Justice and Mercy

In the book of Alma we learn a lot about the relationship between mercy and justice.  We read that the intent of the Savior’s sacrifice was to bring about “the bowels of mercy, which overpowereth justice, and bringeth about means unto men that they may have faith unto repentance” (Alma 34:15).  Alma taught this same thing to his son Corianton: “And thus God himself atoneth for the sins of the world, to bring about the plan of mercy, to appease the demands of justice” (Alma 42:15).  But even though mercy can “overpower” and “appease” justice, we also learn that mercy cannot “rob justice,” no, “not one whit” (Alma 42:25).  Mercy can “satisfy the demands of justice” but that will only happen for those who repent and accept the Savior (Alma 34:16).  “Justice exerciseth all his demands, and also mercy claimeth all which is her own” (Alma 42:44).  It’s interesting that here justice is masculine and mercy is feminine; this perhaps helps us relate mercy to the nurturing characteristics of mothers.  The Savior wants us to come to Him for mercy as we would to our mother, and we must show a willingness to follow His demands.  Ultimately our task is to seek out the mercy of the Savior through repentance so that He can satisfy the demands of justice.  Otherwise we will have to pay the price of justice for our sins.