Alma 36:9

[moonman239]

What do you think the phrase "If thou wilt of thyself be destroyed, seek no more to destroy the church of God" means?

[pam]

The Mosiah version of the story sheds some light on this awkward phrase. In that version, the words of the angel are rendered, seek to destroy the church no more...and this even if thou wilt of thyself be cast off (Mosiah 27:16, emphasis added). Now, the meaning is clear. To paraphrase again, "even if you would rather be destroyed by the power of God, you are commanded to stop persecuting the church."

[Silhouette]

What do you think the phrase "If thou wilt of thyself be destroyed, seek no more to destroy the church of God" means?

I always thought it was an odd way of saying, "Unless you want to be destroyed yourself, stop trying to destroy the church of God."

[mordorbund]

I parse it "If thou wilt, of thyself be destroyed. SEEK NO MORE TO DESTROY THE CHURCH OF GOD!" or, in other words "If it's your will to be destroyed, do it to yourself (no suicide-by-cop or destruction-by-angel)."

[Urstadt]

I parse it "If thou wilt, of thyself be destroyed. SEEK NO MORE TO DESTROY THE CHURCH OF GOD!" or, in other words "If it's your will to be destroyed, do it to yourself (no suicide-by-cop or destruction-by-angel)."

I like your interpretation too, Morderbund. "Thou shall not temp the Lord thy God."

Edited October 21, 2014 by Urstadt

[Blackmarch]

What do you think the phrase "If thou wilt of thyself be destroyed, seek no more to destroy the church of God" means?

basically, if you want to kill yourself we won't stop you, but quit trying to kill the church.

[Saul Hudson]

It would be like if your child had a new friend who was doing all kinds of bad stuff. You might tell that friend to go away, that if they wanted to screw up and ruin their life and end up in jail, go right ahead - but you leave my child alone.