This week I listened to the talk given by Elder Robert D. Hales entitled, "If Ye Love Me, Keep My Commandments". I highly recommend reading this talk.
Some days I feel completely overwhelmed when I think about everything that I should be doing in my life... It can be discouraging when I focus on the little "ticky-tack" things which are good but not necessarily super important. I was reminded while listening to Elder Hales' talk that keeping God's commandments is possible. It doesn't have to feel discouraging. Our Savior is there to help us along the way.
One of my favorite Articles of Faith is, "We believe that all mankind may be saved by obedience to the laws and ordinances of the gospel."
The reason why I love it so much is because it tells us that we have agency. The Savior isn't going to force us to Heaven, nor is our future determined for us. ALL mankind MAY be saved. It is by our obedience that we choose whether or not we will accept our Savior's Atonement. Our decisions determine our destiny. We have been given the ability to conquer sin IF we allow Christ to heal us, help us, guide us, and teach us. And only IF we learn and become obedient to him.
Heavenly Father knew we would make mistakes and that is why He came up with a plan in which we would have a Savior. We could not do it on our own. The way to our Savior is by living his laws -- revealed to us through God's chosen Apostles and Prophets. Today that Prophet is Thomas S. Monson.
I know that by keeping the commandments, listening to and obeying God's Prophets, and by striving daily to repent of our sins all mankind CAN be saved. But it is OUR choice to turn to our Savior, to make those changes, and to become better every day.
Once again, thank you Sam for these thoughts! I love that along with our agency to choose good and evil, part of that is that we have to choose to take advantage of the Atonement. We have to truly want it, for it to work in our life.
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