Alma 42

1And now, my son, I perceive there is somewhat more which doth

2Now behold, my son, I will explain this thing unto thee. For

3Now, we see that the man had become as God, knowing good and evil;

4And thus we see, that there was a time granted unto man to repent,

5For behold, if Adam had put forth his hand immediately, and

6But behold, it was appointed unto man to die—therefore, as they

7And now, ye see by this that our first parents were cut off both

8Now behold, it was not expedient that man should be reclaimed from

9Therefore, as the soul could never die, and the fall had brought

10Therefore, as they had become carnal, sensual, and devilish, by

11And now remember, my son, if it were not for the plan of

12And now, there was no means to reclaim men from this fallen

13Therefore, according to justice, the plan of redemption could not

14And thus we see that all mankind were fallen, and they were in

15And now, the plan of mercy could not be brought about except an

16Now, repentance could not come unto men except there were a

17Now, how could a man repent except he should sin? How could he

18Now, there was a punishment affixed, and a just law given, which

19Now, if there was no law given—if a man murdered he should

20And also, if there was no law given against sin men would not be

21And if there was no law given, if men sinned what could justice

22But there is a law given, and a punishment affixed, and a

23But God ceaseth not to be God, and mercy claimeth the penitent,

24For behold, justice exerciseth all his demands, and also mercy

25What, do ye suppose that mercy can rob justice? I say unto you,

26And thus God bringeth about his great and eternal purposes, which

27Therefore, O my son, whosoever will come may come and partake of

28If he has desired to do evil, and has not repented in his days,

29And now, my son, I desire that ye should let these things trouble

30O my son, I desire that ye should deny the justice of God no

31And now, O my son, ye are called of God to preach the word unto