Alma 40:6-14

6  Now there must needs be a space betwixt the time of death and the time of the resurrection.
7  And now I would inquire what becometh of the souls of men from this time of death to the time appointed for the resurrection?
8  Now whether there is more than one time appointed for men to rise it mattereth not; for all do not die at once, and this mattereth not; all is as one day with God, and time only is measured unto men.
9  Therefore, there is a time appointed unto men that they shall rise from the dead; and there is a space between the time of death and the resurrection.  And now, concerning this space of time, what becometh of the souls of men is the thing which I have inquired diligently of the Lord to know; and this is the thing of which I do know.
10  And when the time cometh when all shall rise, then shall they know that God knoweth all the times which are appointed unto man.

Alma 40:6-10 (Emphasis mine)

Alma(2) briefly reviews the time of the resurrection stating that "when the time cometh when all shall rise, then shall they know that God knoweth all the times which are appointed unto man." (V10). 

Then he raises a new issue  -  "...what becometh of the souls of men from this time of death to the time appointed for the resurrection?" (V7)  He tells us that "... there is a space between the time of death and the resurrection..." (V9)  He has inquired of the Lord, and he has received an answer.

11  Now, concerning the state of the soul between death and the resurrection—Behold, it has been made known unto me by an angel, that the spirits of all men, as soon as they are departed from this mortal body, yea, the spirits of all men, whether they be good or evil, are taken home to the God that gave them life.
12  And then shall it come to pass, that the spirits of those who are righteous are received into a state of happiness, which is called paradise, a state of rest, a state of peace, where they shall rest from all their troubles and from all care, and sorrow.
13  And then shall it come to pass, that the spirits of the wicked, yea, who are evil—for behold, they have no part nor portion of the Spirit of the Lord; for behold, they chose evil works rather than good; therefore the spirit of the devil did enter into them, and take possession of their house—and these shall be cast out into outer darkness; there shall be weeping, and wailing, and gnashing of teeth, and this because of their own iniquity, being led captive by the will of the devil.
14  Now this is the state of the souls of the wicked, yea, in darkness, and a state of awful, fearful looking for the fiery indignation of the wrath of God upon them; thus they remain in this estate, as well as the righteous in paradise, until the time of their resurrection.

Alma 40:11-14 (Emphasis mine)

Alma(2) tells Corianton that an angel of the Lord appeared to him and answered his prayers.  We learn:

• All will be taken back to God. (V11)  Whether the person was wicked or righteous doesn't matter.  

 7  Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was: and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it. 

Ecclesiastes 12:7 (Emphasis mine)

• The state of the righteous. The righteous will enter paradise.  This will be a time of rest and peace.  All our worldly cares will no longer trouble us. (V12) 

11  Therefore the redeemed of the LORD shall return, and come with singing unto Zion; and everlasting joy shall be upon their head: they shall obtain gladness and joy; and sorrow and mourning shall flee away.

Isaiah 51:11 (Emphasis mine)

• Alma(2) tells Corianton about the fate of the wicked.  The key phrase in this set of scriptures is "...they chose evil works rather than good;" (V13)  What happens to them happens because of the choices they made.   I have a sign in my classroom that says "Choices have consequences."  The consequences the wicked face after death are of their own making.  They will be able to blame no one but themselves.  There will be "weeping, and wailing, and gnashing of teeth..."  Why?  The angel told Alma(2) this happens "because of their own iniquity..."  (V13)  They will be left in a state of darkness where they will remain as the righteous remain in paradise until the time of their resurrection.  (V14)  All of these things will come upon them because they chose poorly.

 1  STAND fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.

Galatians 5:1 (Emphasis mine)

25  In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth;
26  And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will.

2 Timothy 2:25-26 (Emphasis mine)

Our loving and merciful God wants us to return to him someday.  He has given us His word by which we should live.  We are faced with temptations.  If we put our faith and trust in Him, we will return to His presence.

He also lets us know the consequences of the choices we make. 

The choices are ours.  Through Alma(2) we learn of the consequences of those choices.

Alma 42:15-21

15  And now, 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.

Alma 42:15 (Emphasis mine)

Alma(2) emphasized how the demands of justice must be met.  Now Alma(2) formally introduces the concept of mercy.  How is the plan of mercy to be brought about?  There must be an atonement. 

I'd like to look at the etymology of the word.  

According to the Online Etymology Dictionary,  atone comes from the "1550s, from adv. phrase atonen (c.1300) 'in accord,' lit. 'at one,' a contraction of at and one. It retains the older pronunciation of one. The phrase perhaps is modeled on L. adunare 'unite,' from ad- 'to, at' + unum "'ne.'"   So, atone comes from words meaning "at one" or "unite."  

Now, we move to atonement.  According to the Online Etymology Dictionary, atonement is from the "1510s, 'condition of being at one (with others)', from atone + -ment. Meaning 'reconciliation' (especially of sinners with God) is from 1520s."  

Further, according to the Oxford DIctionary, "1533 Q. Cath. Parr Erasm. Comm. Crede 162 To reconcile hymselfe and make an onement with god [sic].1599 Bp. Hall Sat. iii. vii. 69 Which never can be set at onement more.1555 Fardle Facions ii. xii. 298 The redempcion, reconciliacion, and at onement of mankinde with God the father.]"  (Quote accessed at The etymology of “Atonement”  (accessed 2/8/2011).

Through the atonement, we not only "unite" with God, but we reconcile our sins with God and are redeemed by God.  

Alma(2) tells us the "God himself anotneth" for our sins.  Because "God himself atoneth," the plan of mercy will "appease" the demands of justice.  The makes God a just and merciful God.

16  Now, repentance could not come unto men except there were a punishment, which also was eternal as the life of the soul should be, affixed opposite to the plan of happiness, which was as eternal also as the life of the soul.

17  Now, how could a man repent except he should sin?  How could he sin if there was no law?  How could there be a law save there was a punishment?
18  Now, there was a punishment affixed, and a just law given, which brought remorse of conscience unto man.
19  Now, if there was no law given—if a man murdered he should die—would he be afraid he would die if he should murder?
20  And also, if there was no law given against sin men would not be afraid to sin.
21  And if there was no law given, if men sinned what could justice do, or mercy either, for they would have no claim upon the creature?

Alma 42:16 - 21 (Emphasis mine)

There had to be law.  Without law, there is no sin.   Without law, there is no punishment.  Without law, neither mercy nor justice could have claim upon us.  There had to be law for there to be an atonement. Neither justice nor mercy could make a claim upon us.  It was essential there be a law for the works of God to go forward.

The words of Paul.

7  What shall we say then?  Is the law sin?  God forbid.  Nay, I had not known sin, but by the law: for I had not known lust, except the law had said, Thou shalt not covet.
8  But sin, taking occasion by the commandment, wrought in me all manner of concupiscence.  For without the law sin was dead.

Romans 7:7 - 8  (Emphasis mine)

For there to be sin, justice, and mercy, there must be a law.