Alma continues in the same line of questioning (v. 22). His label of “murderers,” upon those whose garments are stained, seems to be used in the same context as his own lifestyle before his repentance. He told his son Helaman: “I had murdered many of [God’s] children, or rather had led them away unto destruction” (Alma 36:14). Thus, his actions and those to whom he now speaks had a terrible effect upon others. In addition, his being “guilty of all manner of wickedness” (Alma 5:23) shows the terrible effect upon himself. All people are the product of their deeds,” whether they were good or whether they were bad, to reap eternal happiness or eternal misery” (Alma 3:26), as Mormon previously summarized.
Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and also all the holy prophets had been washed clean. Of course, there were many others whose garments were cleansed. There are at least two lessons to be learned from this statement by Alma. First, as mentioned above, all have and will have their garments stained. In Paul’s words: “All have sinned, and come short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). Secondly, many have had and will have their garments cleansed by the blood of Christ and we all will have the opportunity to sit down with all the holy ones in the kingdom of God (Alma 5:24). If we don’t take advantage of that opportunity, we will be cast out and become a citizen of the kingdom of the devil (v. 25).