Enter search or scripture reference (ie alma 30:24)
29
29
Alma 29
1 O that I were an angel, and could have the wish of mine heart, that I might go forth and speak with the trump of God, with a voice to shake the earth, and cry repentance unto every people!
1
2 Yea, I would declare unto every soul, as with the voice of thunder, repentance and the plan of redemption, that they should repent and come unto our God, that there might not be more sorrow upon all the face of the earth.
2
3 But behold, I am a man, and do sin in my wish; for I ought to be content with the things which the Lord hath allotted unto me.
3
4 I ought not to harrow up in my desires, the firm decree of a just God, for I know that he granteth unto men according to their desire, whether it be unto death or unto life; yea, I know that he allotteth unto men, yea, decreeth unto them decrees which are unalterable, according to their wills, whether they be unto salvation or unto destruction.
4
1
This sentence makes no sense.
What does it mean to "harrow up" a firm decree "in my desires?" It makes sense if Alma is frightened by ("harrow up") the commandments of God. However, he can't be frightened by these decrees in his desires.\
If Alma knows that God "granteth unto men according to their desire," what is he trying to "harrow up?"
Taken in a larger context — is Alma worried that God will give him what he wants in life, or is he worried that he won't live up to God's commandments, or is he worried about asking for too much, or what?
This verse is strong evidence that Joseph Smith was making up sentences as he went. The beginning of this sentence has nothing to do with the ending, and the whole thing is an absolute mess.
5 Yea, and I know that good and evil have come before all men; he that knoweth not good from evil is blameless; but he that knoweth good and evil, to him it is given according to his desires, whether he desireth good or evil, life or death, joy or remorse of conscience.
5
6 Now, seeing that I know these things, why should I desire more than to perform the work to which I have been called?
6
7 Why should I desire that I were an angel, that I could speak unto all the ends of the earth?
7
8 For behold, the Lord doth grant unto all nations, of their own nation and tongue, to teach his word, yea, in wisdom, all that he seeth fit that they should have; therefore we see that the Lord doth counsel in wisdom, according to that which is just and true.
8
9 I know that which the Lord hath commanded me, and I glory in it. I do not glory of myself, but I glory in that which the Lord hath commanded me; yea, and this is my glory, that perhaps I may be an instrument in the hands of God to bring some soul to repentance; and this is my joy.
9
1
This verse contains a phrase that strongly resembles part of a KJV New Testament verse. Compare verse 9 with "I do not glory of myself, but..." to 2 Corinthians 12:5 with "yet of myself I will not glory, but...".
10 And behold, when I see many of my brethren truly penitent, and coming to the Lord their God, then is my soul filled with joy; then do I remember what the Lord has done for me, yea, even that he hath heard my prayer; yea, then do I remember his merciful arm which he extended towards me.
10
11 Yea, and I also remember the captivity of my fathers; for I surely do know that the Lord did deliver them out of bondage, and by this did establish his church; yea, the Lord God, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, did deliver them out of bondage.
11
12 Yea, I have always remembered the captivity of my fathers; and that same God who delivered them out of the hands of the Egyptians did deliver them out of bondage.
12
1
“Mainstream history and archaeology now consider the Exodus an entirely mythic and fictional narrative put together between the 8th and 5th centuries BCE” (Evidence for the Exodus).
13 Yea, and that same God did establish his church among them; yea, and that same God hath called me by a holy calling, to preach the word unto this people, and hath given me much success, in the which my joy is full.
13
1
This verse contains a strong parallel to a KJV New Testament verse. Compare verse 13 with "called me by a holy calling" to 2 Timothy 1:9 "called us with an holy calling". Note that the phrase "holy calling" is unique within the KJV bible.
14 But I do not joy in my own success alone, but my joy is more full because of the success of my brethren, who have been up to the land of Nephi.
14
1
Verses 14-15 contain several parallels to KJV New Testament verses. Compare verse 14 with "my joy is more full" to John 15:11 with "your joy might be full".
Also compare verse 15 with "have brought forth much fruit" and "how great shall be their reward" to John 15:5 with "bringeth forth much fruit" and to Matthew 5:12 with "for great is your reward in heaven".
This demonstrates how two consecutive Book of Mormon verses draw upon two KJV from the same chapter.
15 Behold, they have labored exceedingly, and have brought forth much fruit; and how great shall be their reward!
15
1
Verses 14-15 contain several parallels to KJV New Testament verses. Compare verse 14 with "my joy is more full" to John 15:11 with "your joy might be full".
Also compare verse 15 with "have brought forth much fruit" and "how great shall be their reward" to John 15:5 with "bringeth forth much fruit" and to Matthew 5:12 with "for great is your reward in heaven".
This demonstrates how two consecutive Book of Mormon verses draw upon two KJV from the same chapter.
16 Now, when I think of the success of these my brethren my soul is carried away, even to the separation of it from the body, as it were, so great is my joy.
16
17 And now may God grant unto these, my brethren, that they may sit down in the kingdom of God; yea, and also all those who are the fruit of their labors that they may go no more out, but that they may praise him forever. And may God grant that it may be done according to my words, even as I have spoken. Amen.
