The Atonement and the Book of Mormon

Two thousand years ago, “Mary Magdalene and the other Mary” arrived at Christ’s sepulcher. 

“And, behold, there was a great earthquake: for the angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat upon it … And the angel answered and said unto the women, Fear not ye: for I know that ye seek Jesus, which was crucified. He is not here: for he is risen, as he said.  Come, see the place where the Lord lay.”

Matthew 28:5-7 (Emphasis mine)

The sacrifice had been made.  Death had been conquered.  The demands of Justice had been met.  The atonement was completed. 

The message and teaching of Christ’s atonement is an essential part of the Book of Mormon.  When Nephi received his great vision, the angel “spake unto me again, saying: Look! And I looked, and I beheld the Lamb of God going forth among the children of men …  looked and beheld the Lamb of God, that he was taken by the people; yea, the Son of the everlasting God was judged of the world; and I saw and bear record.  And I, Nephi, saw that he was lifted up upon the cross and slain for the sins of the world” (1 Nephi 11:31-33).

Before Lehi gave his children their blessings, he taught:

Wherefore, redemption cometh in and through the Holy Messiah; for he is full of grace and truth.  Behold, he offereth himself a sacrifice for sin, to answer the ends of the law, unto all those who have a broken heart and a contrite spirit; and unto none else can the ends of the law be answered.  Wherefore, how great the importance to make these things known unto the inhabitants of the earth, that they may know that there is no flesh that can dwell in the presence of God, save it be through the merits, and mercy, and grace of the Holy Messiah, who layeth down his life according to the flesh, and taketh it again by the power of the Spirit, that he may bring to pass the resurrection of the dead, being the first that should rise.

2 Nephi 2:6-8 (Emphasis mine)

Jacob, the brother of Nephi, taught the people the importance of the resurrection.

Yea, I know that ye know that in the body he shall show himself unto those at Jerusalem, from whence we came; for it is expedient that it should be among them; for it behooveth the great Creator that he suffereth himself to become subject unto man in the flesh, and die for all men, that all men might become subject unto him.  For as death hath passed upon all men, to fulfil the merciful plan of the great Creator, there must needs be a power of resurrection, and the resurrection must needs come unto man by reason of the fall; and the fall came by reason of transgression; and because man became fallen they were cut off from the presence of the Lord.  Wherefore, it must needs be an infinite atonement—save it should be an infinite atonement this corruption could not put on incorruption.  Wherefore, the first judgment which came upon man must needs have remained to an endless duration.  And if so, this flesh must have laid down to rot and to crumble to its mother earth, to rise no more.

2 Nephi 9:5-7 (Emphasis mine)

Wherefore, beloved brethren, be reconciled unto him through the atonement of Christ, his Only Begotten Son, and ye may obtain a resurrection, according to the power of the resurrection which is in Christ, and be presented as the first-fruits of Christ unto God, having faith, and obtained a good hope of glory in him before he manifesteth himself in the flesh.  And now, beloved, marvel not that I tell you these things; for why not speak of the atonement of Christ, and attain to a perfect knowledge of him, as to attain to the knowledge of a resurrection and the world to come?

Jacob 4:11-12 (Emphasis mine)

King Benjamin taught the people about the atonement. 

And even if it were possible that little children could sin they could not be saved; but I say unto you they are blessed; for behold, as in Adam, or by nature, they fall, even so the blood of Christ atoneth for their sins.  And moreover, I say unto you, that there shall be no other name given nor any other way nor means whereby salvation can come unto the children of men, only in and through the name of Christ, the Lord Omnipotent.

Mosiah 3:16-17 (Emphasis mine)

I say unto you, if ye have come to a knowledge of the goodness of God, and his matchless power, and his wisdom, and his patience, and his long-suffering towards the children of men; and also, the atonement which has been prepared from the foundation of the world, that thereby salvation might come to him that should put his trust in the Lord, and should be diligent in keeping his commandments, and continue in the faith even unto the end of his life, I mean the life of the mortal body—I say, that this is the man who receiveth salvation, through the atonement which was prepared from the foundation of the world for all mankind, which ever were since the fall of Adam, or who are, or who ever shall be, even unto the end of the world.  And this is the means whereby salvation cometh.  And there is none other salvation save this which hath been spoken of; neither are there any conditions whereby man can be saved except the conditions which I have told you.

