Alma concludes with a plea for his son to accept the plan of happiness and repent, but he acknowledges his agency (v. 27). As Alma said earlier, “the plan of restoration is requisite with the justice of God” (Alma 41:2). He repeats the same concept to Corianton here (Alma 42:27–28).
It is reported that Mark Twain, the well-known author, was asked: “Which of all the scriptures bother you the most?” Twain replied: “The ones I understand” (source unknown). Alma’s plea to Corianton is similar; let your sins bring you to repentance (v. 29). Corianton had been following the path of rationalization to justify his behavior (v. 30). How common is that practice, and how common it has always been. Humility is the opposite of pride. As Jacob, son of Lehi, said years before: “let not this pride of your hearts destroy your souls” (Jacob 2:16). The Lord has warned this dispensation: “beware of pride, lest ye become as the Nephites of old” (D&C 38:39). Alma asked the people of Zarahemla: “could you say, if ye were called to die at this time, within yourselves, that ye have been sufficiently humble” (Alma 5:27). As King Benjamin advised: may we humble ourselves “even in the depths of humility, calling on the name of the Lord daily” (Mosiah 4:11).
Alma calls his son to go on another mission (Alma 42:31). We do not know how long it had been since his following after Isabel, but he must have been somewhat repentant. He did serve the mission, and was apparently successful (Alma 49:30). He would have been given the records to keep had he been available (Alma 63:10). We rejoice with the Lord in his repentance (see D&C 18:13).