Alma and the Words of Jacob on the Dangers of Pride and Riches

When Alma taught his son Corianton about the plan of happiness, he drew upon the earlier words of father Lehi. Alma taught that repentance could not come unto men unless there was "a punishment,affixed oppositehappiness,punishmentaffixed is in oppositionhappiness
Key Insights

The teachings of Lehi recorded on the plates of Nephi were a blessing to Alma as he counseled his confused and troubled son. When we read Alma’s words, we should ponder how his words and those of other Book of Mormon prophets can help us to provide wise and needed counsel to our children and others who need it.

Lehi	Alma to Corianton
Wherefore, the ends of the law which the Holy One hath given, unto the inflicting of the punishment which is affixed, which punishment that is affixed is in opposition to that of the happiness which is affixed, to answer the ends of the atonement (2 Nephi 2:10).	Now, repentance could not come unto men except there were a punishment, which also was eternal as the life of the soul should be, affixed opposite to the plan of happiness, which was as eternal also as the life of the soul (Alma 42:16).

Alma taught his son Helaman that God commanded the small plates of Nephi to be kept “for a wise purpose in him” (Alma 37:14, 18), which is the precise phrase used by Nephi (1 Nephi 9:5; 19:3). Alma also refers to the “plates of brass,” which contain “the genealogy of our forefathers” (Alma 37:3; 1 Nephi 5:14, 16), and references Lehi’s prophecy that those plates would eventually “go forth unto every nation, kindred, tongue, and people” (Alma 37:4; 1 Nephi 5:17–18). Alma also admonishes his son that he must care for the plates so that they may “retain their brightness” (Alma 37:5). Lehi had prophesied that the plates of brass would not “be dimmed any more by time” (1 Nephi 5:19).

Alma refers to the Liahona as a “ball” and as a “compass” that was “prepared” by the Lord (Alma 37:38), just as Nephi does (2 Nephi 5:12). Both prophets speak of its “curious workmanship” (Alma 37:39; 1 Nephi 16:10) and that it worked “according to their faith” (Alma 37:40; 1 Nephi 16:28), but that it “ceased” to work without faith (Alma 37:41; 1 Nephi 18:12–13). They added that through “small means” the Lord showed great things (Alma 37:41; 1 Nephi 16:29).

Key Insights

Alma’s teachings show that he was very familiar with the teachings of Nephi on the small plates, and they greatly influenced what he taught his son. When we read the words of Alma to Helaman, we should remember that the Lord fulfills His promises to His people, including us. We should always seek to exercise faith in Christ to qualify to receive His blessings. The Lord can use our weak and seemingly small acts of faith to fulfill His divine purposes and to bless our lives and the lives of others.

Nephi	Alma to Helaman
Wherefore, the Lord hath commanded me to make these plates for a wise purpose in him, which purpose I know not (1 Nephi 9:5). The things which were written should be kept for the instruction of my people, who should possess the land, and also for other wise purposes, which purposes are known unto the Lord (1 Nephi 19:3).	And now remember, my son, that God has entrusted you with these things, which are sacred, which he has kept sacred, and also which he will keep and preserve for a wise purpose in him (Alma 37:14). For he promised unto [Alma's fathers] that he would preserve these things for a wise purpose in him (Alma 37:18). It is for a wise purpose that they are kept (Alma 37:2)
And it came to pass that my father, Lehi, also found upon the plates of brass a genealogy of his fathers (1 Nephi 5:14). And thus my father, Lehi, did discover the genealogy of his fathers (1 Nephi 5:16).	And these plates of brass, which contain these engravings, . . . have the genealogy of our forefathers, even from the beginning (Alma 37:3).
And now when my father saw all these things, he was filled with the Spirit, and began to prophesy concerning his seed— That these plates of brass should go forth unto all nations, kindreds, tongues, and people who were of his seed" (1 Nephi 5:17–18).	Behold, it has been prophesied by our fathers, that they should be kept and handed down from one generation to another, and be kept and preserved by the hand of the Lord until they shall go forth unto every nation, kindred, tongue, and people, that they shall know of the mysteries contained thereon (Alma 37:4).
Wherefore, he said that these plates of brass should never perish; neither should they be dimmed any more by time (1 Nephi 5:19).	And now behold, if they are kept they must retain their brightness; yea, and they will retain their brightness" (Alma 37:5).
The ball, or compass, which was prepared for my father by the hand of the Lord (2 Nephi 5:12). The compass, which had been prepared of the Lord (1 Nephi 18:12).	And now, my son, I have somewhat to say concerning the thing which our fathers call a ball, or director—or our fathers called it Liahona, which is, being interpreted, a compass; and the Lord prepared it (Alma 37:38).
He beheld upon the ground a round ball of curious workmanship; and it was of fine brass (1 Nephi 16:10).	And behold, there cannot any man work after the manner of so curious a workmanship (Alma 37:39).
And within the ball were two spindles; and the one pointed the way whither we should go in the wilderness (1 Nephi 16:10).	And behold, it was prepared to show unto our fathers the course which they should travel in the wilderness (Alma 37:39).
And it came to pass that I, Nephi, beheld the pointers which were in the ball, that they did work according to the faith and diligence and heed which we did give unto them (1 Nephi 16:28).	And it did work for them according to their faith in God; therefore, if they had faith to believe that God could cause that those spindles should point the way they should go, behold, it was done (Alma 37:40).
And thus we see that by small means the Lord can bring about great things (1 Nephi 16:29).	Nevertheless, because those miracles were worked by small means it did show unto them marvelous works (Alma 37:41).
And it came to pass that after they had bound me insomuch that I could not move, the compass, which had been prepared of the Lord, did cease to work . . . And we were driven back upon the waters (1 Nephi 18:12–13).	They were slothful, and forgot to exercise their faith and diligence and then those marvelous works ceased, and they did not progress in their journey (Alma 37:41).
And it came to pass after they had loosed me, behold, I took the compass, and it did work whither I desired it (1 Nephi 18:21). And it came to pass that I, Nephi, did guide the ship, that we sailed towards the promised land (1 Nephi 18:22).	For behold, it is as easy to give heed to the word of Christ, which will point to you a straight course to eternal bliss, as it was for our fathers to give heed to this compass, which would point unto them a straight course to the promised land (Alma 37:44).

