1 AND now, my son Helaman, I command you that ye take the records which have been entrusted with me;

2 And I also command you that ye keep a record of this people, according as I have done, upon the plates of Nephi, and keep all these things sacred [ Which is not the same as keep all these things sacred. Which is implied, but theses things - the plates, Urim and Thummim and the other items that he is going to give him. In other words do not let them be defiled. Kind of like do not defile your garments by just throwing them on the floor. ] which I have kept, even as I have kept them; for it is for a wise purpose that they are kept.

3 And these plates of brass, which contain these engravings, which have the records of the holy scriptures upon them, which have the genealogy of our forefathers, even from the beginning—

4 Behold, it has been prophesied by our fathers, that they should be kept and handed down from one generation to another, and be kept and preserved by the hand of the Lord until they should go forth unto every nation, kindred, tongue, and people, that they shall know of the mysteries contained thereon.

5 And now behold, if they are kept [ Protected, cherished as I am instructing you to do here. ] they must retain their brightness; [ Does this mean that they need to be polished? Well maybe because notice what he says next in verse 6. ] yea, and they will retain their brightness; yea, and also shall all the plates which do contain that which is holy writ.

6 Now ye may suppose that this is foolishness [ You may think that I have lost my mind in suggesting that you polish them. Well hold on and think about this. ] in me; but behold I say unto you, that by small and simple things are great things brought to pass; [ Or we might say that it really is in the detail. Is is as much as to the thought of how we treat the things of God, we show what things mean by how we treat them. ] and small means in many instances doth confound the wise.

7 And the Lord God [ Hebrew - Yahweh ( or Jehovah which means "to become" or "to exist") translated as Lord; Elohim translated as God ("the Gods") which together the words mean "He will cause Gods to be". ] doth work by means to bring about his great and eternal purposes; and by very small means the Lord doth confound the wise [ The spirit is a still small voice that we do not hear if we are not in the proper frame of mind, and doing the right things and trying to listen to it. It is small and for most it is entirely missed, so some it is only partially grasped. Which group do you fall in? ] and bringeth about the salvation of many souls.

8 And now, it has hitherto been wisdom in God that these things should be preserved; [ Why? ] for behold, [1] they have enlarged the memory of this people, [ How do the scriptures enlarge our memory? What do they enlarge our memory of? ] yea, and [2] convinced many of the error of their ways, [ How do the scriptures remind us that we are doing wrong? ] and [3] brought them to the knowledge of their God unto the salvation of their souls. [ Without the scriptures where would our knowledge of God come from? Passed down from word of mouth - how true would that remain? ]

9 Yea, I say unto you, were it not for these things that these records do contain, which are on these plates, Ammon and his brethren could not have convinced so many thousands of the Lamanites of the incorrect tradition of their fathers; yea, these records and their words brought them unto repentance; that is, they brought them to the knowledge of the Lord their God, and to rejoice in Jesus Christ their Redeemer.

10 And who knoweth but what they will be the means of bringing many thousands of them, yea, and also many thousands of our stiffnecked brethren, the Nephites, who are now hardening their hearts in sin and iniquities, to the knowledge of their Redeemer?

11 Now these mysteries are not yet fully made known unto me; therefore I shall forbear. [ sometimes the Lord just asks us to do certain things and does not provide a reason. Here Alma said I do not know all the reasons, but the Lord asked us to so I will do it. Just as Adam was asked why do you offer sacrifice - "I know not save it be that the Lord God hath commanded me". ]

12 And it may suffice if I only say they are preserved for a wise purpose, which purpose is known unto God; for he doth counsel in wisdom over all his works, and his paths are straight, and his course is one eternal round.

