The Book of Mormon

Alma 11:36

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~82 BC

1830 Edition

Now Amulek saith again unto him, Behold thou hast lied, for thou sayest that I spake as though I had authority to command God, because I said he shall not save his people in their sins.

Influences

John 18:37 (KJV)
Pilate therefore said unto him, Art thou a king then? Jesus answered, Thou sayest that I am a king. To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth. Every one that is of the truth heareth my voice.

Changes

Now Amulek saith again unto him,: Behold thou hast lied, for thou sayest that I spake as though I had authority to command God, because I said he shall not save his people in their sins.

Simple English

Amulek said to him again: 'You lied. You say I talked like I can tell God what to do. I said he will not save his people while they are still sinning.'

Paraphrase

Amulek shot back: 'You’re lying again. You’re saying I spoke like I could command God just because I said he won’t save his people in their sins.'

Notes

11:27-39

The Book of Mormon declares that there is only one Eternal God (see also 2 Nephi 31:21), yet the Doctrine and Covenants teaches there are many gods (D&C 121:32; 132:18-20,37). As does Abraham 4:1 in the Pearl of Great Price.

In June 16, 1844, Joseph Smith gave a public doctrinal address, usually labeled the "Sermon in the Grove." He is recorded as saying, "I will preach on the plurality of Gods. I have selected this text for that express purpose. I wish to declare I have always, and in all congregations, when I have preached on the subject of the Deity, it has been the plurality of Gods. It has been preached by the Elders for fifteen years.

The sermon survives through the notes of four contemporaneous recorders: Thomas Bullock, William McIntire, George Laub, and Alexander Neibaur.

It was later printed in History of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, vol. 6, pp. 473–479, and in The Words of Joseph Smith, ed. Andrew F. Ehat and Lyndon W. Cook.