Alma 38

Lord Jesus Christ

Jesus — Jehovah saves; Christ — the Anointed One

And it came to pass that I was three days and three nights in the most bitter pain and anguish of soul; and never, until I did cry out unto the Lord Jesus Christ for mercy, did I receive a remission of my sins. But behold, I did cry unto him and I did find peace to my soul. Alma 38:8

Alma testifies that after three days of anguish, he received forgiveness only when he cried to the Lord Jesus Christ for mercy, and then he found peace.

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

• the same event in Alma 36:18-20 — The fuller account of the same prayer: O Jesus, thou Son of God, have mercy on me.
• the same event in Mosiah 27:23-29 — The original account of Alma's conversion and redemption.

Christ, the Only Way

Christ — the Anointed One

And now, my son, I have told you this that ye may learn wisdom, that ye may learn of me that there is no other way or means whereby man can be saved, only in and through Christ. Behold, he is the life and the light of the world. Behold, he is the word of truth and righteousness. Alma 38:9

Alma teaches Shiblon a central truth: salvation comes only in and through Jesus Christ, with no other way.

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 Mosiah 3:17 — No other name nor way nor means whereby salvation can come, only in and through the name of Christ.
• the same event in 2 Nephi 31:21 — Nephi: this is the way, and there is none other way nor name given whereby man can be saved.
• the same event in Acts 4:12 — Peter: none other name under heaven given among men whereby we must be saved.

The Life and the Light of the World

And now, my son, I have told you this that ye may learn wisdom, that ye may learn of me that there is no other way or means whereby man can be saved, only in and through Christ. Behold, he is the life and the light of the world. Behold, he is the word of truth and righteousness. Alma 38:9

Christ is the source of spiritual life and the light that shows the whole world the way back to God.

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 title in John 8:12 — Jesus: I am the light of the world.
• the same title in Mosiah 16:9 — Abinadi: He is the light and the life of the world.
• the same title in 3 Nephi 11:11 — The risen Lord: I am the light and the life of the world.

The Word of Truth and Righteousness

The Word — Christ as the full expression of God's truth

And now, my son, I have told you this that ye may learn wisdom, that ye may learn of me that there is no other way or means whereby man can be saved, only in and through Christ. Behold, he is the life and the light of the world. Behold, he is the word of truth and righteousness. Alma 38:9

Alma calls Christ Himself the word of truth and righteousness, the living expression of all that God has to say to His children.

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

• the same title in John 1:1 — In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God.
• the same title in John 1:14 — The Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us.