“Not of the Carnal Mind but of God”

Joseph F. McConkie, Robert L. Millet
The carnal mind is the mind which is born of the flesh or of the world, as contrasted with Paul’s charge that the Saints obtain the “mind of Christ” (1 Corinthians 2:16). “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.” (Isaiah 55:8-9.) Alma is able to bear witness of these truths because they have been made known to him by the Holy Spirit.

“But of God”

Paul, in an eloquent testimony, responds to this seeming irregularity in the order of heaven in this language: “Who [meaning God] hath saved us [himself, Timothy, and by implication many others], and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began” (2 Timothy 1:9, italics added; compare Galatians 1:14-16). For a discussion as to why not all are accorded a call to repentance in similar fashion see Commentary 2:304-5.

Doctrinal Commentary on the Book of Mormon, Vol. 3

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