Mortality is a probationary time to enable man to repent and serve God—The Fall brought temporal and spiritual death upon all mankind—Redemption comes through repentance—God Himself atones for the sins of the world—Mercy is for those who repent—All others are subject to God’s justice—Mercy comes because of the Atonement—Only the truly penitent are saved.
"Therefore, according to justice, the plan of redemption could not be brought about, only on conditions of repentance of men 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, God would cease to be God."
Why Is This Life a “Probationary State”?
Alma teaches that mortality is a probationary and preparatory state because it is the only arena where justice and mercy can both operate without God ceasing to be God. In this life, we are given space, agency, and time to repent—conditions without which the plan of redemption could not function.
Below is a dissection of the verse, followed by the cross‑reference words, and their principles to those cross-reference words.
1. What Makes This Life “Probationary”?
Alma’s logic is simple, but profound:
1.1 We live in a fallen world that requires
preparation.
Fall of Adam and Eve placed all of us in a condition where we must learn, choose, and change. Because of Adam and Eve’s transgression, sin and death came into the world. Mortality becomes a workshop of the soul—where we discover our need for God and our capacity to turn toward Him.
1.2 Justice demands consequences; mercy
demands space.
2 Nephi 2:21 — “…their state became a state of probation, and their time was lengthened, that they might repent while in the flesh.”
If justice immediately executed its demands, we would have no room to grow.
If mercy erased justice, God’s laws would collapse.
So God grants us time—a probationary state—where we can repent without destroying justice.
1.3 Repentance is only possible in a world of
agency, law, and consequence.
2 Nephi 2:13 — "…if there is no law there is no sin; and if there is no sin there is no righteousness; and if there is no righteousness there is no happiness.”
We repent because we can choose.
We choose because there is law.
There is law because justice is real.
And mercy can only claim us when we willingly turn.
1.4 Mortality is the only place where all
these conditions coexist.
2 Nephi 2:26 — “…to act for themselves and not to be acted upon…”
This life is the arena where we learn to act, not be acted upon.
It is where we discover who we truly want to become.
It is where we choose our Shepherd.
2. Dissecting Alma 42:13 Phrase by Phrase
“According to justice, the plan of redemption could not be brought about…”
Justice is not optional. It is the structure of reality. Without justice, there is no order, no law, no accountability, no meaning.
“…only on conditions of repentance…”
Repentance is the hinge that allows mercy to operate without violating justice.
Repentance is not punishment—it is permission.
It is the condition that opens the door for Christ’s atonement to apply to us.
“…in this probationary state, yea, this preparatory state…”
Mortality is not random. It is designed.
We are here to prepare—line upon line, choice upon choice.
“…for except it were for these conditions, mercy could not take effect…”
Mercy is not automatic.
It is covenantal.
It flows to those who turn, seek, and yield.
“…except it should destroy the work of justice.”
If mercy erased justice, God’s laws would collapse.
There would be no right or wrong, no accountability, no holiness.
“Now the work of justice could not be destroyed; if so, God would cease to be God.”
This is the doctrinal anchor:
God’s nature is perfectly just and perfectly merciful.
If either attribute were compromised, He would no longer be God.
This is why mortality must be probationary.
It is the only way for God to remain God while still saving us.
3. Cross‑Reference:
“Plan” » Salvation, Plan of
(From the Topical Guide)
The plan is God’s eternal design to bring us home.
Key themes include:
• Salvation through Christ
▪︎ "redemption cometh in and through
the Holy Messiah", 2 Ne. 2:6.
• Resurrection and immortality
▪︎ "through the redemption … is brought to
pass the resurrection", D&C 88:14.
• Agency and accountability
▪︎ "redemption cometh on all them that
have no law", Moro. 8:22.
• Eternal life as God’s work and glory
▪︎ "by his own blood he … obtained
eternal redemption", Heb. 9:12.
• Our proving and preparation in mortality
▪︎ "there was a plan of redemption laid",
Alma 12:25 (22:13).
4. Cross‑Reference: “Redemption”
Principles of Redemption
A. A Principle in Itself:
(From the Topical Guide)
Redemption is God’s act of reclaiming us from the Fall and from our own sins.
It is rooted in:
• The Holy Messiah
▪︎ "if Christ had not come … could have been
no redemption", Mosiah 16:6.
• His Blood
▪︎ "we have redemption through his blood",
• His resurrection
▪︎ "awaiting … redemption from the bands of
death", D&C 138:16.
• His intercession
▪︎ "he hath brought to pass the redemption",
Redemption restores what was lost and opens the way back to God.
B. A Principle of Redemption:
(From the Topical Guide)
Repentance is the condition that allows redemption to be applied to us.
It includes:
• Turning from sin
▪︎ "put away the evil of your doings … cease
to do evil", Isa. 1:16.
• Yielding our hearts
▪︎ "repenteth in the sincerity of his heart",
• Exercising faith in Christ
▪︎ "he that repenteth and exerciseth faith",
• Receiving forgiveness through His merits
▪︎ "he who has repented of his sins, the
same is forgiven", D&C 58:42.
Without repentance, redemption cannot operate (Alma 42:13).
5. Cross‑Reference:
“Cease” » 2 Nephi 2:13–14
These verses explain why God cannot cease to be God:
• If there were no law » no sin
“If ye shall say there is no law, ye shall
also say there is no sin.”
• If no sin » no righteousness
“…if ye shall say there is no sin, ye shall
also say there is no righteousness.”
• If no righteousness » no happiness
“And if there be no righteousness there
be no happiness.”
• If no happiness » no punishment
“And if there be no righteousness nor
happiness there be no punishment nor
misery.”
• If none of these exist » there is no God
“And if these things are not there is no
God.”
• And if no God » we are not
“…if there is no God we are not, for there
could have been no creation of things.”
This is the doctrinal backbone behind Alma 42:13.
6. Bringing It All Together
When we ask, “Why is this life a 'probationary' state?”, Alma answers:
Because God’s justice and God’s mercy both require it.
Because we need space to turn, learn, and become.
Because without this life, the plan of redemption could not function.
Because God refuses to save us without our consent.
Because He honors our agency enough to let us choose our destiny.
Mortality is not a test we endure—it is a gift we inhabit.
It is the sacred ground where we learn to walk toward God.
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