Doctrine and Covenants 137:9

"For I, the Lord, will judge all men according to their works, according to the desire of their hearts."
Doctrine and Covenants 137:9


This verse comes after it talks about people who die without a knowledge of the gospel... that if they would have accepted it, then they will get the same reward as someone who did have the chance to accept it. I think that is really cool, and a great equalizer, so that people who never got a chance to consider the gospel don't get penalized for something they had never even heard of. And that is what God is about... we're all here to learn and grow and become the kinds of people we can be. God isn't up there laughing when people fail at life... he's sorrowing. He wants us to succeed... and he gives us all every chance that he can. I also think that it is cool that God judges us by our actions and the desires of our hearts, together. Actions could be judged differently, based on intent, and intent could be judged differently, based on action. That makes the judgement whole, taking into account soul and body. It also means that we can't just get by wanting something bad, but just avoiding it. Going through the motions might be a good way to start learning obedience, but it can't be enough in the end. And wanting the good, but still behaving badly, again... might be salvageable, and is better than bad heart and bad actions together... but again, it won't be enough in the end. Wherever we start, we have to get to inner unity, where our hearts and our actions are in alignment. Where we are desiring *and* doing good. Today, let's work on getting ourselves on the same page. :)