Alma 41 Part I

Reflections on the Book of Mormon

Alma 41

by J.C. Winegardner

jcarylw@outllook.com

Introductory Comments
Alma 41 continues Alma (the younger's) instructions to his wayward son Corianton. It was one of the most significant studies of my mission (1980-82 Bolivia La Paz). It is an experience that changed my life. It began during the a two-day fast. I was reading Alma's discourse to Corianton on the flat roof of where Elder Jon Urry and I were living (we had a room in the building where the Villazon (Vee-Ya-Sone) branch held its meetings.


Alma 41: Introduction
In the Resurrection men come forth to a state of endless happiness or endless misery—Wickedness never was happiness—Carnal men are without God in the world—Every person receives again in the Restoration the characteristics and attributes acquired in mortality. About 74 B.C.



Alma 41:1
...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.


JCW Comment:
The phrase “wrested the scriptures and have gone far astray” means the “twisting of the scriptures for the carnal mind's pleasure or benefit. Humanity that has not been born again (See Alma 5 and Alma 13) do not have the benefit of the “born-again spirit”. We are as King Benjamin (Mosiah 2-4) put it “enemies to God”. Alma perceives that this is a vexation to his son Corianton. The purpose of this chapter is to explain to and provide comfort to Corianton.


Alma 41:2-3
I say unto thee, my son, that the plan of restoration is requisite with the justice of God; 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 man should be restored to its body, and that every part of the body should be restored to itself.
And it is requisite with the justice of God that 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.



JCW Comment:
The word “requisite” means required. The plan, meaning the plan of salvation, requires the “restoration of all things”, the resurrection. Many do not understand the concept of the resurrection means the “restoration of all things”. After all, how many of us have regular, or even infrequent, tutelage from resurrected beings? It hasn't happened to me anyway.

Alma continues, “...that all things be restored to their proper order...” The “things” he refers to immediately means everything pertaining to living physicality. Wounds and illnesses shall be healed. The handicapped shall be made whole and etc. Just as a connection exists between the pre-mortal life and mortality, a connection exists between how one lives in mortality and the reward ( I.E., the type of resurrected body) one shall receive in the eternal worlds. More about that later.

Further, justice requires (use of the word requisite again) that humanity, individually, be judged according to their works. Does this mean that every microcosmic action is going to condemn us? King Benjamin said for all our thoughts, deeds, and actions we will be brought into judgement.

What about repentance you say! The Lord, the living Christ said, if they (mortals, us) repent they will be forgiven made clean, and it is impossible for Him, Jesus Christ, to ever remember them, the sins, again!

Alma concludes that the concept of restoration (again resurrection) restores good for that which is good and evil for that which is evil. How is it done? I have no idea. There must be a piece of celestial physics that connects the acts of mortality to the level of spirituality and to reward in the eternities – conjecture mode off.

To be continued.

Copyright 2013

Not expressly approved (or disapproved!) by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints