Alma 37

Jesus Christ their Redeemer

Redeemer — one who buys back and frees from bondage

Yea, I say unto you, were it not for these things that these records do contain, which are on these plates, Ammon and his brethren could not have convinced so many thousands of the Lamanites of the incorrect tradition of their fathers; yea, these records and their words brought them unto repentance; that is, they brought them to the knowledge of the Lord their God, and to rejoice in Jesus Christ their Redeemer. Alma 37:9

The records on the brass plates helped Ammon convert thousands of Lamanites, bringing them to know and rejoice in Jesus Christ, their Redeemer.

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

• the same event in Alma 26:35-37 — Ammon glories in God, who brought the Lamanites to knowledge and redemption.

Redeemer

Redeemer — one who pays the price to set captives free

And who knoweth but what they will be the means of bringing many thousands of them, yea, and also many thousands of our stiffnecked brethren, the Nephites, who are now hardening their hearts in sin and iniquities, to the knowledge of their Redeemer? Alma 37:10

Alma hopes the records will yet bring many more Lamanites and hard-hearted Nephites to know Christ their Redeemer.

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

The Lord Speaking

For behold, the Lord saw that his people began to work in darkness, yea, work secret murders and abominations; therefore the Lord said, if they did not repent they should be destroyed from off the face of the earth. Alma 37:22–25

Alma quotes the Lord's own words. The God of Israel who speaks to His prophets is Jehovah, the premortal Christ, who prepared the interpreters to bring hidden wickedness to light.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him

• the same event in Ether 3:23-24 — The premortal Lord gives the brother of Jared two stones to magnify to the eyes of men.
• the same event in Mosiah 8:17 — Ammon on the interpreters: by them secret things are made known.

Faith on the Lord Jesus Christ

Preach unto them repentance, and faith on the Lord Jesus Christ; teach them to humble themselves and to be meek and lowly in heart; teach them to withstand every temptation of the devil, with their faith on the Lord Jesus Christ. Alma 37:33

Alma tells Helaman to preach faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, which gives power to resist every temptation of the devil.

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

• the same event in Helaman 5:12 — Build upon the rock of our Redeemer so the devil's winds shall have no power over you.

Meek and Lowly in Heart

Teach them to never be weary of good works, but to be meek and lowly in heart; for such shall find rest to their souls. Alma 37:34

Alma's words match what Jesus later says of Himself: He is meek and lowly in heart, and those who come to Him find rest unto their souls.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him

• alluded to by Matthew 11:29 — Jesus: learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.
• alludes to Jeremiah 6:16 — Walk in the good way, and ye shall find rest for your souls.

Liahona

Liahona — being interpreted, a compass

And now, my son, I have somewhat to say concerning the thing which our fathers call a ball, or director—or our fathers called it Liahona, which is, being interpreted, a compass; and the Lord prepared it. Alma 37:38–42

The Lord prepared the Liahona to guide Lehi's family through the wilderness, but it worked only by their faith and diligence. Alma sets it up as a type he explains in the next verses.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him

• the same event in 1 Nephi 16:10 — Lehi finds the round ball of curious workmanship at his tent door.
• the same event in 1 Nephi 16:28-29 — The pointers worked according to the faith and diligence and heed given them.
• the same event in Mosiah 1:16 — King Benjamin passes the ball or director to Mosiah.

Liahona as a Type of the Words of Christ

And now, my son, I would that ye should understand that these things are not without a shadow; for as our fathers were slothful to give heed to this compass (now these things were temporal) they did not prosper; even so it is with things which are spiritual. Alma 37:43–45

Alma declares the Liahona a shadow and type: just as the compass led his fathers to the promised land, the words of Christ, if followed, will lead us to eternal life.

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 2 Nephi 32:3 — Feast upon the words of Christ; for behold, the words of Christ will tell you all things what ye should do.
• interprets 1 Nephi 16:28-29 — Alma explains the faith-driven compass of Nephi's account as a type of Christ's words.

Look and Live

O my son, do not let us be slothful because of the easiness of the way; for so was it with our fathers; for so was it prepared for them, that if they would look they might live; even so it is with us. The way is prepared, and if we will look we may live forever. Alma 37:46–47

'If they would look they might live' is the language of the brazen serpent Moses raised, a type of Christ lifted up. Alma applies it to us: the way is prepared, and if we look to Christ we may live forever.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him

• alludes to Numbers 21:8-9 — Whoever looked on the brass serpent lived.
• alludes to 1 Nephi 17:41 — Nephi: the labor they had to perform was to look; and because of the simpleness of the way, many perished.
• alludes to Alma 33:19-22 — Alma: the brazen serpent was a type, so cast about your eyes and believe in the Son of God.
• alludes to Helaman 8:14-15 — As the serpent was lifted up, so shall the Son of God be lifted up, and whoso looks upon Him shall live.
• alludes to John 3:14-15 — As Moses lifted up the serpent, so must the Son of man be lifted up.