Once more, Alma established the words of Amulek (v. 12), and applied his own teaching concerning hardening of the heart against the word of God (v. 13). He then explained “things beyond” what “Amulek had done” (Alma 12:1). Amulek had testified that they would be judged according to their works (Alma 12:8). Alma adds that our words and our thoughts will also condemn us (v. 14). King Benjamin gave a similar warning:
But this much I can tell you, that if ye do not watch yourselves, and your thoughts, and your words, and your deeds, and observe the commandments of God, and continue in the faith of what ye have heard concerning the coming of our Lord, even unto the end of your lives, ye must perish. And now, O man, remember, and perish not. [Mosiah 4:30]
In his great Sermon on the Mount to the Jews, and in Bountiful to the Nephites, Jesus taught the positive side of words, thoughts, and works.
7 And blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy.
8 And blessed are all the pure in heart, for they shall see God.
9 And blessed are all the peacemakers, for they shall be called the children of God. [3 Nephi 12:7–9]
The merciful are those who help or serve others, or those who do good works. Jesus later taught: “Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me” (Matthew 25:40). “For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels; and then he shall reward every man according to his works” (Matthew 16:27).
The pure in heart are those who have clean and good thoughts. Jesus also taught: “A good man out of the good treasure of the heart bringeth forth good things: and an evil man out of the evil treasure bringeth forth evil things” (Matthew 12:35).
The peacemakers are those who have published or taught the gospel of peace. Isaiah proclaimed: “How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that bringeth good tidings, that publisheth peace; that bringeth good tidings of good, that publisheth salvation; that saith unto Zion, Thy God reigneth!” (Isaiah 52:7). The Book of Mormon prophet Abinadi gave this enlightening interpretation.
14 And these are they who have published peace, who have brought good tidings of good, who have published salvation; and said unto Zion: Thy God reigneth!
15 And O how beautiful upon the mountains were their feet!
16 And again, how beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of those that are still publishing peace!
17 And again, how beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of those who shall hereafter publish peace, yea, from this time henceforth and forever!
18 And behold, I say unto you, this is not all. For O how beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that bringeth good tidings, that is the founder of peace, yea, even the Lord, who has redeemed his people; yea, him who has granted salvation unto his people; [Mosiah 15:14–18]
Jesus later warned: “But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment. For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned” (Matthew 12:36–37). Those who disregard these teachings will desire to be obliterated rather than stand in the Lord’s presence (Alma 12:14). Isaiah had given similar testimony of the day the Lord comes: “And they shall go into the holes of the rocks, and into the caves of the earth, for fear of the Lord, and for the glory of his majesty, when he ariseth to shake terribly the earth” (Isaiah 2:19). However none will avoid this experience regardless of how unpleasant it may be (Alma 12:15).
In the words of Samuel the Lamanite, “the resurrection of Christ redeemeth mankind, yea, all mankind, and bringeth them back into the presence of the Lord” (Helaman 14:17). Furthermore, all will acknowledge the justice of the Lord (Alma 12:15). While all have sinned and will have their moments of guilt, those who “have a perfect knowledge of their enjoyment” (2 Nephi 9:14) in knowing that through the Lord’s mercy he has atoned for their sins (Alma 12:15). The Prophet Joseph Smith said of our Heavenly Father, and it is also true of his Son Jesus Christ since he does nothing save that which he has seen his Father do (see John 5:19), “Our heavenly Father is more liberal in His views, and boundless in His mercies and blessings, than we are ready to believe or receive; and, at the same time, is more terrible to the workers of iniquity, more awful in the executions of His punishments, and more to detect every false way, than we are apt to suppose Him to be” (TPJS, 257). His judgments will be merciful and just.
The definition of the second death, or spiritual death, is unique to the Book of Mormon. To “die as to things pertaining unto righteousness” (Alma 12:16) may be suffered partially or fully just as salvation may be obtained fully or partially. A complete second death would be the casting of those into outer darkness as sons of perdition. Those who obtain a terrestrial degree “receive of his glory, but not of his fullness … they receive of the presence of the Son, but not of the fullness of the Father” (D&C 76:76–77). Celestial beings dwell in the presence of God and his Christ forever and ever (D&C 76:62). However, even some in the celestial kingdom may cut themselves off from his righteousness.
1 In the celestial glory there are three heavens or degrees;
2 And in order to obtain the highest, a man must enter into this order of the priesthood [meaning the new and everlasting covenant of marriage];
3 And if he does not, he cannot obtain it.
4 He may enter into the other, but that is the end of his kingdom; he cannot have an increase. [D&C 131:1–4]
The Lord further revealed that “if a man marry him a wife in the world, and he marry her not by me nor by my word … when they are out of the world they neither marry nor are given in marriage; but are appointed angels in heaven, which angels are ministering servants, to minister for those who are worthy of a far more, and an exceeding, and an eternal weight of glory” (D&C 132:16–17).
Those who are cut off will suffer a torment “as a lake of fire and brimstone” (Alma 12:17). However since God is endless and eternal (see D&C 19:10–12), his punishment may be meted out until the person has “paid the uttermost farthing” (Matthew 5:26; or “senine” (3 Nephi 12:26). Then he may receive the degree of glory for which he has prepared himself. Alma the younger is a good example of endless and eternal punishment while on earth (see Mosiah 27:28–29). The same principle is applicable to the final judgment. Those who are “chained down to an everlasting destruction, according to the power and captivity of Satan” (Alma 12:17), and “cannot be redeemed according to God’s justice, and they cannot die” (v. 18) are apparently the sons of perdition.