Alma 13:21 - 13:25

Alma 13:21 And now it came to pass that when Alma had said these words unto them, he stretched forth his hand unto them and cried with a mighty voice, saying: Now is the time to repent, for the day of salvation draweth nigh;

After the things that Alma had just testified too, he raised his voice once again called on the people of Ammonihah to repent and to do so quickly. The Messiah is coming very soon and the salvation His has promised us is about to take place.

Alma 13:22 Yea, and the voice of the Lord, by the mouth of angels, doth declare it unto all nations; yea, doth declare it, that they may have glad tidings of great joy; yea, and he doth sound these glad tidings among all his people, yea, even to them that are scattered abroad upon the face of the earth; wherefore they have come unto us.

Angels under the direction of the Messiah are declaring it to all nations. The Lord wants all to know of the great blessing of the atonement and how to take advantage of it. This is for the whole of all the people on the earth, not just a few. Angels are even among the people of Ammonihah, telling them of this event to come.

I am sure that there are angels among us today as well, telling us, in the world, to repent and get ready for the Second Coming. I am sure they are telling the people that they better repent of such things as neglect of the family, gay marriage, not getting married, drugs, etc., otherwise they will not survive the events that proceed the Lord’s coming.

Alma 13:23 And they are made known unto us in plain terms, that we may understand, that we cannot err; and this because of our being wanderers in a strange land; therefore, we are thus highly favored, for we have these glad tidings declared unto us in all parts of our vineyard.

The angels among the Nephites have told them in terms that cannot be misunderstood. They are plain as can be, so the Nephites cannot say they did not understand. The Nephites have had these angels among them because they are not living in Palestine anymore and as a result have been given special treatment.

Alma 13:24 For behold, angels are declaring it unto many at this time in our land; and this is for the purpose of preparing the hearts of the children of men to receive his word at the time of his coming in his glory.

The angels are among the Nephites to prepare them for the coming of the Messiah to them very soon in the future. They are preparing them to receive the words the Messiah will give them.

It is interesting that the Lord tells us of future events and what we need to do to prepare for them. He does not do things as a complete surprise. However, it will be a surprise to those who refuse to listen to the angels among them. I included the missionaries, us and the church leadership as these angels.

Alma 13:25 And now we only wait to hear the joyful news declared unto us by the mouth of angels, of his coming; for the time cometh, we know not how soon. Would to God that it might be in my day; but let it be sooner or later, in it I will rejoice.

Alma is just waiting for the news of the Messiah’s birth. Alma does not know just how soon it is and would like to happen in his day, but whenever it comes, he will be very happy about it.

Christ birth is still about 82 years in the future. Add 34 years and it is still 116 years before He actually appears to the Nephites. In relation to the second coming, I have felt as did Alma. Would that it were in my day, but I doubt it. Even though things seem to happen quickly and all of a sudden, I still think it will be after my time here on earth. I am hoping to be with Christ when he comes to earth and be in the company of people that come with him.