Those men who will hearken unto the voice of the Lord their God can be saved through repentance (vv. 22–23). “Restored unto grace for grace, according to their works” (v. 24) shows what man must do as often as he has repented. Alma “labored without ceasing, that I might bring souls to repentance” (Alma 36:24). Jesus did not receive a fullness of glory “at the first, but received grace for grace” (D&C 93:12). As one works to help others he retains a forgiveness of sins (Jesus excepted). As King Benjamin taught, if we live as we should we will “be filled with the love of God, and always retain a remission of [our] sins” (Mosiah 4:12).
Mormon’s closing wish was that all might be saved, but he knew some would not (Helaman 12:25). His last sentence (v. 26) is almost identical to John 5:29, which are Jesus’ words to the Jews who sought to kill him. Was Mormon quoting from the plates of brass, another Old Testament teaching lost from the Bible (1 Nephi 13:26–29), or is it one of the “hundredth part of the things which Jesus did truly teach unto the people?” (3 Nephi 26:6). Mormon could have known of it but it was not included in his abridgment of Jesus teachings. Someday that question will be answered.
The time of the birth of Jesus is drawing nigh. What will the next few years bring among the Nephites?