“That He Granteth Unto Men According to Their Desire”

D. Kelly Ogden, Andrew C. Skinner

Regarding Alma’s statements about his allotment in life, we have this insight from President Henry D. Moyle: “I believe that we, as fellow workers in the priesthood, might well take to heart the admonition of Alma and be content with that which God hath allotted us. We might well be assured that we had something to do with our ‘allotment’ in our pre-existent state. This would be an additional reason for us to accept our present condition and make the best of it. It is what we agreed to do… .

“… We had our own free agency in our pre-mortal existence, and whatever we are today is likely the result of that which we willed to be heretofore.” 41

God grants to all persons just what they desire—that which will save them or destroy them: “For I know that he granteth unto men according to their desire, whether it be unto death or unto life.” If one desires certain drinks, foods, drugs, or stimulants to damage himself, he can have them. It is his choice. All things good come from God, and they edify, build, lift, and inspire. Evil things come from the devil, and they demean, deceive, defile, and destroy. Whatever you really want, God may allow you to have that thing. The lesson, of course, is that you should be very careful about what you want, because you will likely get it. And you had better want the consequences of what you want, because you will get them, too.

Verse by Verse: The Book of Mormon: Vol. 1

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