Alma 41

(All of my own thoughts are in red type 8/20 Green 5/21 orange 8/22 Brown 9/23)

CHAPTER 41

In the Resurrection men come forth to a state of endless happiness or endless misery—Wickedness never was happiness—Carnal men are without God in the world—Every person receives again in the Restoration the characteristics and attributes acquired in mortality. About 74 B.C.

  1 And now, my son, I have somewhat to say concerning the restoration of which has been spoken; for behold, some have wrested the scriptures, and have gone far astray because of this thing. We need to always be careful of "wresting" the scriptures. Wresting: To give an inaccurate view of by representing falsely or misleadingly. This can be intentional, or just the product of false traditions. And I perceive that thy mind has been worried also like his brother? concerning this thing. But behold, I will explain it unto thee.
  2 I say unto thee, my son, that the plan of restoration is requisite with the justice of God; for it is requisite that all things should be restored to their proper order. Inferring that they have gotten "out of order" and need to be restored... Behold, it is requisite and just, according to the power and resurrection of Christ, that the soul of man should be restored to its body, and that every part of the body should be restored to itself. The soul is restored to the body and the body to itself. Probably because the body has decomposed into matter (not it's "proper order")  and the spirit has stayed whole.
  3 And it is requisite with the justice of God that men should be judged according to their works; and if their works were good in this life, and the desires of their hearts were good, that they should also, at the last day, be restored unto that which is good. As one really takes an honest inventory of self, we must really look at our 'works' as evidence of our true desires. Now, I believe that there are "degrees" of desire, just as there are "degrees" of faith. You can have a desire, but it can be not that strong. And you can have a desire that is all consuming that drives you to greater 'works' and action. Neal Maxwell gives a great talk about "Educating our desires" that is worth a listen. 

(Video: "According to the Desires of our Hearts") 

  4 And if their works are evil they shall be restored unto them for evil. 
Therefore, all things shall be restored to their proper order, every thing to its natural frame—mortality raised to immortality, corruption to incorruption—raised to endless happiness to inherit the kingdom of God, or to endless misery to inherit the kingdom of the devil, the one on one hand, the other on the other—
  5 The one raised to happiness according to his desires of happiness, or good according to his desires of good; and the other to evil according to his desires of evil; for as he has desired to do evil all the day long even so shall he have his reward of evil when the night cometh.
  6 And so it is on the other hand. If he hath repented of his sins, and desired righteousness until the end of his days, even so he shall be rewarded unto righteousness. This is my desire! Notice, if you desire righteousness, then you repent when you fall. This is the "fruit meet for repentance" that you bring. You desire to change and turn and you do.
  7 These are they that are redeemed of the Lord; yea, these are they that are taken out, call out:) that are delivered from that endless night of darkness; and thus they stand or fall; for behold, they are their own judges, whether to do good or do evil. I love this...we are our own judges...
  8 Now, the decrees of God are unalterable; therefore, the way is prepared that whosoever will may walk therein and be saved. "whosoever will" sounds like it has much to do with desire...and agency
  9 And now behold, my son, do not risk one more offense against your God upon those points of doctrine, which ye have hitherto risked to commit sin. Has he been "wresting" the scriptures?
 10 Do not suppose, because it has been spoken concerning restoration, that ye shall be restored from sin to happiness. Behold, I say unto you, wickedness never was happiness. PUT THIS ON YOUR MIRROR
 11 And now, my son, all men that are in a state of nature, or I would say, in a carnal state, are in the gall of bitterness and in the bonds of iniquity; they are without God in the world, and they have gone contrary to the nature of God; therefore, they are in a state contrary to the nature of happiness. Our natural state is without God because God cannot dwell in an unclean vessel. Therefore, we can never truly be happy until the "kingdom of God is within".
 12 And now behold, is the meaning of the word restoration to take a thing of a natural state and place it in an unnatural state, or to place it in a state opposite to its nature?
 13 O, my son, this is not the case; but the meaning of the word restoration is to bring back again evil for evil, or carnal for carnal, or devilish for devilish—good for that which is good; righteous for that which is righteous; just for that which is just; merciful for that which is merciful.
 14 Therefore, my son, see that you are merciful unto your brethren; deal justly, judge righteously, and do good continually; and if ye do all these things then shall ye receive your reward; yea, ye shall have mercy restored unto you again; ye shall have justice restored unto you again; ye shall have a righteous judgment restored unto you again; and ye shall have good rewarded unto you again. This is why we never need fear doing good. Even if it comes at a sacrifice, it will all be restored. It may not be immediate, but it will all be restored, for sure at the "last day" when it is needed most.
 15 For that which ye do send out shall return unto you again, and be restored; therefore, the word restoration more fully condemneth the sinner, and justifieth him not at all. This is such an important doctrine! Notice it says we are to judge - 'righteously' though...