Book of Alma
Encyclopedia
The Book of Alma is one of the books that make up the Book of Mormon
. The full title is The Book of Alma: The Son of Alma. The title refers to Alma the Younger
, a prophet and "chief judge" of the Nephites.
s termed "the reign of the judges", a period in which the Nephite nation adopted a constitutional theocratic government in which the judicial and executive branches of the government were combined.
The history of the book is outlined as follows:
and Amlici
. Contrary to the dominant lay ministry that existed in the Nephite culture, Nehor established a church in which priests were given a separate social status and were paid for their ministry. After killing a religious leader during a theological argument, Nehor was tried and executed for his crimes. The followers of Amlici resented the dominant political and religious parties and sought to reestablish the monarchy that the reign of the judges replaced. Alma
, the chief judge and governor as well as the high priest over the people of Nephi, lead an army against Amlici and his followers and drove the rebellion out of the land.
who was the last king over the people of Nephi prior to the peaceful transition of the nation from a monarchy to a republican form of government. The sons of Mosiah
, named Ammon, Aaron
, Omner
and Himni
, chose to devote themselves to missionary labors preaching to the people of the Lamanite
nation, which periodically went to war against the Nephite nation. They lived and taught among the Lamanites between the years 91 and 77 B.C.
. The Zoramites believed in a form of predestination and taught that all others except their people would be damned. Their apostasy from the Church was conjoined with plans to rebel against the Nephite government. Alma took two of his sons, the sons of Mosiah, Amulek, and Zeezrom
on a mission among the Zoramites in an attempt to restore their loyalty to both the Church and the state. Alma and his companions had some success among the poor class of Zoramites who were then exiled from the Zoramite community by the governing rich class of Zoramites. The wealthier Zoramites eventually defected and united with the Lamanites.
, Shiblon
, and Corianton. These teachings discuss the ministry and atonement of Jesus
, the laws of justice and mercy, the need for repentance, and the resurrection and judgment of all people.
. The Nephites were ultimately successful in their defense against the Lamanites.
characters in the Book of Alma. There are two main features in this history, chapters 1 - 42 deal with Missionary Work, and chapters 43 - 63 contain the Wars. The history of the Zoramites
provides a transition from Missionary Work to the War chapters of the Book of Alma. The two main sections also mirror the first two antagonist characters, Nehor (religious agenda) and Amlici (political agenda).
Book of Mormon
The Book of Mormon is a sacred text of the Latter Day Saint movement that adherents believe contains writings of ancient prophets who lived on the American continent from approximately 2600 BC to AD 421. It was first published in March 1830 by Joseph Smith, Jr...
. The full title is The Book of Alma: The Son of Alma. The title refers to Alma the Younger
Alma the Younger
According to the Book of Mormon, Alma, the son of Alma was a Nephite prophet often referred to as "Alma the Younger" to distinguish him from his father, who is often referred to as "Alma the Elder"...
, a prophet and "chief judge" of the Nephites.
Historical Outline
The Book of Alma is the longest of all the books of the Book of Mormon, consisting of 63 chapters. The book records the first 39 years of what the NephiteNephite
According to the Book of Mormon, a Nephite is a member of one of the four main groups of settlers of the ancient Americas. The other three groups are the Lamanites, Jaredites and Mulekites. In the Book of Mormon, the Nephites were a group of people descended from or associated with Nephi, the...
s termed "the reign of the judges", a period in which the Nephite nation adopted a constitutional theocratic government in which the judicial and executive branches of the government were combined.
The history of the book is outlined as follows:
Challenges to the Beginning of the Republic
The first four chapters, describe the rebellions of followers of NehorNehor
Nehor was the name of the Nephite founder of an apostate sect mentioned in the Book of Mormon, around 90 BC . In opposition to the Church of God headed by Alma the Younger, Nehor zealously preached the following doctrines:...
and Amlici
Amlici
According to the Book of Mormon, Amlici was a Nephite rebel that lived in the 1st century BC on the American continent. The narrative of Amlici's life and interaction with the Book of Mormon people is detailed in chapter 2 of the Book of Alma....
