Preaching to the people of Zarahemla, Alma essentially outlines two paths his people are following, or may follow, one leading to eternal life, the other to death and hell. Two opposite forces are at work in the earth, the one as real as the other: “I say unto you that whatsoever is good cometh from God, and whatsoever is evil cometh from the devil. Therefore, if a man bringeth forth good works he hearkeneth unto the voice of the good shepherd, and he doth follow him; but whosoever bringeth forth evil works, the same becometh a child of the devil, for he hearkeneth unto his voice, and doth follow him” (Alma 5:40–41). In short, what his people do, not necessarily what they profess, determines who they are and where their destiny lies.
In order that they may clearly distinguish between righteousness and wickedness, Alma provides many examples, pointing out where each path leads. A synopsis of his words follows:
Some people believe in the words of the prophets, while others live in a state of unbelief; the souls of some are illuminated by the light of God’s word, while others dwell in the midst of darkness; some repent of iniquity, while others don’t repent; some humble themselves before God, while others persecute and make a mock of those who do; some wash their garments clean and pure of all stains, while others wear garments stained with blood; some are cleansed from sin through the blood of their Redeemer, while others are filled with guilt and remorse; some are spiritually born of God, while others are dead to things pertaining to righteousness;
Some people look up to God with pure hearts and clean hands, while other remain in their filthiness; some are loosed from the bands of death and the chains of hell, while others are encircled about by them; some enter into a covenant to keep the commandments of God, while others set God’s commandments at defiance; some look forward with an eye of faith to eternal life, while others are puffed up in the vain things of this world; some bring forth works meet for repentance, while others are not found guiltless; some worship the true and living God, while others worship idols; some steadfastly believe on the name of Jesus Christ, while others set their hearts on earthly riches; some are stripped of pride and envy, while others are puffed up in the pride of their hearts;
Some people touch not unclean things, while others cleave to them; some have care for the poor and needy, while others turn their backs on them; some come out from among the wicked, while others are not numbered among the righteous; some are the sheep of the good shepherd, while others are as wolves among the flock; some belong to the fold of the good shepherd, while others belong to the fold of the devil; some hearken to the voice of the good shepherd, while others refuse to hearken to his voice; some put their trust in the living God, while others trample the Holy One under their feet; some walk in the path of righteousness, while others, professing to know the ways of righteousness, have gone astray;
Some people have had a mighty change wrought in their hearts, while others persist in wickedness; some walk blameless before God, while others retain a perfect remembrance of their guilt and wickedness; some perform works of righteousness, while others work iniquity; some abound in good works, while others are dead to good works; some walk after the holy order of God, while others are children of the devil; some make the paths of God straight, while others walk in crooked paths; some are sanctified by the Holy Spirit, while others are murderers, guilty of all manner of wickedness; some receive the image of God engraven in their countenance, while others suppose that they are better than them; some are faithful to God until the end, while others yield themselves up as subjects of the devil;
Some people sing the song of redeeming love, while others have cause to wail and mourn; some are saved, while others cannot be saved; some inherit the kingdom of heaven, while others are unprepared to be judged of God; some partake of the fruit of the tree of life, while others are doomed to an everlasting destruction; the names of some are written in the book of life, while others’ names are blotted out; some view this corruption raised to incorruption, while others receive the wages of death; some receive an inheritance on the right hand of God, while others are hewn down and cast in the fire; some view this body raised to immortality, while others set their hearts upon the things of this world; some, God receives to himself, to sit down in his kingdom with Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and the holy prophets, while others are cast out (Alma 5–7).
By asking a series of question around these concepts, Alma provokes serious soul-searching among his people. Many respond, and a reformation takes place in Zarahemla (Alma 6:1–6). As a type of our time, Alma declares the coming of their Redeemer in a day not far distant: “The Spirit hath said this much unto me, saying—Repent ye, and prepare the way of the Lord, and walk in his paths, which are straight; for behold, the kingdom of heaven is at hand, and the Son of God cometh upon the face of the earth” (Alma 7:9).
By choosing the path of righteousness, we, like the Nephites, will prepare ourselves for the coming of the Lord and ready ourselves to receive him. The other path leads to death and destruction, which await the wicked in that day.