Having dismissed the issue of potential injustice (possibly another of the Zoramite arguments that had shaken Corianton), Alma returns to the more interesting issue, which is what actually “becometh of the souls of men.” He presents this information carefully, first telling Corianton that he will bear personal testimony: “the thing of which I do know” (v. 9). This “thing” is Yahweh’s justness: All people will rise. Ultimate good will come. Any problem we have on this point is irrelevant to Yahweh, for he “knoweth all the times” of men; and when we understand as he does, we, too, will see the pointlessness of what had seemed to be a problem.
The concept of knowing should not be read as “understanding.” God’s knowledge is all-encompassing. More than understanding, more than comprehending, God is aware of all of our times. Even when we think it long, to God it is a short time, and he is still aware of us. We need not feel slighted when things take longer than we think they should.