Review of Alma(2)'s Epistle to Corianton

First, the background.

Alma(2) and his sons were on a mission preaching to the Zoramites.  At some point, Corianton left and became involved with a Lamanite prostitute (39:3).  This caused many problems for the missionary efforts of Alma(2) (39:11). 

Corianton was an arrogant, proud man who refused counsel and went his own way (39:2,10).  He was caught up in “vain and foolish things”  (39:11).  He had many questions because he had been caught up in foolish things (40:1, 42:1).  He was sweating the small stuff at the expense of what truly matters.  (40:5).

While Corianton is certainly called to repentance for his sins, the epistle is full of a father’s love for his wayward son.  I can’t help but believe that Alma(2) had a better understanding of Corianton then Corianton had of himself.  He was seeing his son taking the same road he travelled.  He wanted to stop Corianton and get him back on the correct path. 

Alma(2) gives many great and wonderful truths.  The list below highlights some of the important truths we learn...

• All souls are precious to God.  (39:17)
• There would be no resurrection until after Christ. (40:2)
• Afterdeath, the righteous enter a state of paradise. (40:12)
• The evil remain in a fearful state.  (40:13-14)
• “Wickedness never was happiness.” (41:10)
• We are restored to evil for evil, good for good.  (41:13)
• Our lives are the time to prepare to repent and serve God.  (42:4)
• Without the plan of redemption, we would but cut off from God.  (42:11)
• Justice claims those who violate God’s law.  (42:22)
• The atonement establishes the plan of mercy.  (42:15)
• Mercy claims those who repent and obey God through the atonement.  (42:23)

Alma(2) gives Corianton a wonderful promise, one that can apply to us today – ”… 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 restored unto you again…” (41:14)

Alma(2)’s epistle to Corianton is one of the greatest found in the scriptures.  We learn many great and powerful truths about God and how He deals with man.  He is a fair and just God, who provided a way for us to return to His presence someday. 

But, what of Corianton?  After chapter 42, he is mentioned only twice.  The first of the two references state that…

 Yea, and there was continual peace among them, and exceedingly great prosperity in the church because of their heed and diligence which they gave unto the word of God, which was declared unto them by Helaman, and Shiblon, and Corianton, and Ammon and his brethren, yea, and by all those who had been ordained by the holy order of God, being baptized unto repentance, and sent forth to preach among the people.

Alma 49:30 (Emphasis mine)

The heading to chapter 49 tells us that this is around 72 B.C., two years after Alma(2)’s epistle.  It would appear that, over a period of two years, Corianton got his life in order, repented, and became worthy to preach the gospel once again. 

The final reference to Corianton…

And it came to pass in the thirty and ninth year of the reign of the judges, Shiblon died also, and Corianton had gone forth to the land northward in a ship, to carry forth provisions unto the people who had gone forth into that land.

Alma 63:10 (Emphasis mine)

Corianton then becomes lost .to history.

I have learned much as I’ve reviewed these scriptures.  I hope that my comments and observations have been helpful.

I want to express my firm belief and conviction that Alma(2)’s words were inspired of God.  God wanted us to have these great and wonderful truths today.  I know that if we repent and serve God fully, that we will be welcomed into His presence again.  I praise Alma(2) for giving us these powerful words and truths.

I’m not quite sure what I’ll look at next; my next post will be up no later than this weekend.