Book of Mormon

Covenant of Christ

 

 

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10 Now these are the words that Amulek preached unto the people who were in the land of Ammonihah, saying, 2 I am Amulek. I am the son of Gidanah, who was the son of Ishmael, who was a descendant of Aminadi; and it was that same Aminadi who interpreted the writing which was upon the wall of the temple, which was written by the finger of God. 3 And Aminadi was a descendant of Nephi, who was the son of Lehi, who came out of the land of Jerusalem, who was a descendant of Manasseh, who was the son of Joseph, who was sold into Egypt by the hands of his brethren. 4 And behold, I am also a man of no small reputation among all those who know me; yea, and behold, I have many kindred and friends. And I have also acquired much riches by the hand of my industry. 5 Nevertheless, after all this, I have never known much of the ways of the Lord, and his mysteries and marvelous power. I said I never had known much of these things, but behold, I mistake, for I have seen much of his mysteries and his miraculous power, yea, even in the preservation of the lives of this people. 6 Nevertheless, I did harden my heart, for I was called many times and I would not hear. Therefore, I knew concerning these things, yet I would not know. Therefore, I went on rebelling against God in the wickedness of my heart, even until the fourth day of this seventh month, which is in the tenth year of the reign of our judges.

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10 This is what Amulek preached to the people in Ammonihah: I’m Amulek, the son of Gidanah, the son of Ishmael, a descendant of Aminadi — the same Aminadi who interpreted the writing on the temple wall, written by God’s finger. And Aminadi was a descendant of Nephi, the son of Lehi, who came from the land of Jerusalem and was a descendant of Manasseh, the son of Joseph, who was sold into Egypt by his brothers. I’m also influential with those who know me. I have many relatives and friends. I’ve become wealthy through hard work. Despite all this, I’ve never known much about the Lord’s ways, mysteries, and awe-inspiring power. I said I didn’t know much about these things, but that isn’t completely accurate. I’ve watched His mysterious, miraculous power protecting the lives of this people. But I hardened my heart. I had many opportunities to hear Him but refused to listen. Therefore, although I knew God did these things, I refused to acknowledge it. I kept rebelling against God in the wickedness of my heart, up until the fourth day of this seventh month, in the 10th year of the judges’ rule.

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7 As I was journeying to see a very near kindred, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared unto me and said, Amulek, return to thine own house, for thou shalt feed a prophet of the Lord, yea, a holy man who is a chosen man of God; for he has fasted many days because of the sins of this people, and he is an hungered. And thou shalt receive him into thy house and feed him. And he shall bless thee and thy house, and the blessing of the Lord shall rest upon thee and thy house.

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As I went to see a close relative, an angel of the Lord appeared and said: Amulek, return to your own house. There you will feed a prophet of the Lord, a holy man who’s a chosen man of God. He’s fasted many days because of the sins of this people, and he’s weakened by hunger. You’re to welcome him into your house and feed him. He’ll bless you and your family, and the Lord’s blessing will then be on you and your family.

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8 And it came to pass that I obeyed the voice of the angel and returned towards my house. And as I was a going thither, I found the man whom the angel said unto me, Thou shalt receive into thy house; and behold, it was this same man who has been speaking unto you concerning the things of God. 9 And the angel said unto me, He is a holy man. Wherefore, I know he is a holy man because it was said by an angel of God. 10 And again I know that the things whereof he hath testified are true. For behold, I say unto you that as the Lord liveth, even so he hath sent his angel to make these things manifest unto me; and this he has done while this Alma hath dwelt at my house. 11 For behold, he hath blessed mine house; he hath blessed me, and my women, and my children, and my father, and my kinsfolks — yea, even all my kindred hath he blessed. And the blessing of the Lord hath rested upon us according to the words which he spake.