Mosiah 4:6-8 (Emphasis mine)

When Abinadi stood before wicked King Noah and his priests, he explained the Law of Moses, which they claimed to teach.  After his explanation, he continued:

And now ye have said that salvation cometh by the Law of Moses.  I say unto you that it is expedient that ye should keep the law of Moses as yet; but I say unto you, that the time shall come when it shall no more be expedient to keep the law of Moses. And moreover, I say unto you, that salvation doth not come by the law alone; and were it not for the atonement, which God himself shall make for the sins and iniquities of his people, that they must unavoidably perish, notwithstanding the Law of Moses.

Mosiah 13:27-28 (Emphasis mine)

Abinadi tells them the Law of Moses in temporary; salvation does not come through the Law.  It comes through “the atonement, which God himself shall make for the sins and iniquities of his people.” 

When Alma(2) taught the people of Gideon, he taught the atonement.

And he shall go forth, suffering pains and afflictions and temptations of every kind; and this that the word might be fulfilled which saith he will take upon him the pains and the sicknesses of his people.  And he will take upon him death, that he may loose the bands of death which bind his people; and he will take upon him their infirmities, that his bowels may be filled with mercy, according to the flesh, that he may know according to the flesh how to succor his people according to their infirmities.

Alma 7:11-12 (Emphasis mine)

Amulek taught the Zoramites the atonement.

And now, behold, I will testify unto you of myself that these things are true.  Behold, I say unto you, that I do know that Christ shall come among the children of men, to take upon him the transgressions of his people, and that he shall atone for the sins of the world; for the Lord God hath spoken it.  For it is expedient that an atonement should be made; for according to the great plan of the Eternal God there must be an atonement made, or else all mankind must unavoidably perish; yea, all are hardened; yea, all are fallen and are lost, and must perish except it be through the atonement which it is expedient should be made.  For it is expedient that there should be a great and last sacrifice; yea, not a sacrifice of man, neither of beast, neither of any manner of fowl; for it shall not be a human sacrifice; but it must be an infinite and eternal sacrifice.  Now there is not any man that can sacrifice his own blood which will atone for the sins of another.

Alma 34:8-11 (Emphasis mine)

We have the great teachings of Alma(2) to his son Corianton.

The one raised to happiness according to his desires of happiness, or good according to his desires of good; and the other to evil according to his desires of evil; for as he has desired to do evil all the day long even so shall he have his reward of evil when the night cometh.  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. 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.

Alma 41:5-7 (Emphasis mine)

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 … 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 … [A]ccording 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; … the 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 … [T]here 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 …  mercy claimeth the penitent, and mercy cometh because of the atonement … 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.

Alma 42:9, 1, 13, 15, 22-24 (Emphasis mine)

When Christ appeared to the Nephites, one of the first thing He told them was to “[a]rise and come forth unto me, that ye may thrust your hands into my side, and also that ye may feel the prints of the nails in my hands and in my feet, that ye may know that I am the God of Israel, and the God of the whole earth, and have been slain for the sins of the world” (3 Nephi 11:14).

In the next to last verse in the Book of Mormon, Moroni(2) writes, “if ye by the grace of God are perfect in Christ, and deny not his power, then are ye sanctified in Christ by the grace of God, through the shedding of the blood of Christ, which is in the covenant of the Father unto the remission of your sins, that ye become holy, without spot” (Moroni 10:33).

Let us always remember the great sacrifice made by our Savior so that someday we can return to the presence of God.

Alma 34:15-26

15  And thus he shall bring salvation to all those who shall believe on his name; this being the intent of this last sacrifice, to bring about the bowels of mercy, which overpowereth justice, and bringeth about means unto men that they may have faith unto repentance.

