What is restored is a quality of life. For the good, good is restored to them, and the result is being “raised to happiness.” Notice that when Alma expands this he uses the phrase “good according to his desires of good.” This is the essential nature of Alma’s doctrine of restoration. We receive reward commensurate with the quality of person we have become in this life. If we are good, we receive the reward of the good. If we are evil, we receive the “reward of evil when the night cometh.”
Implicit in Alma’s argument is that one who is evil cannot receive a reward which is “good.” Just as there is an absolute polar difference between God and the Devil, good and evil, so there is an absolute division in what the restoration may do. Good will be restored to Good, Evil to Evil, and it is impossible for Evil to be “restored” to Evil, for there is no previous connection to Good.
Why is Alma discussing this particular doctrine with Corianton? Remember the nature of Nephite apostasy. When Nehor preached, one of the aspects of his particular apostasy dealt with the nature of the next life:
Alma 1:4
4 And he also testified unto the people that all mankind should be saved at the last day, and that they need not fear nor tremble, but that they might lift up their heads and rejoice; for the Lord had created all men, and had also redeemed all men; and, in the end, all men should have eternal life.
The important phrase is that the Lord has “created all men, and had also redeemed all men; and, in the end, all men should have eternal life.” Nehor’s argument was that because God had created all that God had redeemed all and that all should have eternal life. Alma is explaining this doctrine of restoration precisely because it contradicts one of the typical tenets of Nephite apostasy. For Nehor, one’s actions for good or evil were not significant in the next life. Since God had created us all, he would redeem us all – neither action required any of our participation. For Nehor, “restoring” good for evil was possible. That is the reason that Alma spends this time demonstrating the true understanding of the doctrine of restoration. He is continuing to combat ideas that appear to have taken hold of Corianton’s imagination.