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{{Short description|Book of the Book of Mormon}}
{{Short description|Book of the Book of Mormon}}
{{More citations needed|date=March 2010}}
[[File: Moroni - Book of Mormon.jpg|thumb|upright=1.5|Captain Moroni raises the "Title of Liberty", as found in the 1910 book ''Cities in the Sun''.|alt=A figure (presumably Captain Moroni) stands with arms aloft at the top of a wide set of outdoor stairs that appear to descend from a large public building; implicitly, in the context of the Book of Mormon, a religious edifice like a temple. Two figures flank Captain Moroni, one seated and the other standing, a few steps down. Behind them, a the building looms, with two gaping square-arched entrances. Crowds seem to be trailing out from each. At the bottom of the steps, another crowd gathers. They are animated, and many have their arms raised up. Captain Moroni has evidently energized the crowd, rallying them to arms in defense of Nephite society.]]
[[File: Moroni - Book of Mormon.jpg|thumb|upright=1.5|Captain Moroni raises the "Title of Liberty", as found in the 1910 book ''Cities in the Sun''.|alt=A figure (presumably Captain Moroni) stands with arms aloft at the top of a wide set of outdoor stairs that appear to descend from a large public building; implicitly, in the context of the Book of Mormon, a religious edifice like a temple. Two figures flank Captain Moroni, one seated and the other standing, a few steps down. Behind them, a the building looms, with two gaping square-arched entrances. Crowds seem to be trailing out from each. At the bottom of the steps, another crowd gathers. They are animated, and many have their arms raised up. Captain Moroni has evidently energized the crowd, rallying them to arms in defense of Nephite society.]]
{{Books of the Book of Mormon}}
{{Books of the Book of Mormon}}
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==Narrative==
==Narrative==
===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 [[Nephite]]s termed "the reign of the judges", a period in which the Nephite nation adopted a [[Constitutional theocracy|constitutional theocratic government]] in which the judicial and executive branches of the government were combined.
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 [[Nephite]]s termed "the reign of the judges", a period in which the Nephite nation adopted a [[Constitutional theocracy|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 [[Nehor]] and [[Amlici]]. Contrary to the dominant lay ministry that existed in the Nephite culture, Nehor established a church that taught [[Universalism and the Latter Day Saint Movement|universal salvation]] in which priests were given 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 had replaced. [[Alma the Younger|Alma]], who was chief judge, governor, and high priest over the people of Nephi, led an army against Amlici and his followers and drove the rebellion out of the land.

====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 [[Various Book of Mormon people#N|Nephihah]] as chief judge and governor of the land. Chapters 5–16 record sermons and missionary travels of Alma between 83 and 78 BC. 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 [[Last Judgment#The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints|judgment day]]. Later, their teachings about faith and worship in Alma 32-34 are important sources of instruction and insight.

====Ministry of the sons of Mosiah among the Lamanites====
Chapters 17 to 27 describe the missionary labors of the sons of [[King Mosiah II]] who was the last king over the people of Nephi before the peaceful transition of the nation from a monarchy to a republican form of government. The [[sons of Mosiah]], named [[Ammon (Book of Mormon missionary)|Ammon]], [[Aaron (Nephite)|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 BC.

====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 [[Zoramites]]. 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 conspiring against the 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.

====Commandments of Alma to his children====
Chapters 36 to 42 record the teachings of Alma to his sons, [[Helaman]], [[Shiblon]], and [[Lineage of Alma the Younger#Corianton|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.

====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 BC. The Chief Captain (senior military commander) of the Nephites during this time was [[Captain Moroni]]. The Nephites were ultimately successful in their defense against the Lamanites.

====Conclusion====
Chapter 63 includes concluding historical notes covering the years 56 to 53 BC. 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 [[antagonist]] 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).
*'''Mission chapters''' ({{lds|Alma 1-42|alma}})
**[[Nehor]]: rebels against the Church ({{lds|Alma|alma|1}})
**[[Amlici]]: rebels against the Republic ({{lds|Alma|alma|2}})
**[[Korihor]]: the [[AntiChrist|antichrist]] ({{lds|Alma|alma|30}})
*'''Zoramites''' ({{lds|Alma 31 - 43|alma}})
**[[Zoram]]: the Apostate Nephites religious ({{lds|Alma|alma|31}})
**[[Zerahemnah]]: the war leader of the Zoramites political ({{lds|Alma|alma|43}})
*'''War chapters''' ({{lds|Alma 43-63|alma}})
**[[Amalickiah]]: the man who wants to be king ({{lds|Alma|alma|46}})
**[[Ammoron]]: the vengeful brother of Amalickiah ({{lds|Alma|alma|52}})