16  And thus mercy can satisfy the demands of justice, and encircles them in the arms of safety, while he that exercises no faith unto repentance is exposed to the whole law of the demands of justice; therefore only unto him that has faith unto repentance is brought about the great and eternal plan of redemption.

17  Therefore may God grant unto you, my brethren, that ye may begin to exercise your faith unto repentance, that ye begin to call upon his holy name, that he would have mercy upon you;

Alma 34:15-17 (Emphasis mine)

Amulek teaches the concepts of justice and mercy.  Through the atonement of Christ, salvation will be brought to those who believe in Him and his sacrifice, which is the core of mercy.  Mercy overcomes and satisfies the demands justice and salvation comes through faith and repentance. 

He continues explaining if you have no faith and refuse to repent, you must experience the demands of justice.  Only those who have faith and repent, you can receive redemption.

10  Many sorrows shall be to the wicked: but he that trusteth in the LORD, mercy shall compass him about.

Psalms 32:10 (Emphasis mine)

Eugene England explains how Amulek’s word help clarify the concept of the atonement.

“The point the Book of Mormon makes much more clearly than I find made in the Bible is this: To continue experiencing the atonement of Christ after we have received his grace, we must extend grace to others. Christ makes us into new creatures, into persons strong enough not to act contrary to what we know—that is, not to sin— if we will merely accept Christ's merciful, undeserved love; he gives us power to repent, the ‘means’ by which we can ‘have faith unto repentance’ (Alma 34:15). But if we then continue judging others, we will unconsciously judge ourselves. We must constantly give mercy to be able to accept it. We must never exact revenge, even in the name of perfect justice. We must not take vengeance, even upon ourselves, the sinners whom we inwardly know most certainly deserve it.” [1] (Emphasis mine)

Dennis Largey further explains:

“While Paul taught that men are justified by the blood of Christ, which will save them from wrath, Amulek explained the doctrine of justification by teaching that the intent of Jesus' sacrifice was to initiate a plan of mercy which would overpower justice and enable men to have faith and repent. The result of this, Amulek continued, is that mercy can satisfy justice and encircle the repentant person in the arms of safety (thus saving him from the wrath Paul mentioned), while ‘he that exercises no faith unto repentance is exposed to the whole law of the demands of justice’ (Alma 34: 15—16; see Romans 5:9).” [2] (Emphasis mine)

Amulek uses Zenos’s teachings (see Alma 33:4-11) as the basis for his next comments.

18  Yea, cry unto him for mercy; for he is mighty to save.

19  Yea, humble yourselves, and continue in prayer unto him.

20  Cry unto him when ye are in your fields, yea, over all your flocks.

21  Cry unto him in your houses, yea, over all your household, both morning, mid–day, and evening.

22  Yea, cry unto him against the power of your enemies.

23  Yea, cry unto him against the devil, who is an enemy to all righteousness.

24  Cry unto him over the crops of your fields, that ye may prosper in them.

25  Cry over the flocks of your fields, that they may increase.

26  But this is not all; ye must pour out your souls in your closets, and your secret places, and in your wilderness.

Alma 34:18-26 (Emphasis mine)

Marilyn Arnold calls Chapter 34 on of the “most moving doctrinal chapters in the Book of Mormon..” 

“Certainly Alma 34 is one of the most moving doctrinal chapters in the Book of Mormon, and all forty-one verses are devoted to Amulek's sermon. Some might glance at verse 1 and assume this discourse to be merely a postscript to Alma's splendid sermon on faith and the word as a seed. Believe me, it is much more than that, and Mormon must have recognized that a summary would not do. We should never forget, either, that Amulek, a once-prominent and -prosperous man in the apostate city of Ammonihah, has given up everything for the gospel—home, family, friends, worldly possessions—to join the younger Alma on a mission to bring backsliders to faith and repentance.” [3] (Emphasis mine)

I’ll conclude with one last item from Sister Arnold’s lecture.

