Alma continues his reflection on his life and spiritual mission. He has noted that while God is constant, humankind’s agency allows us our own choices, and sometimes those choices are not wise in their eternal consequences. Nevertheless, it is important to underscore the reality that it is given to humanity to know the difference between good and evil, and to be free to choose between those two options. Alma does note that there may be a condition where one might not know good from evil. That condition may apply to young children, or to other circumstances. However, to most it is given that we may choose “good or evil, life or death, joy or remorse of conscience.” Agency requires choice, and Alma defines those choices as polar opposites for the purposes of teaching the principle.
Why then should Alma desire that he were an angel? That rhetorical question returns to the beginning of this lament, and answers that Alma should be satisfied with what he is able to do. Perhaps as an angel he could override agency, but that would contravene Jehovah’s plan for humankind. Alma understands that God gives to humankind that for which we are ready, and gives us our agency that we may understand our choices and freely make them.