Interesting that Alma is correcting Corianton on thinking that some part of the plan of salvation was unjust. I had thoughts in Sunday School about how we are unqualified as children to define what is fair because we don’t have full knowledge of all the factors. that’s why we have to rely on parents to make those judgement calls because they have more information. (Not that mortal parents have full information, but they have more full information than children in almost all cases.)
The Final Judgment is not just an evaluation of a sum total of good and evil acts—what we have done. It is an acknowledgment of the final effect of our acts and thoughts—what we have become. It is not enough for anyone just to go through the motions. The commandments, ordinances, and covenants of the gospel are not a list of deposits required to be made in some heavenly account. The gospel of Jesus Christ is a plan that shows us how to become what our Heavenly Father desires us to become.
A parable illustrates this understanding. A wealthy father knew that if he were to bestow his wealth upon a child who had not yet developed the needed wisdom and stature, the inheritance would probably be wasted. The father said to his child:
“All that I have I desire to give you—not only my wealth, but also my position and standing among men. That which I have I can easily give you, but that which I am you must obtain for yourself. You will qualify for your inheritance by learning what I have learned and by living as I have lived. I will give you the laws and principles by which I have acquired my wisdom and stature. Follow my example, mastering as I have mastered, and you will become as I am, and all that I have will be yours.”
This parable parallels the pattern of heaven. The gospel of Jesus Christ promises the incomparable inheritance of eternal life, the fulness of the Father, and reveals the laws and principles by which it can be obtained.” The Challenge to Become (Dallin H. Oaks – October General Conference 2000)
Talking about becoming, Scott Livingston referred to it as a continuum between rebellion and willingness to submit. We keep striving to be more willing to submit.
I had a thought about the parable of the laborers in the vineyard: the reward for the labor is eternal life, how could we expect greater pay than that one coin no matter how much we have done or for how long? Not only that but we just don’t have enough perspective to make any argument about what constitutes “fair” we have to trust that the the Lord knows what is fair and just.
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