Alma 42 Summary

As I've been discussing Alma 42, I've come to appreciate Alma(2)'s words even more.  The power of his epistle is a great testimony of the importance of the atonement.

The epistle was written to Corianton after he deserted his missionary companions and consorted with a Lamanite harlot.  (39:3).  He was also an arrogant man as he did "...go on unto boasting in thy strength and thy wisdom."  (39:2 - emphasis mine).  It appears he was a constant problem for Alma(2) while he was preaching to the Zoramites.  The heading to chapter 39 tells us that "Corianton's sins kept the Zoramites from receiving the word."  A major problem child, indeed!

He doesn't understand justice.  He even goes so far as to "excuse yourself in the least point because of your sins, by denying the justice of God..." (42:30 - emphasis mine)  Even today we see those who want to justify their actions.  People say things like.  "God will excuse a little sin.  He understand we're not perfect."  As with Corianton, for may of us, it's easier to rationalize rather then humble ourselves before God.  Even so, Corianton still is concerned despite his denial because Alma(2) eventually wrote "I desire that ye should let these things trouble you no more..."  (42:29)

So, Alma(2) preaches the concept of justice and mercy.  We know that God has made laws and assigned punishments for violations of those laws.  In verse 17, Alma(2) writes " How could he sin if there was no law?  How could there be a law save there was a punishment?"  We have a law because " if there was no law given against sin men would not be afraid to sin." (42:20 - emphasis mine).  Because of the Fall, man is cut off from the presence of God (the spiritual death).  We sin and must suffer the affixed punishment.  This justice demand.  

Corianton claims that punishment is an injustice.  He excuses his sin and denies justice.  Alma(2) writes that if God were to ignore the law and punishment, he would cease to be God.  How could God be God if ignores his laws?  He couldn't.  But then Alma(2) tells us that God will not cease to be God  (see 42:13, 22-23).  The demands of justice will be met. 

As I read this, Alma(2) paints a very dark and hopeless picture.  Because we sin, we will have to face justice someday.  We must be punished for our sins.  And, this means we will eternally be cut off from the presence of God.  If this were all he wrote, we would be left with no hope.

But he doesn't leave us with no hope.  He introduces the concept of mercy.  He writes that "...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."  (42:15 - emphasis mine).  We have our beacon in the darkness.  Mercy can satisfy the demands of justice.  We now have the hope of someday coming back into the presence of God.  we do this through repentance.  We ask for God's forgiveness for our sins.  Through repentance, we accept the atonement and God's loving sacrifice.  

While there are many great and wonderful truths in Alma 42, there is one this is the most important to us.  Alma(2) writes that God is "a merciful God."  (42:15)   He does not want us to be cut off from his presence for all eternity.  He provided a Savior, a perfect and sinless being who would willingly offer himself as a sacrifice.  This sacrifice would meet the demands of justice.  The "plan of mercy" (42:15) is now offered to us.  Even though we sin and violate the laws of God, we can have the full force of mercy stand between us and the demands of justice.  All we have to do is willingly take the opportunity to have mercy become a part of our life. 

I can't even begin to express my appreciation that our Father is a merciful God, who has so much love for us that he has offered us a way to someday enter into his presence.  My eternal thanks to Alma(2) for his great words and teachings that help us understand the eternal love God has for us, his children.

Alma 42:24-27

24  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.
25  What, do ye suppose that mercy can rob justice?  I say unto you, Nay; not one whit.  If so, God would cease to be God.
26  And thus God bringeth about his great and eternal purposes, which were prepared from the foundation of the world.  And thus cometh about the salvation and the redemption of men, and also their destruction and misery.

Alma 42:24-26 (Emphasis mine)

Alma 42:22-23 teaches us that, through the atonement of God, and through repentance, mercy can meet the demands of justice and we may be redeemed.

