1now after Al ma had spoken these words they sent forth unto him desireing to know whether they should believe in one God that they might obtain this fruit of which he had spoken or how they should plant the seed or the word of which he had spoken which he said must be planted in their hearts or in what manner they should begin to execise their faith
1Now after Alma had spoken these words, they sent forth unto him desiring to know whether they should believe in one God, that they might obtain this fruit of which he had spoken, or how they should plant the seed, or the word of which he had spoken, which he said must be planted in their hearts; or in what manner they should begin to exercise their faith.
2& Alma sayeth unto them behold ye have said that ye could not worship your God because ye are cast out of your Synagogues but behold I say unto you if suppose that ye cannot worship your God ye do greatly err & ye had ought to search the scriptures for if ye suppose that they have taught you this ye do not under stand them
2And Alma said unto them: Behold, ye have said that ye could not worship your God because ye are cast out of your synagogues. But behold, I say unto you, if ye suppose that ye cannot worship God, ye do greatly err, and ye ought to search the scriptures; if ye suppose that they have taught you this, ye do not understand them.
3do ye remember to have read what Zenos the prophet of old hath said concerning prayer or worship
3Do ye remember to have read what Zenos, the prophet of old, has said concerning prayer or worship?
4for he sayeth thou art merciful O God for thou hast heard my prayer even when I was in the wilderness yea thou wast merciful when I prayed concerning those which were mine enemies & thou didst turn them to me
4For he said: Thou art merciful, O God, for thou hast heard my prayer, even when I was in the wilderness; yea, thou wast merciful when I prayed concerning those who were mine enemies, and thou didst turn them to me.
5yea O God & thou wast merc iful unto me when I did cry unto thee in my field when I did cry unto thee in my prayer & thou didst hear me
5Yea, O God, and thou wast merciful unto me when I did cry unto thee in my field; when I did cry unto thee in my prayer, and thou didst hear me.
6& again O God when I did turn to my house thou didst hear me in my prayer
6And again, O God, when I did turn to my house thou didst hear me in my prayer.
7& when I did turn unto my closet O Lord & prayed unto thee thou didst hear me
7And when I did turn unto my closet, O Lord, and prayed unto thee, thou didst hear me.
8yea thou art merciful unto thy children when they cry unto thee to be heard of thee & not of men & thou wilt hear them
8Yea, thou art merciful unto thy children when they cry unto thee, to be heard of thee and not of men, and thou wilt hear them.
9yea O God thou hast been merciful unto me & heard my cries in the midst of thy congregations
9Yea, O God, thou hast been merciful unto me, and heard my cries in the midst of thy congregations.
10yea & thou also hast heard me when I have been cast out & have been despised by mine enemies yea thou didst hear my cries & wast angry with mine enemies & thou didst visit them in thine anger with speedy destruction
10Yea, and thou hast also heard me when I have been cast out and have been despised by mine enemies; yea, thou didst hear my cries, and wast angry with mine enemies, and thou didst visit them in thine anger with speedy destruction.
11& thou didst hear me because of mine afflictions & my sincerity & it is because of thy Son that thou hast been thus merciful unto me therefore I will cry unto thee in all mine afflictions for in thee is my joy for thou hast turned thy judgments away from me because of thy Son
11And thou didst hear me because of mine afflictions and my sincerity; and it is because of thy Son that thou hast been thus merciful unto me, therefore I will cry unto thee in all mine afflictions, for in thee is my joy; for thou hast turned thy judgments away from me, because of thy Son.
12& now Alma sayeth unto them do ye believe those scriptures which have been written by them of old
12And now Alma said unto them: Do ye believe those scriptures which have been written by them of old?
13behold if ye do ye must believe what Zenos sayeth for behold he sayeth thou hast turned away thy judgments because of thy Son
13Behold, if ye do, ye must believe what Zenos said; for, behold he said: Thou hast turned away thy judgments because of thy Son.
14now behold my breth ren I would ask if ye have read these scriptures how can how can ye disbelieve on the Son of God
14Now behold, my brethren, I would ask if ye have read the scriptures? If ye have, how can ye disbelieve on the Son of God?
15for it is not written that Zenos alone spake of these things but Zenock also spake of these things
15For it is not written that Zenos alone spake of these things, but Zenock also spake of these things—
16for behold he sayeth thou art angry O Lor[d] with this people because they will not understand of thy mercies which thou hast bestowed upon them because of thy Son
16For behold, he said: Thou art angry, O Lord, with this people, because they will not understand thy mercies which thou hast bestowed upon them because of thy Son.
17& now my brethren ye see that a second prophet of old has testified of the Son of God & because the people would not understand his words they stoned him to death
17And now, my brethren, ye see that a second prophet of old has testified of the Son of God, and because the people would not understand his words they stoned him to death.
18but behold this is not all these are not the only ones which have spoken concerning the Son of God
18But behold, this is not all; these are not the only ones who have spoken concerning the Son of God.
19behold he was spoken of by Moses yea & behold a type was raised up in the wild erness that whosoever would look upon it might live & many did look & live
19Behold, he was spoken of by Moses; yea, and behold a type was raised up in the wilderness, that whosoever would look upon it might live. And many did look and live.
20but few understood the meaning of those things & this because of the hardness of their hearts but there were many which were so hardened that they would not look therefore they perished now the reason that they would not look is because they did not believe that it would heal them
20But few understood the meaning of those things, and this because of the hardness of their hearts. But there were many who were so hardened that they would not look, therefore they perished. Now the reason they would not look is because they did not believe that it would heal them.
21O my br ethren if ye could be healed by merely casting about your eyes that ye might be healed would ye not behold quickly or would ye rather harden your hearts in unblief & be slothful that ye would not cast about your eyes that ye might perish
21O my brethren, if ye could be healed by merely casting about your eyes that ye might be healed, would ye not behold quickly, or would ye rather harden your hearts in unbelief, and be slothful, that ye would not cast about your eyes, that ye might perish?
22if so wo shall come upon you but if not so then cast about your eyes & begin to believe in the Son of God that he will come to redeem his people & that he shall suffer & die to atone for their sins & that he shall rise again from the dead which shall bring to pass the resurrection that all men shall stand before him to be judged at the last & judgment day acco rding to their works
22If so, wo shall come upon you; but if not so, then cast about your eyes and begin to believe in the Son of God, that he will come to redeem his people, and that he shall suffer and die to atone for their sins; and that he shall rise again from the dead, which shall bring to pass the resurrection, that all men shall stand before him, to be judged at the last and judgment day, according to their works.
23& now my brethren I desire that ye should plant this word in your hearts & as it begineth to swell even so nourish it by your faith & be hold it will become a tree springing up in you unto everlasting life & then may God grant unto you that your burdens may be light through the joy of his Son & even all this can ye do if ye will Amen.
23And now, my brethren, I desire that ye shall plant this word in your hearts, and as it beginneth to swell even so nourish it by your faith. And behold, it will become a tree, springing up in you unto everlasting life. And then may God grant unto you that your burdens may be light, through the joy of his Son. And even all this can ye do if ye will. Amen.