Alma 39: Corianton, The Sexual Deviant

Now Alma turned to his third son, Corianton. Turns out that Corianton needed the most work of all his sons, so he got the longest speech. Alma's advice to Corianton goes on for four chapters (39-42), but the meat of it is in Chapter 39.

Alma starts out by explaining that this speech is going to take a while because Corianton was so much worse than his older brother Shiblon. Uh oh, Corianton! When Alma says he's going to take a while, he usually means it. You had better go get some snacks.  

And now, my son, I have somewhat more to say unto thee than what I said unto thy brother; for behold, have ye not observed the steadiness of thy brother, his faithfulness, and his diligence in keeping the commandments of God? Behold, has he not set a good example for thee? Alma 39.1

Alma explains what he has against Corianton: he doesn't listen to Alma, and he brags all the time about his strength and wisdom. Also, he left the ministry and chased after the harlot Isabel in the land of Siron. Woah! Okay, this is getting interesting. Why haven't we heard any of this before?

For thou didst not give so much heed unto my words as did thy brother, among the people of the Zoramites. Now this is what I have against thee; thou didst go on unto boasting in thy strength and thy wisdom. 39.2

And this is not all, my son. Thou didst do that which was grievous unto me; for thou didst forsake the ministry, and did go over into the land of Siron among the borders of the Lamanites, after the harlot Isabel. 39.3

Don't you know that is practically the worst thing you could do, Corianton? The only worse things are denying the Holy Ghost and the shedding of innocent blood.*

Know ye not, my son, that these things are an abomination in the sight of the Lord; yea, most abominable above all sins save it be the shedding of innocent blood or denying the Holy Ghost? 39.5

Look, son. I wouldn't bring up this embarrassing stuff unless I really had to. But I have to. So repent, because you can't hide your crimes from God, and if you don't repent you'll go to hell. And after you're done repenting, stop chasing after harlots.

And now, my son, I would to God that ye had not been guilty of so great a crime. I would not dwell upon your crimes, to harrow up your soul, if it were not for your good. 39.7 

But behold, ye cannot hide your crimes from God; and except ye repent they will stand as a testimony against you at the last day. 39.8 

Now my son, I would that ye should repent and forsake your sins, and go no more after the lusts of your eyes, but cross yourself in all these things; for except ye do this ye can in nowise inherit the kingdom of God. Oh, remember, and take it upon you, and cross yourself in these things. 39.9

And please, listen to the advice of your older brothers.

And I command you to take it upon you to counsel with your elder brothers in your undertakings; for behold, thou art in thy youth, and ye stand in need to be nourished by your brothers. And give heed to their counsel. 39.10

And NO MORE HARLOTS, Corianton. No more. And don't be so greedy and vain.

Suffer not yourself to be led away by any vain or foolish thing; suffer not the devil to lead away your heart again after those wicked harlots. 39.11a

Seek not after riches nor the vain things of this world; for behold, you cannot carry them with you. 39.14

Got that? Okay. Now let's talk about Jesus.

And now, my son, I would say somewhat unto you concerning the coming of Christ. Behold, I say unto you, that it is he that surely shall come to take away the sins of the world; yea, he cometh to declare glad tidings of salvation unto his people. 39.15

I know that this is what you were teaching for years, but with all the whores and ouzo I thought you might have forgotten. So let me remind you. Jesus is coming. We don't know when, but he is coming.

And now, my son, this was the ministry unto which ye were called, to declare these glad tidings unto this people, to prepare their minds; or rather that salvation might come unto them, that they may prepare the minds of their children to hear the word at the time of his coming. 39.16

It might seem a little confusing why God would let us know so far ahead of time, but it actually makes a lot of sense if you think about it a little bit, son. See, everything is easy for God, and he wants us to know our plan of redemption so that we can be saved before we are saved, because otherwise who knows what might happen.

And now I will ease your mind somewhat on this subject. Behold, you marvel why these things should be known so long beforehand. Behold, I say unto you, is not a soul at this time as precious unto God as a soul will be at the time of his coming? 39.17 

Is it not as necessary that the plan of redemption should be made known unto this people as well as unto their children? 39.18 

Is it not as easy at this time for the Lord to send his angel to declare these glad tidings unto us as unto our children, or as after the time of his coming? 39.19

*I'm writing this as Alma, to make it easier and more fun to read.