In a recent post I asked this question and pointed out that in Alma 12:9-11, each element is presented in contrast to an opposing element, except for the eternal consequence of rejecting the word. I hinted that this is one of the mysteries of God.
In this post, I'll be outlining other passages which present the same contrast between the fate of the righteous and the fate of the wicked. By doing so, my hope is to spell out the blessings of receiving the word with a heart that is not hardened.
What is the opposite of being "led ... down to destruction"?
Intuitively, the opposite of being led down to destruction is to be led up to salvation. The idea that we are led one way or the other fits nicely with this interpretation of Lehi's tree of life dream.
"The resurrection of everlasting life"
4 And even unto the great and last day, when all people, and all kindreds, and all nations and tongues shall stand before God, to be judged of their works, whether they be good or whether they be evil—
5 If they be good, to the resurrection of everlasting life; and if they be evil, to the resurrection of damnation; being on a parallel, the one on the one hand and the other on the other hand, according to the mercy, and the justice, and the holiness which is in Christ, who was before the world began. (3 Nephi 26)
"The greater things shall be made manifest unto them"
8 And these things have I written, which are a lesser part of the things which he taught the people; and I have written them to the intent that they may be brought again unto this people, from the Gentiles, according to the words which Jesus hath spoken.
9 And when they shall have received this, which is expedient that they should have first, to try their faith, and if it shall so be that they shall believe these things then shall the greater things be made manifest unto them.
10 And if it so be that they will not believe these things, then shall the greater things be withheld from them, unto their condemnation. (3 Nephi 26)
A reader offered these four passages as examples of what the Book of Mormon teaches us about the contrast between the fate of the wicked and righteous:
"Dwell with God in a state of never-ending happiness"
38 Therefore if that man repenteth not, and remaineth and dieth an enemy to God, the demands of divine justice do awaken his immortal soul to a lively sense of his own guilt, which doth cause him to shrink from the presence of the Lord, and doth fill his breast with guilt, and pain, and anguish, which is like an unquenchable fire, whose flame ascendeth up forever and ever.
39 And now I say unto you, that mercy hath no claim on that man; therefore his final doom is to endure a never-ending torment.
40 O, all ye old men, and also ye young men, and you little children who can understand my words, for I have spoken plainly unto you that ye might understand, I pray that ye should awake to a remembrance of the awful situation of those that have fallen into transgression.
41 And moreover, I would desire that ye should consider on the blessed and happy state of those that keep the commandments of God. For behold, they are blessed in all things, both temporal and spiritual; and if they hold out faithful to the end they are received into heaven, that thereby they may dwell with God in a state of never-ending happiness. O remember, remember that these things are true; for the Lord God hath spoken it. (Mosiah 2)
"Have that which is good restored unto you"
30 And now remember, remember, my brethren, that whosoever perisheth, perisheth unto himself; and whosoever doeth iniquity, doeth it unto himself; for behold, ye are free; ye are permitted to act for yourselves; for behold, God hath given unto you a knowledge and he hath made you free.
31 He hath given unto you that ye might know good from evil, and he hath given unto you that ye might choose life or death; and ye can do good and be restored unto that which is good, or have that which is good restored unto you; or ye can do evil, and have that which is evil restored unto you. (Helaman 14)
"Peace and life eternal"
7 For the time cometh, saith the Lamb of God, that I will work a great and a marvelous work among the children of men; a work which shall be everlasting, either on the one hand or on the other—either to the convincing of them unto peace and life eternal, or unto the deliverance of them to the hardness of their hearts and the blindness of their minds unto their being brought down into captivity, and also into destruction, both temporally and spiritually, according to the captivity of the devil, of which I have spoken. (1 Nephi 14)
"Dwell at the right hand of God, in a state of never-ending happiness"
11 And the bodies of many thousands are laid low in the earth, while the bodies of many thousands are moldering in heaps upon the face of the earth; yea, and many thousands are mourning for the loss of their kindred, because they have reason to fear, according to the promises of the Lord, that they are consigned to a state of endless wo.
12 While many thousands of others truly mourn for the loss of their kindred, yet they rejoice and exult in the hope, and even know, according to the promises of the Lord, that they are raised to dwell at the right hand of God, in a state of never-ending happiness.
13 And thus we see how great the inequality of man is because of sin and transgression, and the power of the devil, which comes by the cunning plans which he hath devised to ensnare the hearts of men.
14 And thus we see the great call of diligence of men to labor in the vineyards of the Lord; and thus we see the great reason of sorrow, and also of rejoicing—sorrow because of death and destruction among men, and joy because of the light of Christ unto life. (Alma 28)
Summary
To recap, here are the descriptions of the reward
- "The resurrection of everlasting life"
- "The greater things shall be made manifest unto them"
- "Dwell with God in a state of never-ending happiness"
- "Have that which is good restored unto you"
- "Peace and life eternal"
- "Dwell at the right hand of God, in a state of never-ending happiness"
I find it very interesting how often the eternal reward (in green in the passages above) is directly contrasted with its alternative (in red above).
Lehi's dream
Getting back to elements from Lehi's dream, we see contrasting elements in the paths leading to each of two destinations: We can enter in at the strait, narrow gate being led by the iron rod which runs along the river of living water (implying a gain in altitude as we travel), until we reach the tree of life (presumably on Mount Zion). Alternatively, we can choose the broad road which takes us down to the gulf of filthy water and then to the great and spacious building, which stands upon no foundation at all. It's powerful imagery.
Being led to Zion along the covenant path leads us to this promise:
...I am Messiah, the King of Zion, the Rock of Heaven, which is broad as eternity; whoso cometh in at the gate and climbeth up by me shall never fall; wherefore, blessed are they of whom I have spoken, for they shall come forth with songs of everlasting joy. (Moses 7:53)