Gospel Doctrine Commentary
Lesson No. Thirty

Corianton's Questions and Excuses are Common in Our Day

Our study of the Book of Mormon is greatly enriched if we apply it to our day – President Ezra Taft Benson taught:  “The Book of Mormon was written for our day…We should constantly ask ourselves, ‘Why did the Lord inspire Mormon (or Moroni or Alma to include that in his record?  What lesson can I learn from that to help me in this day and age?

“And there is example after example of how that question will be answered.  For example, in the Book of Mormon we find a pattern for preparing for the Second Coming.  A major portion of the book centers on the few decades just prior to Christ’s coming to America.”

A close study of Alma 39 – 42 helps us apply the Book of Mormon to our day and age.

Alma 39 – “True doctrine, understood, changes attitudes and behavior. The study of the doctrines of the gospel will improve behavior quicker than a study of behavior will improve behavior…That is why we stress so forcefully the study of the doctrines of the gospel” Boyd K. Packer, “Little Children,” Ensign, Nov. 1986, 17).  Alma applied this approach with Corianton.

Alma first reproved Corianton “with sharpness” and then he “showed an increase of love” (D&C121:43).  He explained the enormity of Corianton’s sin (see Alma 39:1-6), and why he was being so direct:  “And now, my son, I would to God that ye had not been guilty of so great a crime.  I would not dwell upon your crimes, to harrow up your soul, if it were not for your good” (Alma 39:7).  He then explained what Corianton had to do to repent.  (See Alma 39:8-14)

Alma answered Corianton’s questions and excuses by teaching the gospel.   To understand “The commandments of Alma to Corianton” Alma 39-42 must be studied together as a whole.

The reason we do missionary, temple, and family history work today is that all people who have ever lived are precious to God and they need the gospel – In helping Corianton to repent Alma next testified “concerning the coming of Christ.  Behold, I say unto you, that it is he that surely shall come to take away the sins of the world; yea, he cometh to declare glad tidings of salvation unto his people” (Alma 39:15). 

Corianton had questioned “why these things should be known so long beforehand” (Alma 39: 17).  Alma’s response explains why we do missionary, temple, and family history work today:  

“Behold, I say unto you, is not a soul at this time as precious unto God as a soul will be at the time of his coming? 

“Is it not as necessary that the plan of redemption should be made known unto this people as well as unto their children? 

“Is it not as easy at this time for the Lord to send his angel to declare these glad tidings unto us as unto our children, or as after the time of his coming? (Alma 39:17-19).

Alma 40 – If people knew the truth about life after death it would change their lives. Corianton was “worried concerning the resurrection of the dead” (Alma 40:1).  Alma spoke about “a space betwixt the time of death and the time of the resurrection” (Alma 40:6).  He taught about the spirit world where everyone goes when they die.  (See Alma 40:11-14).

He speaks of the resurrection and judgment (see Alma 40:2-21) which he refers to as the “restoration” (Alma 40:22-26).  Considerably more knowledge about the spirit world and the resurrection has been revealed in our dispensation than was known by Alma.  True doctrine about life in the spirit world and the resurrection motivates us to repent.

Alma 41 – Many people today have “wrested the scriptures, and have gone far astray,” and like Corianton, their minds are “worried” about the “justice of God” (Alma 41:1-2).  They do not understand that “they are their own judges, whether to do good or to do evil” (Alma 41:7).

Alma explains that the “plan of restoration is requisite (consistent) with the justice of God.”  It is necessary and “just, according to the power and resurrection of Christ that the soul of man should be restored to its body, and that every part of the body should be restored to itself” (Alma 41:2).  Furthermore, “it is requisite (consistent) with the justice of God that men should be judged according to their works” and “the desires of their hearts” (Alma 41:3).

Depending on whether our works and desires are good or evil we will be resurrected and restored either “to endless happiness to inherit the kingdom of God, or to endless misery to inherit the kingdom of the devil” (Alma 41: 4-5).  Many people, like Corianton, think they can be “restored from sin to happiness” but “sin never was happiness” (Alma 41:9-10).

Alma uses a remarkable chiasmus to teach that we reap what we plant.  (See Alma 41:12-15)

Alma 42 – Many today believe that God’s love is unconditional, and therefore sinners are not punished.  This was Corianton’s problem.  (See Alma 42:1).  Elder Russell M. Nelson explained:  “While divine love can be called perfect, infinite, enduring, and universal, it cannot correctly be characterized as unconditional…Understanding that divine love and blessings are not truly ‘unconditional’ can defend us against common fallacies such as these:  ‘Since God’s love is unconditional, He will love me regardless…’” (Divine Love, Ensign, February 2003).

Many today, believe God is merciful, and therefore, like Corianton, they “try to suppose that it is injustice that a sinner would be consigned to a state of misery” (Alma 42:1).  Alma corrects this error by teaching the plan, which he refers to interchangeably as the plan of salvation/the plan of redemption/the plan of happiness/the plan of restoration/the plan of mercy.

Our sins, not the doctrine, is what should trouble us – Today some members of the Church are troubled by doctrinal questions.  Like Alma did with Corianton we should teach them the plan of salvation.  Alma’s concluding counsel applies:  “And now, my son, I desire that ye should let these things (doctrinal questions) trouble you no more, and only let your sins trouble you, with the trouble which shall bring you down unto repentance” (Alma 42:29).

Alma's approach worked, and Corianton repented and was numbered with his brothers.  (See Alma 43:1; 49:30).  Because these are true principles Alma’s approach will work today.

The following outline summarizes the Plan of Redemption as taught in Alma 42. Our willingness to repent makes the difference.