Alma(2) continues by telling us that while "mercy claimeth all which is her own" only the "truly penitent are saved.  Merely repenting is not enough.  We must be "truly penitent." (emphasis mine).  That does not mean that "mercy can rob justice ... Nay; not one whit."  The demands of justice must be met.  But they are met by God's "great and eternal purposes, which were prepared from the foundation of the world."  From the beginning, God prepared a way for man to obtain "salvation and the redemption of men..."  This was the way God prepared so that "mercy claimeth the penitent, and mercy cometh because of the atonement."  (v23) (Emphasis mine).

Peter wrote:

2  Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord,
3  According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue:
4  Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.

2 Peter 1:2 - 4 (Emphasis mine)

We live in a corrupt world.  Sin is an every day part of our world,  Peter tells us that through the atonement, we are able to "[escape] the corruption that is in the world..." (v4) by and through the teachings of Christ that "pertain unto life and godliness..." (v3).

27  Therefore, O my son, whosoever will come may come and partake of the waters of life freely; and whosoever will not come the same is not compelled to come; but in the last day it shall be restored unto him according to his deeds.

Alma 42:27 (Emphasis mine)

Alma(2) tells Corianton that we have a choice.  We can "partake of the living waters of life freely" or we can choose to not partake.  Whichever choice we make will be "restored unto [us] according to [our] deeds."  Whether we are saved and return to the presence of God because we accept the mercy God offers us through the atonement or whether we remain in our spiritual fallen state and face justice and become  eternally cut off from God is our choice.  God will not force us.  We can either partake of mercy  or face justice.  It's our choice.

Alma 42:22-23

22  But there 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, and God would cease to be God.
23  But God ceaseth not to be God, and mercy claimeth the penitent, and mercy cometh because of the atonement; and the atonement bringeth to pass the resurrection of the dead; and the resurrection of the dead bringeth back men into the presence of God; and thus they are restored into his presence, to be judged according to their works, according to the law and justice.

Alma 42:22 - 23 (Emphasis mine)

Alma(2) painted a very bleak picture when he discussed the demands of justice.  The demands of justice must be met.  Were they not, then "God would cease to be God."  

But now, the rules have changed.  Alma(2) wrote that "there is a law given, and a punishment affixed, and a repentance granted; which repentance, mercy claimeth;"  Mercy now must be considered.  When man repents, and God grants forgiveness, mercy now makes its claim on the person.  Mercy can make its claim because "mercy cometh because of the atonement..."  

Because of the atonement, the demands of justice are met through mercy.  We can now, someday, be "...restored into his presence..."  Through the Fall, we suffered both a spiritual and physical death.  We were cut off from God.  Through the atonement, we can someday overcome the spiritual death and enter the presence of God.  And, physical death is also conquered.  This is done because "...the atonement bringeth to pass the resurrection of the dead..."  Death is conquered.  We will live again.  We can be restored back to the presence of God.

The Psalmist tells us that "But the mercy of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting upon them that fear him..."  Psalms 103:17 (Emphasis mine).

Peter wrote...

"3  Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,
4  To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you,

1 Peter 1:3 - 4 (Emphasis mine)

Alma(2) teaches us that God is a merciful God.  Through the atonement, God established mercy.  Mercy is able to meet the demands of justice.  And, it is possible to someday accept the inheritance that is "reserved in heaven for [us]..."

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.  

Alma 42 - Background

This is probably my favorite chapter of scripture in the Book of Mormon.  I feel that it is one of the best (if not the best) set of scriptures explaining the importance of Christ's atonement.  It is my intention to discuss this chapter in the next few posts.  Today, I want to give some background.

Alma(2) and his sons were preaching to the Zoramites.  Alma(2)'s son, Corianton, caused many problems for their work.  His actions damaged their work.  Alma(2) wrote that  "... thou [Corianton] didst go on unto boasting in thy strength and thy wisdom. And this is not all, my son.  Thou didst do that which was grievous unto me; for thou didst forsake the ministry, and did go over into the land of Siron among the borders of the Lamanites, after the harlot Isabel.  Yea, she did steal away the hearts of many; but this was no excuse for thee, my son. (Alma 39:2-4)

As you read Alma 39-42, you realize that Corianton realizes that he has done wrong, and is now concerned about the justice of God.  Alma(2)'s words address his concerns.

