Alma Chapter 45

Summary:  

Alma bestows his legacy onto Helaman. He prophesies that he Nephites will eventually dwindle in disbelief and will be destroyed. He blesses the righteous and curses the wicked. He departs out of Zarahemla and is heard from no more. According to the records, he is taken up by the Spirit (similar to Moses). Helaman goes forth to continue the work of his father. Dissension among some of the Nephites begins.

Lessons Taught/To be Learned:

The Old testament tells that the Lord took Moses onto himself. In modern terms this means Moses was translated (translated = changed, carried over, or rendered into a new form — most often a new language, but also new words, new meaning, or a new state). From a religious standpoint - it has a deeper, richer meaning. Translated means that a person was carried by God into another realm— usually heaven— without experiencing mortal death. The description of what happened to Alma is similar. Thus it is assumed that Alma was also translated.

Key Scriptures (italicized and in quotes):

"19 Behold, this we know, that he was a righteous man; and the saying went abroad in the church that he was taken up by the Spirit, or buried by the hand of the Lord, even as Moses. But behold, the scriptures saith the Lord took Moses unto himself; and we suppose that he has also received Alma in the spirit, unto himself; therefore, for this cause we know nothing concerning his death and burial."