13 O remember, remember, my son Helaman, how strict [ Exact; accurate; rigorously nice; Confined; limited; not with latitude; Severe; rigorous; governed or governing by exact rules; observing exact rules; ] are the commandments of God. And he said: If ye will keep my commandments ye shall prosper in the land—but if ye keep not his commandments ye shall be cut off from his presence. [ Prosper mean to have God's presence with them. Same thing that he will tell Shiblon in the next chapter. If the consequence for not keeping the commandments is that you will be close to God, then what does it mean to prosper? Feeling his spirit, having the peace that surrounds him in your life, it does not mean that you will be free from trial. ]

14 And now remember, my son, that God has entrusted you with these things, which are sacred, which he has kept sacred, and also which he will keep and preserve for a wise purpose in him, that he may show forth his power unto future generations. [ Alma is teaching Helaman that he is a sacred part of the chain of custody of the plates, their purpose although far in the future is in the hands of God, for his almighty purpose. This council also comes with the idea that since they are entrusted to you that if you need help in protecting them, ask God(verse 16), they are his sacred things and he will help you keep them sacred if you will do your part. Joseph And Emma and the barrel of beans, me and the temple drive in the accident, keep my wits and protect the brief case that they were in(the accident could have been far worse for me). ]

15 And now behold, I tell you by the spirit of prophecy, [ Alma has received revelation for and in behalf of his son Helaman - So he give him some guidance based on that revelation. ] that if ye transgress the commandments of God, behold, these things which are sacred shall be taken away from you by the power of God, and ye shall be delivered up unto Satan, that he may sift you as chaff before the wind.

16 But if ye keep the commandments of God, and do with these things which are sacred according to that which the Lord doth command you, (for you must appeal unto the Lord for all things whatsoever ye must do with them) [ Is this not good advice for us in our lives as well, we must council with the Lord in all of our decisions. ] behold, no power of earth or hell can take them from you, for God is powerful to the fulfilling of all his words.

17 For he will fulfil all his promises which he shall make unto you, for he has fulfilled his promises which he has made unto our fathers.

18 For he promised unto them that he would preserve these things for a wise purpose in him, that he might show forth his power unto future generations.

19 And now behold, one purpose hath he fulfilled, even to the restoration of many thousands of the Lamanites to the knowledge of the truth; and he hath shown forth his power in them, and he will also still show forth his power in them unto future generations; therefore they shall be preserved.

20 Therefore I command you, my son Helaman, that ye be diligent in fulfilling all my words, and that ye be diligent in keeping the commandments of God as they are written.

21 And now, I will speak unto you concerning those twenty-four plates, [ The plates of Ether. ] that ye keep them, that the mysteries and the works of darkness, and their secret works, or the secret works of those people who have been destroyed, may be made manifest unto this people; yea, all their murders, and robbings, and their plunderings, and all their wickedness and abominations, [ Is a broader term and covers every thought, deed, and attitude that is offensive to a God who “cannot look upon sin with the least degree of allowance” (Alma 45:16; D&C 1:31). All mankind is guilty of abominations. Whether we call it sin, iniquity, wickedness, evil, or what have you, it is all abomination; it is all reflective of a carnal mind and, therefore, of ungodliness. ] may be made manifest unto this people; yea, and that ye preserve these interpreters. [ Urim & Thummim - Urim and Thummin see Mosiah 8:13; Anciently, the Mayans are known to have something similar to glasses, although the symbolism and use is unclear. Attached is a picture of the Yax K’uk Mo’ from Copan, which is estimated to have been a Mayan King circa 500AD. Joseph Smith described them as “two transparent. ]

22 For behold, the Lord saw that his people began to work in darkness, yea, work secret murders and abominations; therefore the Lord said, if they did not repent they should be destroyed from off the face of the earth.

