AlmaChapter42

And now, my son, I perceive there is somewhat more which doth worry your mind, which ye cannot understand—which is concerning the justice of God in the punishment of the sinner; for ye do try to suppose that it is injustice that the sinner should be consigned to a state of misery.

Now, my son, I see that something more still troubles your mind, something you cannot understand. It concerns the justice of God in the punishment of the sinner. For you are trying to think that it is unjust for the sinner to be consigned to a state of misery.

Now behold, my son, I will explain this thing unto thee. For behold, after the Lord God sent our first parents forth from the garden of Eden, to till the ground, from whence they were taken—yea, he drew out the man, and he placed at the east end of the garden of Eden, cherubim, and a flaming sword which turned every way, to keep the tree of life—

My son, I will explain this to you. After the Lord God sent our first parents out of the garden of Eden to till the ground from which they were taken, he drove the man out. At the east end of the garden of Eden, he placed cherubim and a flaming sword which turned every way, to guard the tree of life.

Now, we see that the man had become as God, knowing good and evil; and lest he should put forth his hand, and take also of the tree of life, and eat and live forever, the Lord God placed cherubim and the flaming sword, that he should not partake of the fruit—

Now, we see that the man had become as God, knowing good and evil. And so that he would not reach out his hand, take also of the tree of life, eat, and live forever, the Lord God placed cherubim and the flaming sword there, to keep him from partaking of the fruit.

And thus we see, that there was a time granted unto man to repent, yea, a probationary time, a time to repent and serve God.

And so we see that people were granted a time to repent, a probationary time, a time to repent and serve God.

For behold, if Adam had put forth his hand immediately, and partaken of the tree of life, he would have lived forever, according to the word of God, having no space for repentance; yea, and also the word of God would have been void, and the great plan of salvation would have been frustrated.

For if Adam had reached out his hand immediately and partaken of the tree of life, he would have lived forever, according to the word of God, with no time for repentance. And the word of God would also have been made void, and the great plan of salvation would have been thwarted.

But behold, it was appointed unto man to die—therefore, as they were cut off from the tree of life they should be cut off from the face of the earth—and man became lost forever, yea, they became fallen man.

But it was appointed for people to die. So, since they were cut off from the tree of life, they would be cut off from the face of the earth. And humanity became lost forever; they became a fallen people.

And now, ye see by this that our first parents were cut off both temporally and spiritually from the presence of the Lord; and thus we see they became subjects to follow after their own will.

And now, you see from this that our first parents were cut off from the presence of the Lord, both temporally and spiritually. And so we see that they were left to follow their own will.

Now behold, it was not expedient that man should be reclaimed from this temporal death, for that would destroy the great plan of happiness.

Now, it was not right for people to be reclaimed from this temporal death, for that would destroy the great plan of happiness.

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.

So, since the soul could never die, and since the fall had brought upon all people a spiritual death as well as a temporal one, it was necessary for people to be reclaimed from this spiritual death. The spiritual death is this: they were cut off from the presence of the Lord.

Therefore, as they had become carnal, sensual, and devilish, by nature, this probationary state became a state for them to prepare; it became a preparatory state.

So, since by nature they had become carnal, sensual, and devilish, this probationary state became a state in which they could prepare; it became a preparatory state.

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.

And now remember, my son, if it were not for the plan of redemption (setting it aside for a moment), as soon as they died their souls would be miserable, cut off from the presence of the Lord.

And now, there was no means to reclaim men from this fallen state, which man had brought upon himself because of his own disobedience;

And there was no way to reclaim people from this fallen state, which they had brought upon themselves because of their own disobedience.

Therefore, according 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; if so, God would cease to be God.

So, according to justice, the plan of redemption could be brought about only on conditions of repentance for people in this probationary state, this preparatory state. For without those conditions, mercy could not take effect without destroying the work of justice. Now, the work of justice could not be destroyed; if it were, God would cease to be God.

And thus we see that all mankind were fallen, and they were in the grasp of justice; yea, the justice of God, which consigned them forever to be cut off from his presence.

And so we see that all people had fallen, and they were in the grasp of justice, the justice of God, which consigned them forever to be cut off from his presence.

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.

And the plan of mercy could not be brought about unless an atonement were made. So God himself atones for the sins of the world, to bring about the plan of mercy and to satisfy the demands of justice, so that God might be a perfect, just God, and a merciful God as well.

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.

Now, repentance could not come to people unless there were a punishment set opposite the plan of happiness. That punishment was eternal, as the life of the soul is eternal, and the plan of happiness was just as eternal as the life of the soul.

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?

Now, how could anyone repent unless they sinned? How could they sin if there were no law? How could there be a law without a punishment?

Now, there was a punishment affixed, and a just law given, which brought remorse of conscience unto man.

Now, there was a punishment set in place and a just law given, which brought remorse of conscience to people.

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?

Now, if no law were given that a murderer must die, would he be afraid of dying if he murdered?

And also, if there was no law given against sin men would not be afraid to sin.

And also, if no law were given against sin, people would not be afraid to sin.

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?

And if no law were given, and people sinned, what could justice do, or mercy either, for they would have no claim on the creature?

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.

But there is a law given, a punishment set in place, and a repentance granted; and mercy claims that repentance. Otherwise, justice claims the creature and executes the law, and the law inflicts the punishment. If it were not so, the works of justice would be destroyed, and God would cease to be God.

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.

But God does not cease to be God, and mercy claims the penitent. Mercy comes because of the atonement; and the atonement brings to pass the resurrection of the dead; and the resurrection of the dead brings people back into the presence of God. And so they are restored into his presence, to be judged according to their works, according to the law and justice.

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.

For justice exercises all his demands, and mercy also claims all that is her own. And so none but the truly penitent are saved.

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.

Do you think that mercy can rob justice? I say to you, No, not one whit. If it were so, God would cease to be God.

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.

And so God brings about his great and eternal purposes, which were prepared from the foundation of the world. And so the salvation and redemption of people comes about, and also their destruction and misery.

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.

So, O my son, whoever will come may come and partake of the waters of life freely; and whoever will not come is not compelled to come. But in the last day it will be restored to him according to his deeds.

If he has desired to do evil, and has not repented in his days, behold, evil shall be done unto him, according to the restoration of God.

If he has desired to do evil and has not repented in his days, evil will be done to him, according to the restoration of God.

And now, my son, I desire that ye should let these things trouble you no more, and only let your sins trouble you, with that trouble which shall bring you down unto repentance.

And now, my son, I want you to let these things trouble you no more and to let only your sins trouble you, with the trouble that will bring you down to repentance.

O my son, I desire that ye should deny the justice of God no more. Do not endeavor to excuse yourself in the least point because of your sins, by denying the justice of God; but do you let the justice of God, and his mercy, and his long-suffering have full sway in your heart; and let it bring you down to the dust in humility.

O my son, I want you to deny the justice of God no more. Do not try to excuse yourself in the least because of your sins, by denying the justice of God. Instead, let the justice of God, his mercy, and his long-suffering have full sway in your heart and let it bring you down to the dust in humility.

And now, O my son, ye are called of God to preach the word unto this people. And now, my son, go thy way, declare the word with truth and soberness, that thou mayest bring souls unto repentance, that the great plan of mercy may have claim upon them. And may God grant unto you even according to my words. Amen.

And now, O my son, you are called by God to preach the word to this nation. And now, my son, go your way; declare the word with truth and soberness, so that you may bring souls to repentance, and the great plan of mercy may have claim on them. And may God grant to you according to my words. Amen.