Alma 33

Son of God

Son of God — the literal Son of God the Father

And thou didst hear me because of mine afflictions and my sincerity; and it is because of thy Son that thou hast been thus merciful unto me, therefore I will cry unto thee in all mine afflictions, for in thee is my joy; for thou hast turned thy judgments away from me, because of thy Son. Alma 33:11

The lost prophet Zenos prayed that the Father heard him and turned away judgment because of His Son. Mercy reaches us through Christ's Atonement.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him · a footnote points to Him

• quoted by Alma 33:13 — Alma repeats Zenos's words.
• alluded to by Alma 34:7 — Amulek: Alma called upon the words of Zenos, that redemption cometh through the Son of God.

Son of God

Son of God — the literal Son of God the Father

Behold, if ye do, ye must believe what Zenos said; for, behold he said: Thou hast turned away thy judgments because of thy Son. Alma 33:13–14

Alma argues that anyone who truly reads the scriptures cannot disbelieve in the Son of God, because the prophets testify of Him.

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

• quotes Alma 33:11 — Quotes Zenos.
• alludes to John 5:39 — Search the scriptures ... they are they which testify of me.

Son of God

Son of God — the literal Son of God the Father

For it is not written that Zenos alone spake of these things, but Zenock also spake of these things— Alma 33:15–18

Zenock, a second witness, also taught that God's mercies come because of His Son, and he was stoned for it. Alma adds that many prophets have testified of the Son of God.

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

• alluded to by Alma 34:7 — Amulek recalls that Zenock also spoke of the Son of God.
• alludes to Jacob 4:4 — Jacob: all the holy prophets which were before us knew of Christ.

Spoken of by Moses

Behold, he was spoken of by Moses; yea, and behold a type was raised up in the wilderness, that whosoever would look upon it might live. And many did look and live. Alma 33:19

'He' is the Son of God from the verse before; Alma says Moses too prophesied of Him, most famously as a prophet like unto Moses whom the people must hear.

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

• alludes to Deuteronomy 18:15 — Moses: the Lord will raise up a Prophet like unto me; unto him ye shall hearken.
• alludes to John 5:46 — Jesus: Moses wrote of me.

Brazen Serpent

Behold, he was spoken of by Moses; yea, and behold a type was raised up in the wilderness, that whosoever would look upon it might live. And many did look and live. Alma 33:19–21

Alma explicitly calls the brazen serpent Moses raised a type of the Son of God: those who looked lived, and those who would not believe a look could heal them perished. Looking to Christ in faith is that simple, and that easy to refuse.

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

• interprets Numbers 21:8-9 — The original event: whoever looked on the serpent of brass lived.
• the same event in John 3:14-15 — Jesus: as Moses lifted up the serpent, so must the Son of man be lifted up.
• the same event in Helaman 8:14-15 — Nephi: as many as look upon the Son of God with faith shall live.
• the same event in 1 Nephi 17:41 — Many perished because of the simpleness of the way: they had only to look.

Atonement of the Son of God

Son of God — the literal Son of God the Father

If so, wo shall come upon you; but if not so, then cast about your eyes and begin to believe in the Son of God, that he will come to redeem his people, and that he shall suffer and die to atone for their sins; and that he shall rise again from the dead, which shall bring to pass the resurrection, that all men shall stand before him, to be judged at the last and judgment day, according to their works. Alma 33:22

Alma applies the serpent: cast your eyes on the Son of God and believe He will come, redeem His people, and suffer and die to atone for their sins. This is the seed he told them to plant.

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

• interprets Alma 32:28 — This belief is the word compared to a seed.
• alluded to by Alma 34:8 — Amulek continues: Christ shall come and atone for the sins of the world.
• fulfilled by Luke 22:44 — In Gethsemane, being in agony, His sweat was as great drops of blood.

Resurrection

If so, wo shall come upon you; but if not so, then cast about your eyes and begin to believe in the Son of God, that he will come to redeem his people, and that he shall suffer and die to atone for their sins; and that he shall rise again from the dead, which shall bring to pass the resurrection, that all men shall stand before him, to be judged at the last and judgment day, according to their works. Alma 33:22

Alma prophesies that the Son will rise from the dead and that His rising brings about the resurrection of all people.

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

• fulfilled by Luke 24:6 — He is not here, but is risen.
• alludes to Alma 11:42 — Amulek: Christ shall loose the bands of temporal death, that all shall be raised.

Christ the Judge

If so, wo shall come upon you; but if not so, then cast about your eyes and begin to believe in the Son of God, that he will come to redeem his people, and that he shall suffer and die to atone for their sins; and that he shall rise again from the dead, which shall bring to pass the resurrection, that all men shall stand before him, to be judged at the last and judgment day, according to their works. Alma 33:22

All people will stand before the Son of God to be judged by their works. The Redeemer who atones is also the Judge.

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

• alludes to John 5:22 — The Father hath committed all judgment unto the Son.
• alludes to Alma 11:44 — All shall be arraigned before the bar of Christ the Son to be judged according to their works.

Joy of His Son

Son of God — the literal Son of God the Father

And now, my brethren, I desire that ye shall plant this word in your hearts, and as it beginneth to swell even so nourish it by your faith. And behold, it will become a tree, springing up in you unto everlasting life. And then may God grant unto you that your burdens may be light, through the joy of his Son. And even all this can ye do if ye will. Amen. Alma 33:23

Alma blesses the outcast poor that their burdens will be light through the joy of God's Son. Christ lightens what we carry.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him

• alludes to Matthew 11:28-30 — Come unto me ... my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.
• alludes to Alma 31:38 — Afflictions swallowed up in the joy of Christ.

The seed and tree: belief in the Son

And now, my brethren, I desire that ye shall plant this word in your hearts, and as it beginneth to swell even so nourish it by your faith. And behold, it will become a tree, springing up in you unto everlasting life. And then may God grant unto you that your burdens may be light, through the joy of his Son. And even all this can ye do if ye will. Amen. Alma 33:23

'This word' is the testimony of the Son of God from verse 22. Alma makes clear that the seed of Alma 32 is faith in Christ and His Atonement, and that it grows into the tree of everlasting life.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him

• interprets Alma 32:28 — Identifies the seed compared to the word.
• interprets Alma 32:41 — Same tree springing up unto everlasting life.
• alludes to 1 Nephi 11:21-22 — Nephi's tree of life shown with the Lamb of God, the love of God.