0The Book of Alma the Son of Alma The account of Alma, who was the son of Alma, the first and chief judge over the people of Nephi, and also the high priest over the Church. An account of the reign of the judges, and the wars and contentions among the people. And also an account of a war between the Nephites and the Lamanites, according to the record of Alma, the first and chief judge.
0The account of Alma who was the Son of Alma the First and Chief Judge over the people of Nephi & also the high Priest over the Church. an account of the Reign of the Judges and the wars & contentions among the people, And also an account of a war between the Nep hites & the Lamanites According to the Record of Alma the first and Chief Judge—— Now It came to pass that in the first Year of
1the Reign of the Judges over the people of Nephi from this time forward, King Mosiah having gone the way of all the Earth haveing warred a good war fare walking uprightly before God, leaveing no one to Reign in his stead nev ertheless he established Laws & they were acknowledged before the people therefore they were obleiged to abide by the Laws which he had made.
1Now it came to pass that in the first year of the reign of the judges over the people of Nephi, from this time forward, king Mosiah having gone the way of all the earth, having warred a good warfare, walking uprightly before God, leaving none to reign in his stead; nevertheless he had established laws, and they were acknowledged by the people; therefore they were obliged to abide by the laws which he had made.
2And It came to pass that in the first Year of the Reign of Alma in the Judgment seat, there was a man brought before him to be Judged a man which was large & was noted for his much strength
2And it came to pass that in the first year of the reign of Alma in the judgment- seat, there was a man brought before him to be judged, a man who was large, and was noted for his much strength.
3& he had gone about among the people Preaching to them that which he termed to be the word of God, bearing down against the Church declareing unto the people that every Priest & teacher had aught to become popular & they aught not to labar with their own hands but that they had aught to be supported by the people
3And he had gone about among the people, preaching to them that which he termed to be the word of God, bearing down against the church; declaring unto the people that every priest and teacher ought to become popular; and they ought not to labor with their hands, but that they ought to be supported by the people.
4And he also testified unto the people that all mankind should be sa ved at the last day & that they need not fear nor tremble but that they might lift up their heads & rejoice for the Lord had created all men & had also redeemed all men & in the end all men should have Eter nal Life,
4And he also testified unto the people that all mankind should be saved at the last day, and that they need not fear nor tremble, but that they might lift up their heads and rejoice; for the Lord had created all men, and had also redeemed all men; and, in the end, all men should have eternal life.
5And it came to pass that he did teach these things so much that many did believe on his words even so many that they began to su pport him & give him Money
5And it came to pass that he did teach these things so much that many did believe on his words, even so many that they began to support him and give him money.
6& he began to be lifted up in the pride of of his heart & to wear very Costly Apparel Yea & even began to establish a Church after the manner of his Preaching.
6And he began to be lifted up in the pride of his heart, and to wear very costly apparel, yea, and even began to establish a church after the manner of his preaching.
7And it came to pass as he was going to preach to those who believeed on his word he met a man which belonged to the Church of God, Yea even one of their teachers & he began to contend with him sharply that he might lead away the people of the Ch urch, but the man withstood him, admonishing him with the words of God.
7And it came to pass as he was going, to preach to those who believed on his word, he met a man who belonged to the church of God, yea, even one of their teachers; and he began to contend with him sharply, that he might lead away the people of the church; but the man withstood him, admonishing him with the words of God.
8Now the name of the man was Gideon & it was him that was an instrument in the hands of God in delivering the people of Limhi out of bondage
8Now the name of the man was Gideon; and it was he who was an instrument in the hands of God in delivering the people of Limhi out of bondage.
9now because Gideon withstood him with the words of God, he was wroth with Gi deon & drew his sword & began to smite him, now Gideon being stric ken with many Years therefore he was not Able to withstand his blows therefore he was Slain by the sword
9Now, because Gideon withstood him with the words of God he was wroth with Gideon, and drew his sword and began to smite him. Now Gideon being stricken with many years, therefore he was not able to withstand his blows, therefore he was slain by the sword.
10& the man who slew him was taken by the people of the Church & was brought before Alma to be Judged according to the crime which he had committed,
10And the man who slew him was taken by the people of the church, and was brought before Alma, to be judged according to the crimes which he had committed.
