The first three verses above are some of the best and most succinct guidelines found in the scriptures on teaching. To teach requires learning, and pride is a natural man’s by-product of learning. The warning to Shiblon against pride is brief but comparable to Jacob, son of Lehi, who taught:
28 O that cunning plan of the evil one! O the vainness, and the frailties, and the foolishness of men! When they are learned they think they are wise, and they hearken not unto the counsel of God, for they set it aside, supposing they know of themselves, wherefore, their wisdom is foolishness and it profiteth them not. And they shall perish.
29 But to be learned is good if they hearken unto the counsels of God. [2 Nephi 9:28–29]
The warning against boasting of his strength (v. 11) may refer to Shiblon’s strength in teaching, or his physical strength. If it was the latter, Shiblon may have exhibited his physical prowess when he was in bonds and stoned among the Zoramites (vv. 2–4).
“Use boldness, but not overbearance” (v. 12) could also be said to be confident, but not arrogant. The Prophet Joseph Smith was promised confidence in his teaching:
45 Let thy bowels also be full of charity towards all men, and to the household of faith, and let virtue garnish thy thoughts unceasingly; then shall thy confidence wax strong in the presence of God; and the doctrine of the priesthood shall distil upon thy soul as the dews from heaven.
46 The Holy Ghost shall be thy constant companion, and thy scepter an unchanging scepter of righteousness and truth; and thy dominion shall be an everlasting dominion, and without compulsory means it shall flow unto thee forever and ever. [D&C 121:45–46]
Again, Alma’s instructions to Shiblon are succinct and to the point. To “bridle all his passions” meant to exercise restraint and be virtuous. To be “filled with love” is to have charity (see 2 Nephi 26:30), and to “refrain from idleness” is to not have need for compulsion.
To not pray “as the Zoramites” (vv. 13–14) equates with the Savior’s instructions in the Sermon on the Mount, repeated to the Nephites: “And when thou prayest thou shalt not do as the hypocrites, for they love to pray, standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, they have their reward” (3 Nephi 13:5; Matthew 6:5). Along with Alma’s and Amulek’s instructions in our previous chapter discussions, we have some excellent guidelines for prayer.
Alma’s final blessing to Shiblon (v. 15) reflects his great love and admiration for him. Shiblon must have been a gifted teacher, and his father was proud of him. Alma’s final admonition, “to be sober,” may reflect levity in Shiblon’s character, but more probably just a caution to be serious about his calling. Peter gave the same admonition to the saints in the New Testament (see 1 Peter 5:8). The advise to Alma’s wayward son, Corianton, will be the subject of the next chapter.