Affliction Quote by Joseph Smith, Jr
“Afflictions, persecutions, imprisonments, and death, we must expect, according to the scriptures, which tell us that the blood of those whose souls were under the altar could not be avenged on them that dwell on the earth, until their brethren should be slain as they were.”
About This Quote
Source Book: Doctrine and Covenants, Section 78, 1832
The passage warns that divine justice may be delayed until all related victims are punished, reflecting a belief in collective retribution.
In simple terms: Divine justice may be postponed until all related victims are punished.
Key Takeaway
Recognize the interconnectedness of actions and consequences.
Themes
justice
retribution
faith
collective responsibility
Mood
reflective
solemn
Type
scriptural
theological
When to use this quote
- legal judgments
- family feuds
- historical conflicts
- religious teachings
Key Concepts
theology
prophecy
karma
Questions to Reflect On
- How does collective responsibility affect personal guilt?
- Can justice be truly delayed?
A Different Perspective
Interpretations may vary across traditions, and some view it as metaphorical rather than literal.
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![“[W]e shall have the satisfaction of knowing that we have acted conscientiously, and have used our best judgment. And if we have to throw away our votes, we had better do so upon a worthy rather than an unworthy individual who might make use of the weapon we put in his hand to destroy us.” quote by Joseph Smith, Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/4ad/joseph-smith-jr-1647_hands_w-e-shall-have-the-satisfaction-of-knowi_98392.jpg)
![“May I strike my heart's keys clearly, and may none fail because of slack, uncertain, or fraying strings. May the tears that stream down my face make me more radiant: may my hidden weeping bloom… How we waste our afflictions!... [T]hey're really our wintering foliage, our dark greens of meaning…” quote by Rainer Maria Rilke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/7c7/rainer-maria-rilke-193_abode_may-i-strike-my-heart-s-keys-clearly-and_52479.jpg)
