So? That doesn't justify the severity of their "punishment." I've known plenty of Christians who believe, truthfully and wholeheartedly, the Jews invoked the wraith of God and brought the holocaust upon themselves. That is absolutely horrifying as it is on its own, but starts to become terrifying because Hitler himself did believe he was doing the work of god.
Where much is given much is required. It is the difference between committing a transgression and a sin (and all the shades of gray in between the two). To transgress (a Law) is to do so in ignorance, by accident, or be tricked into doing it (without understanding the implications of ones actions).
But to commit the blackest of sins (in the full meaning of the word) is to do so willfully and intentionally, knowing full well what you are doing. It is an open act of rebellion against God and His Covenant....knowing better but choosing the evil over the good (eccenually choosing Satan over God).
Add worse still when following that previous ACT with covenanting an oath to Satan (or his representatives) by replacing one's aliance to Satan's covenant instead-----like Cain did when he secretly killed Abel, following by covenanting with Satan to be Master-Mahan (the master of the
great secret to murder and get gain). It is the equivalent of a betrayal of God----like how Judas betrayed Jesus with a kiss (conspiring against Jesus with the Sadducesses, Scribes, and Pharisees) and financially gained by receiving thirty pieces of silver (blood money). Which acts caused these two men to depart from God's Priesthood and enter into Satan's Priestcrafts---which things were forbidden.
Scriptural References said:
- Deuteronomy 27:24
24 Cursed be he that smiteth his neighbour secretly. And all the people shall say, Amen.
- Moses 5:31
31 And Cain said: Truly I am Mahan, the master of this great secret, that I may murder and get gain. Wherefore Cain was called Master Mahan, and he gloried in his wickedness.
- Moses 5:49
49 For Lamech (son of Cain) having entered into a covenant with Satan, after the manner of Cain, wherein he became Master Mahan, master of that great secret which was administered unto Cain by Satan; and Irad, the son of Enoch, having known their secret, began to reveal it unto the sons of Adam;
Scriptural References said:
- Matthew 26:15
15 And [Judas] said unto them, What will ye give me, and I will deliver him unto you? And they covenanted with him for thirty pieces of silver.
- Matthew 27:6
6 And the chief priests took [back] the silver pieces, and said, It is not lawful for to put them into the treasury, because it is the price of blood.
Not all transgressions/sins are worthy of the death penalty. We have acts which could be considered infractions of the Law--varing in shades of grey (deserving of a slap on the hand) to the blackest of the black (such as deathrow penalties). Transgressing the Law is a misdemeanor (and worthy of stripes), but Sining against God and His Covenant is a felony (an offense worthy of the death penalty). The willful rebellion suggests a change in alliances---to change from God and His Covenant to Satan and His alternative oaths (designed to destroy the works of God). There are different penalties for such crimes.
Scriptural Sources said:
- Luke 12:48
48 But he that knew not, and did commit things worthy of stripes, shall be beaten with few stripes. For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required: and to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the more.
- James 4:17
17 Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin.
- James 5:12
12 But above all things, my brethren, swear not, neither by heaven, neither by the earth, neither by any other oath: but let your yea be yea; and your nay, nay; lest ye fall into condemnation.
Additional sources:
- Doctrine and Covenants 82:3
3 For of him unto whom much is given much is required; and he who sins against the greater light shall receive the greater condemnation.
However, the above comments---DO NOT justify men (such as Hitler) to take such penalties into their own hands. Hilter himself was a Anti-Christ figure of his day....far from someone who is authorized by God to do his bidding. Hilter had nefarious political objectives to accomplish---and he used whatever particular "narrative" (Propaganda) that people may have believed (or convinced to believe) to justify his actions to get what he wanted. No one forced Hitler to be evil or committ evil acts against Humanity. There will always be a selection of evil people with hatred in their heart---whom Satan (the true Anti-Christ) will inspire and use to do what he will with. Hilter was one of many who put himself into that category (either willingly or beguided thereby). The more evil a person is....the more sick they are in the head (and easily manipulated they will be by more evil) until they become possessed by Satan.
DIVINE PROVIDENCE:
On the other hand----the Nation who obeys the Covenant of God will receive the protection of God. The Covenant entails God promising that if Israel chooses Him as their God, then they will be His Covenant people and God himself will fight their battles for them. Breaking that Covenant would suggest that the promise of God fighting their battles for them----is now a promise they have disqualified themselves for. Which would force them to have to rely on themselves---to defend themselves without God's protective alliances. If people break their Covenant with God----then God will rescend His Promised Blessings associated with that Covenant.
Scriptural References said:
- 2 Chronicles 20:17
17 Ye shall not need to fight in this battle: set yourselves, stand ye still, and see the salvation of the Lord with you, O Judah and Jerusalem: fear not, nor be dismayed; to morrow go out against them: for the Lord will be with you.
- Doctrine and Covenants 84:88
88 And whoso receiveth you, there I will be also, for I will go before your face. I will be on your right hand and on your left, and my Spirit shall be in your hearts, and mine angels round about you, to bear you up.
