Alma 42

Tree of Life

Now behold, my son, I will explain this thing unto thee. For behold, after the Lord God sent our first parents forth from the garden of Eden, to till the ground, from whence they were taken—yea, he drew out the man, and he placed at the east end of the garden of Eden, cherubim, and a flaming sword which turned every way, to keep the tree of life— Alma 42:2–5

The tree of life, guarded after the Fall, stands for the love of God shown in Christ and the eternal life He gives. Adam could not reach it right away; mankind needed a time to repent and a Redeemer to open the way back.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him

• interpreted by 1 Nephi 11:21-25 — The tree is the love of God, shown to Nephi through the Lamb of God, the Son of the Eternal Father.
• interpreted by Alma 33:22-23 — The seed that grows into a tree springing up to everlasting life is faith in the Son of God.

Jehovah

Jehovah — the premortal Christ

Now behold, my son, I will explain this thing unto thee. For behold, after the Lord God sent our first parents forth from the garden of Eden, to till the ground, from whence they were taken—yea, he drew out the man, and he placed at the east end of the garden of Eden, cherubim, and a flaming sword which turned every way, to keep the tree of life— Alma 42:2–3

The Lord God who sends Adam and Eve out of Eden is Jehovah working under the Father's direction. The same Lord who guards the way back is the one who later opens it.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him

• alludes to Genesis 3:22-24 — The Genesis account of cherubim and a flaming sword guarding the tree of life.
• a parallel account in Moses 4:28-31 — The restored account of the expulsion from the garden.

Plan of Redemption

Therefore, as the soul could never die, and the fall had brought upon all mankind a spiritual death as well as a temporal, that is, they were cut off from the presence of the Lord, it was expedient that mankind should be reclaimed from this spiritual death. Alma 42:9–13

Fallen people could never bring themselves back to God. The plan of redemption, centered on Christ's Atonement, is the only way to reclaim them, and it works on the condition of repentance.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him

• the same title in Alma 34:9 — Amulek: without an atonement all mankind must unavoidably perish.
• the same title in 2 Nephi 9:7-9 — Jacob: without an infinite atonement mankind would be subject to the devil forever.

God himself atones

And now, the plan of mercy could not be brought about except an atonement should be made; therefore God himself atoneth for the sins of the world, to bring about the plan of mercy, to appease the demands of justice, that God might be a perfect, just God, and a merciful God also. Alma 42:15

The God who atones for the sins of the world is Jesus Christ, the God of Israel come down among men. His Atonement satisfies justice so that mercy can reach us, and God stays both perfectly just and perfectly merciful.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him · a footnote points to Him · a Church study aid lists it

• the same title in Mosiah 13:28 — Abinadi: God himself should make an atonement for the sins and iniquities of his people.
• interprets Mosiah 15:1 — God himself shall come down among the children of men and redeem his people.
• the same title in Alma 34:15-16 — Mercy can satisfy the demands of justice through the great and last sacrifice.
• the same title in 2 Nephi 2:7 — The Messiah offers himself a sacrifice to answer the ends of the law.

Atonement — mercy and justice

But there is a law given, and a punishment affixed, and a repentance granted; which repentance, mercy claimeth; otherwise, justice claimeth the creature and executeth the law, and the law inflicteth the punishment; if not so, the works of justice would be destroyed, and God would cease to be God. Alma 42:22–25

Christ's Atonement is why mercy can claim the repentant, why everyone will be resurrected, and why all return to God's presence to be judged. Mercy does not rob justice, because the Savior has paid what justice demands.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him · a footnote points to Him · a Church study aid lists it

• the same title in Helaman 14:15-17 — Samuel: His death brings to pass the resurrection, which redeems mankind and brings them back into the presence of the Lord.
• the same title in 2 Nephi 9:22 — He suffers so that the resurrection might pass upon all men and all stand before him.
• the same title in Alma 34:15-16 — Mercy satisfies the demands of justice and encircles the penitent in the arms of safety.

Redemption prepared from the foundation of the world

And thus God bringeth about his great and eternal purposes, which were prepared from the foundation of the world. And thus cometh about the salvation and the redemption of men, and also their destruction and misery. Alma 42:26

The redemption Alma describes was planned before the world was made, with Christ chosen from the beginning as the Redeemer.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him

• alludes to Mosiah 4:6-7 — King Benjamin: the atonement which has been prepared from the foundation of the world.
• alludes to Mosiah 18:13 — Christ, who was prepared from the foundation of the world.
• alludes to Revelation 13:8 — The Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.

Waters of Life

Therefore, O my son, whosoever will come may come and partake of the waters of life freely; and whosoever will not come the same is not compelled to come; but in the last day it shall be restored unto him according to his deeds. Alma 42:27

The waters of life stand for Christ and the eternal life He gives freely to everyone who chooses to come. No one is forced, and no one is turned away.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him

• alludes to Revelation 22:17 — Whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.
• the same title in Alma 5:34 — Christ's invitation: come unto me and ye shall partake of the fruit of the tree of life... and the waters of life freely.
• alludes to John 4:14 — Jesus: the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life.
• interpreted by 1 Nephi 11:25 — The fountain of living waters is a representation of the love of God.