26 Therefore, they have drunk out of the cup of the wrath of God, which justice could no more deny unto them than it could deny that Adam should fall because of his partaking of the forbidden fruit; therefore, mercy could have claim on them no more forever.
27 And their torment is as a lake of fire and brimstone, whose flames are unquenchable, and whose smoke ascendeth up forever and ever. Thus hath the Lord commanded me. Amen.
Having spoken what the Lord had commanded (v. 23), King Benjamin adds a postscript, under the inspiration of the Lord. The words he had spoken would “stand as a bright testimony against” King Benjamin’s subjects (v. 24). The remainder of his words (vv. 25–27) are a confirmation of what the king had said just prior to his quoting the angel (2:32–41; previous chapter), but with one exception. He warns of “endless torment” which is God’s punishment (see D&C 19:6–12 quoted above). Therefore, mercy could not pay the demands of justice, when we knowingly break the commandments of God. We would then have to pay our own punishment (see D&C 19:17; quoted above). This doctrine was also written to the Hebrews in the New Testament.
26 For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins,
27 But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries.
28 He that despised Moses’ law died without mercy under two or three witnesses:
29 Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace?
30 For we know him that hath said, Vengeance belongeth unto me, I will recompense, saith the Lord. And again, The Lord shall judge his people.
31 It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God. [Hebrews 10:26–31]
The angel’s warning of “their torment as a lake of fire and brimstone” (Mosiah 3:27; emphasis added) is symbolic of the mental anguish they would suffer. The Doctrine and Covenants calls this punishment being “delivered over to the buffetings of Satan until the day of redemption” (D&C 78:12; 82:21; 104:9–10; 132:26). Paul has taught the same doctrine with slightly different wording. He admonished the Corinthian branch leaders of the church to “deliver such an one [guilty of incest] unto Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus” (1 Corinthians 5:5). Wherefore, those with knowledge who commit sin still have hope for salvation after having been through endless punishment and having paid the demands of justice. This punishment is the difficult way to pay for sin. Martin Harris, after suffering great mental tribulation over the loss of the early pages of the Book of Mormon manuscript was told: “Wherefore, I command you again to repent, lest I humble you with my almighty power; and that you confess your sins, lest you suffer these punishments of which I have spoken, of which in the smallest, yea, even in the least degree you have tasted at the time I withdrew my Spirit” (D&C 19:20). As Alma told his son Corianton: “Do not suppose, because it has been spoken concerning restoration, that ye shall be restored from sin to happiness. Behold, I say unto you, wickedness never was happiness” (Alma 41:10). Christ has paid for our sins through his Atonement. We need to obey the commandments to receive the benefits of his Atonement.