Sunday, July 7, 2019

Intertextual Connections between Helaman 5 and Alma 11 -- Nephi and Lehi recall their father Helaman quoting Amulek.

Nephi and Lehi recall the words of their father Helaman, who summarized words from Amulek in Helaman 5:10 this:
10 And remember also the words which Amulek spake unto Zeezrom, in the city of Ammonihah; for he said unto him that the Lord surely should come to redeem his people, but that he should not come to redeem them in their sins, but to redeem them from their sins.

(Note that Helaman quotes the words, but also the setting--Amulek is speaking to Zeezrom in city of Ammonihah.)

We can find the relevant passage (or Mormon's version of these words) in Alma 11:36-37:
36 Now Amulek saith again unto him: Behold thou hast lied, for thou sayest that I spake as though I had authority to command God because I said he shall not save his people in their sins.37 And I say unto you again that he cannot save them in their sins; for I cannot deny his word, and he hath said that no unclean thing can inherit the kingdom of heaven; therefore, how can ye be saved, except ye inherit the kingdom of heaven? Therefore, ye cannot be saved in your sins.