Alma and Repentance

Continuing from yesterday with lessons learned about Priesthood service from Alma, another theme we see in his life was his focus on repentance. We see this first in his own repentance after his visit by the angel. He described, “I have repented of my sins, and have been redeemed of the Lord; behold I am born of the Spirit…. After wading through much tribulation, repenting nigh unto death, the Lord in mercy hath seen fit to snatch me out of an everlasting burning, and I am born of God.” After his change of heart he manifested his true repentance as he and the sons of Mosiah “traveled throughout all the land of Zarahemla, and among all the people who were under the reign of king Mosiah, zealously striving to repair all the injuries which they had done to the church, confessing all their sins” (Mosiah 27:24, 28, 35). Because of this repentance he did “receive a remission of [his] sins” as he came unto the Savior (Alma 38:8). Surely one of the most important actions we take in the service of the Lord is to repent ourselves and come unto the Savior so that we can bring others also to repentance.

               After his own repentance Alma focused the efforts of his life to bring others to repentance. He summarized to Helaman, “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” (Alma 36:24). His messages to the people consistently invited them to repent. To the people of Zarahemla he implored, “Repent, repent, for the Lord God hath spoken it! Behold, he sendeth an invitation unto all men, for the arms of mercy are extended towards them, and he saith: Repent, and I will receive you.” He emphasized that “the order after which [he was] called” impelled him to cry repentance to the people: “I say unto you the aged, and also the middle aged, and the rising generation; yea, to cry unto them that they must repent and be born again. Yea, thus saith the Spirit: Repent, all ye ends of the earth, for the kingdom of heaven is soon at hand” (Alma 5:32-33, 49-50). Essential to his call to the priesthood was the responsibility to preach repentance. To the people of Gideon he similarly spoke, “Repent ye, and prepare the way of the Lord, and walk in his paths, which are straight; for behold, the kingdom of heaven is at hand, and the Son of God cometh upon the face of the earth…. Now I say unto you that ye must repent, and be born again; for the Spirit saith if ye are not born again ye cannot inherit the kingdom of heaven; therefore come and be baptized unto repentance” (Alma 7:9, 14). When he taught the people of Ammonihah he likewise commanded them to repent: “Behold, now I say unto you that he commandeth you to repent; and except ye repent, ye can in nowise inherit the kingdom of God. But behold, this is not all—he has commanded you to repent.” He implored them, “Repent ye, for the kingdom of heaven is nigh at hand…. And now, my beloved brethren, for ye are my brethren, and ye ought to be beloved, and ye ought to bring forth works which are meet for repentance” (Alma 9:12, 25, 30). To the Zoramites he declared, “Whosoever repenteth shall find mercy; and he that findeth mercy and endureth to the end the same shall be saved…. Yea, he that truly humbleth himself, and repenteth of his sins, and endureth to the end, the same shall be blessed” (Alma 32:13, 15). Over and over in his ministry he invited the people to repent as he had done.

              When he taught his own son Corianton he similarly emphasized repentance. He warned, “But behold, ye cannot hide your crimes from God; and except ye repent they will stand as a testimony against you at the last day. Now my son, I would that ye should repent and forsake your sins” (Alma 39:8-9). He taught about the essential role of repentance in the plan of salvation, “And thus we see, that there was a time granted unto man to repent, yea, a probationary time, a time to repent and serve God…. Therefore, according to justice, the plan of redemption could not be brought about, only on conditions of repentance of men in this probationary state, yea, this preparatory state; for except it were for these conditions, mercy could not take effect except it should destroy the work of justice.” Repentance is the only way to avoid the punishment of the law and obtain mercy: “But there is a law given, and a punishment affixed, and a repentance granted; which repentance, mercy claimeth; otherwise, justice claimeth the creature and executeth the law, and the law inflicteth the punishment.” He warned Corianton the result of not repenting: “If he has desired to do evil, and has not repented in his days, behold, evil shall be done unto him, according to the restoration of God.” He yearned to have his son repent like he had done so he could obtain mercy from Jesus Christ: “And now, my son, I desire that ye should let these things trouble you no more, and only let your sins trouble you, with that trouble which shall bring you down unto repentance. (Alma 42:4, 13, 22, 28-29). Corianton did repent like his father, and he and Alma continued preaching repentance throughout the rest of their days. Their example is still pertinent today and shows the paramount importance of living and teaching repentance as we serve the Lord.