It's interesting that Alma(2) had a rebellious son, considering his past.  

Alma(2) (also known as Alma, the younger) was the son of Alma(1).  Shortly after Alma(1) and his followers arrived in the city of Zarahemela, King Mosiah gave Alma(1) the "authority over the church."  (Mosiah 26:8)  While Alma(1) was building the church, his son, Alma(2) and the four sons of Mosiah were "numbered among the unbelievers." (Mosiah 27:8)  Alma(2) was considered "a man of many words, and did speak much flattery to the people; therefore he led many of the people to do after the manner of his iniquities. And he became a great hinderment to the prosperity of the church of God; stealing away the hearts of the people; causing much dissension among the people; giving a chance for the enemy of God to exercise his power over them."  (Mosiah 27:8-10)  Alma(2), along with the sons of Mosiah went about secretly "[destroying] the church of God ... and to lead astray the people of the Lord ..." (Mosiah 27:10)  Mormon would later describe the five as "... the very vilest of sinners ..." (Mosiah 28:4) 

One day, while they were going about destroying the church, and angel of the Lord appeared to them.  The angel spoke to Alma(2), proclaiming...

"Alma, arise and stand forth, for why persecutest thou the church of God?  For the Lord hath said: This is my church, and I will establish it; and nothing shall overthrow it, save it is the transgression of my people ... Behold, the Lord hath heard the prayers of his people, and also the prayers of his servant, Alma, who is thy father; for he has prayed with much faith concerning thee that thou mightest be brought to the knowledge of the truth; therefore, for this purpose have I come to convince thee of the power and authority of God, that the prayers of his servants might be answered according to their faith.  And now behold, can ye dispute the power of God?  For behold, doth not my voice shake the earth?  And can ye not also behold me before you?  And I am sent from God.Now I say unto thee: Go, and remember the captivity of thy fathers in the land of Helam, and in the land of Nephi; and remember how great things he has done for them; for they were in bondage, and he has delivered them.  And now I say unto thee, Alma, go thy way, and seek to destroy the church no more, that their prayers may be answered, and this even if thou wilt of thyself be cast off." (Mosiah 27:13-16)

It is then recorded that "... Alma and those that were with him fell again to the earth, for great was their astonishment; for with their own eyes they had beheld an angel of the Lord .. And now the astonishment of Alma was so great that he became dumb, that he could not open his mouth; yea, and he became weak, even that he could not move his hands; therefore he was taken by those that were with him, and carried helpless, even until he was laid before his father."  (Mosiah 18-29)

Alma(1) rejoiced when he saw what happened to his son.  "And he caused that a multitude should be gathered together that they might witness what the Lord had done for his son, and also for those that were with him.  And he caused that the priests should assemble themselves together; and they began to fast, and to pray to the Lord their God that he would open the mouth of Alma, that he might speak, and also that his limbs might receive their strength—that the eyes of the people might be opened to see and know of the goodness and glory of God.  And it came to pass after they had fasted and prayed for the space of two days and two nights, the limbs of Alma received their strength, and he stood up ..." (Mosiah 27:21-23)

Alma(2) expressed his joy because he had "... repented of my sins, and have been redeemed of the Lord; behold I am born of the Spirit."  (Mosiah 27:24)  He continued to praise the Lord and renounce his sinful past; he began preaching to the people.  (For the full account of his words, see Mosiah 27:24-31.) 

Alma and the sons of Mosiah would go on to be some of the greatest missionaries in the Book of Mormon. The records of their ministry make some of the most faith promoting readings in the Book of Mormon.  (See Alma 6-26.  These are amazing stories of faith and service to the Lord.)

With this background, I'll being discussing the content of Alma 42 in the next post.