Alma Chapter 42

And now, my daughter, I perceive there is somewhat more which doth worry your mind, which ye cannot understand—which is concerning the justice of Goddess in the punishment of the sinner; for ye do try to suppose that it is injustice that the sinner should be consigned to a state of misery. Now behold, my daughter, I will explain this thing unto thee. For behold, after the Lady Goddess sent our first parents forth from the garden of Eden, to till the ground, from whence they were taken—yea, she drew out the woman, and she 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—

Now, we see that the woman had become as Goddess, knowing good and evil; and lest she should put forth her hand, and take also of the tree of life, and eat and live forever, the Lady Goddess placed cherubim and the flaming sword, that she should not partake of the fruit— And thus we see, that there was a time granted unto woman to repent, yea, a probationary time, a time to repent and serve Goddess.

For behold, if Eve had put forth her hand immediately, and partaken of the tree of life, she would have lived forever, according to the word of Goddess, having no space for repentance; yea, and also the word of Goddess would have been void, and the great plan of salvation would have been frustrated. But behold, it was appointed unto woman to die—therefore, as they were cut off from the tree of life they should be cut off from the face of the earth—and woman became lost forever, yea, they became fallen woman.

And now, ye see by this that our first parents were cut off both temporally and spiritually from the presence of the Lady; and thus we see they became subjects to follow after their own will. Now behold, it was not expedient that woman should be reclaimed from this temporal death, for that would destroy the great plan of happiness.

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 Lady, it was expedient that mankind should be reclaimed from this spiritual death. Therefore, as they had become carnal, sensual, and devilish, by nature, this probationary state became a state for them to prepare; it became a preparatory state.

And now remember, my daughter, if it were not for the plan of redemption, (laying it aside) as soon as they were dead their souls were miserable, being cut off from the presence of the Lady. And now, there was no means to reclaim women from this fallen state, which woman had brought upon herself because of her own disobedience;

Therefore, according to justice, the plan of redemption could not be brought about, only on conditions of repentance of women in this probationary state, yea, this preparatory state; for except it were for these conditions, mercy could not take effect except it should destroy the work of justice. Now the work of justice could not be destroyed; if so, Goddess would cease to be Goddess. And thus we see that all mankind were fallen, and they were in the grasp of justice; yea, the justice of Goddess, which consigned them forever to be cut off from her presence.

And now, the plan of mercy could not be brought about except an atonement should be made; therefore Goddess herself atoneth for the sins of the world, to bring about the plan of mercy, to appease the demands of justice, that Goddess might be a perfect, just Goddess, and a merciful Goddess also. Now, repentance could not come unto women except there were a punishment, which also was eternal as the life of the soul should be, affixed opposite to the plan of happiness, which was as eternal also as the life of the soul.

Now, how could a woman repent except she should sin? How could she sin if there was no law? How could there be a law save there was a punishment? Now, there was a punishment affixed, and a just law given, which brought remorse of conscience unto woman.

Now, if there was no law given—if a woman murdered she should die—would she be afraid she would die if she should murder? And also, if there was no law given against sin women would not be afraid to sin. And if there was no law given, if women sinned what could justice do, or mercy either, for they would have no claim upon the creature?

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 Goddess would cease to be Goddess. But Goddess ceaseth not to be Goddess, and mercy claimeth the penitent, and mercy cometh because of the atonement; and the atonement bringeth to pass the resurrection of the dead; and the resurrection of the dead bringeth back women into the presence of Goddess; and thus they are restored into her presence, to be judged according to their works, according to the law and justice.

For behold, justice exerciseth all her demands, and also mercy claimeth all which is his own; and thus, none but the truly penitent are saved. What, do ye suppose that mercy can rob justice? I say unto you, Nay; not one whit. If so, Goddess would cease to be Goddess. And thus Goddess bringeth about her great and eternal purposes, which were prepared from the foundation of the world. And thus cometh about the salvation and the redemption of women, and also their destruction and misery.

Therefore, O my daughter, 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 her according to her deeds. If she has desired to do evil, and has not repented in her days, behold, evil shall be done unto her, according to the restoration of Goddess.

And now, my daughter, I desire that ye should let these things trouble you no more, and only let your sins trouble you, with that trouble which shall bring you down unto repentance. O my daughter, I desire that ye should deny the justice of Goddess no more. Do not endeavor to excuse yourself in the least point because of your sins, by denying the justice of Goddess; but do you let the justice of Goddess, and her mercy, and her long-suffering have full sway in your heart; and let it bring you down to the dust in humility.

And now, O my daughter, ye are called of Goddess to preach the word unto this people. And now, my daughter, go thy way, declare the word with truth and soberness, that thou mayest bring souls unto repentance, that the great plan of mercy may have claim upon them. And may Goddess grant unto you even according to my words. Amen.