Shortly before the death of King Mosiah II, Alma II was entrusted with all the records of the Nephites previously kept by the Nephite kings (Mosiah 28:20). King Mosiah “took the plates of brass, and all the things which he had kept, and conferred them upon Alma, who was the son of Alma; yea, all the records, and also the interpreters, and conferred them upon him, and commanded him that he should keep and preserve them, and also keep a record of the people, handing them down from one generation to another, even as they had been handed down from the time that Lehi left Jerusalem” (Mosiah 28:20).

A comparison of Alma’s teachings with those on the plates of Nephi show that he frequently drew upon the words of his prophetic ancestors. Examples of the influence of the plates of Nephi on Alma’s teachings can be found in his warnings about the dangers of pride and riches, allusions to Lehi’s visions, Nephi’s teachings about the plates and the Liahona, and the plan of happiness.

Alma spoke of the dangers of pride and riches to the people of Zarahemla. His teachings and words on this subject are similar to those of Jacob the brother of Nephi on the small plates. In both passages, the prophets are concerned with the negative impact of wealth and prosperity upon the people of Nephi. Both Jacob and Alma speak of riches and the costly apparel of the people. Each condemns the pride of the hearts of the people, in which they suppose that they are better than their brethren, and which leads to persecution (Alma 5:53–54; Jacob 2:13).

Key Insights

Alma’s words about riches provide a good caution for our day. When we read Alma’s teachings, we should ponder how we can be more fully humble before God and our fellow man, and always treat others as we would like to be treated. Also, Alma drew upon the scriptures in his possession to deal with serious challenges in his life and to know what to teach. We can likewise be blessed as we search the scriptures to find answers and help in dealing with our own challenges.

An additional insight drawn from Alma’s use of these and other teachings from the plates of Nephi may not initially be obvious to the reader. It is generally accepted now that our current text of the Book of Mormon was dictated from Mosiah through 4 Nephi following the loss of the 116 pages of the book of Lehi. This means that Alma’s teachings in this portion of the Book of Mormon were actually dictated by Joseph Smith before the source material on the small plates (1 Nephi through Omni).

It would, of course, be very difficult for Joseph Smith to remember and keep such details straight, had he been the author of the Book of Mormon. However, Alma’s use of this source material on the small plates is consistent with what the Book of Mormon says (he had the small plates in his possession) and is exactly what one would expect if the Book of Mormon was true.

Jacob	Alma to the People of Zarahemla
And the hand of providence hath smiled upon you most pleasingly, that you have obtained many riches; and because some of you have obtained more abundantly than that of your brethren ye are lifted up in the pride of your hearts, and wear stiff necks and high heads because of the costliness of your apparel, and persecute your brethren because ye suppose that ye are better than they (Jacob 2:13).	Can ye be puffed up in the pride of your hearts; yea, will ye still persist in the wearing of costly apparel and setting your hearts upon the vain things of the world, upon your riches? Yea, will ye persist in supposing that ye are better one than another; yea, will ye persist in the persecution of your brethren? (Alma 5:53–54).