23 And the Lord said: I will prepare unto my servant Gazelem, [ Alma is talking about the Urim and Thummim which Alma would have had to receive from Mosiah. "With reference to the name Gazelam, it is interesting to note that Alma in directing Helaman to preserve both the Urim and Thummim and the plates containing the Book of Ether, says that such record will be brought to light by the Lord's servant Gazelem, who will use "a stone" in his translation work. (Alma 37:21-23.) It may be that Gazelem is a variant spelling of Gazelam and that Alma's reference is to the Prophet Joseph Smith who did in fact bring forth part at least of the Ether record. Or it could be that the name Gazelem (Gazelam) is a title having to do with power to translate ancient records and that Alma's reference was to some Nephite prophet who brought the Book of Ether to light in the golden era of Nephite history." (Mormon Doctrine, 2d ed. [1966], p.307) "I will prepare unto my servant Gazelem, a stone] This may well be a play on words. Is Gazelem the seer stone or the servant? It is difficult to tell from the passage and depends very much on the placement of a comma in the sentence. Perhaps it could refer to both. It is interesting to note that when Jesus called Simon Peter to the ministry he said: "Thou art Simon the son of Jona: thou shalt be called Cephas, which is, by interpretation, a seer, or a stone" (JST, John 1:42). Though this name or title of Gazelem may be used in regard to any seer who utilizes seer stones, it seems in this instance to be a direct reference to Joseph Smith the Prophet." (Doctrinal Commentary on the Book of Mormon, 4 vols.[1991], 3:.278) "In three different revelations, spanning a period of two years (1832-34), Joseph Smith was called "Gazelam" by the Lord (D&C 78:9; 82:11; 104:26, 43, 45, 46; pre-1981 edition). His name was disguised in order to prevent his enemies from discovering what plans the Lord had in mind at that particular time (HC 1:255)." (Doctrine and Covenants Encyclopedia , p.204). ] a stone, which shall shine forth in darkness unto light, that I may discover unto my people who serve me, that I may discover unto them the works of their brethren, yea, their secret works, their works of darkness, and their wickedness and abominations.

24 And now, my son, these interpreters were prepared that the word of God might be fulfilled, which he spake, saying:

25 I will bring forth out of darkness unto light all their secret works and their abominations; and except they repent I will destroy them from off the face of the earth; and I will bring to light all their secrets and abominations, unto every nation that shall hereafter possess the land.

26 And now, my son, we see that they did not repent; therefore they have been destroyed, and thus far the word of God has been fulfilled; yea, their secret abominations have been brought out of darkness and made known unto us.

27 And now, my son, I command you that ye retain all their oaths, and their covenants, and their agreements in their secret abominations; yea, and all their signs and their wonders ye shall keep from this people, [ The Jaredites brought records with them that contain the secrets, and these records are contained in the “sealed portion” of the plates (Alma 37:27, 29; Hel 6:25; Ether 8:15-16, 20; 10:33). The Jaredites could well have been descendants of Cain; they came from Mesopotamia, which was settled by Nimrod, a Grandson of Ham (Gen 10:6-10). ] that they know them not, [ Interesting that nowhere in the record of the Jaredites is there mention of the Church or Gospel ordinances. There were obvious righteous characters, such as the Brother of Jared (Ether 3), and the Prophet Ether, but nowhere in the record itself is the Gospel mentioned. The Jaredite record is mainly about the effects of the secret combinations on their society and nation (Ether 9:6). Moroni provides Gospel commentary, but the record itself does not. Mormon and Moroni included this record to help us to see the origin of these secret oaths and combinations which began in the record we are reading in the Pearl of Great Price. They inform us how things will end if we are not careful. ] lest peradventure they should fall into darkness also and be destroyed.

28 For behold, there is a curse upon all this land, that destruction shall come upon all those workers of darkness, according to the power of God, when they are fully ripe; therefore I desire that this people might not be destroyed.

29 Therefore ye shall keep these secret plans of their oaths and their covenants from this people, and only their wickedness and their murders and their abominations shall ye make known unto them; and ye shall teach them to abhor such wickedness and abominations and murders; and ye shall also teach them that these people were destroyed on account of their wickedness and abominations and their murders.

30 For behold, they murdered all the prophets of the Lord who came among them to declare unto them concerning their iniquities; and the blood of those whom they murdered did cry unto the Lord their God for vengeance upon those who were their murderers; and thus the judgments of God did come upon these workers of darkness and secret combinations.

