Alma 13

The Holy Order of Priesthood

Let me take you back to when God first gave these commandments to his people. Remember how the Lord appointed priests according to his holy order—the same pattern modeled after his Son—to teach these truths to the people? These priests were ordained according to the pattern of his Son so that people would know how to look to him for redemption.

Here’s how they were ordained: They were called and prepared before the world even began, according to God’s foreknowledge, because of their deep faith and good works. From the start they were free to choose good or evil. Because they chose good and showed extraordinary faith, they were called with a holy calling—one that was prepared alongside a plan of redemption made just for them. So they received this holy calling because of their faith, while others rejected God’s Spirit because their hearts were hard and their minds blind. If it weren’t for that, they could have had the same privilege as their brothers. In other words, everyone started on equal footing. This holy calling was prepared before the world began for anyone who wouldn’t harden their heart. It came through the sacrifice of God’s only Son, which had already been planned. Once called by this holy calling and ordained to the high priesthood of God’s holy order, they could teach his commandments to people so that they too might enter into his rest.

This high priesthood follows the pattern of his Son—an order that has existed since before the world began. In other words, it has no beginning and no end. It was prepared from eternity to eternity, according to God’s knowledge of all things. Here’s how they were ordained: They were called with a holy calling and ordained through a holy ceremony. They took upon themselves the high priesthood of this holy order. This calling, this ceremony, this high priesthood—none of it has a beginning or end. That’s how they became high priests forever, following the pattern of the Son of the Father—the one who has no beginning or end, who is filled with grace, fairness, and truth. That’s the way it is. Amen.

Made Clean and Pure

Now, about this holy order of high priests: Many were ordained and became high priests of God. It happened because of their remarkable faith and repentance, and their righteousness before God. They chose to repent and live right rather than perish. Because of this, they were called to this holy order. They were made clean, and their clothing was washed white through the blood of the Lamb. After being made holy by the Holy Spirit, after their clothing was made white and they stood pure and spotless before God, they couldn’t even look at sin without feeling disgusted. There were many—a great many—who were made pure this way and entered into the rest of the Lord their God.

So I’m asking you to humble yourselves before God. Show real evidence of repentance so that you can also enter into that rest.

The Example of Melchizedek

Humble yourselves just like the people did in the days of Melchizedek, who was also a high priest of this same order I’ve been talking about. He took upon himself the high priesthood forever. This was the same Melchizedek to whom Abraham gave a tenth of everything he owned. Our father Abraham paid a tenth of all he had. These ceremonies were set up this way so people would look forward to the Son of God. They were a symbol of his order—or rather, they were his order. Through this, people could look to him for forgiveness of their sins and enter into the Lord’s rest.

Melchizedek was king over the land of Salem. His people had grown deeply wicked—corrupt and lost in every kind of evil. They’d all gone astray. But Melchizedek showed powerful faith. After receiving the office of high priest according to God’s holy order, he preached repentance to his people. And they repented! Melchizedek brought peace to the land during his time. That’s why he was called the Prince of Peace—he was king of Salem, and he ruled under his father. There were many who came before him, and many who came after, but none were greater. That’s why the scriptures pay special attention to him.

I don’t need to go over all the details. What I’ve said should be enough. Look, the scriptures are right in front of you. If you twist them, it will only destroy you.

Now Is the Time

After Alma finished saying these things, he stretched out his hand toward them and shouted with a powerful voice: 'Now is the time to repent! The day of salvation is near!' 'The Lord’s voice, spoken through angels, is announcing this to every nation. He’s declaring it so people can have wonderful news—good news of great joy. He’s spreading this good news among all his people, even those scattered across the earth. That’s why it has come to us.' 'It’s been made clear to us in simple terms so we can’t miss it. This is because we’re wanderers in a foreign land, so we’ve been especially blessed. We’ve had this good news declared to us throughout our whole land.' 'Right now, angels are announcing it to many people in our land. This is to prepare people’s hearts to receive his word when he comes in his glory.' 'We’re just waiting to hear the joyful news announced by angels that he’s coming. We don’t know when it will be. I wish to God it could happen in my lifetime—but whether it’s sooner or later, I’ll celebrate when it comes.' 'Angels will reveal the time of his coming to righteous and holy people, so that what our ancestors said about him will come true—what they spoke through the spirit of prophecy that was in them.'

Alma’s Final Plea

'From the depths of my heart—with deep concern that’s almost painful—I’m begging you: listen to what I’m saying. Let go of your sins. Don’t put off the day you decide to change.' 'Humble yourselves before the Lord. Call on his holy name. Keep watching and praying constantly so you won’t be tested beyond what you can handle. Let the Holy Spirit guide you. Become humble, gentle, willing, patient, full of love and endless compassion.' 'Trust in the Lord. Hope that you’ll receive eternal life. Keep God’s love always in your heart, so that on the last day you’ll be lifted up and enter into his rest.' 'May the Lord help you turn to him, so you don’t bring his anger down on yourselves. So you won’t be trapped by the chains of hell. So you won’t suffer the second death.'

Alma spoke many more words to the people that day, but they aren’t written in this book.