"Behold, my soul delighteth in proving unto my people the truth of the coming of Christ; for, for this end hath the law of Moses been given; and all things which have been given of God from the beginning of the world, unto man, are the typifying of him.
And also my soul delighteth in the covenants of the Lord which he hath made to our fathers; yea, my soul delighteth in his grace, and in his justice, and power, and mercy in the great and eternal plan of deliverance from death."
2 Nephi 11:4-5
I like the idea here of the all-encompassing nature of God's plan, and how everything and everyone was taken into consideration, the way all is as one day before the Lord (Alma 40:8). The scriptures were written to point to Christ even though he was not yet living, and people before Christ were saved by his atonement, as we are, after the actual event. Because God promised it, it was a sure thing before it even happened, which I think is a good thing to remember about all of God's promises. They are always sure, even when they seem really far away. Just like the atonement, the happy ending that God promises us, if we trust in it, can help us to be happy now (Mormon 9:14).
Nephi also mentions the covenants that the Lord made to his ancestors (and ours, whether by blood or adoption). That's another example of this idea. Sometimes it takes thousands of years for a promise to be fulfilled when it is to a whole people, but God *always* keeps his word. If we can be patient and accept God's timing, it will always be perfect.
Nephi mentions God's grace, justice, power, and mercy. The way that all of those pieces of the gospel fit together is a primary aspect of the atonement. Christ makes it possible for justice and mercy to coexist in our lives, through the grace and power of Christ. Through him, we can be imperfect, and yet still work towards perfection. Because he pays the price and overcomes the obstacles for us, his grace grants us almost unlimited second chances to get it right (not that we should use them unwisely of course, or treat the atonement lightly). Christ, as mediator, gives us that opportunity to keep working on changing and improving, until the eventual perfect day (Proverbs 4:18; D&C 50:24), which I think is not the day (though cool) with the best weather and the best friends, but rather the day when we actually reach perfection. What an amazing day that will be. Today, let's stay on God's path, and keep working towards that day.
And also my soul delighteth in the covenants of the Lord which he hath made to our fathers; yea, my soul delighteth in his grace, and in his justice, and power, and mercy in the great and eternal plan of deliverance from death."
2 Nephi 11:4-5
I like the idea here of the all-encompassing nature of God's plan, and how everything and everyone was taken into consideration, the way all is as one day before the Lord (Alma 40:8). The scriptures were written to point to Christ even though he was not yet living, and people before Christ were saved by his atonement, as we are, after the actual event. Because God promised it, it was a sure thing before it even happened, which I think is a good thing to remember about all of God's promises. They are always sure, even when they seem really far away. Just like the atonement, the happy ending that God promises us, if we trust in it, can help us to be happy now (Mormon 9:14).
Nephi also mentions the covenants that the Lord made to his ancestors (and ours, whether by blood or adoption). That's another example of this idea. Sometimes it takes thousands of years for a promise to be fulfilled when it is to a whole people, but God *always* keeps his word. If we can be patient and accept God's timing, it will always be perfect.
Nephi mentions God's grace, justice, power, and mercy. The way that all of those pieces of the gospel fit together is a primary aspect of the atonement. Christ makes it possible for justice and mercy to coexist in our lives, through the grace and power of Christ. Through him, we can be imperfect, and yet still work towards perfection. Because he pays the price and overcomes the obstacles for us, his grace grants us almost unlimited second chances to get it right (not that we should use them unwisely of course, or treat the atonement lightly). Christ, as mediator, gives us that opportunity to keep working on changing and improving, until the eventual perfect day (Proverbs 4:18; D&C 50:24), which I think is not the day (though cool) with the best weather and the best friends, but rather the day when we actually reach perfection. What an amazing day that will be. Today, let's stay on God's path, and keep working towards that day.
Thank you, Suzanne. So good to still hear your wisdom. Hope your new city loves you like we do. Aleta
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