The commandments of Alma to his son, Corianton.

Comprising chapters 39 to 42 inclusive.

CHAPTER 39.

Corianton reproved for sexual sin — His sinful conduct had affected faith of the Zoramites — Christ’s redemption retroactive.

1. And now, my son, I have somewhat more to say unto thee than what I said unto thy brother; for behold have ye not observed the steadiness of thy brother, his faithfulness and his diligence in keeping the commandments of Godde? Behold, has he not set a good example for thee?

2. For thou didst not give so much heed to my words as did thy brother, among the people of the Zoramites. Now this is what I have against thee; thou didst go on unto boasting in thy strength and thy wisdom.

3. 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.

4. Yea, she did steal away the hearts of many; but this was no excuse for thee, my son. Thou shouldst have tended to the ministry wherewith thou wast entrusted.

5. Know ye not, my son, that these things are an abomination in the sight of the Eternal Godde; yea, most abominable above all sins save it be the shedding of innocent blood or denying the Holy Ghost?

6. For behold, if ye deny the Holy Ghost when it once has had place in you, and ye know that ye deny it, behold, this is a sin which is unpardonable; yea, and whosoever murdereth against the light and knowledge of the Divine Parents, it is not easy for them to obtain forgiveness; yea, I say unto you, my son, that it is not easy for them to obtain a forgiveness.

7. And now, my son, I would to Godde that ye had not been guilty of so great a crime. I would not dwell upon your crimes, to harrow up your soul, if it were not for your good.

8. But behold, ye cannot hide your crimes from Godde; and except ye repent they will stand as a testimony against you at the last day.

9. Now my son, I would that ye should repent and forsake your sins, and go no more after the lusts of your eyes, but cross yourself in all these things; for except ye do this ye can in nowise inherit the kingdom of Mother and Father. Oh, remember, and take it upon you, and cross yourself in these things.

10. And I command you to take it upon you to counsel with your elder brothers in your undertakings; for behold, thou art in thy youth, and ye stand in need to be nourished by your brothers. And give heed to their counsel.

11. Suffer not yourself to be led away by any vain or foolish thing; suffer not the devil to lead away your heart again after those wicked harlots. Behold, O my son, how great iniquity ye brought upon the Zoramites; for when they saw your conduct they would not believe in my words.

12. And now the Spirit of Godde doth say unto me: Command thy children to do good, lest they lead away the hearts of many people to destruction; therefore I command you, my son, in the fear of Godde, that ye refrain from your iniquities;

13. That ye turn to your Heavenly Parents with all your mind, might, and strength; that ye lead away the hearts of no more to do wickedly; but rather return unto them, and acknowledge your faults and that wrong which ye have done.

14. Seek not after riches nor the vain things of this world; for behold, you cannot carry them with you.

15. And now, my son, I would say somewhat unto you concerning the coming of Christ. Behold, I say unto you, that it is he that surely shall come to take away the sins of the world; yea, he cometh to declare glad tidings of salvation unto his people.

16. And now, my son, this was the ministry unto which ye were called, to declare these glad tidings unto this people, to prepare their minds; or rather that salvation might come unto them, that they may prepare the minds of their children to hear the word at the time of his coming.

17. And now I will ease your mind somewhat on this subject. Behold, you marvel why these things should be known so long beforehand. Behold, I say unto you, is not a soul at this time as precious unto Godde as a soul will be at the time of his coming?

18. Is it not as necessary that the plan of redemption should be made known unto this people as well as unto their children?

19. Is it not as easy at this time for the Lord Jesus Christ to send his angel to declare these glad tidings unto us as unto our children, or as after the time of his coming?

CHAPTER 40.

Alma to Corianton continued — Resurrection universal — Separate states of righteous and wicked between death and resurrection — A literal restoration.

1. Now my son, here is somewhat more I would say unto thee; for I perceive that thy mind is worried concerning the resurrection of the dead.

2. Behold, I say unto you, that there is no resurrection — or, I would say, in other words, that this mortal does not put on immortality, this corruption does not put on incorruption — until after the coming of Christ.

3. Behold, he bringeth to pass the resurrection of the dead. But behold, my son, the resurrection is not yet. Now, I unfold unto you a mystery; nevertheless there are many mysteries which are kept, that no one knoweth them save Godde themself. But I show unto you one thing which I have inquired diligently of the Divine Parents that I might know — that is concerning the resurrection.

4. Behold, there is a time appointed that all shall come forth from the dead. Now when this time cometh no one knows; but Godde knoweth the time which is appointed.

