Alma 13

Priests Were Chosen by God’s Holy Order

I want you to think back to the time when the Lord God gave these commands to his children. Remember that the Lord God chose priests by his holy order. This order was the same as the order of his Son. The priests taught these things to the people. These priests were chosen by the order of his Son. This helped people know how to look forward to his Son for forgiveness.

This is how they were chosen. They were called and prepared from the very beginning of the world. God knew ahead of time they would have great faith and do good things. They were first left to choose between good and evil. Because they chose good and had great faith, they were called with a holy calling. This holy calling was prepared along with a redemption plan for people like them. They were called to this holy calling because of their faith. Other people rejected God’s Spirit because their hearts were hard and their minds were blind. If not for this, they could have had the same chance as their brothers. At first, they all started in the same place as their brothers. This holy calling was prepared from the very beginning of the world for people who would not harden their hearts. It came through the sacrifice of the only Son of God. By being called by this holy calling, they were chosen to be high priests by God’s holy order. They would teach God’s commands to people. This way, people could also enter into God’s rest.

This high priesthood followed the order of God’s Son. This order was from the very beginning of the world. In other words, it has no beginning or end. It was prepared from forever to forever, because God knew all things ahead of time. They were chosen this way. They were called with a holy calling. They were chosen with a holy ceremony. They took on the high priesthood of the holy order. This calling and ceremony and high priesthood has no beginning or end. This is how they became high priests forever. They followed the order of the Son of the only Father. This Son has no beginning or end. He is full of grace, fairness, and truth. This is how it is. Amen.

Many Became High Priests

I said before about the holy order of this high priesthood. Many people were chosen and became high priests of God. This happened because they had great faith and turned away from sin. They were good before God. They chose to turn away from sin and do what was right instead of dying. They were called by this holy order. They were made holy. Their clothes were washed white through the blood of the Lamb. After being made holy by the Holy Spirit, their clothes became white. They were pure and clean before God. They could not look at sin without hating it. Many people, a very great number, were made pure. They entered into the rest of the Lord their God.

I want you to be humble before God. Show by your actions that you have turned away from sin. Then you can also enter into that rest.

The Example of Melchizedek

Be humble like the people in the days of Melchizedek. He was also a high priest by this same order I have told you about. He also took on the high priesthood forever. This same Melchizedek received money from Abraham. Our father Abraham gave him one tenth of everything he owned. These ceremonies were given so people could look forward to the Son of God. They were a picture of his order. This way they could look forward to him to have their sins forgiven. Then they could enter into the Lord’s rest.

This Melchizedek was a king over the land of Salem. His people had become very sinful. They had all gone the wrong way. They were full of all kinds of badness. But Melchizedek had great faith. He received the job of high priest by God’s holy order. He taught his people to turn away from sin. They did turn away from sin. Melchizedek brought peace to the land during his time as king. That is why he was called the Prince of Peace. He was the king of Salem. He ruled under his father. There were many before him. There were also many after him. But none were greater than him. That is why they talk about him more.

I don’t need to say more about this. What I have said is enough. The scriptures are in front of you. If you twist them, it will destroy you.

Alma Calls the People to Turn Away from Sin

After Alma said these words to them, he reached out his hand to them. He called out in a loud voice: 'Now is the time to turn away from sin! The day of being saved is near!' 'The voice of the Lord speaks through angels to all nations. It brings them news of great joy. He tells this good news to all his people. He tells it to those who are spread out all over the earth. That is why they have come to us.' 'They tell us clearly so we can understand. We cannot make mistakes. This is because we are travelers in a strange land. We are very lucky to have this good news told to us in all parts of our land.' 'Right now angels are telling many people in our land. This is to get people’s hearts ready to receive his word. This will be when he comes in his glory.' 'We are waiting to hear the happy news from angels about his coming. The time is coming, but we don’t know how soon. I wish it could happen while I am alive. But whenever it happens, I will be happy.' 'Angels will tell good and holy men when he is coming. This will make the words of our fathers come true. They spoke about him by the spirit of prophecy that was in them.'

Alma’s Final Words

'From the bottom of my heart, I beg you to listen to my words. Stop sinning. Do not put off the day you turn away from sin.' 'Be humble before the Lord. Call on his holy name. Keep watching and praying. Then you will not be tempted more than you can handle. Let the Holy Spirit lead you. Become humble, gentle, willing, patient, full of love, and able to wait a long time.' 'Have faith in the Lord. Hope that you will receive life that lasts forever. Always keep God’s love in your hearts. Then you will be lifted up on the last day. You will enter into his rest.' 'May the Lord help you turn away from sin. Then you will not bring his anger on you. You will not be tied down by the chains of hell. You will not suffer the second death.'

Alma spoke many more words to the people. Those words are not written in this book.