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So I obeyed the angel’s voice and returned to my house. I was on my way and met the man the angel told me to welcome to my house. He is this same man who’s been telling you about the things of God. The angel told me: He is a holy man. I know he’s a holy man because God’s angel said it. 10 I also know the things he’s testified about are true. I tell you as the Lord lives, He absolutely sent His angel to reveal this to me, and He’s blessed my house while this man named Alma has been there. 11 Indeed, God has blessed my household: me, the women of my family, my children, my father, and my relatives. God has even blessed all my relatives because we believed what Alma has taught us.

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12 And now when Amulek had spoken these words, the people began to be astonished, seeing there was more than one witness who testified of the things whereof they were accused, and also of the things which were to come, according to the spirit of prophecy which was in them. 13 Nevertheless, there were some among them who thought to question them, that by their cunning devices they might catch them in their words, that they might find witness against them, that they might deliver them to the judges, that they might be judged according to the law, and that they might be slain or cast into prison, according to the crime which they could make appear or witness against them.

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12 Now when Amulek said this, the people were shocked, because there was now more than one witness who condemned them, confirming what was going to happen, based upon the spirit of prophecy in them. 13 Nevertheless, some of them were determined to challenge them, trying to trap them in a contradiction. They asked trick questions to find evidence against them. They hoped to hand them over to the judges, intending for them to be judged under the law and be executed or imprisoned for any crime they could accuse them of committing. Or for any crime they could make it appear they had committed.

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14 Now it was those men who sought to destroy them, who were lawyers, who were hired or appointed by the people to administer the law at their times of trial, or at the trials of the crimes of the people before the judges — 15 now these lawyers were learned in all the arts and cunning of the people, and this was to enable them that they might be skillful in their profession. 16 And it came to pass that they began to question Amulek, that thereby they might make him cross his words or contradict the words which he should speak. 17 Now they knew not that Amulek could know of their design; but it came to pass, as they began to question him, he perceived their thoughts. And he said unto them, O ye wicked and perverse generation, ye lawyers and hypocrites, for ye are laying the foundations of the Devil, for ye are laying traps and snares to catch the holy ones of God. 18 Ye are laying plans to pervert the ways of the righteous and to bring down the wrath of God upon your heads, even to the utter destruction of this people. 19 Yea, well did Mosiah say, who was our last king, when he was about to deliver up the kingdom, having no one to confer it upon, causing that this people should be governed by their own voices — yea, well did he say that if the time should come that the voice of this people should cause iniquity, that is, if the time should come that this people should fall into transgression, they would be ripe for destruction. 20 And now I say unto you that well doth the Lord judge of your iniquities; well doth he cry unto this people by the voice of his angels, Repent ye, repent, for the kingdom of Heaven is at hand. 21 Yea, well doth he cry by the voice of his angels that I will come down among my people with equity and justice in my hands. 22 Yea, and I say unto you that if it were not for the prayers of the righteous who are now in the land, that ye would even now be visited with utter destruction. Yet it would not be by flood, as were the people in the days of Noah, but it would be by famine, and by pestilence, and the sword. 23 But it is by the prayers of the righteous that ye are spared. Now therefore, if ye will cast out the righteous from among you, then will not the Lord stay his hand, but in his fierce anger he will come out against you; then ye shall be smitten by famine, and by pestilence, and by the sword. And the time is soon at hand except ye repent.

