The Power of The Word. The Book of Mormon says that the power of the word of God has more impact than "anything else". One example of this is Corianton. The once wayward son of Alma.

In Mormons narrative in Alma 48:17 he holds up Captain Moroni as an example or prototype of how men (and women) should be. Most people know this verse.

"If all men had been, and were, and ever would be, like unto Moroni, behold, the very powers of hell would have been shaken forever; yea, the devil would never have power over the hearts of the children of men".

This verse is very well known. But look what Mormon does next in teaching us. After holding up Moroni as this example he immediately compares him to who? To Ammon, his brothers, Alma, and Alma's "sons". Plural. Not just Helaman and Shiblon. But including Corianton.

We had just learned in Mosiah that Ammon, Alma and the brothers were the "vilest" of all sinners". The BOM is true so we know that Mormon was not using hyperbole when it said they were the "vilest of all sinners". The Lord is teaching us. He is singling out the worst of the worst

The message is that through exercising faith in Christ and his infinite atonement a person can be transformed into a Christlike being. The worst (Ammon, Corianton, etc) can become like Captain Moroni. They can become Christlike.

In Alma 63:1-2 the plates need to be transferred after Helaman (oldest son of Alma had died). They go to Shiblon and we learn that Shiblon is a "just man, and did walk uprightly before God; and he did observe to do good continually, to keep the commandments of the Lord his God.".

And then Mormon throws in these words, "and also did his brother". It's a subtle little phrase that can be glossed over. But what is Mormon teaching us. Alma had three sons. the 'brother' was not Helaman, who had just died, but is Corianton.

We are hearing a follow-up status report on Corianton. In Alma 39 we learned that he had committed some very egregious sins. Alma then teaches Corianton about the atonement, justice, mercy, and faith in Christ.

Mormon (the historian narrator of these events) is calling out special attention to the result of the power of the word of God on Corianton. He had become a man like Captain Moroni. He had become like Shiblon who kept the commandments of God continually.

Corianton was transformed by the power of the word of God. Through faith in Christ and because of the power of God through the atonement he had become a man like Captain Moroni who was so righteous that the powers of hell and of the devil would be shaken forever.

The message of the Book of Mormon is that Christ has all power to redeem anyone who will come to him and exercise faith unto repentance.

I know that the BOM is true. These are real people who were transformed by the real power of the living Christ.

So Alma 48:17 should always be connected to vs 18. Mormon holds up Moroni as a prototype. And then immediately calls our attention to prior vile sinners as men "like Moroni". He lists out a 'whos who' among vile sinners. Ammon, Aaron, Omner, Himni, Alma Jr, Corianton.

He could have called out Nephi, Lehi, Abinadi. These men were like Captain Mornoni. But instead, the inspired teacher calls out a list of the vilest sinners. He lists six individuals who had been transformed by the power of the word of God because of the atonement of Christ.

Like Benson, and Monsons, and Nelson today have told us - we need to flood our lives with the Book of Mormon. The book was designed by God to build perfect faith in Christ.

"The Book of Mormon has the power to transform men and women into Christlike beings worthy of Exaltation". Spencer W. Kimball.

Let's flood the world with this book!!!