31 Yea, and cursed be the land forever and ever unto those workers of darkness and secret combinations, even unto destruction, except they repent before they are fully ripe.

32 And now, my son, [ And might we add here, my son the future high priest over this people. Alma is giving council to Helaman of what he needs to do to as he takes on this new role. ] remember the words which I have spoken unto you; trust not those secret plans unto this people, [ Is he talking secret combinations? The mysteries of God? What exactly is he counseling Helaman here? ] but teach them an everlasting hatred against sin and iniquity.

33 Preach unto them repentance, and faith on the Lord Jesus Christ; teach them to humble themselves [ Get pride out of your life, be teachable. ] and to be meek and lowly in heart; teach them to withstand every temptation of the devil, [ How do we do that? Stay close to the Lord, pray and study the scriptures, hear him. ] with their faith on the Lord Jesus Christ.

34  Teach them to never be weary of good works, [ How do we become weary in our good works? Don't do what you do for saying that you are doing it for the Lord; to be seen of men, rather do it because you love the Lord, because you love your fellowman. If what you are doing is to be seen of men you will tire out, become weary, as there is only so much that you can physically do, so pace yourself asking the Lord what would he have you do next, which may be doing something that no one will ever see, but that is what the Lord wants, as a result you will not be found weary as the Lord will not ask more than you have the power with his help to deliver. (verse 36-37) ] but to be meek and lowly in heart; for such shall find rest to their souls. [ The Lords rest, the rest that matters the most. ]

35 O, remember, my son, and learn wisdom in thy youth; [ Learn to trust powers that are far greater than you are. ] yea, learn in thy youth to keep the commandments of God.

36 Yea, and cry unto God for all thy support; yea, let all thy doings be unto the Lord, and whithersoever thou goest let it be in the Lord; yea, let all thy thoughts be directed unto the Lord; yea, let the affections of thy heart be placed upon the Lord forever.

37 Counsel with the Lord in all thy doings, and he will direct thee for good; yea, when thou liest down at night lie down unto the Lord, that he may watch over you in your sleep; and when thou risest in the morning let thy heart be full of thanks unto God; and if ye do these things, ye shall be lifted up [ Raised up to come forth - not lifted up in prode for what you did do. ] at the last day.

38 And now, my son, I have somewhat to say concerning the thing which our fathers call a ball, or director—or our fathers called it Liahona, [ Egyptian means God's light. I Haven Barlow. ] which being interpreted [ In the Hebrew traddition to interpret something means to make a connection with something in the Torah ( The first 5 Books of Moses in the Old Testament ). This is done to communicate greater teachings, and direct the reader to specific scriptures and teachings. When the word interpreted is used it is a key for us that there are hidden teachings for in the Torah relating to this topic, go look for it. Here there are two references to the interpretation "a compass" and "the Lord prepared it". ], a compass; [ Job 22:14 "Thick clouds are a coverting to him, that he seeth not; and he walketh in the circuit of heaven" Proverbs 8:27-28 "When he prepared the heavens, I was there:when he set a compass (hug) upon the face of the depth; When he established the clouds above; when he strengthened the fountains of the deep; When he gave to the sea his decree, that the waters should not pass his commandment: when he appointed the foundations of th earth: Then I was by him, as one brought up with him: and I was daily his delight, rejoicing always before him;Rejoicing in the habitable part of his delight, rejoicing always before him; Rejoicing in the habitable part of his earth; and my delights were with the sons of men." - The paths of wisdom are the writings that were written on the Liahona while they were in the wilderness. Also Isaiah 40:21-23 where we get a prophetic future. The idea here is suggested that the Liahona is to be viewed in the context of our journey on the earth physically and spiritually. ] and the Lord prepared it. [ See Genesis 1:6-8 ]

39 And behold, there cannot any man work after the manner of so curious a workmanship. And behold, it was prepared [ The Liahona was created for this purpose. ] to show unto our fathers the course which they should travel in the wilderness.

