6 And so it is on the other hand. If he hath repented of his sins, and desired righteousness until the end of his days, even so he shall be rewarded unto righteousness.
7 These are they that are redeemed of the Lord; yea, these are they that are taken out, that are delivered from that endless night of darkness; and thus they stand or fall; for behold, they are their own judges, whether to do good or do evil.8 Now, the decrees of God are unalterable; therefore, the way is prepared that whosoever will may walk therein and be saved.
Alma 41:5-8 (Emphasis mine)
When we are resurrected, we are raised based on our desires. If we desire good, we will be raised unto happiness. If we desire evil, we shall have our reward of evil. Alma(2) tells us that we stand and fall on our own. We are "[our] own judges..." (v7) What could be more fair? We are our own judges.
The words of God are eternal. They cannot be changed. So, if we follow the commandments of God and live according to His law, we will have our reward according to our desires of good. Once again, we're told it's all up to us!
9 And now behold, my son, do not risk one more offense against your God upon those points of doctrine, which ye have hitherto risked to commit sin.
10 Do not suppose, because it has been spoken concerning restoration, that ye shall be restored from sin to happiness. Behold, I say unto you, wickedness never was happiness.
11 And now, my son, all men that are in a state of nature, or I would say, in a carnal state, are in the gall of bitterness and in the bonds of iniquity; they are without God in the world, and they have gone contrary to the nature of God; therefore, they are in a state contrary to the nature of happiness.
12 And now behold, is the meaning of the word restoration to take a thing of a natural state and place it in an unnatural state, or to place it in a state opposite to its nature?
Alma 41:9-12 (Emphasis mine)
Reading between the lines, it appears that Corianton wants it all. He wants to be able to live any lifestyle he chooses, but expects to "...be restored from sin to happiness." (v10) He does not expect to have to pay any price for his choices. Alma(2) makes it clear that this is not so. He begins v10 with the words "Do not suppose..." It's like Alma(2)'s saying, "Corianton, don't take it as a given you will be restored to happiness from sin. It isn't going to happen!"
Then, we get a classic scriptural statement - "Wickedness never was happiness." (v10) These are marvelous and plain words that we should always remember. We may obtain temporary pleasure that appears to be happiness, but there's always the day after. There's always a price to pay, and when we do, it is never pleasant.
13 O, my son, this is not the case; but the meaning of the word restoration is to bring back again evil for evil, or carnal for carnal, or devilish for devilish—good for that which is good; righteous for that which is righteous; just for that which is just; merciful for that which is merciful.
14 Therefore, my son, see that you are merciful unto your brethren; deal justly, judge righteously, and do good continually; and if ye do all these things then shall ye receive your reward; yea, ye shall have mercy
15 For that which ye do send out shall return unto you again, and be restored; therefore, the word restoration more fully condemneth the sinner, and justifieth him not at all.
Alma 41:13-15 (Emphasis mine)
Alma(2) again defines restoration. It means "...to bring back again evil for evil, or carnal for carnal, or devilish for devilish—good for that which is good; righteous for that which is righteous; just for that which is just; merciful for that which is merciful." You are restored to what you were in this life. It is made as clear to us as it possibly can. Whatever you receive in the resurrection, you earned. You made the choices that affected your life. You made the choices that makes you you. This is the great truth of our life. We get what we deserve. It's all up to us. And God, through his prophets, has made this as clear to us as He can. We can't say he didn't warn us. The warnings are there. We only have to listen.
11 He that is unjust, let him be unjust still: and he which is filthy, let him be filthy still: and he that is righteous, let him be righteous still: and he that is holy, let him be holy still.
12 And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be.
Revelation 22:11-12 (Emphasis mine)
I love the words he gives to his son in v14. What better advice could we get on how to live our lives?
Alma 41:14
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