Alma 9

Jehovah who led Lehi

Do ye not remember that our father, Lehi, was brought out of Jerusalem by the hand of God? Do ye not remember that they were all led by him through the wilderness? Alma 9:9–11

The God who led Lehi's family through the wilderness and delivered them again and again was Jehovah, the premortal Christ. Nephi called Him their Redeemer, going before them.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him

• interpreted by 1 Nephi 17:30 — The Lord their God, their Redeemer, going before them, leading them by day.

Jehovah's covenant promise

Behold, do ye not remember the words which he spake unto Lehi, saying that: Inasmuch as ye shall keep my commandments, ye shall prosper in the land? And again it is said that: Inasmuch as ye will not keep my commandments ye shall be cut off from the presence of the Lord. Alma 9:13–14

Alma quotes the Lord's covenant promise to Lehi. The God who made this covenant is Jehovah, and Alma shows His word has been proven true.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him

• quotes 1 Nephi 2:20 — Inasmuch as ye shall keep my commandments, ye shall prosper.
• quotes 2 Nephi 1:20 — Lehi repeats the promise and the warning of being cut off from his presence.

Calling on the name of the Lord

And at some period of time they will be brought to believe in his word, and to know of the incorrectness of the traditions of their fathers; and many of them will be saved, for the Lord will be merciful unto all who call on his name. Alma 9:17

The Lord promises mercy to all, even the Lamanites, who call on His name. Paul applies this same promise to calling on the name of Jesus.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him

• alludes to Joel 2:32 — Whosoever shall call on the name of the LORD shall be delivered.
• alludes to Romans 10:13 — Whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.

Son of God

And not many days hence the Son of God shall come in his glory; and his glory shall be the glory of the Only Begotten of the Father, full of grace, equity, and truth, full of patience, mercy, and long-suffering, quick to hear the cries of his people and to answer their prayers. Alma 9:26

Angels were sent to announce that the Son of God would soon come in His glory. This points to His birth and mortal ministry.

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 Alma 5:50 — The Son of God cometh in his glory.
• the same title in Alma 7:9 — The Son of God cometh upon the face of the earth.

Only Begotten of the Father

Only Begotten — the only Son of God the Father in the flesh

And not many days hence the Son of God shall come in his glory; and his glory shall be the glory of the Only Begotten of the Father, full of grace, equity, and truth, full of patience, mercy, and long-suffering, quick to hear the cries of his people and to answer their prayers. Alma 9:26

His glory is that of the Only Begotten Son of the Father. The angel describes His character: full of grace, fairness, truth, patience, and mercy, and quick to hear and answer His people's prayers.

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 John 1:14 — We beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.
• the same title in Alma 13:9 — The Only Begotten of the Father, full of grace, equity, and truth.
• the same title in Alma 5:48 — The Only Begotten of the Father, full of grace, and mercy, and truth.

Redeemer

Redeemer — one who buys back and frees

And behold, he cometh to redeem those who will be baptized unto repentance, through faith on his name. Alma 9:27

Christ comes to redeem those who repent, are baptized, and have faith on His name. That is the doctrine of Christ in one sentence.

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

• alludes to Alma 7:14 — Be baptized unto repentance... have faith on the Lamb of God.
• alludes to 2 Nephi 31:17 — Repentance and baptism by water, the gate by which ye should enter.

Jesus Christ, the Deliverer

Jesus — Jehovah saves; Christ — the Anointed One

Therefore, prepare ye the way of the Lord, for the time is at hand that all men shall reap a reward of their works, according to that which they have been—if they have been righteous they shall reap the salvation of their souls, according to the power and deliverance of Jesus Christ; and if they have been evil they shall reap the damnation of their souls, according to the power and captivation of the devil. Alma 9:28

Salvation comes by the power and deliverance of Jesus Christ. The angel sets His power to save against the devil's power to captivate.

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

• alludes to Alma 7:13 — According to the power of his deliverance.

The Lord whose way is prepared

Therefore, prepare ye the way of the Lord, for the time is at hand that all men shall reap a reward of their works, according to that which they have been—if they have been righteous they shall reap the salvation of their souls, according to the power and deliverance of Jesus Christ; and if they have been evil they shall reap the damnation of their souls, according to the power and captivation of the devil. Alma 9:28

The angel repeats Isaiah's call to prepare the way of the Lord. The Lord who is coming is Jesus Christ.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him

• alludes to Isaiah 40:3 — Prepare ye the way of the LORD.
• the same title in Alma 7:9 — Prepare the way of the Lord.