Alma describes mortality as “a state of nature,” “a carnal state,” and “without God in the world.” In his description of opposites, our mortality is opposite to immortality. Therefore, mortality is “naturally” given to being without God, where immortality is “naturally” the location and time being with God. Alma creates that particular duality to emphasize the problem of procrastinating our repentance.
In verse 12, he notes that what is not restored is the “natural state.” Thus, the state of being without God cannot exist when we are in the state of being where God is. It is simply impossible, and therefore, a person who does not desire God cannot be restored to a person who does desire God.
Verse 13 reiterates the meaning of restoration. It takes a state that we have learned to be in, in this life, and it is restored to us on the other side of death. What we become in this world is critical for what we will be in the next.