. Contrary to the dominant lay ministry that existed in the Nephite culture, Nehor established a church in which priests were given a separate social status and were paid for their ministry. After killing a religious leader during a theological argument, Nehor was tried and executed for his crimes. The followers of Amlici resented the dominant political and religious parties and sought to reestablish the monarchy that the reign of the judges replaced. Alma
Alma the Younger
According to the Book of Mormon, Alma, the son of Alma was a Nephite prophet often referred to as "Alma the Younger" to distinguish him from his father, who is often referred to as "Alma the Elder"...
, the chief judge and governor as well as the high priest over the people of Nephi, lead an army against Amlici and his followers and drove the rebellion out of the land.
The Ministry of Alma Among the Nephites
Towards the end of chapter four, Alma realizes that the affairs of the Church require his entire concentration. He resigns from his political office and appoints Nephihah as chief judge and governor of the land. Chapters 5-16 record sermons and missionary travels of Alma between 83 and 78 B.C. Alma and one of his converted followers, Amulek, provide important teachings about the atonement of Christ, overcoming pride and the natural man, retaining conversion, the resurrection of all men, and judgment day. Later, their teachings about faith and worship in Alma 32-34 are important sources of instruction and insight.The Ministry of the Sons of Mosiah Among the Lamanites
Chapters 17 to 27 describe the missionary labors of the sons of King Mosiah IIKing Mosiah II
According to the Book of Mormon, Mosiah II, King Benjamin's son and Mosiah I's grandson, was king of the Nephite nation from about 124 BC to 91 BC. The Book of Mosiah is named after Mosiah II.-Accounts:...
who was the last king over the people of Nephi prior to the peaceful transition of the nation from a monarchy to a republican form of government. The sons of Mosiah
Sons of Mosiah
The sons of Mosiah is the collective name used in the Book of Mormon for four sons of King Mosiah, whose names were Ammon, Aaron, Omner, and Himni. These sons were notable for their initial opposition to the church, their miraculous repentance and conversion to Christ. They subsequently served as...
, named Ammon, Aaron
Aaron (Nephite)
According to the Book of Mormon, Aaron was a Nephite missionary and one of the sons of King Mosiah. He was also brother to the prophet Ammon. As related in the Book of Mormon narrative, Aaron and his three brothers , left their father, and his people, to travel to the land of the Lamanites in...
, Omner
Omner
According to the Book of Mormon, Omner was a Nephite missionary and one of the sons of King Mosiah. He was also brother to the prophet Ammon. As related in the Book of Mormon narrative, Omner and his three brothers , left their father, and his people, to travel to the land of the Lamanites in...
and Himni
Himni
According to the Book of Mormon, Himni was a Nephite missionary and one of the sons of King Mosiah. He was also brother to the prophet Ammon. As related in the Book of Mormon narrative, Himni and his three brothers , left their father, and his people, to travel to the land of the Lamanites in...
, chose to devote themselves to missionary labors preaching to the people of the Lamanite
Lamanite
According to the Book of Mormon, a Lamanite is a member of a dark-skinned nation of indigenous Americans that battled with the light-skinned Nephite nation...
nation, which periodically went to war against the Nephite nation. They lived and taught among the Lamanites between the years 91 and 77 B.C.
The Ministry of Alma Among the Zoramites
Chapters 28 to 35 relate the account of a rebellion of a subgroup of the Nephite nation who called themselves ZoramitesZoramites
In the Book of Mormon, the Zoramites were one of three major Nephite sects, existing during the administration of Alma the Younger as the High Priest over the Church of God...
. The Zoramites believed in a form of predestination and taught that all others except their people would be damned. Their apostasy from the Church was conjoined with plans to rebel against the Nephite government. Alma took two of his sons, the sons of Mosiah, Amulek, and Zeezrom
Zeezrom
According to the Book of Mormon, Zeezrom was an ancient American lawyer who sought to destroy the liberty of the Nephites via his legal practice. He was converted to the gospel by Alma the Younger and his missionary companion Amulek...
on a mission among the Zoramites in an attempt to restore their loyalty to both the Church and the state. Alma and his companions had some success among the poor class of Zoramites who were then exiled from the Zoramite community by the governing rich class of Zoramites. The wealthier Zoramites eventually defected and united with the Lamanites.
