:27.
41. Doctrine and Covenants 133:72.
42. 3 Nephi 6:13.
43. Jacob 1:8.
44. Acts 5:41.
45. Alma 8:31.
46. 1 Nephi 22:10; Isaiah 52:10.
47. Isaiah 11:11; 2 Nephi 6:14; 25:17.
48. Ezekiel 17:22.
49. 2 Nephi 3:5.
50. Doctrine and Covenants 133:67.
51. Ether 13:10.
52. Jacob 7:26.
53. 2 Nephi 26:27,28.
54. 2 Nephi 9:50,51.
