Redeem Them From Their Sins

 

I read a great chapter of the Book of Mormon this morning.  Nephi & Lehi, the sons of Helaman, were getting ready to preach the gospel full-time.  There is a lot of chaos at the time and this is what they decide will be the best help to these people.  As they are preparing for their ministry among the Nephites and Lamanites, they recall the words of their father in relation to such work.  One part especially stuck out to me.  Speaking of the people whom Lehi and Nephi will teach, and all of God's children, Helaman says that Christ "should not come to redeem them in their sins, but to redeem them from their sins" (Helaman 5:10 italics added).  This inspired statement tells us how repentance works. 

Christ will receive us if we come unto Him

To truly repent we must do our best to stop doing what we know is offensive to God.  We must press forward with faith in Christ to overcome the problem that is holding us back.  Just as in the parable of the prodigal son, Christ is willing to help us and wants us to return to Him (see Luke 15:11-32).   But we need to be willing participants in our own repentance and salvation.  In this way Christ saves us not "in" but "from [our] sins".

I know that Christ lives and repentance is real.  Our Savior's atonement is what makes it possible.  I know that God loves each of His children.  He is willing to forgive us if we come to Him in sincere repentance and forsake our sins.

"Arise and Come Forth Unto Me"

In the Book of Mormon there is a touching account of Christ's visit to the American continent.  It is shortly after His ressurection and ascension into heaven.  The Nephites and Lamanites had just been through terrible hardships.  There were many eathquakes, fires, and other natural disasters and a great darkness covered the land the entire time.  All the survivors gathered around the temple.  While they were there Jesus Christ appeared to them.  Shortly after He arrived, Christ invited the entire multitude to "Arise ad come forth unto [Him]" (3 Nephi 11:14).  Accepting his invitation, the entire crowd, one by one, approached Christ and felt the prints in His hands and side.  I love the reaction of the people, they "did see with their eyes and did feel with their hands, and did know of a surety and did bear record, that it was he, of whom it was written by the prophets, that should come" (3 Nephi 11:15).  These people knew Christ before He came to them.  They read the words of the prophets, they knew what He would be like. 

Jesus' plea, "arise and come forth unto me" is applicable to all of us today!  We must read of Him, learn of Him, and speak of Him.  We must arise from the darkness of sin, the confusion of the world, and the very real temptations of Satan.  We must understand our true potential and go forth unto Jesus Christ.  I know Christ lives!  As we learn more of Christ and truly "arise and come forth unto [Him]" we, as the Nephites  can "cry out with one accord saying, Hosanna!  Blessed be the nameof the Most High God!" (3 Nephi 11:16-17)

Is it for a good reason?

I was reading the Book of Mormon today and I came across an interesting verse.  In this verse the prophet, Alma, is fighting in a war with his people, the Nephites.  At this point Alma is fighting one-on-one with the leader of the opposing army.  As is common in life-threatening situations Alma cries to God to protect him, "O Lord, have mercy and spare my life".  Clearly Alma doesn't want to die right at this moment.  But what caught my attention was Alma's purpose to continue living.  He continues, "spare my life, that I may be an instrument in thy hands to save and preserve this people" (Alma 2:30).  Alma wasn't fearing death, he simply had more to do with his life.  He was the leader of the Nephite Government and the Church at that time.  He knew that his life being preserved would be a great blessing to many others.

The most important part however is how Alma backed up this statement.  He eventually gave up his role as the "Chief Judge" to devote his life to the ministry to which he was called.  He convinced many to come unto Christ and enjoy the blessings of the Gospel. 

So when we really want something; riches, talents, knowledge, etc. ; we need to consider why we want it.  If it is to fulfill God's purposes, God will likely assist us in attaining that when we come to Him in prayer.

I know that as we seek to do God's will, we will see His hand in all we do.