The doctrine of restoration was introduced in Alma 40:22-23. In verse 1 of this chapter, Alma indicates that he is presenting this information because “some have wrested the scriptures, and have gone far astray because of this thing.” It was also a topic that concerned Corianton, and by implication, it was one of the ideas that had caused him to go astray. It should be reiterated that we must remember that this is a different use of the term restoration than what we typically hear. This is not the restoration of the gospel, but rather the restoration of the immortalized body and the deeds of mortality to the eternal soul.
In verse 2, Alma sets the stage for the discussion. Restoration is “requisite with the justice of God.” It is requisite, or required, by justice. In the first part of the argument, Alma begins with the restoration of the body to the spirit. This is the physical resurrection, where the spirit again becomes flesh, with all of aspects of the mortal body restored to the soul after the resurrection. They are restored, hence the doctrine of restoration.