Alma 42:12-14

12  And now, there was no means to reclaim men from this fallen state, which man had brought upon himself because of his own disobedience;

Alma 42:12

Alma(2) reviewed the Fall and the consequences that followed earlier.  Now, he makes it clear that there is no way that we can be reclaimed from the fall.  This is because "had brought [this] upon himself because of his own disobedience."  God did not force the Fall.  Adam and Eve were given choices, and they chose disobedience.  Their actions and their actions alone were responsible for the fall.

Paul wrote that "by [Adam] came death ... [for] as in Adam all die..."  (1 Corinthians 15:21 - 22 - emphasis mine).  (Yes, I know that there is more to those scriptures, but this is not the place I want to discuss the other parts of the two verses.)

Solomon described some consequences of man's disobedience.

12  And say, How have I hated instruction, and my heart despised reproof;
13  And have not obeyed the voice of my teachers, nor inclined mine ear to them that instructed me!

Proverbs 5:12 - 13 (emphasis mine)

Those who choose to be disobedient ignore the voice and instruction of the Lord and His teachers.  The word of the Lord no longer has a place in their lives.

Isaiah mentioned a result of this disobedience.

5  The earth also is defiled under the inhabitants thereof; because they have transgressed the laws, changed the ordinance, broken the everlasting covenant.

Isaiah 24:5 (emphasis mine)

Stephen bluntly told the Jews the consequences of their disobedience. 

51  Ye stiffnecked and uncircumcised in heart and ears, ye do always resist the Holy Ghost: as your fathers did, so do ye.
52  Which of the prophets have not your fathers persecuted?  and they have slain them which shewed before of the coming of the Just One; of whom ye have been now the betrayers and murderers:
53  Who have received the law by the disposition of angels, and have not kept it.

Acts 7:51 - 53 (emphasis mine)

These few examples point out how disobedient man had become.  Man defiled the law.  He did not listen to the voice of his teachers.  He persecuted and killed the prophets.  After receiving the law, he did not keep it.

Man's fallen condition brought much pain and suffering upon all.  And, after the Fall, there was no way to reclaim man.  Why?

Alma(2) continues...

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.

Alma 42:12-13

Alma(2) tells us that, because of the Fall, the demands of justice could not be destroyed.  There was no way that mercy could take effect.  

Alma(2) then makes a statement that has been misconstrued by the critics of the Book of Mormon.   "Now the work of justice could not be destroyed; if so, God would cease to be God."  Our critics claim we believe that "God [could] cease to be God."  They claim this shows how far away from their definition of "true" Christianity we are.  And,  they would be correct, save they take this statement out of context.  What is the correct context?

Remember the circumstances giving rise to this epistle.  Corianton has committed serious sin and harmed the work of the Lord.  There is evidence that he is remorseful and wants to obtain forgiveness, but is concerned about the words of the Lord.  Is there mercy?  Must justice always prevail? 

Alma(2) explains to his son that God pronounces his law.  If he were to ignore (if you will) his own law and the demands of justice, He would cease to be God.  Note, Alma(2) is saying that only if God ignores His words, would he cease to be God.  Alma(2) goes on to state that...

14  And thus we see that all mankind were fallen, and they were in the grasp of justice; yea, the justice of God, which consigned them forever to be cut off from his presence.

 Alma 42:14 (emphasis mine)

So we see that, because of the fallen state of man, we were "in the grasp if justice; yea, the justice of God..."  And, Alma(2) writes that because of these demands, man would be cut off from the presence of God forever.  He makes very clear that the demands of justice will be met.  God will make no exception.   So, taking the entire context of Alma(2)'s words, it is clear that God will not violate His own commands, and the He will not cease to be God.  This is another example of having an opinion about the Book of Mormon even though you have not bothered to read it.