Alma 13

Alma 13 has, for me, been a chapter about the Priesthood in general and how we became qualified in the pre-mortal life to be presented with the opportunity to receive it in mortality. I now see that this chapter also teaches about what is required to actually receive and then honor that Priesthood thereafter. Closely related to this is our need for the Savior and the important role of his atonement in our progress.

Verses 1-10: on foreordination to Priesthood service

Verse 2 (and 16): How does the Priesthood direct us to Christ and his atonement?

1. ordinations
2. ordinances

Verse 3: What qualified us (in the spirit world) to be presented with an opportunity to bear the Priesthood (in the mortal world)?

1. exceeding faith
2. good works

Remaining verses: what is expected of a Priesthood holder?

Verse 10: What qualifies us to be have the Priesthood conferred upon us?

1. exceeding faith
2. repentance

Verse 12: What does success look like for Priesthood holders?

1. Become sanctified by the Holy Ghost
2. Have garments made white
3. Be pure and spotless
4. Look on sin only with abhorrence
5. Enter into the rest of the Lord

Verses 13-15: So, what must we now do to enter into the rest of the Lord?

1. Humble ourselves before God
2. Bring forth fruit meet for repentance
3. Pay tithing
4. Do NOT wrest the scriptures

Verse 18: What did the greatest Melchizedek Priesthood holder do?

1. Exercised mighty faith
2. Preached repentance
3. Established peace

Verse 23-26: Why is this important?

The coming of Christ fast approaches!

Verses 27-31: What should we do?

Repent!

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Other scriptures to reference:

3 Nephi 8:1

1 And now it came to pass that according to our record, and we know our record to be true, for behold, it was a just man who did keep the record—for he truly did many miracles in the name of Jesus; and there was not any man who could do a miracle in the name of Jesus save he were cleansed every whit from his iniquity...

DC 121:37

37 That [the rights of the Priesthood and the powers of heaven] may be conferred upon us, it is true; but when we undertake to cover our sins, or to gratify our pride, our vain ambition, or to exercise control or dominion or compulsion upon the souls of the children of men, in any degree of unrighteousness, behold, the heavens withdraw themselves; the Spirit of the Lord is grieved; and when it is withdrawn, Amen to the priesthood or the authority of that man.

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Verses in Alma 13 that refer to Repentance:

1. Verse 10:

   ...on account of their exceeding...repentance...they choosing to repent...rather than to perish...

2. Verse 11:

   ...sanctified, and their garments were washed white through the blood of the Lamb.

3. Verse 12:

   ...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;

4. Verse 13:

   ...bring forth fruit meet for repentance...

5. Verse 16:

   ...ordinances were given..that thereby the people might look forward to [Christ] for a remission of their sins...

6. Verse 18:

   ...[Melchizedek]...did preach repentance...and they did repent; and Melchizedek did establish peace in the land in his day;

7. Verse 21:

   Alma...stretched forth his hand...and cried...saying: Now is the time to repent, for the day of salvation draweth nigh;

8. Verse 27:

   ...cast off your sins, and not procrastinate the day of your repentance;

9. Verse 30:

   And may the Lord grant unto you repentance...that ye may not suffer the second death.

-Michael Whatcott