Alma 41:6-8

Brant Gardner

There is an important aspect of the restoration, and that is also part of the justice of God. It is just when the penalty is removed through the Atonement. Thus, repentance also places one in the position where they can have good restored to them. In verse 6, Alma notes that those who have repented and desired righteousness will, therefore, have righteousness restored to them.

Alma emphasizes his point about the repentant by listing them with the those who have desired good. While we understand that all must repent and none save Christ himself are sinless in this life, for his teaching purposes, Alma uses two categories. For his purposes, it is important to note that those who are repentant and learn to desire righteousness have the very same reward as those who have no need of repentance. To the Lord, there is no difference. To us, that makes all the difference, because we may understand that even through our mistakes we may progress and learn and still have the same reward as those whom we might see as more righteous than ourselves.

The end of verse 8 is significant, but easier to understand if a single comma is added: “the way is prepared that whosoever will[,] may walk therein and be saved.” All who learn to desire the good may learn of the path to God, and walk it successfully.

Book of Mormon Minute

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