Thursday, September 3, 2020

Alma quoting King Benjamin and Abinadi

It is expected that talks in church, in sacrament meeting, Stake Conference or General Conference include quotes from the scriptures. Typically, they are announced and then read out loud. But other times, quotes from the scriptures are just blended into our talks without announcement. We may for instance talk about "putting off the natural man", "carry each other's burdens" or "an opposition in all things". We don't necessarily have to open our scriptures and read, everybody recognizes it. In the Book of Mormon, there are several examples of Nephi, Jacob, Abinadi and others announcing their quotes and then sharing passages from the brass plates. In 2 Nephi 11 for instance, Nephi announces that he will read from Isaiah and then quotes Isaiah in 2 Nephi 12-24.

There are also examples of subtly mixing writings from the brass plates into sermons without announcement. We have seen many examples on this blog. But sometimes, Book of Mormon prophets would also refer to each other that way. Consider this example from Alma 38:9.

And now, my son, I have told you this that ye may learn wisdom, that ye may learn of me that there is no other way or means whereby man can be saved, only in and through Christ. Behold, he is the life and the light of the world. Behold, he is the word of truth and righteousness.

Compare with Mosiah 2:17

And behold, I tell you these things that ye may learn wisdom; that ye may learn that

Mosiah 3:17

there shall be no other name given nor any other way nor means whereby salvation can come unto the children of men, only in and through the name of Christ, the Lord Omnipotent.

and Mosiah 16:9

He is the light and the life of the world

Alma seems to be quoting from King Benjamin and Abinadi. They are not direct word-for-word quotes, they are unannounced, but still very recognizable.