The author hereof sums up the whole lesson he wishes to teach us in the words of this paragraph. That lesson is man’s own responsibility for his own acts. Mormon clinches his point in the 26th and 27th verses of this same chapter. The substance of it is that, at all times, we may “act for ourselves and not ... be acted upon, save it be by the punishment of the law at the great and last day, according to the commandment which God hath given.” (See 26) We, by our actions, condemn ourselves, or by them exalt His holy name. His judgments are just, and He neither takes delight in, nor punishes needlessly. We are reminded of David’s 36th Psalm:
Thy lovingkindness, O Lord, is in the heavens, Thy faithfulness reaches into the skies. Thy righteousness is like the mighty mountains; Thy judgments are like the great deep; man and beast Thou preserveth, O Lord. How precious is Thy lovingkindness, O God! And the children of men take refuge in the shadow of Thy wings, They are abundantly satisfied with the fatness of Thy house; and Thou makest them drink of the river of Thy pleasures. For with Thee is the fountain of life; in Thy light do we see light. O continue Thy loving-kindness unto them that know Thee; and Thy righteousness to the upright in heart. (Jewish Rendition—Union Prayer Book