Repentance & The Doctrine of The Atonement

Alma’s son Corianton received from his father one of the best discourses on the doctrine of the atonement ever given. This came after having found himself entangled in sin while a missionary. Alma detailed the delicate balance between mercy, justice and law, showing how everyone can come unto Christ and have their sins remitted. If one allows Christ’s atonement to take root in them, their sins (no matter how scarlet) can become as wool.

Alma Calls His Son Corianton to Repentance

• Alma 39:2-9 – Alma’s son Corianton reprimanded for his sexual sins with the harlot, as well as his lack of humility. His lack of a broken heart and contrite spirit were the core of the problem.
• 3 Nephi 12:30 – What it means to “cross yourself” (words of Jesus)
• Alma 39:11-15 – Corianton’s bad example was a stumbling block for the Zoramites. They were unwilling to believe his words because of his conduct. Alma sends him back to the people to confess his sins and let the people know it was wrong. He prepares Corianton to better understand the doctrine of the atonement.

The Purpose of Jesus’s Suffering

• Alma 7:11-13 – Jesus suffered according to the flesh so that he might know how to help each person through repentance.
• Mosiah 3:7-8 – Details regarding Christ’s suffering. “And lo, he shall suffer temptations, and pain of body, hunger, thirst, and fatigue, even more than man can suffer, except it be unto death; for behold, blood cometh from every pore, so great shall be his anguish for the wickedness and the abominations of his people.”
• Mormon 9:6 – “O then ye unbelieving, turn ye unto the Lord; cry mightily unto the Father in the name of Jesus, that perhaps ye may be found spotless, pure, fair, and white, having been cleansed by the blood of the Lamb, at that great and last day.”
• Helaman 5:9-11 –
• Alma 21:9-10 –

The Doctrine of the Atonement

• Alma 39:15-16 –
• Alma 42:29-31 – Corianton is taught the justice part within the doctrine of the atonement, and commanded “deny the justice of God no more. Do not endeavor to excuse yourself in the least point because of your sins, by denying the justice of God; but do you let the justice of God, and his mercy, and his long-suffering have full sway in your heart; and let it bring you down to the dust in humility.”
• Alma 40:1 – Alma gives a discourse on restoration, resurrection, justice, mercy and the atoning power of Jesus Christ.
• Alma 12:9-11 – Alma describes the chains of hell. “It is given unto many to know the mysteries of God; nevertheless they are laid under a strict command that they shall not impart only according to the portion of his word which he doth grant unto the children of men, according to the heed and diligence which they give unto him. And therefore, he that will harden his heart, the same receiveth the lesser portion of the word, and he that will not harden his heart, to him is given the greater portion of the word, until it is given unto him to know the mysteries of God until he know them in full. And they that will harden their hearts, to them is given the lesser portion of the word until they know nothing concerning his mysteries, and then they are taken captive by the devil, and led by his will down to destruction. Now this is what is meant by the chains of hell.”
• Alma 13:3 –