Alma 46

In true Old Testament style, the prophet gives a tangible symbol as part of the prophecy: a rent coat.  We learn another interesting part of the Joseph story that didn’t make it into the Old Testament version: that when Jacob, before his death, saw that part of the coat of many colors had not decayed, he prophesied that even though most of his son’s descendants would perish, some small part would be preserved.  The rend also involves the covenant imagery of cutting, so those who follow Moroni make the covenant and rend their clothes as a token of the covenant.

The Book of Mormon itself is tangible evidence of prophecy.  I have had two dreams in my life that were vision-like.  In one, I was among men who were seeking a leader; there was an impending danger, and we were all worried.  A man called our attention, and asked, “Are you willing to follow this man to war?”  At this, Mormon or Captain Moroni stood up and we were all overjoyed that he had returned to lead us.  We shouted our assent, at which he responded, “Then why won’t you do your home teaching?”

Alma 45

In this extraordinarily intimate account, Alma passes on the plates to his son Helaman, and prophesies the destruction of the Nephite nation, the fall of the great and spacious building at the end of Nephi’s dream.  I think that Alma named Helaman for his best friends’ uncle, the brother of Mosiah II–what kind of a man was he?  I imagine a prince, highly educated, trained in diplomacy and war.  Alma’s son Helaman seems to be the one who most appreciated his father’s literary interests, the types and shadows, the symbolism of their own people’s epic journey.  I wonder, if Helaman had lived in more peaceful times, whether he’d have been a poet.  As it was, of course, he was the first choice for commander of the young Anti-Nephi-Lehites, the sons of Helaman, and led them to their incredible victories, backed by their invincible faith.

Alma becomes the first of five Nephites (that we know of) to be translated.  In Alma 29, Alma cries,

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!  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.  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.  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. (Alma 29:1-4)

Alma got his heart’s desire.  We see him again some 2000 years later, again in the context of Nephi’s vision of the Tree of Life, working with another translated being, Siddhārtha Gautama.

(Edit, 2009-01-26: Karen guessed the reference above: Indiana Jones and the Tree of Life )

Alma 43-44

These chapters illustrate Captain Moroni’s character.  Mike Brown, our Gospel Doctrine teacher in Provo, said he believed that Mormon put these fighting chapters in for his own ten-year-old Moroni.  Now that Aidan’s nearly ten, I understand a little better.

Moroni is a champion fighter who hates violence.  At the earliest possible opportunity, he pulls his men back and offers the Lamanites an ultimatum: a chance to surrender if they will swear not to take up arms against the Nephites again.  Many accept; Zerahemnah infamously does not, claiming that they were preserved by their armor, not by any God.

I took a Book of Mormon course after my mission, and was dissatisfied with it; for example, in this section, the teacher thought that when Captain Moroni said, “I cannot recall the words which I have spoken,” that he meant Moroni couldn’t remember the words he uttered four verses earlier.  Clearly, Moroni is saying that he cannot take back the words he had spoken, and the ultimatum still stands.

Again, the Nephites take on the Lamanites, but the offer for mercy is still there: as soon as Zerahemnah is willing to stop fighting, Moroni is willing to make peace.

Christ is the same way: no allowance for sin, but eager to show mercy to the penitent.