The Commandments of Alma to his Children
Chapters 36 to 42 record the teachings of Alma to his sons, HelamanHelaman
According to the Book of Mormon, Helaman was a Nephite prophet and soldier who lived around the 1st century BC. He is perhaps best known in LDS theology for leading into battle an army of two thousand young warriors, which he referred to as his two thousand sons...
, Shiblon
Shiblon
According to the Book of Mormon, Shiblon was a Nephite missionary and record-keeper. He was the second son of Alma the Younger, who was the first chief judge...
, and Corianton. These teachings discuss the ministry and atonement of Jesus
Jesus
Jesus of Nazareth , commonly referred to as Jesus Christ or simply as Jesus or Christ, is the central figure of Christianity...
, the laws of justice and mercy, the need for repentance, and the resurrection and judgment of all people.
A Period of War
Chapters 43 to 62 record the struggles of the Nephite people during a war against the attacking Lamanite nation between the years of 74 and 57 B.C. The Chief Captain (senior military commander) of the Nephites during this time was Captain MoroniCaptain Moroni
According to the Book of Mormon, Captain Moroni was an important Nephite military commander and patriot who lived during the 1st century BC. He is perhaps best known for raising the "Title of Liberty" as a call to arms for his people to defend their country, family and religion...
. The Nephites were ultimately successful in their defense against the Lamanites.
Conclusion
Chapter 63 includes concluding historical notes covering the years 56 to 53 B.C. This is largely a period of post-war reconstruction and exploration in the Nephite nation.Simple Outline
This outline is based on main sections and antagonistAntagonist
An antagonist is a character, group of characters, or institution, that represents the opposition against which the protagonist must contend...
characters in the Book of Alma. There are two main features in this history, chapters 1 - 42 deal with Missionary Work, and chapters 43 - 63 contain the Wars. The history of the Zoramites
Zoramites
In the Book of Mormon, the Zoramites were one of three major Nephite sects, existing during the administration of Alma the Younger as the High Priest over the Church of God...
provides a transition from Missionary Work to the War chapters of the Book of Alma. The two main sections also mirror the first two antagonist characters, Nehor (religious agenda) and Amlici (political agenda).
- Mission Chapters ( see Alma 1-42 )
- NehorNehorNehor was the name of the Nephite founder of an apostate sect mentioned in the Book of Mormon, around 90 BC . In opposition to the Church of God headed by Alma the Younger, Nehor zealously preached the following doctrines:...
: rebels against the Church ( see Alma 1 ) - AmliciAmliciAccording to the Book of Mormon, Amlici was a Nephite rebel that lived in the 1st century BC on the American continent. The narrative of Amlici's life and interaction with the Book of Mormon people is detailed in chapter 2 of the Book of Alma....
: rebels against the Republic ( see Alma 2 ) - KorihorKorihorKorihor is a skeptic mentioned in The Book of Mormon, in Alma . Korihor preached ...that there could be no atonement made for the sins of men, but every man fared in this life according to the management of the creature; therefore every man prospered according to his genius, and that every man...
: the AntiChristAntichristThe term or title antichrist, in Christian theology, refers to a leader who fulfills Biblical prophecies concerning an adversary of Christ, while resembling him in a deceptive manner...
( see Alma 30 )
- Nehor
- The Zoramites ( see Alma 31 - 43 )
- ZoramZoramThere are three individuals named Zoram in the Book of Mormon, indexed in the LDS edition as Zoram1, Zoram², and Zoram³.- Zoram¹ :Zoram1 was the servant of Laban, a wealthy inhabitant of Jerusalem. According to First Nephi, Zoram led Nephi, disguised as Laban, into Laban's treasury...