“I am grateful to Mormon for also including Amulek's words about prayer to these poor Zoramites who had been forbidden to worship in churches they helped build, and therefore apparently assumed they could no longer approach God. In what can only be described as poetry (at least by me), Amulek enjoins the outcast Zoramites to pray to the Lord wherever they are, whenever they can, over all aspects of their lives. And if they can't speak their prayers aloud, they should speak them silently. I won't cite the entire passage, but you remember that verse after verse begins with ‘Cry unto him,’ whether it be over crops, flocks, and household, or against enemies that threaten, or even the devil himself (see Alma 34:18–27).” [4] (Emphasis mine)

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[1] A Second Witness for the Logos: The Book of Mormon and Contemporary Literary Criticism, Eugene England, Provo, Utah: Maxwell Institute, accessed December 7, 2011.

[2] The Book of Mormon, An Interpretive Guide to the New Testament, Dennis Largey, Provo, Utah: Maxwell Institute, accessed December 7, 2011.

[3] The Book of Mormon: Passport to Discipleship, Marilyn Arnold, Provo, Utah: Maxwell Institute, accessed December 7, 2011.

[4] Ibid.

Alma 33:12-23

12  And now Alma said unto them: Do ye believe those scriptures which have been written by them of old?

13  Behold, if ye do, ye must believe what Zenos said; for, behold he said: Thou hast turned away thy judgments because of thy Son.

14  Now behold, my brethren, I would ask if ye have read the scriptures?  If ye have, how can ye disbelieve on the Son of God?

15  For it is not written that Zenos alone spake of these things, but Zenock also spake of these things—

Alma 33:12-15 (Emphasis mine)

Now comes the logical question – Do you believe the scriptures that have been written?  We’ve talked about faith and belief.  We’ve talked about how the seed needs to grow. The scriptures help nourish the seed of faith.  It helps it grow into the tree.

If you believe in the scriptures, Alma(2) says, then you must believe in the writings of Zenos.  If you believe in Zenos, you must believe in the Son of God.  All the scriptures testify of Christ. 

Richard Rust writes:

“After this poetic and persuasive close to Alma's sermon, his auditors ask what they should believe and how they should plant the seed he has spoken of. Alma's response is to give them three main categories of means of belief as presented by three ancient prophet-witnesses: The first is prayer, as recalled by the poetic words of Zenos—whose main point is that one can pray anywhere and be heard (Alma 33:3–11). Second is the scriptures, as evidenced by the prophet Zenock's teaching found in the brass plates that witness to the truth of the teachings of Zenos (Alma 33:15–16). Third is the testimony of Jesus found in types, specifically here the brazen serpent that Moses raised in the wilderness as a type of Christ (Alma 33:19–22).” ^[1] (Emphasis mine)

Then he says not only has Zenos spoke about these things, Zenock also spake of these things.  Once again, we are introduced into a prophet whose record we’ve lost, but were available to the Nephites on the brass plates.

Zenos is frequently quoted in the Book of Mormon.  The Allegory of the Tame and Wild Olive Tree (Jacob 5) is from the writings of Zenos.  Nephi quotes Zenos (1 Nephi 19:10, 12, 16).  Nephi(2) quotes Zenos (Helaman 8:19, 15:11) and Nephi(3) (3 Nephi 10:11).  Alma’s sermon in chapter 32 is based on the writings of Zenos. There are fewer references to Zenock.

Here’s some information about Zenock.

“Zenock was a preexilic Israelite prophet whose words were found on the plates of brass, a record carried from Jerusalem to the new promised land in the Western Hemisphere by the Book of Mormon prophet Lehi c. 600 B.C. Zenock is not known from the Hebrew Bible or other sources and is noted in only five passages in the Book of Mormon. It is possible that he was of the lineage of Joseph of Egypt and an ancestor of the Nephites (3 Ne. 10:16).

