Alma 13

The order of His Son

And again, my brethren, I would cite your minds forward to the time when the Lord God gave these commandments unto his children; and I would that ye should remember that the Lord God ordained priests, after his holy order, which was after the order of his Son, to teach these things unto the people. Alma 13:1–2

The priesthood is named after the Son, and the way priests were ordained was meant to point people toward Him. The priesthood itself was a lesson about looking forward to Christ for redemption.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him

• the same title in D&C 107:3 — The Holy Priesthood, after the Order of the Son of God.
• alludes to Hebrews 5:6 — Christ is a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec.

Only Begotten Son

Only Begotten — the only child of God the Father in the flesh

Or in fine, in the first place they were on the same standing with their brethren; thus this holy calling being prepared from the foundation of the world for such as would not harden their hearts, being in and through the atonement of the Only Begotten Son, who was prepared— Alma 13:5

The calling of these priests was prepared before the world through the Atonement of the Only Begotten Son. Christ Himself was prepared from the foundation of the world to be our Redeemer.

How we know: the verse itself names Him · the chapter heading names Him · a Church study aid lists it

• the same title in Ether 3:14 — Christ: 'I am he who was prepared from the foundation of the world to redeem my people.'
• the same event in 1 Peter 1:20 — Christ was foreordained before the foundation of the world.
• the same title in Alma 12:33 — Mercy through the Only Begotten Son.

The Only Begotten of the Father

Only Begotten of the Father — the Son uniquely begotten by God the Father

This high priesthood being after the order of his Son, which order was from the foundation of the world; or in other words, being without beginning of days or end of years, being prepared from eternity to all eternity, according to his foreknowledge of all things— Alma 13:7–9

Alma describes the Son as eternal, without beginning or end, and full of grace, equity, and truth. The priesthood is eternal because it is His.

How we know: the verse itself names Him · the chapter heading names Him

• alludes to John 1:14 — The only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.
• alludes to Hebrews 7:3 — Melchizedek, without beginning of days nor end of life, made like unto the Son of God.
• the same title in D&C 93:11 — The Only Begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.

The Lamb

Lamb — the sacrificial Lamb of God whose blood cleanses from sin

Therefore they were called after this holy order, and were sanctified, and their garments were washed white through the blood of the Lamb. Alma 13:11

These high priests were made clean through the blood of the Lamb, meaning Christ's Atonement. Like the Passover lamb, His sacrifice washes away sin.

How we know: the verse itself names Him · the chapter heading names Him · a Church study aid lists it

• alludes to Revelation 7:14 — They washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.
• the same title in 1 Nephi 12:10 — The twelve disciples' garments are made white in the blood of the Lamb.
• the same title in Alma 5:27 — Alma asks if our garments are made white through the blood of Christ.

Melchizedek

Melchizedek — king of righteousness

Yea, humble yourselves even as the people in the days of Melchizedek, who was also a high priest after this same order which I have spoken, who also took upon him the high priesthood forever. Alma 13:14–15

Melchizedek, the high priest to whom Abraham paid tithes, is a type of Christ, the great High Priest forever. Scripture ties Christ's priesthood to Melchizedek's order.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him

• a type of what is in Genesis 14:18-20 — Melchizedek, priest of the most high God, blesses Abraham and receives tithes.
• a type of what is in Psalm 110:4 — The Messiah is a priest for ever after the order of Melchizedek.
• a type of what is in Hebrews 7:1-3 — Paul explains Melchizedek as made like unto the Son of God.

Son of God

Son of God — the divine Son of the Father

Now these ordinances were given after this manner, that thereby the people might look forward on the Son of God, it being a type of his order, or it being his order, and this that they might look forward to him for a remission of their sins, that they might enter into the rest of the Lord. Alma 13:16

Alma says outright that the priesthood ordinances are 'a type' of the Son of God's order. They were given so people would look forward to Christ for forgiveness of their sins.

How we know: the verse itself names Him · the chapter heading names Him · a footnote points to Him · a Church study aid lists it

• a type of what is in Hebrews 5:10 — Christ is called of God an high priest after the order of Melchisedec.

Melchizedek, Prince of Peace and King of Salem

Salem — peace; Prince of Peace — a title of the Messiah

Now this Melchizedek was a king over the land of Salem; and his people had waxed strong in iniquity and abomination; yea, they had all gone astray; they were full of all manner of wickedness; Alma 13:17–19

Melchizedek called a wicked people to repentance, brought peace, was called the prince of peace, and reigned under his father. Each detail points to Jesus, the Prince of Peace who reigns under His Father.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him

• a type of what is in Isaiah 9:6 — The Messiah's name shall be called The Prince of Peace.
• a type of what is in Hebrews 7:2 — King of Salem, which is, King of peace, a type of Christ.
• a type of what is in Genesis 14:18 — Melchizedek king of Salem.

Glad tidings of His coming

And now it came to pass that when Alma had said these words unto them, he stretched forth his hand unto them and cried with a mighty voice, saying: Now is the time to repent, for the day of salvation draweth nigh; Alma 13:21–23

The day of salvation is near, and angels are sent with the Lord's message of glad tidings of great joy. That phrase is the angels' announcement of the Savior's birth.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him

• fulfilled by Luke 2:10 — The angel to the shepherds: good tidings of great joy.
• alludes to Mosiah 3:3 — An angel brings King Benjamin glad tidings of great joy about Christ's coming.

His coming announced by angels

For behold, angels are declaring it unto many at this time in our land; and this is for the purpose of preparing the hearts of the children of men to receive his word at the time of his coming in his glory. Alma 13:24–26

Alma longs to hear angels announce Christ's coming and wishes it could be in his own day. He prophesies that angels will tell just and holy men when He comes, fulfilling what earlier prophets said.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him · a Church study aid lists it

• fulfilled by Helaman 16:14 — Angels appear to wise men and declare glad tidings of great joy before Christ's birth.
• fulfilled by Luke 2:8-14 — Angels announce the birth of the Savior to shepherds.

Faith on the Lord

But that ye would humble yourselves before the Lord, and call on his holy name, and watch and pray continually, that ye may not be tempted above that which ye can bear, and thus be led by the Holy Spirit, becoming humble, meek, submissive, patient, full of love and all long-suffering; Alma 13:28–29

Alma invites the people to call on the Lord's holy name, have faith on Him, and hope to be lifted up at the last day. In the Book of Mormon, the One who lifts us up at the last day is Christ.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him

• alludes to 3 Nephi 27:14-15 — Christ was lifted up on the cross so that men might be lifted up to stand before Him.
• alludes to Ether 4:19 — Whoever is faithful to Christ's name at the last day shall be lifted up to dwell in the kingdom.