The Laws of Justice and Mercy

Church Educational System
Alma 42 contains some important teachings on the justice and mercy of God. Justice can be simply defined as God’s unalterable decree that sin and righteousness bring their own consequences. One aspect of God’s nature is perfect justice. He “cannot look upon sin with the least degree of allowance” (D&C 1:31). In spite of his perfect love, God cannot ignore man’s sinful state. Justice requires a punishment for every violation to God’s law. However, God is not only just; he is also merciful.

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).

Book of Mormon Student Manual (1996 Edition)

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