“Each reference to Zenock refers to his teaching of either the coming or redemptive mission of Jesus Christ … Alma 33:16 contains the only direct quotation of Zenock's words, citing him as one of many Israelite prophets who foretold the mission of the Son of God (Alma 33:14—17; cf. 34:7) and quoting him on the mercies that God grants because of his Son. (Alma 33:17). Nephi(2) cited Zenock and others who testified of the coming of the Son of God (Hel. 8:20). In the last reference to his work, Mormon wrote that Zenos and Zenock foretold the destruction that preceded the coming of Christ to the remnant of their posterity (3 Ne. 10:14—16).” [2] (Emphasis mine)

16  For behold, [Zenock] said: Thou art angry, O Lord, with this people, because they will not understand thy mercies which thou hast bestowed upon them because of thy Son.

17  And now, my brethren, ye see that a second prophet of old has testified of the Son of God, and because the people would not understand his words they stoned him to death.

18  But behold, this is not all; these are not the only ones who have spoken concerning the Son of God.

Alma 33:16-18 (Emphasis mine)

Alma(2) informed us that, because Zenock testified of Christ, and the people could not understand him, he was martyred for his testimony.

Alma(2) adds, there even more who have testified of Christ.

3  Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts,

4  And saying, Where is the promise of his coming?  for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation.

5  For this they willingly are ignorant of, that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of the water and in the water:

2 Peter 3:3-5 (Emphasis mine)

38  And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me.

39  He that findeth his life shall lose it: and he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it.

Matthew 10:38-39 (Emphasis mine)

19  Behold, he was spoken of by Moses; yea, and behold a type was raised up in the wilderness, that whosoever would look upon it might live.  And many did look and live.

20  But few understood the meaning of those things, and this because of the hardness of their hearts.  But there were many who were so hardened that they would not look, therefore they perished.  Now the reason they would not look is because they did not believe that it would heal them.

21  O my brethren, if ye could be healed by merely casting about your eyes that ye might be healed, would ye not behold quickly, or would ye rather harden your hearts in unbelief, and be slothful, that ye would not cast about your eyes, that ye might perish?

22  If so, wo shall come upon you; but if not so, then cast about your eyes and begin to believe in the Son of God, that he will come to redeem his people, and that he shall suffer and die to atone for their sins; and that he shall rise again from the dead, which shall bring to pass the resurrection, that all men shall stand before him, to be judged at the last and judgment day, according to their works.

23  And now, my brethren, I desire that ye shall plant this word in your hearts, and as it beginneth to swell even so nourish it by your faith.  And behold, it will become a tree, springing up in you unto everlasting life.  And then may God grant unto you that your burdens may be light, through the joy of his Son.  And even all this can ye do if ye will.  Amen.

Alma 33:19-23 (Emphasis mine)

Moses testified of Christ.  When he raised the serpent in the desert, those who looked upon it were saved.  Those who refused to do so, died.  Christ was raised up on the cross.  Those who accept Him (look upon him) will be saved.

Alma(2) closes with a reminder that Christ will redeem his people.  He will suffer and die to atone for their sins.  He will be resurrected.  All men will eventually stand before Him and be judged of their works. 

He closes by encouraging the people to plant his word (the seed) in their hearts.  It will begin to be nourished by their faith and grow and become a tree.  This tree will lead them to eternal life through their belief in Christ.

John Welch summarizes:

“Another day, I was preparing to deliver a lecture on Alma 32. It suddenly dawned on me what this text says we actually learn by planting within ourselves the seed of faith in Christ (Alma 33:22–23). Alma never says that we learn that the seed is true; rather, we learn that the seed is good. Obviously, it is one thing to know what is true—even Hitler knew a great deal of truth. It is quite another thing to know what is good. As I have become more sensitive to this reality, I have become more aware that truth is worthless if it is not conjoined with a value system. Truth, like any other tool, is morally neutral: a hammer can be used either to build up or to tear down. For me, the Book of Mormon thoroughly unites the domains of truth and goodness—even explicitly, in Moroni 10:6: ‘Whatsoever thing is good is just and true.’ “ [3] (Emphasis mine)

14 ¶ And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up:

15  That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life.

16  ¶ For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

John 3:14-16 (Emphasis mine)

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[1] "Know the Covenants of the Lord" – Sermons, Richard Dilworth Rust, Provo, Utah: Maxwell Institute, accessed December 4, 2011.

