Alma’s concluding words to his son contain some of the most beautiful and powerful language in the Book of Mormon. These words reflect an ancient Near Eastern mind-set, affirm the fundamental doctrine of agency, and come full circle to the principle of restoration—which centers in the Atonement because only the atonement of Jesus Christ makes restoration possible. “Therefore, O my son, whosoever will come may come and partake of the waters of life freely; and whosoever will not come the same is not compelled to come; but in the last day it shall be restored unto him according to his deeds.” “Waters of life” is a significant phrase. In the land from which Lehi’s family originated, water is life. Jesus Christ is the embodiment of the waters of life. The waters of baptism are the waters of life; the gospel contains the waters of life (John 3:5; 4:10–14; Revelation 21:6; 22:1, 17; 1 Nephi 11:25; Alma 5:34). The Lord offered the same invitation to all individuals in our day that Alma offered to his son: “Yea, if they will come, they may, and partake of the waters of life freely” (D&C 10:66).
Alma asked his son to not deny the justice of God: “Do not endeavor to excuse yourself in the least point because of your sins, by denying the justice of God.” That is merely a doctrinal facade for a covered-up problem with sin. “Let your sins trouble you, with that trouble which shall bring you down unto repentance” (emphasis added).