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" .. Ye ought to search the scriptures," Alma 33:1-2

Alma 33:1-2

I appreciate this chapter in the Book of Mormon. Alma is a master teacher and the way that he sets the stage in chapter 32 for what happens here in chapter 33 impresses me. This chapter is also fun (to me) because Alma pulls two prophetic references of which there is no record found anywhere else in our modern verse of the scriptures which so perfectly address their present circumstances. (This reminds me of missionaries I knew when I served many years ago who could do the same thing.)

The question is put to Alma at the beginning of this chapter of whether they should believe in one God or how the people should begin to exercise their faith. Alma then sets the stage in verse 2 to use the scriptures to support his teaching.

...Behold, ye have said that ye could not worship your God because ye are cast out of your synagogues. But behold, I say unto you, if ye suppose that ye cannot worship God, ye do greatly err, and ye ought to search the scriptures; if ye suppose that they have taught you this, ye do not understand them.
 This sentiment also closely echos the words of Christ himself when he said: "Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me." (John 5:39)

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