Rhetoric: Alma’s argument must end with the Messiah’s role, because that is the real issue he is clarifying. However, he begins with Yahweh (the Messiah in his heavenly role). Restoration is “requisite with the justice of God.” Yahweh’s justice, or heavenly justice, requires restoration. Although Yahweh (of the heavens) requires it, Yahweh-Messiah (of the earth) creates the conditions where it may occur. Alma’s argument begins with the common ground of Yahweh shared by both Nephite and Nehorite religions. He then builds the Atoning Messiah’s mission on that common ground.
As before, the initial restoration is the reuniting of the soul and body, which Alma just emphasized (Alma 40:23).