A combination of things

 I just had this realization that could only happen in the way it did, in the specific order of thoughts that would trigger a chain reaction of thoughts that I am not going to retrace because I would get lost in doing so. The point of explaining them is that Truly, I did not think to orchestrate the realization, but it would have only been possible to "engineer" if a person truly knew what I was thinking.

Ok, so this morning we were studying on those poor Saints who were trying their hardest to obey what they believed was best only to sacrifice everything to move to the middle of nowhere, but perfectly arranged, almost a miracle, they were saved and taken in and given a home/land by this dude, Lyman Copely. They must have been so relieved and knew the command came from God because they were cared for after their sort of blind, hopeful, sacrifice. Then, this Copely guy renigs and kicks them off of his land, after making promises to them. Imagine how upset they would be. My kids said, they probably wanted to kill him or something. Think about their faith though! Here, this huge blessing from God was being taken...uh, maybe it wasn't from God? Either way, they get another message from God and the first thing he says to instruct/comfort them is repent. Huh? Then, he instructs them on where and how and when to go somewhere else. But, Joe kept clinging to the fact that breaking a promise was very bad, but it was not their business, God would take care of that. 

Years ago, I got a book from a neighbor about how God will fight our battles. I see the concept, but doubt I really grasp that concept yet. There are things that are supposed to "fall through" cause men have their choices and that must be respected. It is not our job to make sure things are just, we cannot reward or punish sufficiently and need to repent of that sort of thinking. It is our duty to become and live the sort of life that would help things come to pass as they should, and so we can pray for guidance and it WILL be given. And though not everyone will decide the best things, if we trust that God not only knows us, but knows them and still let them go and be turned away like that, he probably had a purpose. That is as hard for me to digest as was the way Alma had to just not intervene when anyone who he had taught believed him was thrown into a fire. but, people need to make their choices...that's what it always boils down to.