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.
Sometimes it is natural to wonder why God does not do more to intervene in the world. Why doesn’t he stop increasing wickedness? Why doesn’t he stem the destructive storms? Why doesn’t he intervene to make sure that righteous leaders come to power and evil is exposed? 

These verses reveal a difficult truth. In this world extremes are permitted in order to test us and try us. God needs to see how we will react under great pressure. He wants to see if when push comes to shove we are actually true believers. So he allows wicked men to persecute, and storms to rage. He allows diseases to spread and calumny to defame. 

These are not pleasing truths but they can nevertheless be comforting. Because we can also learn that God will give us all the opportunity with we need to grow and develop. Alma and Amulek are allowed to finish their message despite the fires. We will be allowed to complete our mortal ministries as well. Our days are numbered and they shall not be numbered less. We simply have to look ahead and try to endure the challanges in our path faithfully.



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