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14 Now their accusers trying to destroy them were lawyers who were hired or appointed to serve the law during their trials — civil and criminal — held before their judges. 15 These lawyers would argue artfully and debate deceptively, proving their proficiency in their profession. 16 So they began to question Amulek to get him confused, hoping to hear a contradiction. 17 Now they didn’t realize Amulek anticipated their evil plans. But when they began to question him, he understood their thoughts and told them: You wicked and corrupt generation, you lawyers and hypocrites! You’re laying the accuser’s foundations by planning traps and snares to entrap God’s holy ones. 18 You’re planning to corruptly misrepresent a righteous man. That will provoke God’s wrath upon you, resulting in this people’s complete destruction. 19 Mosiah, who was our last king, when he was about to give up the kingdom, had no one to confer it on. That resulted in this people being governed by our own choices. He was right when he said if the time comes when the people choose iniquity, or the people choose transgression, then they would be overdue for destruction. 20 I’m telling you the Lord is right to condemn you for your iniquities; He should warn the people with the message from His angels: Repent! Repent, because the kingdom of heaven approaches. 21 Indeed, He should warn you by the message of His angels: I’m coming to be with My people to implement fairness and justice. 22 I tell you if it weren’t for the prayers of the righteous among you, you would be punished right now with complete destruction. It wouldn’t come by a flood, as the people in Noah’s time were killed, but it would be by famine, calamity, disease, and the sword. 23 You’re only spared because of the prayers of the righteous. Therefore if you drive out the righteous from your community, the Lord won’t hold back His hand, and He’ll confront you in His fierce anger; and you’ll be afflicted with famine, calamity, disease, and the sword. That is coming soon unless you repent.

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24 And now it came to pass that the people were more angry with Amulek, and they cried out, saying, This man doth revile against our laws, which are just, and our wise lawyers whom we have selected! 25 But Amulek stretched forth his hand and cried the mightier unto them, saying, O ye wicked and perverse generation! Why hath Satan got such great hold upon your hearts? Why will ye yield yourselves unto him, that he may have power over you to blind your eyes, that ye will not understand the words which are spoken according to their truth? 26 For behold, have I testified against your law? Ye do not understand. Ye say that I have spoken against your law, but I have not; but I have spoken in favor of your law, to your condemnation. 27 And now behold, I say unto you that the foundation of the destruction of this people is beginning to be laid by the unrighteousness of your lawyers and your judges.

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24 Then the people were even angrier with Amulek, shouting: This man is mocking our laws, that are fair; and our wise lawyers we’ve chosen! 25 But Amulek stretched out his hand and thundered back at them, saying: You wicked and corrupt generation, why has Satan got such firm control on your hearts? Why do you choose to submit to him? By trusting him, he is able to rule you, to blind your eyes, so you don’t understand the truth when it’s told to you. 26 I ask: Have I testified against your law? You’re confused. You say I have spoken against your law, but I haven’t; I’ve defended it, to your condemnation. 27 Now I tell you the reason this people will be destroyed is because of the unrighteous leadership of your lawyers and judges.

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28 And now it came to pass that when Amulek had spoken these words, the people cried out against him, Now we know that this man is a child of the Devil! For he hath lied unto us, for he hath spoken against our law and now he says that he has not spoken against it! 29 And again he has reviled against our lawyers and our judges, etc. 30 And it came to pass that the lawyers put it into their hearts that they should remember these things against him. 31 And there was one among them whose name was Zeezrom. Now he was the foremost to accuse Amulek and Alma, he being one of the most expert among them, having much business to do among the people. 32 Now the object of these lawyers was to get gain, and they gat gain according to their employ.

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28 When Amulek said this, the people condemned him: Now we know this man is a child of the accuser, because he’s lied to us and broken our law. But he says he hasn’t broken it. 29 He’s denounced our lawyers and judges and others. 30 Now it was the lawyers who urged everyone to remember these accusations against him. 31 One of them, named Zeezrom, was the most eager one accusing Amulek and Alma. He was one of their best lawyers, in high demand in the community. 32 Now the aim of these lawyers was to make money, and they made money by staying busy.

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11 Now it was in the law of Mosiah that every man who was a judge of the law, or those who were appointed to be judges, should receive wages according to the time which they labored to judge those who were brought before them to be judged.

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11 Mosiah’s law paid appointed judges of the law based on the time required of them to decide a matter.