5. Now, whether there shall be one time, or a second time, or a third time, that men and women shall come forth from the dead, it mattereth not; for Godde knoweth all these things; and it sufficeth me to know that this is the case — that there is a time appointed that all shall rise from the dead.

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 and women from this time of death to the time appointed for the resurrection?

8. Now whether there is more than one time appointed for humans to rise it mattereth not; for all do not die at once, and this mattereth not; all is as one day with Godde, and time only is measured unto humans.

9. Therefore, there is a time appointed unto humans 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 and women is the thing which I inquired diligently of Heavenly Mother and Heavenly Father 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 Godde knoweth all the times which are appointed unto women and men.

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 people, as soon as they are departed from this mortal body, yea the spirits of all people, whether they be good or evil, are taken home to that Godde who 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 Godde; 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 Godde upon them; thus they remain in this state, as well as the righteous in paradise, until the time of their resurrection.

15. Now, there are some that have understood that this state of happiness and this state of misery of the soul, before the resurrection, was a first resurrection. Yea, I admit it may be termed a resurrection, the raising of the spirit or the soul and their consignation to happiness or misery, according to the words which have been spoken.

16. And behold, again it hath been spoken, that there is a first resurrection, a resurrection of all those who have been, or who are, or who shall be, down to the resurrection of Christ from the dead.

17. Now, we do not suppose that this first resurrection, which is spoken of in this manner, can be the resurrection of the souls and their consignation to happiness or misery. Ye cannot suppose that this is what it meaneth.

18. Behold, I say unto you, Nay; but it meaneth the reuniting of the soul with the body, of those from the days of Eve and Adam down to the resurrection of Christ.

19. Now, whether the souls and the bodies of those of whom has been spoken shall all be reunited at once, the wicked as well as the righteous, I do not say; let it suffice, that I say that they all come forth; or in other words, their resurrection cometh to pass before the resurrection of those who die after the resurrection of Christ.

20. Now, my son, I do not say that their resurrection cometh at the resurrection of Christ; but behold, I give it as my opinion, that the souls and the bodies are reunited, of the righteous, at the resurrection of Christ, and his ascension into heaven.

21. But whether it be at his resurrection or after, I do not say; but this much I say, that there is a space between death and the resurrection of the body, and a state of the soul in happiness or in misery until the time which is appointed of Godde that the dead shall come forth, and be reunited, both soul and body, and be brought to stand before the Eternal Mother and Father, and be judged according to their works.

22. Yea, this bringeth about the restoration of those things of which has been spoken by the mouths of the prophets and prophetesses.

23. The soul shall be restored to the body, and the body to the soul; yea, and every limb and joint shall be restored to its body; yea, even a hair of the head shall not be lost; but all things shall be restored to their proper and perfect frame.

24. And now, my son, this is the restoration of which has been spoken by the mouths of the prophets and prophetesses —

25. And then shall the righteous shine forth in the kingdom of Godde.

26. But behold, an awful death cometh upon the wicked; for they die as to things pertaining to things of righteousness; for they are unclean, and no unclean thing can inherit the kingdom of Godde; but they are cast out and consigned to partake of the fruits of their labors or their works, which have been evil; and they drink the dregs of a bitter cup.

CHAPTER 41.

Alma to Corianton, continued — What restoration signifies — We are free according to our deeds — Self-judgment.

1. And now, my son, I have somewhat to say concerning the restoration of which has been spoken; for behold, some have wrested the scriptures, and have gone far astray because of this thing. And I perceive that thy mind has been worried also concerning this thing. But behold, I will explain it unto thee.

2. I say unto thee, my son, that the plan of restoration is requisite with the justice of Godde; for it is requisite that all things should be restored to their proper order. Behold, it is requisite and just, according to the power and resurrection of Christ, that the soul of a person should be restored to its body, and that every part of the body should be restored to itself.

3. And it is requisite with the justice of the Divine Parents that women and men should be judged according to their works; and if their works were good in this life, and the desires of their hearts were good, that they should also, at the last day, be restored unto that which is good.

4. And if their works are evil they shall be restored unto them for evil. Therefore, all things shall be restored to their proper order, every thing to its natural frame — mortality raised to immortality, corruption to incorruption — raised to endless happiness to inherit the kingdom of Godde, or to misery to inherit the kingdom of the devil, the one on one hand, the other on the other —

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

6. And so it is on the other hand. If they hath repented of their sins, and desired righteousness until the end of their days, even so they shall be rewarded unto righteousness.

