(Note - Alma(2)'s son Corianton is concerned about his eternal welfare because he consorted with a Lamanite harlot. Alma(2) responds to his son's concerns in Alma 39-42.)
5 For behold, 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.
6 But behold, it was appointed unto man to die—therefore, as they were cut off from the tree of life they should be cut off from the face of the earth—and man became lost forever, yea, they became fallen man.
6 But behold, it was appointed unto man to die—therefore, as they were cut off from the tree of life they should be cut off from the face of the earth—and man became lost forever, yea, they became fallen man.
Alma 42:5-6
Alma(2) reminds Corianton about the devil's plans for man. It wasn't enough that Adam and Eve broke God's commandment and partook of the fruit of the Tree of Life, he wanted to undermine and destroy the entire Plan of Salvation by having them live forever in a sinful state.
In the previous post, the principal of repentance was discussed. Had the devil succeeded, repentance would have been invalid. There would be no way for them to be forgiven as there would not have been a Savior. if there is not death, fallen man becomes forever and always cut off from God.
However, the devil not only was prevented from destroying man's opportunity for salvation, he made it so that man could someday come back and our time on Earth became a "a probationary time, a time to repent and serve God." (Alma 42:4)
7 And now, ye see by this that our first parents were cut off both temporally and spiritually from the presence of the Lord; and thus we see they became subjects to follow after their own will.
8 Now behold, it was not expedient that man should be reclaimed from this temporal death, for that would destroy the great plan of happiness.
9 Therefore, as the soul could never die, and the fall had brought upon all mankind a spiritual death as well as a temporal, that is, they were cut off from the presence of the Lord, it was expedient that mankind should be reclaimed from this spiritual death.
8 Now behold, it was not expedient that man should be reclaimed from this temporal death, for that would destroy the great plan of happiness.
9 Therefore, as the soul could never die, and the fall had brought upon all mankind a spiritual death as well as a temporal, that is, they were cut off from the presence of the Lord, it was expedient that mankind should be reclaimed from this spiritual death.
Alma 42:7-9
Man was cut off from the Lord. He would no longer be constantly guided by the Lord. He was free to choose right or wrong. He could choose to follow God, but he could also choose to ignore Him as well. Man "became subjects to follow after their own will."
This led to two deaths...
- Temporal Death. We all will die. This is the physical (or temporal) death.
- Spiritual Death. The consequence of the Fall is that we are cut off from the presence of God.
10 Therefore, as they had become carnal, sensual, and devilish, by nature, this probationary state became a state for them to prepare; it became a preparatory state.
11 And now remember, my son, if it were not for the plan of redemption, (laying it aside) as soon as they were dead their souls were miserable, being cut off from the presence of the Lord.
42:10 - 11
Our nature changed because of the Fall. We began to affected by the things of the flesh. Because of this change, our life became a time for us to prepare to return to the Lord.
Paul commented on the nature of man.
12 Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:
Romans 5:12
6 For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.
7 Because the carnal mind is enmity against God...
Romans 8:6 - 71
14 But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned (see note below).
(Note - the word used for discerned,anakrinō, means examined or judged; entry 350, Greek Dictionary, Strongest Strongs Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible, 2001)
Paul makes it clear about the consequences of man becoming "carnal, sensual, and devilish." It is most certainly not the life the Lord wishes us to live.
This became a time to prove to the Lord (and, I believe, to ourselves as well) that our greatest desires and wishes are to return to be with the Lord.
The apostle Peter emphasized that our probationary time here on Earth would not be easy.
6 Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations:
7 That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:
This is a time for use to be tried "with fire," which means that we will face many challenges in to our faith, some being extremely hard for us. As always, there is a promise that follows when we overcome that carnal and natural man. Peter said that if we do, we could "be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:"
Our probationary time won't be easy; but, oh, but the promised rewards that await for overcoming our trials and staying faithful will be great beyond anything we can imagine
1 Corinthians 2:14
(Note - the word used for discerned,anakrinō, means examined or judged; entry 350, Greek Dictionary, Strongest Strongs Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible, 2001)
Paul makes it clear about the consequences of man becoming "carnal, sensual, and devilish." It is most certainly not the life the Lord wishes us to live.
This became a time to prove to the Lord (and, I believe, to ourselves as well) that our greatest desires and wishes are to return to be with the Lord.
The apostle Peter emphasized that our probationary time here on Earth would not be easy.
6 Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations:
7 That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:
1 Peter 1:6 - 7
This is a time for use to be tried "with fire," which means that we will face many challenges in to our faith, some being extremely hard for us. As always, there is a promise that follows when we overcome that carnal and natural man. Peter said that if we do, we could "be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:"
Our probationary time won't be easy; but, oh, but the promised rewards that await for overcoming our trials and staying faithful will be great beyond anything we can imagine
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