The first half of verse 17 is the last statement before the crux of the chiasm. Here, Alma declares that he was “racked with torment” and “harrowed up by the memory of [his] many sins,” while after encountering Christ he immediately “could remember [his] pains no more” and “was harrowed up by the memory of [his] sins no more.” For Mormons, as for many Christians, the direct effect of being “born again” (and of being baptized by one who holds the priesthood) is that Christ’s atonement has washed away all the penitent’s sins, leaving only joy and peace.