Moroni reminds Pahoran and us of the responsibility of the government for the lives of people in any conflict. The Lord holds the leader accountable. The value of human life in the eyes of God is primary (v. 10). Again we are reminded of God’s justice being in balance with his mercy (v. 11). Earlier in the Book of Mormon we read of the Lord holding us accountable for teaching the people (2 Nephi 9:44; Jacob 1:19), now we read of the physical accountability. Condemnation will come on leaders who do not act according to God’s laws (Alma 60:12).
The eternal principle of justice is taught by Moroni. In modern times the question asked by many is answered. Why do bad things happen to good people? We are all on earth to be tested (see Abraham 3:25–26). The Lord allows the righteous to be killed in order for the principle of agency to exist. In the words of President Harold B. Lee: It was “not by his will; He permits it.” Those who are the victims of other’s agency will not be punished or lose any eternal possibilities. Again we are taught; “they do enter into the rest of the Lord their God” (Alma 60:13). The rest of the Lord is “the fullness of his glory” (D&C 84:24). The Prophet Joseph Smith taught: “All your losses will be made up to you in the resurrection, provided you continue faithful. By the vision of the Almighty I have seen it” (TPJS, 296). The same will be true of missed opportunities. Through the spirit world and the millennium all missed opportunities will be given to those whose lives were cut short.