Wednesday, December 4, 2019

Internal Consistency in Alma 19

There are many examples of internal consistency in the Book of Mormon, many of which draw little or no attention to themselves.

One such example is found in Alma 19.  A miraculous conversion of the Lamanite king is taking place, and in the process, the queen and Ammon are both overcome with the Spirit and fall to the earth.  Some men arrive and see the situation. The story continues:

22 Now, one of them, whose brother had been slain with the sword of Ammon, being exceedingly angry with Ammon, drew his sword and went forth that he might let it fall upon Ammon, to slay him; and as he lifted the sword to smite him, behold, he fell dead.
23 Now we see that Ammon could not be slain, for the Lord had said unto Mosiah, his father: I will spare him, and it shall be unto him according to thy faith—therefore, Mosiah trusted him unto the Lord. (Alma 19)
These two verses contain references to other parts of the Book of Mormon.  The passage highlighted in red refers to Alma 17:35-38, in which we learn that Ammon slays 6 men with his sling, but only slew one man -- the leader of the group -- with his sword. Thus, the man who tries to slay him in Alma 19 must have been the brother of the group's leader.


35 Therefore they did not fear Ammon, for they supposed that one of their men could slay him according to their pleasure, for they knew not that the Lord had promised Mosiah that he would deliver his sons out of their hands; neither did they know anything concerning the Lord; therefore they delighted in the destruction of their brethren; and for this cause they stood to scatter the flocks of the king.
36 But Ammon stood forth and began to cast stones at them with his sling; yea, with mighty power he did sling stones amongst them; and thus he slew a certain number of them insomuch that they began to be astonished at his power; nevertheless they were angry because of the slain of their brethren, and they were determined that he should fall; therefore, seeing that they could not hit him with their stones, they came forth with clubs to slay him.
37 But behold, every man that lifted his club to smite Ammon, he smote off their arms with his sword; for he did withstand their blows by smiting their arms with the edge of his sword, insomuch that they began to be astonished, and began to flee before him; yea, and they were not few in number; and he caused them to flee by the strength of his arm.
38 Now six of them had fallen by the sling, but he slew none save it were their leader with his sword; and he smote off as many of their arms as were lifted against him, and they were not a few. (Alma 19)
The yellow passage (as well as Alma 17:35) refers to the Lord's assurance to Mosiah:

6 And king Mosiah went and inquired of the Lord if he should let his sons go up among the Lamanites to preach the word.
7 And the Lord said unto Mosiah: Let them go up, for many shall believe on their words, and they shall have eternal life; and I will deliver thy sons out of the hands of the Lamanites.
8 And it came to pass that Mosiah granted that they might go and do according to their request. (Mosiah 28)

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