Seminary
Alma 42, Part 2: “Mercy Claimeth the Penitent”

“Alma 42, Part 2: ‘Mercy Claimeth the Penitent,’” Book of Mormon Teacher Manual (2024)

“Alma 42, Part 2,” Book of Mormon Teacher Manual

Alma 42, Part 2

“Mercy Claimeth the Penitent”

painting of Jesus Christ extending a merciful hand

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.

Invite learners to testify of Jesus Christ. Learners’ hearts will change as they move from simply talking about Jesus Christ to testifying of Him as their personal Redeemer they have come to know, love, and trust. Look for effective ways to invite students to share their testimonies of Jesus Christ with one another.

Student preparation: Invite students to find an example in the scriptures of a person or group of people who demonstrated sincere repentance.

Possible Learning Activities

The law inflicts the punishment

The following is intended to help you assess students’ understanding of God’s justice and mercy. As needed, review the definitions of justice and mercy from the lesson “Alma 42, Part 1.”

  • 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.

Students may benefit from discussing various laws in society, how society benefits when the law is upheld, and why it is important to have consequences for breaking the law. This can prepare students to read Alma 42:17–21.

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).

  • What did you learn about law in Heavenly Father’s plan?

Draw scales similar to the following on the board. Consider using the drawing to help students understand the relationship between justice, law, and mercy. Encourage students to ask questions throughout the lesson.

As students have questions, it may be helpful to share one or more statements from the “Commentary and Background Information” section.

line drawing of weighing scales

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).

  • 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.

Adjust the labels of the scales on the board according to the following instructions.

Cross out or erase the word sinner from the scales of justice and replace it with Savior.

To help students focus on Jesus Christ and have a meaningful discussion, consider reading some or all of the following scriptures listed in parentheses. Discuss how the suggested passages help answer the questions.

One principle we learn is that if we are truly penitent, we will receive mercy through the Savior’s Atonement.

To understand what it means to be “truly penitent,” students could read some of the scriptures suggested below. They could also recall the student preparation and share examples from the scriptures of individuals who were truly penitent.

Penitent means to be humble and express sorrow for sin (see 2 Corinthians 7:10; 2 Nephi 2:7; Mosiah 4:10)

  • Why do you think only the truly penitent are saved?

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.

  • 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).

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.

Consider inviting students to walk around the room and explain to various classmates the role of the Atonement of Jesus Christ in Heavenly Father’s plan. Encourage them to discuss justice and mercy, the importance of being truly penitent, and how Jesus Christ makes mercy possible.

Another option is to refer back to the scenarios used at the beginning of the lesson “Alma 42, Part 1.” Invite students to respond to those scenarios using what they learned in their study of Alma 42.

Share your testimony of the mercy and redemption available through Jesus Christ and His Atonement.