40 And it [ The Liahona. ] did work for them according to their faith in God; therefore, if they had faith to believe that God could cause that those spindles should point the way they should go, behold, it was done; therefore they had this miracle, and also many other miracles wrought by the power of God, day by day.

41 Nevertheless, because those miracles were worked by small means [ We see the reference to small means again here, Alma used the same words earlier when he told Helaman to keep the plates bright - to polish them in verse 5. What is the principle and promise being re-emphasised here? ] it did show unto them marvelous works. They were slothful, and forgot to exercise their faith and diligence and then those marvelous works ceased, [ How would they have been slothful and not exercised their faith? ] and they did not progress in their journey;

42 Therefore, they tarried in the wilderness, or did not travel a direct course, and were afflicted with hunger and thirst, because of their transgressions.

43 And now, my son, I would that ye should understand that these things are not without a shadow; [ Or a type for them to teach them that while they were effected temporally to go without food and water and extra trails, so it is that they also suffered spiritually when they were not diligent in their efforts to exercise their faith daily in God. see verse 45. ] for as our fathers were slothful to give heed to this compass (now these things were temporal) they did not prosper; even so it is with things which are spiritual.

44 For behold, it is as easy to give heed to the word of Christ, which will point to you a straight course to eternal bliss, as it was for our fathers to give heed to this compass, which would point unto them a straight course to the promised land.

45 And now I say, is there not a type in this thing? [ So Alma is drawing a link between the Liahona and the staff of Moses. Moses says:"The Lord said unto Moses, Make thee a fiery serpent, and set it upon a pole: and it shall come to pass, that every one that is bitten, when he looketh upon it, shall live. And Moses made a serpent of brass, and put it upon a pole, and it came to pass, that if a serpent had bitten any man, when he beheld the serpent of brass, he lived" (Numbers 21:8-9). The similarity in these cases is in the relationship between the people and the objects. To be healed, they had to act on simple faith. Obviously, both the Liahona and the serpent served as symbols of Christ. In Alma 37:38-47, the Liahona is compared to the words of Christ, which can guide us through our own trials. People must seek, pay attention, and obey to get the benefits. Regarding the serpent image, Christ himself referred to it as a symbol of both his being lifted up on the cross and his being slain. Again, the benefit could be had only by a person's acting from faith—by obedient "looking" at the object (see John 3:14-15). With both objects, the way was too easy for some to convince them to act. Referring to the metal serpent, Nephi says, "The labor which they had to perform was to look; and because of the simpleness of the way, or the easiness of it, there were many who perished" (1 Nephi 17:41). Alma makes a similar statement regarding the Liahona: "Because those miracles were worked by small means it did show unto them marvelous works. They were slothful, and forgot to exercise their faith and diligence and then those marvelous works ceased, and they did not progress in their journey; therefore, they tarried in the wilderness, or did not travel a direct course, and were afflicted with hunger and thirst, because of their transgressions" (Alma 37:41-42).(The Maxwell Institute - Nephi and the Exodus Terrence L. Szink)] For just as surely as this director did bring our fathers, by following its course, to the promised land, shall the words of Christ, if we follow their course, carry us beyond this vale of sorrow into a far better land of promise.

46 O my son, do not let us be slothful because of the easiness of the way; for so was it with our fathers; for so was it prepared for them, that if they would look they might live; [ Look to the compass and be directed in the proper path, the best direction to travel, the direction that would provide water and food. ] even so it is with us. The way is prepared, and if we will look we may live forever.

47 And now, my son, see that ye take care of these sacred things, yea, see that ye look to God and live. Go unto this people and declare the word, and be sober. [ This is the same advice he will give to Shiblon in the next chapter (Alma 38:15) In Greek, it means - free from illusion, free from the intoxicating influences of sin. It means to have one's wits about them and be rational. Websters 1828 dictionary:"Regular; calm; not under the influence of passion; as sober judgment; a man in his sober senses." ] My son, farewell.