Episode 26: God set a mark upon them

Alma 3-6

3 ¹ The war was over. The Nephites buried their dead quickly, where they died, without even counting them. There were too many to count. ² When the soldiers returned home, things had changed. Many of their wives and children were dead, the crops were trampled, and even some of their flocks were killed. ³ Many dead Lamanites and Amlicites were thrown into the Sidon River. Now their bones are buried in the sea.

⁴ Amlicites marked their heads with red on their foreheads, just like the Lamanites did. But they didn’t shave their heads like the Lamanites, who not only shaved their heads, but also were naked, except for some skin girded about their loins. ⁶ The Lamanites also had a dark skin, because they were cursed for rebelling against Nephi, Jacob, Joseph, and Sam – who were just and holy men. ⁷ So God put a mark on them to curse them – upon Laman, Lemuel, the sons of Ishmael, and the Ishmaelitish women.

⁸ God set a mark on them so their seed could be distinguished and not mixed with the seed of his people. ⁹ Whoever mixed their seed with the Lamanites would have the same curse on their seed. ¹⁴ Because God said, “I have cursed the Lamanites by marking them and their seed to separate them and their seed from you and your seed, from this time forward and forever. ¹⁵ Whoever mingles their seed with them will be cursed also. ¹⁷ And I’ll bless whoever will be called your seed henceforth and forever.”

¹⁸ So even though the Amlicites didn’t know it, they were fulfilling the word of God when they marked themselves on their foreheads, thereby bringing God’s curse upon themselves.

²⁰ A few days after their big defeat, the Lamanites tried again. They sent another army to the same battlefield that the Amlicites first fought in and were quickly defeated.

Alma Appoints Nephihah as chief judge

4 ^1-2 There was peace in the Land of Nephi in in 86 BCE, but the people were afflicted from the death and destruction that was caused from the war with the Amlicites and Lamanites. ³ They decided that God must have sent the destruction upon them because of their wickedness.

⁴ Many new members of the church were baptized by Alma in the waters of Sidon. ⁵ In the seventh year, about 3000 people were baptized and everything was peaceful. ⁶ But in the eighth year, the people became proud and rich, with gold, silver, and expensive clothes. ^11-12 In the ninth year, the church became so wicked that they ignored the poor, the sick, the naked, and the afflicted. ^15-17 Alma appointed a man named Nephihah to be chief judge and he sat in the judgment-seat to judged and govern the people, while Alma retained the office of high priest.

Alma preaches to the Nephites

5 ¹ Alma traveled through the land of Zarahemla preaching to the people. Here are some of the things that he said: ²¹ You can’t be saved unless your garments are washed white. ²² When you stand before the bar of God, having your garments stained with blood and filthiness, what will they say about you? ²⁷ Have your garments been made white through the blood of Christ?

⁴⁵ How do I know that what I say is true? ⁴⁶ The Holy Spirit told me. ⁴⁸ I know that whatever I say will happen, will happen. Jesus Christ, the Son, the Only Begotten of the Father, will come.

⁴⁹ Everyone (old, middle-aged, young, free people, and slaves) must be born again. ⁵⁰ Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is coming soon. The Son of God is coming. ⁶¹ I command church members to do what I say.

The city of Gideon in the valley of Gideon

6 ¹ Alma ordained priests and elders by laying on his hands. ³ And he blotted out the names of church members who didn’t repent and humble themselves before God. ⁵ The word of God was liberal to all.

⁷ Then he went to preach in the city of Gideon in the valley of Gideon, which was named after the Gideon who was killed by Nehor. 8 And thus it is written. Amen.