With respect to the recent horrible events at Trolley Square, why does God intervene on some people’s behalf and not on others?

Question

Hi Gramps,

In light of recent events regarding the maniac who shot innocent people at Trolley Square in Salt Lake City, Utah, my question is as follows: Why does God intervene in some people’s behalf and not in others? Why did He not stop this person? I do not for a minute blame God for this incident, I know people have their free agency. But there countless examples of times in the scriptures when he intervenes, and others when he does not. Why? I’m sure it pains Him as much as the rest of us. He has the power to stop it. So why doesn’t He? Thanks.

Susan

Answer

Dear Susan,

Are we to know the mind of God? The Lord has said,

I, the Lord, will forgive whom I will forgive, but of you it is required to forgive all men. (D&C 64:10)

The Lord will pursue His purposes according to His own will. We have not the means to know the hearts of men nor to see into the future nor into the distant past. But with the Lord, it is not so. He has said,

…All things are present with me, for I know them all. (Moses 1:6)

Thus there are many questions concerning the ways of the Lord what we are not empowered to know. It remains for us to KNOW that God Lives, that his Only Begotten Son, The Lord, Jesus Christ, the great Jehovah, is the Savior and Redeemer of the world, and that His will, without any exception, shall be procured.

But remember that all my judgments are not given unto men; and as the words have gone forth out of my mouth even so shall they be fulfilled. (D&C 29:30)

According to His will, the great gift of agency has been given to man. Man is free to follow the dictates of his own will and conscience. That gift of agency is one of the greatest gifts of God to man. But with that gift comes a condition and a requirement. Although man is free to make whatever choices he will, he is never free from the consequences of his choices. To Moses the Lord said,

If thou doest well, thou shalt be accepted. And if thou doest not well, sin lieth at the door. (Moses 5:23)

So the Lord allowed the events at Trolley Square to proceed according to the hearts of men, but each individual involved will be held accountable for his/her actions. Many people will be blessed for their courage, their understanding, for offering aid and assistance, for attending to the needy, for assuaging grief and suffering.

If we could only see across the veil of death and observe the continuation of life and the association with loved ones waiting for us there and the marvelous environment of the spirit world and the vision of continued progression toward godhood that is open to all the faithful, we would not be so concerned when someone’s life is taken. It is proper to mourn the temporary loss of the companionship of one who dies, but the desperation and uncontrolled grief of those who think that they shall never see their loved ones again is completely out of place.

Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. (Proverbs 3:5)

Gramps