: the Apostate Nephites religious ( see Alma 31 ) - Zerahemnah: the war leader of the Zoramites political (see Alma 43 )
- Zoram
- War Chapters (see Alma 43-63 )
- AmalickiahAmalickiahIn the Book of Mormon, Amalickiah was a Nephite leader of a movement to reestablish a king, specifically him as the king of the Nephites. When he failed to gain power through a popular uprising he dissented to the Lamanites becoming their king and using them as a means to gain power over the...
: the man who wants to be king (see Alma 46 ) - AmmoronAmmoronAccording to the Book of Mormon, Ammoron was a Nephite traitor. He was a descendant of Zoram and succeeded his brother Amalickiah as the king of the Lamanites. Amalickiah, as king, had started a major war with the Nephites which the Nephites had hoped would end with his death. However Ammoron...
: the vengeful brother of Amalickiah ( see Alma 52 )
- Amalickiah
Protagonist
- Alma the YoungerAlma the YoungerAccording to the Book of Mormon, Alma, the son of Alma was a Nephite prophet often referred to as "Alma the Younger" to distinguish him from his father, who is often referred to as "Alma the Elder"...
- GideonGideon (Book of Mormon)According to the Book of Mormon, Gideon was a faithful Nephite leader, and a strong man and an enemy to King Noah. After King Noah's expulsion and death by fire, Gideon counseled with Noah's son, King Limhi in Mosiah 20: 17-22. He proposed a plan for escaping from Lamanite bondage. Gideon grew to...
- Nephihah
- Sons of MosiahSons of MosiahThe sons of Mosiah is the collective name used in the Book of Mormon for four sons of King Mosiah, whose names were Ammon, Aaron, Omner, and Himni. These sons were notable for their initial opposition to the church, their miraculous repentance and conversion to Christ. They subsequently served as...
- AmmonAmmon (Book of Mormon)This article is about the prominent Book of Mormon missionary. For the Book of Mormon explorer, see Ammon Ammon is a missionary in the Mormon religious text, Book of Mormon and a contemporary of Alma the Younger. The Book of Mosiah describes his original antipathy toward the Nephite Church of God...
- Aaron3Aaron (Nephite)According to the Book of Mormon, Aaron was a Nephite missionary and one of the sons of King Mosiah. He was also brother to the prophet Ammon. As related in the Book of Mormon narrative, Aaron and his three brothers , left their father, and his people, to travel to the land of the Lamanites in...
- OmnerOmnerAccording to the Book of Mormon, Omner was a Nephite missionary and one of the sons of King Mosiah. He was also brother to the prophet Ammon. As related in the Book of Mormon narrative, Omner and his three brothers , left their father, and his people, to travel to the land of the Lamanites in...
- HimniHimniAccording to the Book of Mormon, Himni was a Nephite missionary and one of the sons of King Mosiah. He was also brother to the prophet Ammon. As related in the Book of Mormon narrative, Himni and his three brothers , left their father, and his people, to travel to the land of the Lamanites in...
- Ammon
- AmulekAmulekAmulek is a key figure from the Book of Alma, a section of the Book of Mormon.-Mission to Ammonihah:According to Alma, chapters 8-14, Amulek, in 82 B.C., accompanied the prophet Alma the Younger on a mission to the wicked city of Ammonihah, where he preached the Gospel and contended with the...
- Zoram2ZoramThere are three individuals named Zoram in the Book of Mormon, indexed in the LDS edition as Zoram1, Zoram², and Zoram³.- Zoram¹ :Zoram1 was the servant of Laban, a wealthy inhabitant of Jerusalem. According to First Nephi, Zoram led Nephi, disguised as Laban, into Laban's treasury...
- AmmonAmmonAmmon , also referred to as the Ammonites and children of Ammon, was an ancient nation located east of the Jordan River, Gilead, and the Dead Sea, in present-day Jordan. The chief city of the country was Rabbah or Rabbath Ammon, site of the modern city of Amman, Jordan's capital...
- MelekMelekMelek is a municipality and village in the Nitra District of the south-west of Slovakia, in the Nitra Region....
