“Alma 42, Part 2: ‘Mercy Claimeth the Penitent,’” Book of Mormon Student Manual (2024)
“Alma 42, Part 2,” Book of Mormon Student Manual
Alma 42, Part 2
“Mercy Claimeth the Penitent”
To help his son Corianton repent, Alma taught him about God’s justice and mercy and how “none but the truly penitent are saved” (Alma 42:24). When we understand Heavenly Father’s plan of mercy, we are inclined to repent. This lesson can help you understand how the Atonement of Jesus Christ allows you to receive the mercy promised in Heavenly Father’s plan.
The law inflicts the punishment
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What are some circumstances in which justice is desirable? What about mercy?
We are all blessed because Heavenly Father is both just and merciful. Because of Heavenly Father’s plan, we will all be brought back into the presence of God to be judged (see Alma 42:23). In his sinful state, Corianton was not prepared for judgment. Alma hoped that teaching him about Heavenly Father’s plan would lead Corianton to repent and serve God. As you study Alma 42, look for what Alma taught Corianton he could do to receive God’s mercy.
Just as laws play an important role in society, laws are an essential part of Heavenly Father’s plan.
Read Alma 42:17–21, looking for some of the purposes of law in Heavenly Father’s plan (see also 2 Nephi 2:13).
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What did you learn about law in Heavenly Father’s plan?
Draw scales similar to the following in your study journal.
Label the scales “Justice.”
According to the law of justice we receive consequences for our actions. We receive blessings when we obey the law and punishment when we break the law.
Label one side of the scales “violation of the law” and the other side “punishment borne by the sinner.”
If we violate a law, the scales become unbalanced. Justice requires that the scales be balanced. A payment (or punishment) is required to balance the scales (see Alma 42:22).
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What would happen to us if the scales of justice could be balanced only by our punishment?
The punishment for sin is spiritual death, “being cut off from the presence of the Lord” (Alma 42:11).
Mercy claims those who repent
Because God is “a perfect, just God, and a merciful God also” (Alma 42:15), He prepared a plan so we could receive mercy when we sin.
Read Alma 42:15, 22–25, looking for what Heavenly Father’s plan provided to balance the scales of justice.
Cross out or erase the word sinner from the scales of justice and replace it with Savior.
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Answer the following questions:
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How would you explain the diagram of the scales of justice in your own words?
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What did Jesus Christ do so mercy could be extended? (see Doctrine and Covenants 19:16–19).
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What is required of us to receive the Savior’s mercy? (see Alma 12:32–34; 34:15–16).
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One principle we learn is that if we are truly penitent, we will receive mercy through the Savior’s Atonement.
Penitent means to be humble and express sorrow for sin (see 2 Corinthians 7:10; 2 Nephi 2:7; Mosiah 4:10)
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Answer the following question:
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Why do you think only the truly penitent are saved?
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Imagine you are Corianton and have not yet repented of all your sins. Read Alma 42:26–30, looking for words or phrases that would motivate you to repent.
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What words or phrases might motivate you to repent? Why?
After teaching Corianton about Heavenly Father’s plan (see Alma 40–42), Alma reminded Corianton that he was “called of God to preach the word” to “bring souls unto repentance” (Alma 42:31). Corianton repented of his sins and fulfilled his calling (see Alma 49:30).
Reflect on your need to repent, and think about how you can be truly penitent. Remember that Heavenly Father will forgive you when you repent (see Mosiah 26:30; Isaiah 1:18).
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Complete the following:
Write three or four sentences explaining the role of the Atonement of Jesus Christ in Heavenly Father’s plan. Include the roles of justice and mercy and what we must do to receive mercy. Record any feelings you want to express about the Savior.