< ALMA 14 >
v. 11 But Alma said unto him: The Spirit constraineth me that I must not stretch forth mine hand; for behold the Lord receiveth them up unto himself, in glory; and he doth suffer that they may do this thing, or that the people may do this thing unto them, according to the hardness of their hearts, that the judgments which he shall exercise upon them in his wrath may be just; and the blood of the innocent shall stand as a witness against them, yea, and cry mightily against them at the last day.
God does not prevent all evil - He judges it
Agency is real. If God intervened every time someone tried to do evil, agency would collapse. So God allows the act, the exposure, the full moral weight of the choice. It's only after that judgement can occur. The people here are chosing cruelty in full light. By allowing the act, the guily is complete, judgement incontestable.
For the innocent: suffering is brief, loss is temporary, and their reward is secure. Abel was murdered and Cain judged. Prophets are killed and nations condemned. Christ was crucifed and the world's stands exposed. The brutal truth is that the cup is bitter but God allows evil to run its course so that justice can be real, not hypothetical.
God does not prevent all evil - He judges it
Agency is real. If God intervened every time someone tried to do evil, agency would collapse. So God allows the act, the exposure, the full moral weight of the choice. It's only after that judgement can occur. The people here are chosing cruelty in full light. By allowing the act, the guily is complete, judgement incontestable.
For the innocent: suffering is brief, loss is temporary, and their reward is secure. Abel was murdered and Cain judged. Prophets are killed and nations condemned. Christ was crucifed and the world's stands exposed. The brutal truth is that the cup is bitter but God allows evil to run its course so that justice can be real, not hypothetical.
v. 17 And it came to pass that Alma and Amulek answered him nothing; and he smote them again, and delivered them to the officers to be cast into prison.
Silence is the answer: Just like when Jesus didn't answer. They already know the truth, the outcome is decided, they are not seeking justice in asking questions just validation of power. Argument at this point would only legitimize a corrupt proceeding. Imply that the judge still has moral authority.
The trial is just theater and truth is unwelcome. Power expects resistance, it expects pleading, it expects debate. Silence says that you have no moral jurisdiction over me.
Silence is the answer: Just like when Jesus didn't answer. They already know the truth, the outcome is decided, they are not seeking justice in asking questions just validation of power. Argument at this point would only legitimize a corrupt proceeding. Imply that the judge still has moral authority.
The trial is just theater and truth is unwelcome. Power expects resistance, it expects pleading, it expects debate. Silence says that you have no moral jurisdiction over me.