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2 Now if a man oweth another, and he would not pay that which he did owe, he was complained of to the judge; and the judge executed authority and sent forth officers, that the man should be brought before him. And he judged the man according to the law and the evidences which were brought against him; and thus the man was compelled to pay that which he owed, or be striped, or be cast out from among the people as a thief and a robber. 3 And the judge receiveth for his wages according to his time: a senine of gold for a day, or a senum of silver, which is equal to a senine of gold. And this is according to the law which was given.

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If a man owed someone money, but refused to pay his debt, a complaint would be made to the judge. Then the judge would order him to be brought before him, and would send out officers to enforce the order. Then he would judge the man based on the law and evidence against him. So the debtor would be compelled to pay or be whipped, or even expelled from the community as a thief and robber. The judge would be paid for the time he worked: being paid a senine of gold for a day, or a senum of silver, which was equal to a senine of gold. This was established by the law.

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4 Now these are the names of the different pieces of their gold and of their silver according to their value; and the names are given by the Nephites. For they did not reckon after the manner of the Jews who were at Jerusalem, neither did they measure after the manner of the Jews; but they altered their reckoning and their measure according to the minds and the circumstances of the people, in every generation until the reign of the judges, they having been established by king Mosiah.

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Now these were the names used by the Nephites for the different pieces of their gold and silver, and their values. They didn’t use the same values as the Jews who lived at Jerusalem, nor the same measurements as the Jews either. Instead, they used changing calculations and measurements as people’s choices and circumstances changed every generation till the rule of judges. Then king Mosiah standardized the system of calculations and measurements.

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5 Now the reckoning is thus: a senine of gold, a seon of gold, a shum of gold, and a limnah of gold. 6 A senum of silver, an amnor of silver, an ezrum of silver, and an onti of silver. 7 A senum of silver was equal to a senine of gold, and either for a measure of barley, and also for a measure of every kind of grain. 8 Now the amount of a seon of gold was twice the value of a senine. 9 And a shum of gold was twice the value of a seon. 10 And a limnah of gold was the value of them all. 11 And an amnor of silver was as great as two senums. 12 And an ezrum of silver was as great as four senums. 13 And an onti was as great as all of them. 14 Now this is the value of the lesser numbers of their reckoning: 15 a shiblon is half of a senum; therefore, a shiblon for a half a measure of barley. 16 And a shilum is a half of a shiblon. 17 And a leah is the half of a shilum. 18 Now an antion of gold is equal to three shiblons. 19 Now this is their number according to their reckoning.

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Now the calculation was this: a senine, a seon, a shum, and a limnah of gold; a senum, an amnor, an ezrum, and an onti of silver. A senum of silver was equal to a senine of gold, and each was equal to a measure of barley or any kind of grain. Now a seon of gold was twice the value of a senine. A shum of gold was twice the value of a seon. 10 And a limnah of gold was worth all of them combined. 11 An amnor of silver was as valuable as two senums. 12 An ezrum of silver was the same value as four senums. 13 And an onti was worth all of them combined. 14 Now these are the lesser values in their calculation: 15 A shiblon was half a senum; so a shiblon equaled half a measure of barley. 16 A shilum was half a shiblon. 17 And a leah was half a shilum. 19 Now an antion of gold was equal to three shiblons. 18 These were the quantities used in their calculations.

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20 Now it was for the sole purpose to get gain, because they received their wages according to their employ, therefore they did stir up the people to riotings and all manner of disturbances and wickedness, that they might have more employ, that they might get money according to the suits which were brought before them; therefore, they did stir up the people against Alma and Amulek. 21 And this Zeezrom began to question Amulek, saying, Will ye answer me a few questions which I shall ask you? Now Zeezrom was a man who was expert in the devices of the Devil, that he might destroy that which was good; therefore, he said unto Amulek, Will ye answer the questions which I shall put unto you? 22 And Amulek said unto him, Yea, I will, if they be according to the spirit of the Lord which is in me; for I shall say nothing which is contrary to the spirit of the Lord. And Zeezrom said unto him, Behold, here are six onties of silver, and all these will I give unto thee if thou wilt deny the existence of a supreme being.

