Alma 13:1-20
(Revised for readability)
Alma 13:1-20 is difficult to read in the English version, containing long,
complex sentences and a somewhat awkward flow of ideas.
As an interpretive exercise, I reworked the section into shorter sentences,
rearranged the order of the material slightly, and simplified some of the
phrases.
As every translation is an interpretation, this is my take on the passage.
--Steven Barton
The Priesthood itself confirms the truth of Christ's redemption.
1Furthermore, my brethren, consider the time when the Lord God gave these
commandments to his children; remember that He ordained priests to teach
these things unto the people. 2And those priests He ordained in a manner
such that people might know in what way to look forward to his Son for redemption.
3&6This is the manner after which He ordained them: He called and prepared
them "from the foundation of the earth" (according to His foreknowledge),
and left them to choose good or evil. Because they chose good, and exercised
exceeding great faith and good works, He called them with a holy calling,
and ordained them unto the high priesthood of the holy order of God, to teach
his commandments unto the children of men, that they also might "enter into
his rest." 5Thus, this holy calling was prepared "from the foundation of
the world" for those who do not harden their hearts. 4(0thers would reject
the Spirit of God because of their stubborn hearts and their foolish minds.
If it had not been for this they might have had as great a privilege as their
brethren—they, who were once on the same standing as their brethren.)
The Holy order of the Son of God is Eternal.
7Now this high priesthood is after the order of his Son, which order was
"from the foundation of the world"—that is, being "without beginning of
days or end of years," and prepared from eternity to all eternity (according
to his foreknowledge of all things). 8Thus when they were made high priests
they were called with a holy calling, ordained with a holy ordinance, and
received the high priesthood of the holy order. This calling, ordinance and
high priesthood are without beginning or end. 9And they became high priests
forever after the order of the Son, the Only Begotten of the Father. Now
the Son is "without beginning of days or end of years," and is full of grace,
equity and truth. Therefore, it is his order.
The order of the Priesthood is patterned after Christ's redemption.
10Now, as I said concerning the holy order of this high priesthood, there
were many who were ordained and became high priests of God; and it was because
of their exceeding faith and repentance, and their righteousness before
God. They chose to repent and work righteousness rather than to perish;
11and having been called after this order, they were sanctified, and their
garments were washed white through the blood of the Lamb. 12And they, after
having been sanctified by the Holy Ghost, having their garments made white,
being pure and spotless before God, could not look upon sin save it were
with abhorrence. Now there were many, an exceeding great many, who were
made pure and entered into the rest of the Lord their God.
16These priests, then, were ordained according to the order of the Son
of God, which order points men’s minds toward the Son, that people might
look forward to him for a remission of their sins, that they might enter
into the "rest of the Lord." 13Therefore, my brethren, I would that you should
humble yourselves before God, and bring forth fruit meet for repentance,
that you also may enter into that rest. 14Yea, humble yourselves even as
the people in the days of Melchizedek. He was also a high priest after this
order of which I have spoken, who took upon him the high priesthood forever.
15And it was to this same Melchizedek that Abraham paid tithes; yea, even
our father Abraham paid tithes of one-tenth part of all he possessed.
Melchizedek is the model priest.
17Now this Melchizedek was a king over the land of Salem, and his people
had waxed strong in iniquity and abomination. Yea, they had all gone astray
and were full of all manner of wickedness. 18But Melchizedek, having exercised
mighty faith, and having received the office of the high priesthood according
to the holy order of God, did preach repentance unto his people. And behold,
they did repent; and Melchizedek did establish peace in the land in his
days. Therefore, he was called the prince of peace. 19(Now, as King of Salem,
he did reign under his father. For there were indeed many before him and
many afterwards, but none were greater; therefore, of him they have more
particularly made mention.)
20Now I need not rehearse the matter; what I have said may suffice. Behold,
the scriptures are before you; if ye will wrest them it shall be to your
own destruction.