Alma explains to Corianton that restoration does not mean that what is evil will be received into the good, or that a thing will be placed "in a state opposite to its nature." To restore good where once it dwelt, or "bring back again" to man, his desire and his opportunity to live it; to justify him in seeking heavenly rewards or treasures, and to place the Earth in the Celestial glory it once, when first created, was, is the correct meaning of Restoration.
The great lesson of man's bearing to his neighbor was placed before Corianton to impress on him the necessity of being just, merciful, and kind, to all others. Corianton had been enormously provocative in his morals, and to give further reign to his debased nature, he abandoned the mission field and followed after the charms of a harlot. He repented of his sin, and sought to make amends. His father, by using the same qualities as he hoped to find Corianton develop, urged his son "to be merciful unto your brethren; deal justly, judge righteously, and do good continually." In so doing he promised that mercy would be shown unto him again, and that justice would be renewed unto him again; or that he would be forgiven of his sins, and all that was good would be restored again unto what would be a new man. Corianton's reward would be great as was his desires for righteousness. "What you do unto others shall be done unto you," or "What you meet out unto others shall be meeted out again to you." "Bread cast upon the waters shall return unto you again." "Forgive and ye shall be forgiven." These and other familiar sayings express what is meant by restoration when used to relate to the individual. Therefore, if forgiveness comes to one who forgives another, then we may say that he has restored unto him the innocence that was his before a sin was committed; also that when forgiveness is so easy to obtain, then it condemneth the sinner not to obtain it.