"For there is a time appointed for every man, according as his works shall be."
Doctrine and Covenants 121:25
Before this in this section, it is talking about the judgment, emphasizing that murderers aren't going to get off easily. One of the footnotes also references D&C 122:9, which says in part "Thy days are known, and thy years shall not be numbered less."
Sometimes when we think of an appointed time, or knowing our days and years ahead of time we think that things are just fated to be a certain way, and that free will isn't really free, because it's already established and we can't break out of it. There are some pretty circular mental arguments along those lines, and they can sound pretty convincing. Let's remember a few things though, before we give up on trying to be good. :) First of all, "all is as one day with God, and time only is measured unto men" (Alma 40:8). We're probably not going to understand the lack of time completely until after this life, because it is really hard to imagine when everything we do is riddled with it. :) However, it's still true, and it means that God can allow us to have free agency, but still know what we're going to choose... because he can see all of it at the same time. It doesn't mean that he is forcing/causing us to make whatever choices that we make. It only means that he knows about them.
The other thing that I think we should remember is that knowing the future is definitely not something that has to be viewed with negativity. Even if we somehow were locked into our choices, who is to say that they aren't awesome and great ones? There is no reason to assume that we got stuck in a rut and never got out or made anything of ourselves. (We're not locked in, by the way, but just saying.) :) One great thing about God knowing the future is that he knows how the story ends. ... And as I may have mentioned before (spoilers), it is a happy ending. :) We're on our way to joy and a fabulous future... it can be whatever we want to make it, and we'll have God's help in getting there. Just a few things to learn along the way. Patience..., and other stuff, you know. ;)
Today, let's not fear the judgment. Let's work for it. Let's learn and grow and make a difference. And then we can be confident in the outcome, whatever our time is.
Doctrine and Covenants 121:25
Before this in this section, it is talking about the judgment, emphasizing that murderers aren't going to get off easily. One of the footnotes also references D&C 122:9, which says in part "Thy days are known, and thy years shall not be numbered less."
Sometimes when we think of an appointed time, or knowing our days and years ahead of time we think that things are just fated to be a certain way, and that free will isn't really free, because it's already established and we can't break out of it. There are some pretty circular mental arguments along those lines, and they can sound pretty convincing. Let's remember a few things though, before we give up on trying to be good. :) First of all, "all is as one day with God, and time only is measured unto men" (Alma 40:8). We're probably not going to understand the lack of time completely until after this life, because it is really hard to imagine when everything we do is riddled with it. :) However, it's still true, and it means that God can allow us to have free agency, but still know what we're going to choose... because he can see all of it at the same time. It doesn't mean that he is forcing/causing us to make whatever choices that we make. It only means that he knows about them.
The other thing that I think we should remember is that knowing the future is definitely not something that has to be viewed with negativity. Even if we somehow were locked into our choices, who is to say that they aren't awesome and great ones? There is no reason to assume that we got stuck in a rut and never got out or made anything of ourselves. (We're not locked in, by the way, but just saying.) :) One great thing about God knowing the future is that he knows how the story ends. ... And as I may have mentioned before (spoilers), it is a happy ending. :) We're on our way to joy and a fabulous future... it can be whatever we want to make it, and we'll have God's help in getting there. Just a few things to learn along the way. Patience..., and other stuff, you know. ;)
Today, let's not fear the judgment. Let's work for it. Let's learn and grow and make a difference. And then we can be confident in the outcome, whatever our time is.
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