"All mankind were fallen, and they were in the grasp of justice; yea, the justice of God which consigned them for ever to be cut off from his presence. And now the plan of mercy could not be brought about, except an atonement should be made; therefore God himself atoneth for the sins of the world to bring about the plan of mercy, to appease the demands of justice, that God might be a perfect, just God, and a merciful God also. * * * But there is a law given, and a punishment affixed, and a repentance granted; which repentance, mercy claimeth: otherwise justice claimeth the creature, and executeth the law, and the law inflicteth the punishment; if not so, the works of justice would be destroyed, and God would cease to be God. But God ceaseth not to be God, and mercy claimeth the penitent, and mercy cometh because of the atonement; and the atonement bringeth to pass the resurrection of the dead; and the resurrection of the dead bringeth back men into the presence of God; and thus they are restored into his presence, to be judged according to their works; according to the law and justice; for behold justice exerciseth all his demands, and also mercy claimeth all which is her own; and thus none but the truly penitent are saved. What! do ye suppose that mercy can rob justice? I say unto you, nay; not one whit. If so, God would cease to be God. And thus God bringeth about his great and eternal purposes which were prepared from the foundation of the world. And thus cometh about the salvation and the redemption of men, and also their destruction and misery."[A] [Footnote A: Alma xlii.] The revelations given through Joseph Smith are equally explicit: "Remember the worth of souls is great in the sight of God; for, behold, the Lord your Redeemer suffered death in the flesh; wherefore he suffered the pain of all men, that all men might repent and come unto him."[A] [Footnote A: Doc. & Cov. Sec. 18:10, 11.] _6. Man Must Repent or Suffer:_ And again: