Saved From What?

We live in a world that is quite accommodating when it comes to making mistakes. By and large, that is a good thing. We ought to forgive one another and have second chances. But I have realized that a world with such leniency has altered my perception of God's eternal laws of justice and mercy.

For example, I remember the first time I overdrafted my checking account. I was a teenager and had simply forgotten to check how much was in my account before making a purchase. A $35 overdraft fee was charged to my account (that even seems like a lot today, but it was monumental to a 17 year old). I felt horrible for letting my negligence lead to such a financial loss. I discussed it with my mom, who suggested I call the bank. She felt confident that, because this was my first offense and it was truly an accident, they would be willing to waive the fee.
I was skeptical. After all, this was my fault, and the fee was something I had agreed to in the contract I signed.
But I made the call, trying to sound confident because my mom was sure it would work. And I was shocked as the bank employee quickly removed the fee.

This line of thinking - I realized - was carrying over into my thoughts of spiritual justice and mercy. My experience with the bank decreased my fear of future overdrafts. I felt that their punishment was really just an empty threat.

I have found myself propagating this notion in my own children when I say things like, "if you get in your car seat right now, you can have a popsicle at home," but I give them a popsicle whether or not they comply with their part of the bargain.

If we are not careful, it is easy to believe that things would have worked out whether or not Christ had come. We may be deceived into thinking that His punishment for sin is just an "empty threat," or, as one Book of Mormon writer said, "eat, drink and be merry... and God will beat us with a few stripes.." (2 Nephi 28:8) I had a Seminary teacher who referred to this as being whipped with wet noodles.

Such a thought process may lead us to think that repentance is not truly important, and to under appreciate what Jesus Christ's life and mission truly accomplished.

So what did Christ really save us from?

"Wherefore, all mankind were in a lost and in a fallen state, and ever would be save they should rely on this Redeemer." (1 Nephi 10:6)

.........................

"And thus we see that all mankind were fallen, and they were in the grasp of ... the justice of God, which consigned them forever to be cut off from his presence... therefore, God himself atoneth for the sins of the world..." (Alma 42:14-15)

.........................

"Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me." (John 14:6)

.........................

"O the wisdom of God, his mercy and grace! For behold, if the flesh should rise no more our spirits must become subject to ... the devil, to rise no more. And our spirits must have become like unto him, and we become devils, angels to a devil, to be shut out from the presence of our God, and to remain with the father of lies..." (2 Nephi 9:8-9)

.........................

The consequences are real. That last verse sends shivers down my spine. These inspired verses together - and so many others - give me a true understanding of what Christ has saved me from, and all that He will save me from if I will repent and come unto Him.

He is real. He is my Savior, and He is yours. He redeemed us at the highest possible price - His own blood. I am eternally grateful to Him.

A Life More Abundant

After 20 minutes in a small bus jammed to overflowing with passengers, I tapped the man who had taken my 20-cent fare and told him this is where we got off. I was tall by Central American standards, and squeezing past everyone took a little bit of time. 

Once the bus came to a stop and I got my feet on pavement, I could stretch out and breathe. My missionary companion exited behind me, and we began the walk down the dirt path to visit Vicenta Rodriguez.

Vicenta was 25 years old and lived with her brother, Neftali, and her elderly mother. Her other brothers frequented the house, but were involved in the pandilla - the gang- and we never met them. As we sat and talked with her, we asked her how job at the warehouse was going. She told us about her long hours and said that, despite the fact that the pay was low, she was grateful to have a job when so many others did not.

I asked her how much she made a week, and quickly calculated that she was paid less than 50 cents an hour for her work.

50 cents an hour! 

And I thought my $8 an hour job was low paying! I couldn't believe it.

I met many people during my 2 years in El Salvador who lived in depths of poverty that were beyond my imagination. Many in our world today - poor or rich - have opportunity to ponder this profound question: 

What is the purpose of this life anyway?

Why are we here? To be born, to work ourselves to death, to suffer hardships and sorrow, and then to die?

During this past week, I was deeply touched by these moving words from the Savior of Mankind, Jesus Christ:

"I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly."

John 10:10

As we follow our Savior Jesus Christ, our life becomes abundant. It becomes more than a job, more than "one more day". It becomes meaningful.

