1 O THAT I were an angel, [ Alma is recognizing the power that angels have had in his life, most likely this is his private thoughts on the matter as he wished that he had the same convincing power. He was called to repentance in a very powerful way by an Angel in Mosiah 27:11; and then later visited by that same angel who instructed him to return to Ammonihah and preach there see Alma 8:15. Alma may be a little too critical upon himself though as just because he wants the unrepentant Nephites to change the decision is stukk theirs, just as it was for Alma. The Angel did not force it upon Alma; So it is here that the people are the ones who decide to accept or reject the message - and if delivered by the spirit (which it would have been as we know Alma was a man of the spirit then there is not much difference in the messenger. We can recall that Laman and Lemuel saw an angel (1 Ne. 3:29) and they later rationalized it away (1 Ne. 16:38), and so would others as well. The people at Ammonihah were murderous, as was Laman and Lemuel, so chances are even if an angel did appear to them they would respond in the same way as did Laman and Lemuel. Alma and the sons of Mosiah chose to repent when confronted by the angel, they didn't have to. They could have ended up like Nehor, Sherem, or Korihor.] and could have the wish of mine heart, that I might go forth and speak with the trump of God, [ The word trumpet (Exodus 19:13) or ram’s horn (Joshua 6:5) in Hebrew is yôbhēl. It is also the word for the Jubilee (in Leviticus 25:10–15, the chapter in which the Jubilee laws are given). It was the time of the trumpets. If we read Alma 29, particularly thinking of the emotions of people who may have been celebrating the Jubilee, there are some very interesting ways to appreciate what Alma was saying. ] with a voice to shake the earth, and cry repentance unto every people!

2 Yea, I would declare unto every soul, as with the voice of thunder, [ Recalling how the voice sounded to him see Mosiah 27:9 "and he spake as it were with a voice of thunder"] repentance and the plan of redemption, that they should repent and come unto our God, that there might not be more sorrow upon all the face of the earth.

3 But behold, I am a man, and do sin in my wish; [Alma knows that he should not be asking for this wish] for I ought to be content with the things which the Lord hath allotted unto me.

4 I ought not to harrow up in my desires, the firm decree of a just God, for I know [How does he know this? ] that he granteth unto men according to their desire, [The power of intention - Wayne Dyer?] whether it be unto death or unto life; yea, I know that he allotteth unto men, yea, decreeth unto them decrees which are unalterable, according to their wills, whether they be unto salvation or unto destruction. [be careful what positions you seek for - you may get them and they may prove to your destruction]

5 Yea, and I know that good and evil have come before all men; he that knoweth not good from evil is blameless; but he that knoweth good and evil, to him it is given according to his desires, whether he desireth good or evil, life or death, joy or remorse of conscience.

6 Now, seeing that I know these things, why should I desire more than to perform the work to which I have been called?

7 Why should I desire that I were an angel, that I could speak unto all the ends of the earth?

8 For behold, the Lord doth grant unto all nations, of their own nation and tongue, to teach his word, yea, in wisdom, all that he seeth fit that they should have; therefore we see that the Lord doth counsel in wisdom, according to that which is just and true.

9 I know that which the Lord hath commanded me, and I glory in it. I do not glory of myself, but I glory in that which the Lord hath commanded me; [ be happy in your church assignment ] yea, and this is my glory, that perhaps I may be an instrument in the hands of God to bring some soul to repentance; and this is my joy.

10 And behold, when I see many of my brethren truly penitent, and coming to the Lord their God, then is my soul filled with joy; then do I remember what the Lord has done for me, yea, even that he hath heard my prayer; yea, then do I remember his merciful arm which he extended towards me.

11 Yea, and I also remember the captivity of my fathers; [The message of both Alma 5:6 and see Mosiah 27:16 for the details on why the angel expressed to Alma that this message is so important to remember. ] for I surely do know that the Lord did deliver them out of bondage, and by this did establish his church; yea, the Lord God, the God of Abraham, [ These same words where uttered by others ( Mosiah 7:19; Mosiah 23:23; Alma 29:11; 36:2; 3 Ne. 4:30; Morm. 9:11 ) What event do these all consistently suggest from the life of Abraham that provides a foundation to put your trust in God as did Abraham? Abraham was bound up on the altar of King Nimrod, his destruction was imminent, and yet Abraham trusted God against otherwise impossible odds. It was in a way Abraham against all of society, he was alone, and yet still he trusted God with whom he had a relationship. In the Book of Abraham, the story begins with young Abraham on a collision course with the world around him. He was opposing the practices not merely of a few wicked individuals but of a whole society whose "hearts were set to evil" (Abr. 1:6) and who would tolerate no questioning of their evil ways. Yet one individual trust in God enough to go the coarse alone. ] the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, did deliver them out of bondage.

12 Yea, I have always remembered the captivity of my fathers; and that same God who delivered them out of the hands of the Egyptians did deliver them out of bondage.

13 Yea, and that same God did establish his church among them; yea, and that same God hath called me by a holy calling, to preach the word unto this people, and hath given me much success, in the which my joy is full.

14 But I do not joy in my own success alone, but my joy is more full because of the success of my brethren, who have been up to the land of Nephi.

15 Behold, they have labored exceedingly, and have brought forth much fruit; and how great shall be their reward!

16 Now, when I think of the success of these my brethren my soul is carried away, even to the separation of it from the body, as it were, so great is my joy. [Almas attempt in expressing the joy that he knows in the saving of souls, and the spiritual overwhelming feeling that accompanies that knowledge. Mortal words cannot express that overwhelming feeling of that spiritual realm that exosts between mortality and being in the presence of God - but he try's]

17 And now may God grant unto these, my brethren, that they may sit down in the kingdom of God; yea, and also all those who are the fruit of their labors that they may go no more out, but that they may praise him forever. And may God grant that it may be done according to my words, even as I have spoken. Amen. [As the chief high priest he makes what amounts to an apostolic intercession for and in behalf of his people.]