==Characters==
==Characters==
{{Expand list|date=August 2008}}

===Protagonist===
{{Div col|colwidth=20em}}
{{Div col|colwidth=20em}}
*[[Alma the Younger]]
*[[Alma the Younger]]
*Gideon
*[[Gideon (Book of Mormon)|Gideon]]
*[[Nephihah]]
*[[Nephihah]]
*[[Sons of Mosiah]]
*[[Sons of Mosiah]]
Line 59: Line 18:
**[[Himni]]
**[[Himni]]
*[[Amulek]]
*[[Amulek]]
*[[Zoram|Zoram<sup>2</sup>]]
*Zoram<sup>2</sup>
*[[Ammon]]
*[[Ammon]]
*Melek
*Melek
*[[Lehonti]]
*[[Lehonti]]
*[[Helaman]]
*[[Helaman]]
*[[Shiblon]]
*Shiblon
*Corianton
*[[Lineage of Alma the Younger#Corianton|Corianton]]
*[[Captain Moroni]]
*[[Captain Moroni]]
*[[Two thousand stripling warriors]]
*[[Two thousand stripling warriors]]
*[[Teancum]]
*[[Teancum]]
*[[Laman|Laman<sup>4</sup>]]
*[[Laman and Lemuel|Laman<sup>4</sup>]]
*[[Gid (Book of Mormon)|Gid]]
*[[Gid (Book of Mormon)|Gid]]
*[[Teomner]]
*[[Teomner]]
*[[Pahoran]]
*Pahoran
*[[Hagoth]]
*[[Moronihah]]
*[[Moronihah]]
{{div col end}}
{{div col end}}
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*[[Nehor]]
*[[Nehor]]
*[[Amlici]]
*[[Amlici]]
⚫
*Zoram
*[[Korihor]]
⚫
*[[Zoram]]
*[[Zerahemnah]]
*[[Zerahemnah]]
*[[Amalickiah]]
*[[Amalickiah]]

Latest revision as of 18:52, 9 August 2024

A figure (presumably Captain Moroni) stands with arms aloft at the top of a wide set of outdoor stairs that appear to descend from a large public building; implicitly, in the context of the Book of Mormon, a religious edifice like a temple. Two figures flank Captain Moroni, one seated and the other standing, a few steps down. Behind them, a the building looms, with two gaping square-arched entrances. Crowds seem to be trailing out from each. At the bottom of the steps, another crowd gathers. They are animated, and many have their arms raised up. Captain Moroni has evidently energized the crowd, rallying them to arms in defense of Nephite society.
Captain Moroni raises the "Title of Liberty", as found in the 1910 book Cities in the Sun.
Books of the Book of Mormon
Small Plates of Nephi
Contribution of Mormon
Additions by Moroni

The Book of Alma: The Son of Alma (/ˈælmə/),[1] usually referred to as the Book of Alma, is one of the books that make up the Book of Mormon. The title refers to Alma the Younger, a prophet and "chief judge" of the Nephites. Alma is the longest book in the Book of Mormon and consists of sixty-three chapters,[2] taking up almost a third of the volume.

Narrative

[edit]

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 Nephites 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.

Characters

[edit]

Converts

[edit]

Notes

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  1. ^ "Book of Mormon Pronunciation Guide" (retrieved 2012-02-25), IPA-ified from «ăl´ma»
  2. ^ Alma

Further reading

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  • Austin, Michael (2024). The Testimony of Two Nations: How the Book of Mormon Reads, and Rereads, the Bible. University of Illinois Press. ISBN 978-0-252-04535-6.
  • Brown, Cheryl (1992). "Book of Mormon: Book of Alma". In Ludlow, Daniel H. (ed.). Encyclopedia of Mormonism. Macmillan Publishing. pp. 150–152. ISBN 0-02-879602-0. OCLC 24502140.
  • Gardner, Brant A. (2007). Second Witness: Analytical and Contextual Commentary on the Book of Mormon. Vol. 4, Alma. Greg Kofford Books. ISBN 978-1-58958-044-2.
  • Nyman, Monte; Tate, Charles D., eds. (1992). The Book of Mormon: Alma, the Testimony of the Word. Book of Mormon Symposium Series (Volume 6). Religious Studies Center. ISBN 0-8849-4841-2. OCLC 26785256.
  • Salleh, Fatimah; Olsen Hemming, Margaret (2022). The Book of Mormon for the Least of These. Vol. 2, Mosiah–Alma. By Common Consent Press. ISBN 978-1-948218-58-0.
  • Spencer, Joseph M. (2017). "The Structure of the Book of Alma". Journal of Book of Mormon Studies. 26: 273–283. doi:10.18809/jbms.2017.0116.
  • Thomas, John Christopher (2016). A Pentecostal Reads the Book of Mormon: A Literary and Theological Introduction. CPT Press. ISBN 9781935931553.
  • Turley, Kylie Nielson (2020). Alma 1–29: A Brief Theological Introduction. The Book of Mormon: Brief Theological Introductions. Neal A. Maxwell Institute for Religious Scholarship. ISBN 978-0-8425-0024-1.
  • Wrathall, Mark A. (2020). Alma 30–63: A Brief Theological Introduction. The Book of Mormon: Brief Theological Introductions. Neal A. Maxwell Institute for Religious Scholarship. ISBN 978-0-8425-0020-3.
[edit]
Book of Alma
Contribution of Mormon (Large Plates of Nephi)
Preceded by Book of Mormon Succeeded by
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