11& it came to pass that he stood before Alma & pled for himself with much boldness,
11And it came to pass that he stood before Alma and pled for himself with much boldness.
12but Alma said unto him behold this is the first time that Priestcraft has been Introduced among this people & behold thou art not only guilty of Priestcraft but Endeavered to enforce it by the sword & were priestcraft to be enforced among this people it would prove their entire destruction,
12But Alma said unto him: Behold, this is the first time that priestcraft has been introduced among this people. And behold, thou art not only guilty of priestcraft, but hast endeavored to enforce it by the sword; and were priestcraft to be enforced among this people it would prove their entire destruction.
13and thou hast shed the blood of a Righteous man Yea a man which has done much good among this people & were we to spare thee his blood wou ld come upon us for Vengonce,
13And thou hast shed the blood of a righteous man, yea, a man who has done much good among this people; and were we to spare thee his blood would come upon us for vengeance.
14therefore thou art condemned to die acc ording to the Law which has been given us by Mosiah our last King & they have been acknowledged by this people therefore this people must abide by the Law,
14Therefore thou art condemned to die, according to the law which has been given us by Mosiah, our last king; and it has been acknowledged by this people; therefore this people must abide by the law.
15And it came to pass that they took him; and his name was Nehor; and they carried him upon the top of the hill Manti, and there he was caused, or rather did acknowledge, between the heavens and the earth, that what he had taught to the people was contrary to the word of God; and there he suffered an ignominious death.
15& it came to pass that they took him, & his name was Nehor & they car ried him upon the top of the hill Manti & there he was caused or rather did Acknowledge between the Heavens & the Earth that what he had taught to the people was contrary to the word of God & there he suffered an ignominious Death, Never
16theless this did not put an end to the spreading of Priestcraft through the land for there was many wh◊ ch loved the vain things of the world & they went forth preaching false Doctrines & this they did for the sake of riches & honor
16Nevertheless, this did not put an end to the spreading of priestcraft through the land; for there were many who loved the vain things of the world, and they went forth preaching false doctrines; and this they did for the sake of riches and honor.
17Nevertheless they durst not lie if it were known for fear of the Law, for Lyars were punished, therefore they pretended to preach according to their belief & now the Law could have no power on any man for their beli ef
17Nevertheless, they durst not lie, if it were known, for fear of the law, for liars were punished; therefore they pretended to preach according to their belief; and now the law could have no power on any man for his belief.
18& they durst not steal for fear of the Law for such were punished neither durst they Rob nor murder for he that Murdereth was punished unto death,
18And they durst not steal, for fear of the law, for such were punished; neither durst they rob, nor murder, for he that murdered was punished unto death.
19But it came to pass that whosoever did not belong to the Church of God began to persecute those that did belong to the chu rch of God & had taken upon them the name of Christ
19But it came to pass that whosoever did not belong to the church of God began to persecute those that did belong to the church of God, and had taken upon them the name of Christ.
20yea they did per secute them & afflict them with all manner of words & this because of their humility because they were not proud in their own eyes & because they did impart the word of God one with another without Money & without price.
20Yea, they did persecute them, and afflict them with all manner of words, and this because of their humility; because they were not proud in their own eyes, and because they did impart the word of God, one with another, without money and without price.
21Now there was a strict law among the people of the church, that there should not any man, belonging to the church, arise and persecute those that did not belong to the church, and that there should be no persecution among themselves.
21Now there was a strict Law among the people of the church that there should not any man belonging to the Church arise & persecute those that did not belong to the Church & that there should be no persecution among them selves,
22Neverless there were many among them who began to be proud And began to contend warmly with their adversaries even unto blows Yea they would smite one another with their fists,
22Nevertheless, there were many among them who began to be proud, and began to contend warmly with their adversaries, even unto blows; yea, they would smite one another with their fists.
23now this was in the second Year of the Reign of Alma & it was a cause of much affliction to the Church Yea it was the cause of much trial with the Church
23Now this was in the second year of the reign of Alma, and it was a cause of much affliction to the church; yea, it was the cause of much trial with the church.
