Grace

I was asked by my ward to share the message in the Sunday email that went out on Sunday May 31, 2020.   We left for Idaho on Friday May 29th, so I worked on this message the previous week.  

I was asked to give the message this week, and I am feeling a little apprehensive about it. But I’d like to share a couple things I have been contemplating during this unique time.  I would like to thank all those who have previously shared messages.  They have helped guide my thoughts on these at-home Sabbath days.  Although this is a time of uncertainty and fear,  I cannot deny that I’ve felt the hand of God in my life and the whisperings of the Spirit to make scripture study more of a priority for me and for my children.  We have been able to delve into the “Come Follow Me” Curriculum and spend more time than I was previously allowing in our busy lives.   

A few months ago we were studying 2 Nephi chapter 25.  I was listening to the podcast “Don’t Miss This,” and they discussed the idea of grace.  I have learned about grace in the past, but for some reason this discussion really struck me.  In this chapter, Nephi is exhorting his people to Believe in Christ-- he mentions it 9 times.  

Our Heavenly Father loves us so much and wants us to return to live with Him again. Because of that love, He sent His son to take upon Himself our sins, suffer, bleed from every pore, and be crucified.  Three days later Jesus was resurrected.  We can rejoice and have hope because Christ made that possible for each of us.  Because Jesus was willing to sacrifice for us, we can return to live with our Heavenly Father. This is the amazing grace the scriptures are talking about.  Elder Uchtdorf said in his 2015 talk about grace, “The Savior’s Atonement cannot become commonplace in our teaching, in our conversation, or in our hearts. It is sacred and holy, for it was through this “great and last sacrifice” that Jesus the Christ brought “salvation to all those who shall believe on his name.”

Brad Wilcox goes on to explain grace like this: “Christ’s arrangement with us is similar to a mom providing music lessons for her child.  Mom pays the piano teacher.  Mom pays the debt in full. But because mom paid that debt she can ask for something, practice!  Does the child’s practice pay the piano teacher? No. Does the child’s practice repay the mom for paying the piano teacher? No. Practicing is how the child shows appreciation for mom’s incredible gift. It is how he takes advantage of the amazing opportunity mom is giving him to live his life at a higher level.  Mom’s joy is found not in getting repaid but in seeing her gift used -seeing her child improve.”  Like the mother in this story, Jesus had paid the debt in full, our job is not to repay Him, our job is to practice, to change, to improve, to grow. With that comes mishaps and sin, which Jesus knew would happen.  President Kimball said, “the repenting sinner must suffer for his sins, but this suffering has a different purpose than punishment or payment.  Its purpose is change.”

I believe that is why Nephi urges his family to Believe in Christ.  When we believe in Christ, our eyes are open to the magnificence of His saving grace for each of us.  When we start with believing, that leads us to doing. When we begin to comprehend the love our Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ have for us, we want to show our love back by obeying their commandments.   Obeying is our way of showing our love for Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ.  Elder Uchtdorf said, “Therefore, our obedience to God’s commandments comes as a natural outgrowth of our endless love and gratitude for the goodness of God. This form of genuine love and gratitude will miraculously merge our works with God’s grace.”

Emily Belle Freeman has said grace is the touch of His hand on our hearts and the reflection of that in our lives. I have loved thinking about that one line, that the touch of our Savior on our hearts causes us to want to reflect to others that love Christ has shown us.  

I am so grateful for a loving Heavenly Father who sent His son to atone for our sins.  To redeem us.  I am grateful for a Savior who was willing to endure pain and suffering for each of us.  I am grateful when I reflect on that amazing grace in my life and how my actions and thoughts are heightened when I try to comprehend all that our Savior has done for us.  I am grateful for the scriptures, to learn and grow from them, and for a living prophet who leads and directs this church.