Following Christ does not mean we will be freed from poverty; In the Old Testament, Job lost all..

Following Christ does not mean we will not suffer; The Apostles counted themselves fortunate to suffer for Christ's sake (Acts 5:41).

But, following Chris does mean that life will be abundant. 

It does mean that, despite our challenges and trials, God will not forsake us (Matthew 28:20).

It does mean that the grace of God may be extended to us to help us carry our burdens (Hebrews 4:16)

Following Christ, and losing our lives as we serve Him, means that we will find our lives and find true joy in living (Matthew 16:25)

Jesus Christ descended below all things so that He can lift us above all things. 

He conquered the world - conquered sin and death - so that He can help us to overcome all things (Doctrine and Covenants 88:6)

"He is the light and the life of the world; yea, a light that is endless, that can never be darkened; yea, and also a life which is endless, that there can be no more death."

Mosiah 16:9

He is the Savior of all mankind. May we come to Him, keep His commandments, and experience an abundant life.

Photo credit: Tyler Foote

Christ is Not Just a Benevolent Bystander

When the Lord Jesus Christ taught His disciples to pray, He gave them a model to follow. We often refer to it as the Lord's prayer. Many Christians can recite this beautiful prayer from memory. There is much that it can teach us about God and what our communication should be with Him.

As I studied this powerful prayer, I came to a phrase near the end that taught me a powerful lesson about Christ.

"Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil," the Lord said (Matthew 6:13).

The Greek word used for "deliver" is ῥύομαι (rhoumai), which means "to rescue." 

But it means more than that. 

Strong's concordance, a well-known biblical resource, defines rhoumai further as meaning:

"to draw to oneself"

"to snatch up"

"to rescue a person to and for the deliverer"

"to deliver someone to and for the rescuer"

As I read these definitions, I imagined a family outing by a fast-flowing river. I imagined a struggling, drowning child, and an anxious group of onlooking adults unsure of how to save her from the fast-moving water. 
I then imagined a benevolent bystander who happened to be an excellent swimmer diving in and rescuing the child.
He did not know the child. He did not love the child. But he was a good person who wanted to do what was right.

This is a beautiful and noble act, but it is not what the word connotes.

Christ rescues us to Himself.
He is the one who is most concerned for our safety and salvation.
He plunges into the water out of pure love for us. He ignores any danger. He gives His life in order to rescue us.
He is not just a benevolent bystander.
He is our Savior, who saves us to Himself because He loves us more than anyone else.

Mount Sinai Renewed

Last weekend, I had a marvelous experience. In the midst of my busy semester and busy life, I was able to slow down and have an experience analogous to that of the children of Israel at Mount Sinai.

Just as their prophet, Moses, brought down the word of God and shared it with them, our prophet, Thomas Monson, delivered to us the words that God would have us know.

But not just him.
















The Twelve Apostles also addressed the worldwide church, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.

These men, just like the 12 Apostles of Christ's ancient Church, are called to preach the Gospel to all the world. They hold the same authority given to Peter, James, John, and all of the ancient Apostles by Christ Himself.

How do Thomas Monson and these Twelve Apostles claim to have that same authority?
How could it be on the earth again?

The writer of Hebrews reminds us that "no man taketh this honor unto himself, but he that is called of God, as was Aaron" (Hebrews 5:4).

Aaron received his authority from Moses, the Prophet.

Who did these men receive their authority from?

In 1829, Joseph Smith was visited by the leading authorities of Christ's ancient Church - Peter, James, and John - and given the authority which they held, in order to renew Christ's Church today.

That authority has been passed down in an unbroken chain of prophets, from Joseph Smith to Thomas Monson.

Mount Sinai is a thing of the past. But Prophets are not! God loves us today. He continues to send His prophets.
The words of God's prophet today, Thomas Monson, and the Twelve Apostles, are available.
Study them.
Ask God if they are truly prophets, for "by their fruits ye shall know them" (Matthew 7:15-16).

