Alma pointed out that if it were not for the plan of redemption, justice would, at death, consign men’s souls to a state of eternal misery (see Alma 42:11, 2 Nephi 9:8–9). It was essential that mankind be reclaimed from this spiritual death. So, God, in his infinite mercy, provided a plan of redemption in perfect accord with the law of justice. The Atonement makes it possible for all individuals to repent in this probationary state and be freed from punishment without destroying the works of justice. The conditions for having this merciful payment applied are faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, repentance, baptism, receiving the Holy Ghost, and enduring to the end (see 2 Nephi 31:10–16).
The beauty of the plan of redemption is that it meets the demands of justice through the infinite mercy of a loving Heavenly Father. The plan of redemption makes it possible for God to be merciful and, at the same time, just (see Alma 42:1). If this were not so, “God would cease to be God” (v. 25). To reject God’s act of love is to reject God and expose oneself to “the whole law of the demands of justice” (Alma 34:16). For such persons it is as though there had been no redemption made, and they are then required to suffer for their own sins (see D&C 19:15–18).