24for the hearts of many were hardened & their names were blotted out that they were remembered no more among the people of God, and also many withdrew themselves from among them,
24For the hearts of many were hardened, and their names were blotted out, that they were remembered no more among the people of God. And also many withdrew themselves from among them.
25now this was a great trial to those that did stand fast in the faith, Nevertheless the were stedfast & immovable in keeping the commandments of God & they bore with patience the persecution which was heaped upon them
25Now this was a great trial to those that did stand fast in the faith; nevertheless, they were steadfast and immovable in keeping the commandments of God, and they bore with patience the persecution which was heaped upon them.
26& when their Priests left their labour to impart the word of God unto the people the people also left their labours to hear the word of God & when the priest had imparted unto them the word of God they all returned again diligently unto their labors & the priest not esteeming himself above his hearers for the preacher was no better than the hearer, neither was the Teacher Any better than the learner & thus they were all Equal, & they did all labour every man according to his strength
26And when the priests left their labor to impart the word of God unto the people, the people also left their labors to hear the word of God. And when the priest had imparted unto them the word of God they all returned again diligently unto their labors; and the priest, not esteeming himself above his hearers, for the preacher was no better than the hearer, neither was the teacher any better than the learner; and thus they were all equal, and they did all labor, every man according to his strength.
27& they did impart of their substance every man according to that which he had to the poor & the needy & the sick & the Afflicted & they did not wear Costly apparel yet they were neat & comely
27And they did impart of their substance, every man according to that which he had, to the poor, and the needy, and the sick, and the afflicted; and they did not wear costly apparel, yet they were neat and comely.
28And thus they did establish the affairs of the Church & thus they began to have continual peace again. notwithstanding all their persecutions,
28And thus they did establish the affairs of the church; and thus they began to have continual peace again, notwithstanding all their persecutions.
29& now because of the steeadiness of the Church they began to exceeding rich having Abundance of all things whatsoever they stood in need, Abundance of Flocks & herds & fatlings of every kind & also abundance of Grain & of gold & of Silver & of precious things & abundance Silk & fine twined linen & all manner of good homely cloth,
29And now, because of the steadiness of the church they began to be exceedingly rich, having abundance of all things whatsoever they stood in need— an abundance of flocks and herds, and fatlings of every kind, and also abundance of grain, and of gold, and of silver, and of precious things, and abundance of silk and fine- twined linen, and all manner of good homely cloth.
30& thus in their prosperous circumstances they did not Send away which was naked that was hungry or that was athirst or that was sick or that had not been nourished & they did not set their hearts upon riches, therefore they were liberal to all both old & young both bond & free both Male & female whether out of the Church or in the Church having no respects to persons, as to those who stood in need
30And thus, in their prosperous circumstances, they did not send away any who were naked, or that were hungry, or that were athirst, or that were sick, or that had not been nourished; and they did not set their hearts upon riches; therefore they were liberal to all, both old and young, both bond and free, both male and female, whether out of the church or in the church, having no respect to persons as to those who stood in need.
31and thus they did prosper & become far more wealthy than those who did not belong to their Church,
31And thus they did prosper and become far more wealthy than those who did not belong to their church.
32for those who did not belong to their Church did Indulge themselves in sorceries & in Idolitry or Idleness & in bablings and in envyings & strife And wearing costly apparel being lifted up in the pride of their own eyes persecuting lying thieving robing commiting whoredoms & murdering & all mnner of wickedness. Nevertheless the Law was put in force upon all those who did transgress It in as much as it were
32For those who did not belong to their church did indulge themselves in sorceries, and in idolatry or idleness, and in babblings, and in envyings and strife; wearing costly apparel; being lifted up in the pride of their own eyes; persecuting, lying, thieving, robbing, committing whoredoms, and murdering, and all manner of wickedness; nevertheless, the law was put in force upon all those who did transgress it, inasmuch as it was possible.
33possible, And it came to pass that by thus exercising the Law upon them every man suffering according to that which he had done they became more still & durst not commit any wickedness if it were Known therefore there was much Peace among the people of Nephi until the fifth year of the Reign of the Judges,
33And it came to pass that by thus exercising the law upon them, every man suffering according to that which he had done, they became more still, and durst not commit any wickedness if it were known; therefore, there was much peace among the people of Nephi until the fifth year of the reign of the judges.