Alma 40 - 43

Many in this world share in the same philosophy as that which Corianton was struggling with when his father, Alma said -

"...I perceive there is somewhat more which doth worry your mind, which ye cannot understand—which is concerning the justice of God in the punishment of the sinner; for ye do try to suppose that it is injustice that the sinner should be consigned to a state of misery." (Book of Mormon Alma 42:1)

There are many people that feel that God loves all his children and since God is a merciful God, he will extend mercy to all for there are -

"...many which shall say: Eat, drink, and be merry; nevertheless, fear God—he will justify in committing a little sin; yea, lie a little, take the advantage of one because of his words, dig a pit for thy neighbor; there is no harm in this; and do all these things, for tomorrow we die; and if it so be that we are guilty, God will beat us with a few stripes, and at last we shall be saved in the kingdom of God.
9 Yea, and there shall be many which shall teach after this manner, false and vain and foolish doctrines..." (Book of Mormon 2 Nephi 28:8 - 9)

As we study the scriptures we learn that God is a God of justice. We see as Adam and Eve were sent from the Garden of Eden, God -

"...placed at the east end of the garden of Eden, cherubim, and a flaming sword which turned every way, to keep the tree of life—" (Book of Mormon Alma 42:2)

Why? Because of justice. This becomes apparent for -

"...if Adam had put forth his hand immediately, and partaken of the tree of life, he would have lived forever, according to the word of God, having no space for repentance; yea, and also the word of God would have been void, and the great plan of salvation would have been frustrated." (Book of Mormon Alma 42:5)

If God could have easily extended mercy he would have. But mercy conditional upon the principle of repentance and -

"...thus we see, that there was a time granted unto man to repent, yea, a probationary time, a time to repent and serve God..." (Book of Mormon Alma 42:4)

For Adam had transgressed the law and was in a fallen state and without a plan of salvation -

"...there was no means to reclaim men from this fallen state, which man had brought upon himself because of his own disobedience;
13 Therefore, according to justice, the plan of redemption could not be brought about, only on conditions of repentance of men in this probationary state, yea, this preparatory state; for except it were for these conditions, mercy could not take effect except it should destroy the work of justice. Now the work of justice could not be destroyed; if so, God would cease to be God." (Book of Mormon Alma 42:12 - 13)

Because the law of justice is as eternal as God himself -

"...they were in the grasp of justice; yea, the justice of God, which consigned them forever to be cut off from his presence." (Book of Mormon Alma 42:14)

But there is also an eternal law of mercy that is based upon conditions that satisfies the demands of justice and this-

"...plan of mercy could not be brought about except an atonement should be made; therefore God himself atoneth for the sins of the world, to bring about the plan of mercy, to appease the demands of justice, that God might be a perfect, just God, and a merciful God also.
16 Now, repentance could not come unto men except there were a punishment, which also was eternal as the life of the soul should be, affixed opposite to the plan of happiness, which was as eternal also as the life of the soul." (Book of Mormon Alma 42:15 - 16)

TFor there must be a law of justice and a required consequence for -

"...how could a man repent except he should sin? How could he sin if there was no law? How could there be a law save there was a punishment?" (Book of Mormon Alma 42:17)


"Now, there was a punishment affixed, and a just law given, which brought remorse of conscience unto man.
19 Now, if there was no law given—if a man murdered he should die—would he be afraid he would die if he should murder?
20 And also, if there was no law given against sin men would not be afraid to sin.
21 And if there was no law given, if men sinned what could justice do, or mercy either, for they would have no claim upon the creature?
22 But there is a law given, and a punishment affixed, and a repentance granted; which repentance, mercy claimeth; otherwise, justice claimeth the creature and executeth the law, and the law inflicteth the punishment; if not so, the works of justice would be destroyed, and God would cease to be God." (Book of Mormon Alma 42:18 - 22)

For -

"...do ye suppose that mercy can rob justice?" (Book of Mormon Alma 42:25)

No! Therefore

"...God ceaseth not to be God, and mercy claimeth the penitent, and mercy cometh because of the atonement; and the atonement bringeth to pass the resurrection of the dead; and the resurrection of the dead bringeth back men into the presence of God; and thus they are restored into his presence, to be judged according to their works, according to the law and justice.
24 For behold, justice exerciseth all his demands, and also mercy claimeth all which is her own; and thus, none but the truly penitent are saved." (Book of Mormon Alma 42:23 - 24)