7. These are they that are redeemed of the Lord Jesus Christ; 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.

8. Now the decrees of Godde are unalterable; therefore, the way is prepared that whosoever will may walk therein and be saved.

9. And now behold, my son, do not risk one more offense against your Godde upon those points of doctrine, which ye have hitherto risked to commit sin.

10. Do not suppose, because it has been spoken concerning restoration, that ye shall be restored from sin to happiness. Behold, I say unto you, wickedness never was happiness.

11. And now, my son, all people that are in a state of nature, or I would say, in a carnal state, are in the gall of bitterness and in the bonds of iniquity; they are without Godde in the world, and they have gone contrary to the nature of the Eternal Mother and Father; therefore, they are in a state contrary to the nature of happiness.

12. And now behold, is the meaning of the word restoration to take a thing of a natural state and place it in an unnatural state, or to place it in a state opposite to its nature?

13. O, my son, this is not the case; but the meaning of the word restoration is to bring back again evil for evil, or carnal for carnal, or devilish for devilish — good for that which is good; righteous for that which is righteous; just for that which is just; merciful for that which is merciful.

14. Therefore, my son, see that you are merciful unto your brothers and sisters; 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; ye shall have justice restored unto you again; ye shall have a righteous judgment restored unto you again; and ye shall have good rewarded unto you again.

15. For that which ye do send out shall return unto you again, and be restored; therefore, the word restoration more fully condemneth sinners, and justifieth them not at all.

CHAPTER 42.

Alma to Corianton continued — Justice and mercy expounded — The tree of life — Mortality a period of probation — Spiritual and temporal death — Repentance, atonement, law, punishment all necessary.

1. 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 Godde 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.

2. Now behold, my son, I will explain this thing unto thee. For behold, after the Eternal Godde sent our first parents forth from the garden of Eden, to till the ground, from whence they were taken — yea, the Divine Mother and Father drew out the woman and man, and they 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 —

3. Now, we see that the woman and man had become as Godde, knowing good and evil; and lest they should put forth their hands, and take also of the tree of life, and eat and live forever, the Eternal Godde placed cherubim and the flaming sword, that they should not partake of the fruit —

4. And thus we see, that there was a time granted unto women and men to repent, yea, a probationary time, a time to repent and serve Godde.

5. For behold, if Eve and Adam had put forth their hands immediately, and partaken of the tree of life, they would have lived forever, according to the word of Godde, having no space for repentance; yea, and also the word of Godde would have been void, and the great plan of salvation would have been frustrated.

6. But behold, it was appointed unto humanity 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 humanity became lost forever, yea, they became fallen men and women.

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

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

9. Therefore, as the soul could never die, and the fall had brought upon all humankind a spiritual death as well as a temporal, that is, they were cut off from the presence of the Eternal Godde, it was expedient that humankind should be reclaimed from this spiritual death.

10. 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.

11. 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 Eternal Godde.

12. And now, there was no means to reclaim humanity from this fallen state, which humans had brought upon themselves because of their own disobedience;

13. Therefore, according to justice, the plan of redemption could not be brought about, only on conditions of repentance of men and women 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 Godde would cease to be Godde.

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

15. And now the plan of mercy could not be brought about except an atonement should be made; therefore Godde themself atoneth for the sins of the world, to bring about the plan of mercy, to appease the demands of justice, that Godde might be a perfect, just Godde, and a merciful Godde also.

16. Now, repentance could not come unto humanity 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 person repent except they should sin? How could they 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 men and women.

19. Now, if there was no law given — if a person murdered they should die — would they be afraid they would die if they should murder?

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

21. And if there was no law given, if people sinned what could justice do, or mercy either, for they would have no claim upon the creature?

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 Godde would cease to be Godde.

23. But Godde ceaseth not to be Godde, 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 women and men into the presence of Godde; and thus they are restored into the presence of Heavenly Mother and Heavenly Father, to be judged according to their works, according to the law and justice.

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, Godde would cease to be Godde.

26. And thus the Divine Mother and Father bringeth about their great and eternal purposes, which were prepared from the foundation of the world. And thus cometh about the salvation and the redemption of humanity, and also their destruction and misery.

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 them according to their deeds.

28. If they have desired to do evil, and have not repented in their days, behold, evil shall be done unto them, according to the restoration of Godde.

29. 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.

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

31. And now, O my son, ye are called of Godde 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 Heavenly Mother and Heavenly Father grant unto you even according to my words. Amen.