The Arm of Mercy is Extended

The people had become wicked and had been warned by God’s servants of their wickedness, as per the pattern that God always follows. Many people refused to repent, and there was great destruction throughout all the land. Cities were burned, sunk into the depths of the sea, swallowed up in the earth, and pretty much all kinds of destruction happened. Yet there were some who survived. These survivors heard a voice, explaining what had happened, and what they could do now:

“13 O all ye that are spared because ye were more righteous than they, will ye not now return unto me, and repent of your sins, and be converted, that I may heal you?
14 Yea, verily I say unto you, if ye will come unto me ye shall have eternal life. Behold, mine arm of mercy is extended towards you, and whosoever will come, him will I receive; and blessed are those who come unto me.” (3 Nephi 9:13-14)

This stood out to me because it doesn’t say that they were spared because they were righteous, necessarily, but that they were more righteous than those who were destroyed. This must have been humbling, first to see all the destruction around you, and then to be told that you were just lucky enough to make the cut. The wonderful thing was that they now had the opportunity to repent and draw close to God and begin doing what they should be doing.

I love the message that they hear, about the arm of mercy being extended to them to be converted, healed, and blessed.

Then they hear this:

“Therefore, whoso repenteth and cometh unto me as a little child, him will I receive, for of such is the kingdom of God. Behold, for such I have laid down my life, and have taken it up again; therefore repent, and come unto me ye ends of the earth, and be saved.” (3 Nephi 9:22)

The Savior loves us and wants to bless us. He provides us with opportunities to repent and to return to God with our families forever. Without the Savior, this would not be possible. I am so grateful for the atonement and the plan of salvation that allows me this opportunity. It humbles me and makes me want to try harder to follow the promptings I receive.