[2] Zenock, Kent P. Jackson, Provo, Utah: Maxwell Institute, accessed December 4, 2011.

[3] Good and True, John W. Welch, Provo, Utah: Maxwell Institute, accessed December 4, 2011.

Alma 11:38-44

38  Now Zeezrom saith again unto him: Is the Son of God the very Eternal Father?

39  And Amulek said unto him: Yea, he is the very Eternal Father of heaven and of earth, and all things which in them are; he is the beginning and the end, the first and the last;

40  And he shall come into the world to redeem his people; and he shall take upon him the transgressions of those who believe on his name; and these are they that shall have eternal life, and salvation cometh to none else.

41  Therefore the wicked remain as though there had been no redemption made, except it be the loosing of the bands of death; for behold, the day cometh that all shall rise from the dead and stand before God, and be judged according to their works.

Alma 11:38-41 (Emphasis mine)

Having been shot down so effectively by Amulek did not stop Zeezrom.  He continued his questioning.

Is the Son of God the Eternal Father, he asks.  Amulek responded in the affirmative and went on to emphasize the atonement of Christ.  He also said that, for the wicked, it will be as though there was no redemption. 

What did Amulek mean when he said Christ is the Eternal Father.  Robert Millet explains.

“Jesus Christ is also known by the title of Father. The meaning of scriptures using this nomenclature is not always immediately clear, primarily owing to the fact that Christ and his Father are virtually inseparable in purpose, testimony, glory, and power. In most cases, however, the scriptural usage can be explained in several ways:

“Christ is sometimes called Father because of his role as Creator from the beginning. Before his mortal birth, and acting under the direction of the Father, Jesus was Jehovah, the Lord Omnipotent, through whom God created worlds without number (Moses 1:33; 7:30; John 1:1—3; Heb. 1:2). …, Christ-Jehovah is called ‘the Father of heaven and earth, the Creator of all things from the beginning’ in the Book of Mormon…

“Jesus Christ is also known as Father through the spiritual rebirth of mankind (see Born of God) … he became the ‘author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him’ (Heb. 5:9). He is the Savior. No person will come unto the Father except through him and by his name (John 14:6; Acts 4:12; Mosiah 3:17). Those who accept the gospel of Jesus Christ and receive its saving covenantal ordinances, living worthy of its sanctifying and enlightening powers, are "born again" unto Christ and become known as the children of Christ, "his sons and his daughters," his "seed" (Mosiah 5:5—8; 15:10—13; 27:25—26; Alma 5:14)…

“Furthermore, Jesus is called Father because of the authority God gave him to act for the Father. He explained in Jerusalem: ‘I can of mine own self do nothing . . . I am come in my Father's name"\’ (John 5:30, 43)…

“In addition, Christ is Father in that he literally inherited attributes and powers from his Father (Elohim). From Mary, his mother, Jesus inherited mortality, the capacity to die. From God, his Father, Jesus inherited immortality, the capacity to live forever: ‘As the Father hath life in himself; so hath he given to the Son to have life in himself’ (John 5:26; cf. Hel. 5:11). Christ is "the Father, because he was conceived by the power of God.’ (Mosiah 15:3)…

“Christ is also Father in that he spiritually received all that the Father has. ‘I am in the Father, and the Father in me, and the Father and I are one—  (D&C 93:3—4).” [1] (Emphasis mine)

42  Now, there is a death which is called a temporal death; and the death of Christ shall loose the bands of this temporal death, that all shall be raised from this temporal death.

