Alma 34

Christ

Christ — the Anointed One (Greek form of Messiah)

My brethren, I think that it is impossible that ye should be ignorant of the things which have been spoken concerning the coming of Christ, who is taught by us to be the Son of God; yea, I know that these things were taught unto you bountifully before your dissension from among us. Alma 34:2

Amulek names Christ and testifies He is the Son of God, whose coming had been taught to the Zoramites before they dissented.

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

• the same title in Alma 33:22 — Alma had just urged them to believe in the Son of God who would come to redeem His people.

Son of God

Yea, even that ye would have so much faith as even to plant the word in your hearts, that ye may try the experiment of its goodness. Alma 34:4–6

Amulek identifies the 'word' of Alma's seed sermon: the seed to plant is belief in Christ, the Son of God. Salvation is found in Him.

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

• interpreted by Alma 32:28 — Alma's seed-and-word comparison is here explained as the word being in Christ.
• the same title in Alma 33:22-23 — Alma's own explanation: plant this word, that the Son of God will come to redeem His people.

Son of God

My brother has called upon the words of Zenos, that redemption cometh through the Son of God, and also upon the words of Zenock; and also he has appealed unto Moses, to prove that these things are true. Alma 34:7

Amulek summarizes three ancient witnesses Alma quoted, Zenos, Zenock, and Moses, all testifying that redemption comes through the Son of God.

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

• quotes Alma 33:3-11 — Zenos' prayer, which ends with mercy granted because of the Son.
• quotes Alma 33:15-17 — Zenock's testimony of the Son of God, for which he was stoned.
• quotes Alma 33:19-20 — Moses and the brazen serpent as a type of the Son of God.

Atonement

And now, behold, I will testify unto you of myself that these things are true. Behold, I say unto you, that I do know that Christ shall come among the children of men, to take upon him the transgressions of his people, and that he shall atone for the sins of the world; for the Lord God hath spoken it. Alma 34:8

Amulek bears his own testimony that Christ will come to earth, take His people's transgressions upon Himself, and atone for the sins of the whole world.

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

• the same event in Alma 7:13 — Alma prophesies that the Son of God will take upon Him the sins of His people.
• the same event in Mosiah 3:7-11 — King Benjamin's angel on Christ's suffering and blood atoning for the sins of the world.

Atonement

For it is expedient that an atonement should be made; for according to the great plan of the Eternal God there must be an atonement made, or else all mankind must unavoidably perish; yea, all are hardened; yea, all are fallen and are lost, and must perish except it be through the atonement which it is expedient should be made. Alma 34:9–12

Amulek teaches why only Christ could save: no human or animal sacrifice can pay for another's sins, so the Atonement had to be infinite and eternal, which only the Son of God could make.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him

• the same event in 2 Nephi 9:7 — Jacob: it must needs be an infinite atonement.
• interpreted by Alma 34:14 — The infinite and eternal sacrifice is named as the Son of God.

Law of Moses as a Type of the Great and Last Sacrifice

Therefore, it is expedient that there should be a great and last sacrifice, and then shall there be, or it is expedient there should be, a stop to the shedding of blood; then shall the law of Moses be fulfilled; yea, it shall be all fulfilled, every jot and tittle, and none shall have passed away. Alma 34:13–14

This is a key to the whole Old Testament law: every sacrifice and ordinance of the law of Moses pointed to Jesus Christ, the great and last sacrifice. When He came, the shedding of blood would stop because the law was fulfilled in Him.

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

• the same event in Jacob 4:5 — Keeping the law of Moses pointed souls to Christ; Abraham's offering of Isaac was a similitude of God and His Only Begotten.
• the same event in Mosiah 13:31 — Abinadi: the law of Moses was types of things to come.
• fulfilled by 3 Nephi 9:19-20 — The risen Lord ends blood sacrifices and asks instead for a broken heart and a contrite spirit.
• fulfilled by 3 Nephi 15:4-5 — The Savior declares the law given unto Moses is fulfilled in Him.
• the same event in Matthew 5:17-18 — Jesus came not to destroy but to fulfil the law, with not one jot or tittle passing until all is fulfilled.

Mercy Satisfies Justice

And thus he shall bring salvation to all those who shall believe on his name; this being the intent of this last sacrifice, to bring about the bowels of mercy, which overpowereth justice, and bringeth about means unto men that they may have faith unto repentance. Alma 34:15–16

Through His sacrifice Christ brings salvation to those who believe on His name. His Atonement lets mercy satisfy justice for everyone who has faith unto repentance.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him

• the same event in Alma 42:15 — Alma teaches Corianton that God Himself atones so that mercy may satisfy the demands of justice.
• the same event in Mosiah 15:9 — Abinadi: the Son stands between men and justice, satisfying its demands.

Mighty to Save

Therefore may God grant unto you, my brethren, that ye may begin to exercise your faith unto repentance, that ye begin to call upon his holy name, that he would have mercy upon you; Alma 34:17–18

Right after teaching that salvation comes to those who believe on Christ's name, Amulek urges the people to call on His holy name for mercy. 'Mighty to save' is language the scriptures use for the Redeemer.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him

• alludes to Isaiah 63:1 — The one coming from Edom in red apparel says, I that speak in righteousness, mighty to save.
• the same title in 2 Nephi 31:19 — Nephi: relying wholly upon the merits of him who is mighty to save.

The Lamb

And this I know, because the Lord hath said he dwelleth not in unholy temples, but in the hearts of the righteous doth he dwell; yea, and he has also said that the righteous shall sit down in his kingdom, to go no more out; but their garments should be made white through the blood of the Lamb. Alma 34:36

Christ is called the Lamb, the sacrifice whose blood makes the garments of the righteous clean and white so they can dwell forever in God's kingdom.

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

• the same title in Alma 5:21 — No man can be saved unless his garments are washed white through the blood of Christ.
• the same title in Alma 13:11 — High priests whose garments were washed white through the blood of the Lamb.
• the same title in Revelation 7:14 — Those who washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.
• the same event in Alma 7:21 — Alma: God does not dwell in unholy temples.

Christ

Christ — the Anointed One

And now, my beloved brethren, I desire that ye should remember these things, and that ye should work out your salvation with fear before God, and that ye should no more deny the coming of Christ; Alma 34:37

Amulek pleads with the Zoramites, who had denied that Christ would come, to stop denying His coming.

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

• the same event in Alma 31:16 — The Zoramite prayer on the Rameumptom denied that there would be a Christ.

Take Upon You the Name of Christ

That ye contend no more against the Holy Ghost, but that ye receive it, and take upon you the name of Christ; that ye humble yourselves even to the dust, and worship God, in whatsoever place ye may be in, in spirit and in truth; and that ye live in thanksgiving daily, for the many mercies and blessings which he doth bestow upon you. Alma 34:38

Amulek invites the people to receive the Holy Ghost and take Christ's name upon them, becoming His covenant people.

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

• the same event in Mosiah 5:8 — King Benjamin's people take upon them the name of Christ by covenant.
• the same event in 2 Nephi 31:13 — Nephi: witnessing that ye are willing to take upon you the name of Christ, by baptism.
• the same event in Moroni 4:3 — The sacrament prayer: willing to take upon them the name of thy Son.