Lay Aside Sin

This verse was just a powerful one when I read it, so I thought I'd mention this one too.

"15 Yea, I say unto you come and fear not, and lay aside every sin, which easily doth beset you, which doth bind you down to destruction, yea, come and go forth, and show unto your God that ye are willing to repent of your sins and enter into a covenant with him to keep his commandments, and witness it unto him this day by going into the waters of baptism.
16 And whosoever doeth this, and keepeth the commandments of God from thenceforth, the same will remember that I say unto him, yea, he will remember that I have said unto him, he shall have eternal life, according to the testimony of the Holy Spirit, which testifieth in me." (Alma 7:15-16)

This is just neat, and encouraging, for someone like me who isn't perfect. Sometimes it is out of fear that we don't "lay aside every sin". We are afraid of what life would be like without it, or we are afraid of the effort it will take to lay it aside. We could be afraid of the repentance process, or maybe afraid of the consequences of our actions.

But the truth is that our sins bind us. We become less free when we sin. We become less able to make our own decisions (or at least we feel that way).

Here's the thing, though. It's worth it. I mean, whoever does it, shall (not can, but shall) have eternal life. And just like Alma, I can say that the Holy Spirit testifies in me that these things are true. Just lay aside sin, and you will have eternal life, to live forever in a blessed state, with our Heavenly Father.

Christ's Atonement Cover's Everything

This is one of my very favorite scriptures. It talks about Christ, before He was on the earth, and what some of the prophets knew about Him.  It introduces the topic by describing that He would be born of Mary at Jerusalem, and then proceeds to talk about the most miraculous aspects of His life: the Atonement.

"11 And he shall go forth, suffering pains and afflictions and temptations of every kind; and this that the word might be fulfilled which saith he will take upon him the pains and the sicknesses of his people.

12 And he will take upon him death, that he may loose the bands of death which bind his people; and he will take upon him their infirmities, that his bowels may be filled with mercy, according to the flesh, that he may know according to the flesh how to succor his people according to their infirmities." (Alma 7:11-12)

This is one of my favorites, because often we talk about how Jesus atoned for our sins, which in and of itself is so awesome. However, we go through so much in this life that doesn't have anything to do with sin, and it is powerful to think that Christ has been there through all of it, suffering pains and afflictions and temptations OF EVERY KIND. So not just sin, but sickness, pain, sorrow, temptation. All the things that we could suffer in this life, Jesus has been there and understands how we feel. Why? So "that he may know according to the flesh how to succor his people according to their infirmities". To succor someone means to give assistance and support in a times of hardship and distress. Christ knows how to do that. Also, when you go to help someone, you often give them the help that YOU think they need. But when Christ helps, it's "according to their infirmities", or in other words, it is the help that they ACTUALLY need, for whatever it is they need help with.

The message is that Christ is there to give you the help you need when you need it. He is always there. I know this is true. I have experienced it in my own life.

Available To All

It is a seemingly small thing, but these words stuck out to me as I read them:

"Now I would that ye should understand that the word of God was liberal unto all, that none were deprived of the privilege of assembling themselves together to hear the word of God." (Alma 6:5)

I think it is important to remember the several lessons that are pointed out in this verse. First, that the word of God was liberal to all, or open to all. This means everyone. Nobody is barred from hearing His word.

Secondly, everyone could gather together to hear the word of God. Not only is it open and freely given to all, but that nobody is excluded from the community that happens when people gather together to hear God's word. This is important because everyone can work together to gain understanding, and when this is done in the right way, with the right spirit, all are edified of all. Everyone grows.

Finally, the word privilege, with reference to gathering together to hear the word of God. Sometimes, Sunday is the only day of rest that you have, and it can almost feel like a sacrifice to go to all the Church block meetings, firesides, and other meetings. If the word of God is being shared, even a little, it should feel like a privilege, not a burden.

I hope that I can learn the lessons that are meant for me, and I hope to retain in remembrance those lessons.

As a side note, it is interesting to note the several lessons that can be learned from a short verse of scripture. Sometimes, you feel like you have to read a whole lot to get a lot out of what you read, so it feels like a burden. But you don't. You can learn from any part of the scriptures, assuming you are in the frame of mind that you are looking to learn, or gain knowledge or better understanding.