43  The spirit and the body shall be reunited again in its perfect form; both limb and joint shall be restored to its proper frame, even as we now are at this time; and we shall be brought to stand before God, knowing even as we know now, and have a bright recollection of all our guilt.

44  Now, this restoration shall come to all, both old and young, both bond and free, both male and female, both the wicked and the righteous; and even there shall not so much as a hair of their heads be lost; but every thing shall be restored to its perfect frame, as it is now, or in the body, and shall be brought and be arraigned before the bar of Christ the Son, and God the Father, and the Holy Spirit, which is one Eternal God, to be judged according to their works, whether they be good or whether they be evil.

Alma 11:42-44 (Emphasis mine)

Amulek talks about the first death – the temporal death.  Christ will overcome death by loosing its bonds.  All will be raised from the temporal death, restored to its perfect form.  No a hair on their heads shall be lost.  And, all will be arraigned before the bar of Christ to be judged.

Hugh Nibley discussed this very event.

“… whether you have been good or bad, ‘all shall rise from the dead and stand before God, and be judged according to their works . . . and the death of Christ shall loose the bands of this temporal death, that all shall be raised from this temporal death.’ That makes him truly the Father as well as the Son. The temporal death is the death here, so there will be a physical resurrection.

“Verse 43: ‘The spirit and the body shall be reunited again,’ as they were here during this life. Of course, this is the ultimate question—this is the big one. These two verses here are the best answer, the best definition you will get anywhere, of what resurrection is: ‘The spirit and the body shall be reunited again in its perfect form; both limb and joint shall be restored to its proper frame, even as we now are at this time.’…

              

“Verse 44: ‘Now, this restoration shall come to all.’ To everybody … ‘. . . and even there shall not so much as a hair of their heads be lost.’ ,,, But you recognize how these expressions are—that everything will be as it should be in its proper and perfect form, which means we'll be very different …” [2] (Emphasis mine)

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[1] Jesus Christ, Fatherhood and Sonship of, Robert L. Millet, Provo, Utah: Maxwell Institute, accessed October 25, 2011.

[2] Lecture 48: Alma 10-12, Hugh W. Nibley, Provo, Utah: Maxwell Institute, accessed October 25, 2011.

Alma 9:23-34

23  And now behold I say unto you, that if this people, who have received so many blessings from the hand of the Lord, should transgress contrary to the light and knowledge which they do have, I say unto you that if this be the case, that if they should fall into transgression, it would be far more tolerable for the Lamanites than for them.

24  For behold, the promises of the Lord are extended to the Lamanites, but they are not unto you if ye transgress; for has not the Lord expressly promised and firmly decreed, that if ye will rebel against him that ye shall utterly be destroyed from off the face of the earth?

Alma 9:23 24 (Emphasis mine)

Alma(2) continues to lay things out clearly.  They had received many blessings yet still transgressed the law; it would be more tolerable for the Lamanites then them.  If they transgress, the Lord will utterly destroy them and wipe them from the face of the Earth.  Hard words for a hard-hearted people.

25  And now for this cause, that ye may not be destroyed, the Lord has sent his angel to visit many of his people, declaring unto them that they must go forth and cry mightily unto this people, saying: Repent ye, for the kingdom of heaven is nigh at hand;

26  And not many days hence the Son of God shall come in his glory; and his glory shall be the glory of the Only Begotten of the Father, full of grace, equity, and truth, full of patience, mercy, and long-suffering, quick to hear the cries of his people and to answer their prayers.

27  And behold, he cometh to redeem those who will be baptized unto repentance, through faith on his name.

28  Therefore, prepare ye the way of the Lord, for the time is at hand that all men shall reap a reward of their works, according to that which they have been—if they have been righteous they shall reap the salvation of their souls, according to the power and deliverance of Jesus Christ; and if they have been evil they shall reap the damnation of their souls, according to the power and captivation of the devil.

