A Study of the Book of Mormon

Alma 5:26-42 I am surprised as I read in this particular part of the chapter to notice how much Alma's words sounded like those of the Savior himself. I don't know why it should have surprised me, given the clarification found in Doctrine and Covenants 1:38 , "Whether by my own voice or the by the voice of my servants, it is the same ," (emphasis added). However, it is striking how much Alma's words sound like the Savior's own words, using phrases such as: "Behold ye must prepare quickly; for the kingdom of heaven is soon at hand, and such an one hath not eternal life." ( vs. 28 ) Compare with Matthew 4:17 - "From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand." "Come unto me and ye shall partake of the fruit of the tree of life; yea, ye shall eat and drink of the bread and the waters of life freely;" ( vs. 34 ) Compare to John 6:58 - "This is that bread which came down from heave...

Alma 5:20-25 In a more serious tone, Alma reminds his brethren of the need to be saved and the requirements of salvation. These verses pick up with the topic of purity and its necessity to enter into God's kingdom: ...For there can no man be saved except his garments are washed white ; yea, his garments must be purified until they are cleansed from all stain, through the blood of him of whom it has been spoken by our fathers, who should come to redeem his people from their sins. ( vs. 21 , emphasis added) Alma in verse 22 poses a question that causes me to consider my own personal worthiness. "How will any of you feel, if ye shall stand before the bar of God, having your garments stained with blood and all manner of filthiness?"   Alma then goes on to accuse them of having blood stained garments, calling them murderers and being guilty of all manner of wickedness. On the one hand, this seems like an extreme accusation.  Where these people of Zarahemla actually guilty ...