Alma 16

His coming

And there was no inequality among them; the Lord did pour out his Spirit on all the face of the land to prepare the minds of the children of men, or to prepare their hearts to receive the word which should be taught among them at the time of his coming— Alma 16:16

The Spirit is poured out to prepare people for the day Christ comes. 'His coming' means the Savior's mortal ministry and His visit to the Nephites.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him

• alludes to Alma 13:24 — Angels declare glad tidings to prepare the hearts of men to receive His word at the time of His coming in His glory.

True Vine

True Vine — the living source every branch must be joined to

That they might not be hardened against the word, that they might not be unbelieving, and go on to destruction, but that they might receive the word with joy, and as a branch be grafted into the true vine, that they might enter into the rest of the Lord their God. Alma 16:17

Converts are like branches grafted into the true vine, a title Jesus gave Himself. Being joined to Christ is how they enter the Lord's rest.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him

• the same title in John 15:1-5 — 'I am the true vine ... ye are the branches.'
• the same title in 1 Nephi 15:15-16 — Nephi: the house of Israel will be grafted in and know the true vine.
• alludes to Jacob 5:3 — Zenos' allegory of the olive tree, whose branches are grafted in.

Son of God

Holding forth things which must shortly come; yea, holding forth the coming of the Son of God, his sufferings and death, and also the resurrection of the dead. Alma 16:19

The priests prophesy the coming of the Son of God, His sufferings and death, and the resurrection He makes possible. This is the heart of the gospel, taught nearly a century before His birth.

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

• alludes to Mosiah 3:5-10 — King Benjamin's angel prophesies Christ's coming, suffering, crucifixion and rising on the third day.
• alludes to Alma 7:10-12 — Alma prophesies the Son of God's birth and His sufferings.

Appearance to the Nephites

And many of the people did inquire concerning the place where the Son of God should come; and they were taught that he would appear unto them after his resurrection; and this the people did hear with great joy and gladness. Alma 16:20

The Nephites learn that the Son of God will appear to them after He is resurrected. It came true when Jesus descended at the temple in Bountiful.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him

• fulfilled by 3 Nephi 11:8-11 — The resurrected Christ descends and declares, 'I am Jesus Christ.'
• alludes to 2 Nephi 26:1 — Nephi: after Christ has risen from the dead He will show Himself unto you.