29  Now behold, this is the voice of the angel, crying unto the people.

30  And now, my beloved brethren, for ye are my brethren, and ye ought to be beloved, and ye ought to bring forth works which are meet for repentance, seeing that your hearts have been grossly hardened against the word of God, and seeing that ye are a lost and a fallen people.

31  Now it came to pass that when I, Alma, had spoken these words, behold, the people were wroth with me because I said unto them that they were a hard–hearted and a stiffnecked people.

32  And also because I said unto them that they were a lost and a fallen people they were angry with me, and sought to lay their hands upon me, that they might cast me into prison.

33  But it came to pass that the Lord did not suffer them that they should take me at that time and cast me into prison.

34  And it came to pass that Amulek went and stood forth, and began to preach unto them also.  And now the words of Amulek are not all written, nevertheless a part of his words are written in this book.

Alma 9:25-32 (Emphasis mine)

The Lord doesn’t want to destroy these people.  He wants them to repent and return to the fold. 

Alma(2) testifies of the coming of Christ.  He shall be the Only Begotten of the Father.  He will be quick to hear the cries of His people and to answer their prayers.  He will redeem those who have been baptized through faith on His name.

The time is at hand that all shall reap their rewards; the righteous shall reap salvation.  The evil shall reap the damnation of their souls and the captivity of the devil.

Alma(2) then testifies that his words are the voice of angel crying to this people.

Speaking of this set of scriptures, Hugh Nibley said, “Notice, there are just two conditions, and he told us what righteousness is. He just said, as the Lord: grace, equity, truth, patience, mercy, long-suffering. These are the characteristics the Lord has shown us, and if they're righteous, they'll reap salvation to their souls. But if they've been evil—no.” [1] (Emphasis mine)

Remember, Alma(2) returned because the angel that originally appeared to him returned and encouraged him, then commanded him to return.  We now see him preaching that message to the people.

“Once when Alma was discouraged at his lack of success in preaching to the people of Ammonihah, the same angel visited him to send him back to tell the people that ‘except they repent the Lord God will destroy them’ (Alma 8:16; see Alma 8:14–18). When he delivered his message in Ammonihah, Alma declared, ‘And now for this cause, that ye may not be destroyed, the Lord has sent his angel to visit many of his people’ (Alma 9:25). This was the reason the angel had originally been sent to Alma and his friends. Alma then spoke of Christ's coming in words that remind us of his earlier vision, and added, ‘Now behold, this is the voice of the angel, crying unto the people’ (Alma 9:29; see Alma 9:25–29).” [2] (Emphasis mine)

Hugh Nibley comments on the response of the people of Ammonihah.

“This is the last call, and we don't like it either. Were the people satisfied with this? This made them mad as hornets, as the next verse [31] tells us. When he tells them frankly, he ends up by saying, ‘ye are a lost and a fallen people. Now it came to pass that when I, Alma, had spoken these words, behold the people were wroth with me because I said unto them that they were a hard-hearted and a stiffnecked people.’ “ [3] (Emphasis mine)

I will conclude with the words of Richard Dilworth Rust.

“Alma's closing plea lapses into resignation as his words fail to move the people of Ammonihah away from their path of self-destruction: ‘And now, my beloved brethren, for ye are my brethren, and ye ought to be beloved, and ye ought to bring forth works which are meet for repentance, seeing that your hearts have been grossly hardened against the word of God, and seeing that ye are a lost and a fallen people’ (Alma 9:30).

Given the people's earlier reactions and Alma's resignation about their fate, it is no surprise that the people of Ammonihah become angry and attempt to cast Alma into prison. From the first, these people deny and mock Alma's claims to authority.” [4]  (Emphasis mine)

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[1] Lecture 47: Alma 5-10, Hugh W. Nibley, Maxwell Institute, accessed October 17, 2011.

[2] The Voice of an Angel, John A. Tvedtnes, Maxwell Institute, accessed October 17, 2011.

[3] Op. Cit. Nibley.

[4] "Know the Covenants of the Lord" – Sermons, Richard Dilworth Rust, Maxwell Institute, accessed October 17, 2011.