After warnings of the seriousness of immorality and the need for repentance, Alma gives Corianton several ways to prevent immorality from happening again in his life. Jacob also spoke to the pure in heart after speaking to his people (see Jacob 3:1–2). This advice should always be included, and is certainly needed in today’s world.
The first advice given by Alma was to counsel with his older brothers (Alma 39:10). This may not always be appropriate for some brothers may not give good counsel, but in Corianton’s case his older brothers were morally and spiritually sound, and could help him nurture. Often children will listen to siblings quicker than they will to parents because of the generation gap. The older children are acquainted with the pressures of that age group and can negate the false premises thrown at the younger child. Priesthood advisors and auxiliary leaders may fill in for those who do not have older siblings.
The conduct of Corianton among the Zoramites had been detrimental to the missionary work (v. 11). A preventive measure to prospective missionaries is to remind them of the effect their conduct will have on their ever serving a mission. A returned missionary might reflect on how their conduct would effect those whom they had taught the gospel, their companions, or other associates of the mission field.
Alma recognized that failure to teach Corianton would be answered upon his own head (see 2 Nephi 4:6; D&C 68:25). Therefore, he commanded Corianton, in the fear of God, to refrain from his iniquities (Alma 39:12). The home is where the moral values should originate. Joseph of Egypt was obviously taught morality in his youth. Although sold into captivity at age 17 (see Genesis 37:2), he refused the temptations of Potiphar’s wife because he could not “do this great wickedness, and sin against God” (Genesis 39:1–10).
To turn to the Lord with your mind (Alma 39:13) is to reason with him as he has invited us to do (see Isaiah 1:18; D&C 50:10–12). We need to ponder over what is written and told to us, to weigh the evidence. To turn to him with our might is to seek his help in our physical desires. We need to pray for his help in controlling our physical desires. To turn to him with our strength is to seek a combination of our mind and might. Strength comes from a coordination of our head and our body. Our spirit must be in charge, not the flesh.
Apparently, as part of the repentance process, Corianton is told to return to the Zoramites and acknowledge his wrongs (Alma 39:13). The Zoramites were aware of his sins (v. 11), and so this confession would be an attempt to make restitution. The sons of Mosiah had made a similar confession among the people of Zarahemla (see Mosiah 27:35). To confess to those who were wronged will not only help them to know the truth, but will earn their respect and support. They will also be a caution against future sinning because you know they will be watching to see if your confession was sincere.
There is an association between riches and the vain things of the world and immorality, just as there is an association between pride and riches (see Jacob 2:13; Alma 4:6–8). Riches bring pride and pride leads to immorality. The people of Jacob were led to immorality because of their riches and pride (see Jacob 2:23–24). In entertaining vanity, “Those who look upon a woman to lust after her, or if any shall commit [spiritual] adultery in their hearts, they shall not have the Spirit, but shall deny the faith and shall fear (D&C 63:16). “Let virtue garnish thy thoughts unceasingly” (D&C 121:45). The Psalmist says: “He that hath clean hands and a pure heart; who hath not lifted up his soul unto vanity, nor sworn deceitfully” shall stand in God’s holy place (Psalms 24:3–4).