Teachings of a father to a son: the great blessings of the resurrection

This week's "Come Follow Me" study covered Alma 39-42. Last week, I wrote a little about Alma's guidance to his sons Helaman and Shiblon. This week, these four chapters are directed to his youngest son, Corianton. The interesting thing is that Alma spends so much more time talking to Corianton but it's because Corianton has made some bad choices and Alma is concerned for his welfare and for the example that Corianton is setting for others. In addition, he knew Corinaton had questions and needed some answers, and he was willing and able to answer, therefore we get to learn more about the mysteries of the resurrection.

Image source: https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/media/image/alma-the-younger-corianton-dd65baa?lang=eng

The sin Corianton committed was visiting with the harlot Isabel. (Alma 39:3-4). Alma says to Corianton in Alma 39:11, "... Behold, O my son, how great iniquity ye brought upon the Zoramites; for when they saw your conduct they would not believe in my words." 

How many times have you personally, or seen a parent scold an eldest child for doing something that you knew all the younger children would immediately follow and do? Corianton was the youngest son but the eyes of those around him were watching him. Alma knew these consequences personally because from the day of his repentance, he and the sons of Mosiah sought undo the damage they had done preaching against God in their younger years.

I take what I know about the resurrection for granted because I've been taught from and learning from these scriptures for my entire life. However, I tried to read this from the perspective from one who is learning from the first time. Through those eyes, Alma 41:5 really stood out to me, "For as he has desired to do evil all the day long even so shall ye have his reward of evil when the night cometh." In other words, when we are resurrected, we bring with us the spiritual baggage that we wrought. "... the meaning of the word restoration is to bring back again evil for evil, or carnal for carnal, or devilish for devilish - good for that which is good; righteous for that which is righteous; just for that which is just; merciful for that which is merciful." (Alma 41:13). Or, "what which ye do send out shall return unto you again, and be restored." (Alma 41:15). 

Image source: https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/media/image/alma-the-younger-corianton-3e725dd?lang=eng

There are many martyrs in the scriptures, those that have died while holding firmly to their belief in Heavenly Father and the commandments to repent shared by the prophets of those times. I am reassured that though their lives ended in a way that caused great mourning to those who loved them, they will be restored and rewarded for their faith. I am also reassured when I read Alma 42:23, "But God ceaseth not to be God, and mercy claimeth the penitent," that our Father in Heaven loves us SO MUCH, and that he sends prophets, and that these ancient records have been preserved so that we can remember and we can return to him. If our repentance is sincere, our God is merciful and full of love. Corianton went on to repent and to heed Alma's guidance, to "declare these tidings unto this people, to prepare their minds ... that they may prepare the minds of their children to hear the word at the time of his coming." (Alma 39:16).