But wo unto him that has the law given, yea, that has all the commandments of God, like unto us, and that transgresseth them, and that wasteth the days of his probation, for awful is his state! (2 Ne 9:27)
Is it truly a waste? Does this time of probation still serve a purpose even if we don’t return to live with God? Is there still worth in it?
The word “waste” has taken on the meaning of “squander” quite recently. Through most of history, it has meant “to consume utterly.” This, for example is the meaning when the Doctrine & Covenants says that were it not for the sealing of families through temple blessings, the earth would be utterly wasted at Christ’s coming.
Here, the speaker seems to be saying, Wo unto the man who sins and remains in sin when he has completely consumed his time on earth.