Alma 7:1-2

Brant Gardner

There are two difficult phrases in verse 1. The first is that Alma was “permitted to come unto you.” Why did he need permission? That would be the implied question, but it is probably the wrong question. The question should be: “What gave him permission?” The permission wasn’t from authority, but it was from sufficient freedom from responsibilities that made it possible. That is clearly what he says in verse 2. It was the fact that he gave up the judgment-seat that allowed him to come.

The second question stems from the statement that “therefore I attempt to address you in my language.” That statement could easily lead to the question of why he mentions language. Was there a difference in the language spoken? That would be unlikely, since Alma’s father came from the same place as the people in Gideon and surely spoke the same language. There is no indication that those who returned to the land of Nephi spoke a different language than those in Nephi.

Even though it is probable that the common language in Zarahemla was different from the land of Nephi, it is equally probable that both the people of Gideon and Alma himself were bilingual, speaking both the language of Zarahemla and the older language of the Nephites from the land of Nephi.

Probably the more important indication is when Alma says that he speaks “by the words of my mouth.” It is most likely that both phrases are intended to highlight the fact that he has come in person, rather than highlight the particular language he uses.

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