Here are their words

And here are a few of my favorite excerpts

"...are you the same person wherever you are and whatever you are doing—the person our Heavenly Father wants you to be and the person you know you should be?"
-Thomas Monson

"As you pray and serve others, your knowledge that you are a child of God and your feelings about Him will grow. You will become more aware that He is saddened if you are dishonest in any way. You will be more determined to keep your word to God and to others."
-Henry Eyring, Apostle

"There are countless ways technology can distract you from what is most important. Follow the adage “Be where you are when you are there.” When you are driving, drive. When you are in class, focus on the lesson. When you are with your friends, give them the gift of your attention. Your brain cannot concentrate on two things at once. Multitasking amounts to quickly shifting your focus from one thing to another. An old proverb says, “If you chase two rabbits, you won’t catch either one.” "
-Randall Ridd, leader of Young Men in the Church
"At times we may be tempted to practice what I call “natural man’s obedience,” in which we disobediently reject God’s law in favor of our wisdom or our desires or even popularity."
Robert Hales, Apostle

"Christlike love is the greatest need we have on this planet"
Jeffery Holland, Apostle

A Source of Unfailing Strength

In my Sunday church meetings today, the Bishop (the local leader of our congregation) addressed us and announced our ward's (or congregation's) theme for the year of 2014. He spoke of Paul's conversation with the Lord in 2 Corinthians 12 and the "thorn in the flesh" that he asked the Lord to remove, and how the Lord told Paul that His grace was sufficient and His power is made perfect in weakness.

The Bishop shared a Book of Mormon verse in which another servant of God, Moroni, is worried about his weaknesses and fears that his best will not be enough for the task at hand.

The Lord delivers these comforting words to Moroni:

And if men come unto me I will show unto them their weakness. I give unto men weakness that they may be humble; and my grace is sufficient for all men that humble themselves before me; for if they humble themselves before me, and have faith in me, then will I make weak things become strong unto them.

In the words of the Lord to both servants, I was struck by the phrase "my grace is sufficient." I decided to study it in more detail. I visited a website that allows side-by-side comparison of the Greek and English New Testament texts, along with detailed definitions and etymology of the Greek words. I would like to share what I learned.

.............................................................................................................................................

Arkei soi e charis mou

..............................................................................................................................................

'Arkei' generally means to suffice, or to be sufficient or enough. However, it can also mean "to possess unfailing strength."

What possesses this unfailing strength?

'Charis' means grace. Whose grace? 'Charis mou'. "My grace," the Savior tells us.

'Soi e' means "for you" (roughly).

.............................................................................................................................................

"My grace possesses unfailing strength for you."

.............................................................................................................................................

There is nothing that God cannot help us to overcome. If we put our whole trust in Him, we can overcome any Goliath.
Through the unfailing grace of God, our weaknesses - physical, mental, social, spiritual - can be turned into strengths.

Jesus Christ died so that we might live. He suffered all things so that He may lift us above all things.

His grace is sufficient.

I know it.

What if Christ were a College Student?

As the semester begins, I will share some thoughts that I had a few weeks back. I think they are worth pondering.
These are merely thoughts, and do not represent official or unofficial doctrine or, well, really anything besides some points to ponder. I could easily be wrong in any of them, so I hope you will forgive me if I am.

What would Christ do as a college student?

He would be a good, dedicated student, for sure. And yet I doubt he would study alone often. But instead of looking for a study partner who could help Him get a better grade, He would probably try to find someone who really was struggling to understand the class, and study with them so He could help them.

I think He would take time to exercise. He would take good care of His body.

I think He would spend time with His roommates and have a lot of friends in the ward. I know that Christ would be known by all. He would go about doing good, and loving and helping and lifting others. He would get to know people.

I could see Christ having a job, and working hard in that job, and doing His best to please His employer.

Christ would know His professors, and learn all that He could from them.

Christ would be involved. He would be in service organizations and clubs. He would seek to interact with people as much as possible.

Christ would be very social and outgoing. At Church on Sunday, He would not just sit with His roommates. He would meet new people, and get to know them. He would arrive early. He would be ready to help with the Sacrament if need be. He would look for someone sitting by themselves, I dare say, and make them feel loved and welcome, and He would love them, too! 

Would Christ be out late? Would He sleep in until noon? Somehow, I just can’t picture that. Out late, maybe, if a friend were in need. But sleeping in until noon I cannot fathom.

Would Christ spend countless hours on Facebook? No. He would spend time with people in person.


He would be busy, and yet He would always have time to listen to those around Him.


Would He be upset if I borrowed some of His milk, or a few pieces of bread? No. He would 
generously share.


I will be more like Christ.