Alma’s father, Alma I, had been one of King Noah’s priests at the time when Abinadi was brought before King Noah’s court. He was converted by Abinadi’s words and recorded Abinadi’s teachings and testimony (Mosiah 17:2; 18:1-3). When we examine the teachings of Alma II, we find evidence that he drew upon this record when counseling his troubled son, Corianton.¹

While some of the words and phrases from Abinadi’s sermons can also be found in the writings of subsequent Book of Mormon speakers, others are only found in the writings of Alma. These include the warning that unless he repented, his sins would "stand as a testimony against [him] at the last day" (Mosiah 16:10; Alma 39:8), the phrase "they have no part" (Mosiah 15:26; Alma 40:13), the teaching that all will be "brought to stand before God" to be "judged . . . according to their works" (Mosiah 16:10; Alma 40:21), and a reference to a "first resurrection" (Mosiah 15:21; Alma 40:15-17).

Key Insights

Alma’s words show how the prophetic teachings of Abinadi, treasured and faithfully recorded by his father, became a blessing leading to the repentance of his son Corianton, and continues to bless readers today. When we read the words of Alma to Corianton, we should ponder how those teachings can help us to have greater faith in Christ, and build greater faith in the hearts of our families.



¹ John Hilton III, "Textual Similarities in the Words of Abinadi and Alma’s Counsel to Corianton," BYU Studies 51, No. 2 (2012): 39-60.

Abinadi	Alma
Demands of justice (Mosiah 15:9).	Demands of justice (Alma 42:15).
Salvation unto his people (Mosiah 15:18).	Salvation unto his people (Alma 39:15).
Were it not for the redemption (Mosiah 15:19).	If it were it not for the plan of redemption (Alma 42:11).
Prepared from the foundation of the world (Mosiah 15:19).	Prepared from the foundation of the world (Alma 42:26).
Resurrection of Christ (Mosiah 15:21).	Resurrection of Christ (Alma 40:16, 18-20).
First resurrection (Mosiah 15:21-22, 24, 26).	First resurrection (Alma 40:15-17).
They have no part (Mosiah 15:26).	They have no part (Alma 40:13).
Bringeth about the restoration (Mosiah 15:24).	Bringeth about the restoration (Alma 40:22).
Gnashing their teeth (Mosiah 16:2).	Gnashing of teeth (Alma 40:13).
Carnal, sensual, devilish (Mosiah 16:3).	Carnal, sensual, and devilish (Alma 42:10).
This mortal shall put on immortality, and this corruption shall put on incorruption (Mosiah 16:10).	This mortal does not put on immortality, this corruption does not put on incorruption (Alma 40:2).
Brought to stand before the bar of God, to be judged of him according to their works (Mosiah 16:10).	Brought to stand before God, and be judged according to their works (Alma 40:21).
Stand as a testimony against you at the last day (Mosiah 17:10).	Stand as a testimony against you at the last day (Alma 39:8).

When Alma recounts his dramatic conversion to his son Helaman, he evokes the words of his ancestor Lehi’s visionary experience. Alma says, "Yea, methought I saw, even as our father Lehi saw, God sitting upon his throne, surrounded with numberless concourses of angels, in the attitude of singing and praising their God; yea, and my soul did long to be there" (Alma 36:22). Alma specifically mentions Lehi’s experience, and his words precisely match those found in 1 Nephi 1:8.

When Alma speaks of his post-conversion desire to diligently share the gospel message, he draws upon the language of Lehi’s vision of the tree of life. "I have labored without ceasing, that I might bring souls unto repentance; that I might bring them to taste of the exceeding joy of which I did taste" (Alma 36:24). Alma’s words evoke Lehi’s description: "And as I partook of the fruit thereof it filled my soul with exceeding great joy; wherefore I began to be desirous that my family should partake of it also" (1 Nephi 8:12).

Key Insights

Alma’s words show a familiarity with Lehi’s teachings and indicate that he pondered the scriptures of his prophetic ancestor. When we read Alma’s words to his son Helaman, we should ponder how we can seek to see and hear and know what Alma experienced, which brought such exquisite joy into his life.

Alma to Helaman	Lehi
Yea, methought I saw, even as our father Lehi saw, God sitting upon his throne, surrounded with numberless concourses of angels, in the attitude of singing and praising their God; yea, and my soul did long to be there (Alma 36:22).	And being thus overcome with the Spirit, he was carried away in a vision, even that he saw the heavens open, and he thought he saw God sitting upon his throne, surrounded with numberless concourses of angels in the attitude of singing and praising their God (1 Nephi 1:8).
I have labored without ceasing, that I might bring souls unto repentance; that I might bring them to taste of the exceeding joy of which I did taste (Alma 36:24).	And as I partook of the fruit thereof it filled my soul with exceeding great joy; wherefore I began to be desirous that my family should partake of it also (1 Nephi 8:12).