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20 Now the lawyers’ sole objective was to make money, because they received payment according to how much time they spent. They incited people to fight with one another, encouraging disturbances, with resulting wickedness, all so they could have more work, and make money from the resulting lawsuits. This was why they incited people to be angry with Alma and Amulek. 21 So Zeezrom started questioning Amulek: If I ask you a few questions, will you answer them for me? Now Zeezrom was a skilled accuser, serving Satan and opposing righteousness. That was why he asked Amulek: Will you answer the questions I ask you? 22 Amulek replied: Yes, I’ll answer as the Spirit of the Lord inspires me to answer, because I’ll say nothing opposing the Spirit of the Lord. Zeezrom offered to him: Here are six onties of silver; I’ll give all these to you if you deny a Supreme Being exists.

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23 Now Amulek said, O thou child of hell, why tempt ye me? Knowest thou that the righteous yieldeth to no such temptations? 24 Believest thou that there is no God? I say unto you, nay, thou knowest that there is a God; but thou lovest that lucre more than him. 25 And now thou hast lied before God unto me; for thou saidest unto me, Behold, these six onties, which are of great worth, I will give unto thee, when thou had it in thy heart to retain them from me. And it was only thy desires that I should deny the true and living God, that thou mightest have cause to destroy me. And now behold, for this great evil thou shalt have thy reward.

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23 Amulek responded: You child of hell, why are you trying to trick me? Don’t you understand the righteous aren’t tempted by bribes? 24 Do you really believe there’s no God? I say: No, you know there’s a God; but you corruptly love money more than Him. 25 You’ve lied before God. You made me the offer: I’ll give you these six onties — which are very valuable — when you actually intended to keep them. You just wanted me to deny the true and living God, so you could have a reason to execute me. Now because of your great evil, you’ll have your reward.

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26 And Zeezrom said unto him, Thou sayest there is a true and a living God? 27 And Amulek said, Yea, there is a true and a living God. 28 Now Zeezrom said, Is there more than one God? 29 And he answereth, No. 30 Now Zeezrom said unto him again, How knowest thou these things? 31 And he said, An angel hath made them known unto me. 32 And Zeezrom said again, Who is he that shall come? Is it the Son of God? 33 And he said unto him, Yea. 34 And Zeezrom said again, Shall he save his people in their sins? And Amulek answered and said unto him, I say unto you, he shall not; for it is impossible for him to deny his word.

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26 Then Zeezrom asked him: So you say there’s a true and living God? 27 Amulek replied: Yes, there’s a true and living God. 28 Next Zeezrom asked: Is there more than one God? 29 He answered: No. 30 Zeezrom asked him: How do you know these things? 31 He said: An angel has revealed them to me. 32 Zeezrom then asked: Who’s the one who is to come? Is it the Son of God? 33 He answered: Yes. 34 And Zeezrom asked again: Will He save His people in their sins? And Amulek answered: I tell you that He will not, because it’s impossible for Him to deny His word.

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35 Now Zeezrom said unto the people, See that ye remember these things, for he said there is but one God, yet he said that the Son of God shall come, but he shall not save his people, as though he had authority to command God. 36 Now Amulek said again unto him, Behold, thou hast lied; for thou sayest that I speak as though I had authority to command God because I said he shall not save his people in their sins. 37 And I say unto you again that he cannot save them in their sins, for I cannot deny his word. And he hath said that no unclean thing can inherit the kingdom of Heaven. Therefore, how can ye be saved except ye inherit the kingdom of Heaven? Therefore, ye cannot be saved in your sins. 38 Now Zeezrom saith again unto him, Is the Son of God the very Eternal Father? 39 And Amulek said unto him, yea, he is the very Eternal Father of Heaven and earth and all things which in them is; he is the beginning and the end, the first and the last. 40 And he shall come into the world to redeem his people; and he shall take upon him the transgressions of those who believe on his name; and these are they that shall have eternal life, and salvation cometh to none else. 41 Therefore, the wicked remain as though there had been no redemption made, except it be the loosing of the bands of death. For behold, the day cometh that all shall rise from the dead, and stand before God, and be judged according to their works.

