Mercy will pay the demands of justice, but it cannot rob justice (see Alma 42:23–25). The invitation is to meet the requirements for mercy so Christ will meet the demands of justice (Alma 5:33). The fruit of the tree of life (v. 34) is “most precious and most desirable above all other fruits” and “the greatest of all the gifts of God” (1 Nephi 15:36), which is “eternal life” (D&C 14:7). To eat and drink of the bread and the waters of life (Alma 5:34) is to “eat the flesh of the Son of man, and drink his blood” (John 6:53). The flesh represents the body that he laid down and took up again to bring about the resurrection. The blood represents the suffering in Gethsemane to make the Atonement (see Mosiah 3:7–12). Those who will not partake will “wail and mourn” for not having excepted the invitation that was extended to them (Alma 5:35–36).