RLDS Verse Context
Inspired Version, 1908 Book of Mormon, DC 1-144
Alma 17:12 - Alma 17:22
12 Yea, and in fine, so great had been my iniquities, that the very thoughts of coming into the presence of my God, did rack my soul with inexpressible horror.
13 O, thought I, that I could be banished and become extinct both soul and body, that I might not be brought to stand in the presence of my God, to be judged of my deeds.
14 And now, for three days and for three nights was I racked, even with the pains of a damned soul.
15 And it came to pass that as I was thus racked with torment, while I was harrowed up by the memory of my many sins, behold, I remembered also to have heard my father prophesy unto the people, concerning the coming of one Jesus Christ, a Son of God, to atone for the sins of the world.
16 Now as my mind caught hold upon this thought, I cried within my heart, O Jesus, thou Son of God, have mercy on me, who art in the gall of bitterness, and art encircled about by the everlasting chains of death.
17 And now behold, when I thought this, I could remember my pains nor more; yea, I was harrowed by by the memory of my sins no more.
18 And O, what joy, and what marvelous light I did behold; yea, my soul was filled with joy as exceeding as was my pain; yea, I say unto you, my son, that there could be nothing so exquisite and so bitter as were my pains.
19 Yea, and again I say unto you, my son, that on the other hand, there can be nothing so exquisite and sweet as was my joy;
20 Yea, methought I saw even as our father Lehi saw, God sitting upon his throne, surrounded with numberless concourses of angels, in the attitude of singing and praising their God; yea, and my soul did long to be there.
21 But behold, my limbs did receive their strength again, and I stood upon my feet, and did manifest unto the people that I had been born of God;
22 Yea, and from that time, even until now, I have labored without ceasing, that I might bring souls unto repentance; that I might bring them to taste of the exceeding joy of which I did taste; that they might also be born of God, and be filled with the Holy Ghost.
13 O, thought I, that I could be banished and become extinct both soul and body, that I might not be brought to stand in the presence of my God, to be judged of my deeds.
14 And now, for three days and for three nights was I racked, even with the pains of a damned soul.
15 And it came to pass that as I was thus racked with torment, while I was harrowed up by the memory of my many sins, behold, I remembered also to have heard my father prophesy unto the people, concerning the coming of one Jesus Christ, a Son of God, to atone for the sins of the world.
16 Now as my mind caught hold upon this thought, I cried within my heart, O Jesus, thou Son of God, have mercy on me, who art in the gall of bitterness, and art encircled about by the everlasting chains of death.
17 And now behold, when I thought this, I could remember my pains nor more; yea, I was harrowed by by the memory of my sins no more.
18 And O, what joy, and what marvelous light I did behold; yea, my soul was filled with joy as exceeding as was my pain; yea, I say unto you, my son, that there could be nothing so exquisite and so bitter as were my pains.
19 Yea, and again I say unto you, my son, that on the other hand, there can be nothing so exquisite and sweet as was my joy;
20 Yea, methought I saw even as our father Lehi saw, God sitting upon his throne, surrounded with numberless concourses of angels, in the attitude of singing and praising their God; yea, and my soul did long to be there.
21 But behold, my limbs did receive their strength again, and I stood upon my feet, and did manifest unto the people that I had been born of God;
22 Yea, and from that time, even until now, I have labored without ceasing, that I might bring souls unto repentance; that I might bring them to taste of the exceeding joy of which I did taste; that they might also be born of God, and be filled with the Holy Ghost.