- Lehonti
- HelamanHelamanAccording to the Book of Mormon, Helaman was a Nephite prophet and soldier who lived around the 1st century BC. He is perhaps best known in LDS theology for leading into battle an army of two thousand young warriors, which he referred to as his two thousand sons...
- ShiblonShiblonAccording to the Book of Mormon, Shiblon was a Nephite missionary and record-keeper. He was the second son of Alma the Younger, who was the first chief judge...
- Corianton
- Captain MoroniCaptain MoroniAccording to the Book of Mormon, Captain Moroni was an important Nephite military commander and patriot who lived during the 1st century BC. He is perhaps best known for raising the "Title of Liberty" as a call to arms for his people to defend their country, family and religion...
- Two thousand stripling warriorsTwo thousand stripling warriorsThe two thousand stripling warriors, also known as The Army of Helaman, were an army of young men in the Book of Mormon, first mentioned in the Book of Alma They were extremely valiant and loyal warriors who were all reportedly wounded at one time or another, but none ever died from their...
- TeancumTeancumAccording to the Book of Mormon, Teancum was a Nephite military leader. Found in the Book of Alma between Alma 50:35 and Alma 62:40 , his period of time shown is 67-60 BC. His major accomplishments include the assassinations of King Amalickiah in 67 BC, and the subsequent assassination of...
- Laman4
- GidGidAccording to the Book of Mormon, Gid was a Nephite military officer. He is first mentioned as the leader of a band of soldiers Helaman had chosen to take a large body of Lamanite prisoners to Zarahemla. When news reached of a fresh Lamanite army attacking the main Nephite army, the prisoners...
- Teomner
- PahoranPahoranIn the Book of Mormon, Pahoran was the third chief judge over the people of Nephi, having inherited the judgement-seat from his father Nephihah, at the end of the 24th year of the reign of the judges over the Nephites, or 67 BC...
- HagothHagothAccording to the Book of Mormon, Hagoth was a Nephite ship builder who lived in or around 55 BC. At least two of the ships he built were lost. The occupants of one ship were presumed drowned...
- MoronihahMoronihahAccording to the Book of Mormon, Moronihah was the son of the Captain Moroni who had defeated the armies of Zerahemnah, stopped the king-men, and restored the Nephites' cities to their possession...
Antagonist
- NehorNehorNehor was the name of the Nephite founder of an apostate sect mentioned in the Book of Mormon, around 90 BC . In opposition to the Church of God headed by Alma the Younger, Nehor zealously preached the following doctrines:...
- AmliciAmliciAccording to the Book of Mormon, Amlici was a Nephite rebel that lived in the 1st century BC on the American continent. The narrative of Amlici's life and interaction with the Book of Mormon people is detailed in chapter 2 of the Book of Alma....
- KorihorKorihorKorihor is a skeptic mentioned in The Book of Mormon, in Alma . Korihor preached ...that there could be no atonement made for the sins of men, but every man fared in this life according to the management of the creature; therefore every man prospered according to his genius, and that every man...
- ZoramZoramThere are three individuals named Zoram in the Book of Mormon, indexed in the LDS edition as Zoram1, Zoram², and Zoram³.- Zoram¹ :Zoram1 was the servant of Laban, a wealthy inhabitant of Jerusalem. According to First Nephi, Zoram led Nephi, disguised as Laban, into Laban's treasury...
- Zerahemnah
- AmalickiahAmalickiahIn the Book of Mormon, Amalickiah was a Nephite leader of a movement to reestablish a king, specifically him as the king of the Nephites. When he failed to gain power through a popular uprising he dissented to the Lamanites becoming their king and using them as a means to gain power over the...
- Morianton
- AmmoronAmmoronAccording to the Book of Mormon, Ammoron was a Nephite traitor. He was a descendant of Zoram and succeeded his brother Amalickiah as the king of the Lamanites. Amalickiah, as king, had started a major war with the Nephites which the Nephites had hoped would end with his death. However Ammoron...
- King-men
- Gidoni