Alma 39
People in this chapter
Alma's third son needed a different kind of conversation. Corianton had gone with his father and Shiblon to preach to the Zoramites. There he began boasting in thy strength and thy wisdom, and then he did something worse: thou didst forsake the ministry, and did go over into the land of Siron among the borders of the Lamanites, after the harlot Isabel (vv. 2-3). The Zoramites saw it, and when they saw your conduct they would not believe in my words (v. 11).
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Alma 39:1-4This Was No Excuse for Thee
1And now, my son, I have somewhat more to say unto thee than what I said unto thy brother; for behold, have ye not observed the steadiness of thy brother, his faithfulness, and his diligence in keeping the commandments of God? Behold, has he not set a good example for thee? 2For thou didst not give so much heed unto my words as did thy brother, among the people of the Zoramites. Now this is what I have against thee; thou didst go on unto boasting in thy strength and thy wisdom.
Alma points Corianton to his brother Shiblon, who served on the same mission and stayed faithful. Shiblon's example shows what Corianton could have done.
Corianton's trouble started with pride. He boasted in his own strength and wisdom.
3And this is not all, my son. Thou didst do that which was grievous unto me; for thou didst forsake the ministry, and did go over into the land of Siron among the borders of the Lamanites, after the harlot Isabel. 4Yea, she did steal away the hearts of many; but this was no excuse for thee, my son. Thou shouldst have tended to the ministry wherewith thou wast entrusted.
Corianton left his mission to follow a harlot named Isabel. Alma says others being led away was no excuse. Corianton had a sacred trust and should have kept it.
Alma 39:5-8Know Ye Not, My Son
5Know ye not, my son, that these things are an abomination in the sight of the Lord; yea, most abominable above all sins save it be the shedding of innocent blood or denying the Holy Ghost?
Alma tells his son that sexual sin is very serious to God. Only two sins are worse: murder and denying the Holy Ghost.
6For behold, if ye deny the Holy Ghost when it once has had place in you, and ye know that ye deny it, behold, this is a sin which is unpardonable; yea, and whosoever murdereth against the light and knowledge of God, it is not easy for him to obtain forgiveness; yea, I say unto you, my son, that it is not easy for him to obtain a forgiveness.
Alma explains the two sins that are even more serious. Denying the Holy Ghost after truly knowing Him cannot be forgiven, and murder against the light of God is not easily forgiven. Corianton's sin is serious, and it can still be forgiven.
7And now, my son, I would to God that ye had not been guilty of so great a crime. I would not dwell upon your crimes, to harrow up your soul, if it were not for your good. 8But behold, ye cannot hide your crimes from God; and except ye repent they will stand as a testimony against you at the last day.
Alma is grieved. He says he would not talk about his son's sins at all if it were not for his son's good. Sins can't be hidden from God, so they must be repented of.
Alma 39:9-14Repent and Forsake Your Sins
9Now my son, I would that ye should repent and forsake your sins, and go no more after the lusts of your eyes, but cross yourself in all these things; for except ye do this ye can in nowise inherit the kingdom of God. Oh, remember, and take it upon you, and cross yourself in these things. 10And I command you to take it upon you to counsel with your elder brothers in your undertakings; for behold, thou art in thy youth, and ye stand in need to be nourished by your brothers. And give heed to their counsel.
Alma tells Corianton to repent, forsake his sins, and stop following the lusts of your eyes. To cross yourself means to deny yourself and say no to what pulls you away from God.
Alma tells Corianton to get counsel from his older brothers. He is young and needs their help and example.
11Suffer not yourself to be led away by any vain or foolish thing; suffer not the devil to lead away your heart again after those wicked harlots. Behold, O my son, how great iniquity ye brought upon the Zoramites; for when they saw your conduct they would not believe in my words. 12And now the Spirit of the Lord doth say unto me: Command thy children to do good, lest they lead away the hearts of many people to destruction; therefore I command you, my son, in the fear of God, that ye refrain from your iniquities; 13That ye turn to the Lord with all your mind, might, and strength; that ye lead away the hearts of no more to do wickedly; but rather return unto them, and acknowledge your faults and that wrong which ye have done. 14Seek not after riches nor the vain things of this world; for behold, you cannot carry them with you.