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35 Then Zeezrom told the people: See that you remember these things, because he says on the one hand there’s only one God, but he says on the other hand the Son of God will come but He won’t save His people, as if he had authority to command God. 36 Then Amulek rebuked him: You have lied! You say I speak as if I had authority to command God, because I said He won’t save His people in their sins. 37 I repeat that He can’t save them in their sins, because I can’t deny His word. He has said no unclean thing can inherit the kingdom of heaven. So, how can you be saved unless you inherit the kingdom of heaven? Therefore you can’t be saved in your sins. 38 Then Zeezrom asked him: Is the Son of God the very Eternal Father? 39 Amulek said to him: Yes, He’s called the very Eternal Father of heaven, earth, and everything that’s in them. He’s the beginning and the end, the first and the last. 40 He’ll come into the world to redeem His people. He’ll take upon Himself the transgressions of those who believe in His name; these are the ones who will have eternal life, and salvation isn’t available to anyone else. 41 So the wicked remain as if no redemption had been made, except for the chains of death being removed. Indeed, the day will come when all will rise from the dead and stand before God and be judged according to their works.

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42 Now there is a death which is called temporal death, and the death of Christ shall loose the bands of this temporal death, that all shall be raised from this temporal death; 43 the spirit and the body shall be reunited again in its perfect form; both limb and joint shall be restored to its proper frame, even as we now are at this time. And we shall be brought to stand before God, knowing even as we know now, and have a bright recollection of all our guilt. 44 Now this restoration shall come to all, both old and young, both bond and free, both male and female, both the wicked and the righteous. And even there shall not so much as a hair of their heads be lost; but all things shall be restored to its perfect frame, as it is now, or in the body, and shall be brought and be raigned before the bar of Christ the Son, and God the Father, and the holy spirit, which is one eternal God, to be judged according to their works, whether they be good or whether they be evil.

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42 Now there is a mortal death, and Christ’s death will release the chains of this mortal death, so everyone will be raised from this temporal death. 43 The spirit and body will be completely restored. Both limb and joint will be restored to their proper form, just like we are now formed; and we’ll be brought to stand before God. We’ll clearly understand right from wrong and truth from error, like we can now. We’ll clearly remember all our guilt. 44 Now this restoration will come to all: old and young, enslaved and free, male and female, wicked and righteous. And not so much as a hair of their heads will be missing; but all things will be restored to their perfect form, the same as now, or in the restored body. Then everyone will stand before the judgment seat of Christ the Son, and God the Father, and the Holy Spirit, which collectively are one Eternal God. Then to be judged based on their works, whether they’re good or whether they’re evil.

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45 Now behold, I have spoken unto you concerning the death of the mortal body, and also concerning the resurrection of the mortal body. I say unto you that this mortal body is raised to an immortal body, that is from death, even from the first death unto life, that they can die no more; their spirits uniting with their bodies, never to be divided, thus the whole becoming spiritual and immortal, that they can no more see corruption.

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45 Now I’ve told you about mortal death and the resurrection of the mortal body. This mortal body will be raised as an immortal body, from that first death back to life. Following that we’ll no longer die, our spirits will unite with our bodies and not be separated again. Through this process, the restoration is spiritual and immortal, and we won’t decay or die again.

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46 Now when Amulek had finished these words, the people began again to be astonished; and also Zeezrom began to tremble. And thus ended the words of Amulek, or this is all that I have written.

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46 When Amulek finished saying this, the people were again surprised. Zeezrom began to tremble. That concludes everything I write from Amulek’s talk.