Corianton's choices hurt more than himself. When the Zoramites saw what he did, they would not believe Alma's preaching.
Alma asks Corianton to turn to the Lord with everything he has, and to go back to the people he hurt and admit his wrong. Riches and worldly things can't be carried into the next life.
Alma 39:15-19He Surely Shall Come to Take Away the Sins of the World
15And now, my son, I would say somewhat unto you concerning the coming of Christ. Behold, I say unto you, that it is he that surely shall come to take away the sins of the world; yea, he cometh to declare glad tidings of salvation unto his people. 16And now, my son, this was the ministry unto which ye were called, to declare these glad tidings unto this people, to prepare their minds; or rather that salvation might come unto them, that they may prepare the minds of their children to hear the word at the time of his coming.
17And now I will ease your mind somewhat on this subject. Behold, you marvel why these things should be known so long beforehand. Behold, I say unto you, is not a soul at this time as precious unto God as a soul will be at the time of his coming? 18Is it not as necessary that the plan of redemption should be made known unto this people as well as unto their children? 19Is it not as easy at this time for the Lord to send his angel to declare these glad tidings unto us as unto our children, or as after the time of his coming?
Corianton wondered why people were told about Christ so long before He came. Alma answers that every soul is precious to God, in every age, so every generation needs to know the plan of redemption.
Research trail
Sources & further study
These references support the historical, linguistic, manuscript, and contextual notes in this chapter. Scripture remains the primary text; external sources are provided so readers can inspect the research directly.
- ChastityThe Church's current explanation of the law of chastity, the commandment at issue in verses 3-5, and why God gives it.
- RepentanceHow repentance works through faith in Jesus Christ, the path Alma lays out for his son in verses 9-13.
- Unpardonable SinScripture passages on denying the Holy Ghost, the sin Alma describes in verse 6.
- CoriantonScripture references for Alma's son Corianton, from his mistakes among the Zoramites to his return to the ministry.
Where this echoes in Scripture
This Was No Excuse for Thee
- Alma 31:7The names of those whom he took with him were Shiblon and Corianton.
- Alma 38:11See that ye do not boast in your own wisdom, nor of your much strength.The warning Alma gave Shiblon.
- Proverbs 16:18Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall.
- Genesis 39:9How then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God?Joseph's answer to a similar temptation.
Know Ye Not, My Son
- Jacob 2:28I, the Lord God, delight in the chastity of women. And whoredoms are an abomination before me.
- Matthew 12:31-32The blasphemy against the Holy Ghost shall not be forgiven unto men.
- D&C 76:31-35Having been overcome, and to deny the truth and defy my power.Who commits the unpardonable sin.
- Alma 36:17-19I was harrowed up by the memory of my sins no more.Alma's own experience behind verse 7.
- 1 Corinthians 6:18-20Your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost... ye are bought with a price.
Repent and Forsake Your Sins
- 3 Nephi 12:28-30It is better that ye should deny yourselves of these things, wherein ye will take up your cross.The Savior's teaching behind "cross yourself."
- D&C 58:42-43By this ye may know if a man repenteth of his sins, behold, he will confess them and forsake them.
- Alma 42:31Ye are called of God to preach the word unto this people.Where Alma's counsel to Corianton ends.
- Alma 49:30Declared unto them by Helaman, and Shiblon, and Corianton.Corianton back in the ministry.
- Matthew 6:19-21Lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven.
He Surely Shall Come to Take Away the Sins of the World
- John 1:29Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.
- Alma 5:48It is he that cometh to take away the sins of the world.Alma's same testimony at Zarahemla.
- Mosiah 3:13Whosoever should believe that Christ should come, the same might receive remission of their sins.Faith in Christ before His coming.
- D&C 18:10-11Remember the worth of souls is great in the sight of God.
- Alma 42:29-31Only let your sins trouble you, with that trouble which shall bring you down unto repentance.How Alma's counsel ends.