"Behold, the great day of the Lord is at hand; and who can abide the day of his coming, and who can stand when he appeareth? For he is like a refiner’s fire, and like fuller’s soap; and he shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver, and he shall purify the sons of Levi, and purge them as gold and silver, that they may offer unto the Lord an offering in righteousness. Let us, therefore, as a church and a people, and as Latter-day Saints, offer unto the Lord an offering in righteousness; and let us present in his holy temple, when it is finished, a book containing the records of our dead, which shall be worthy of all acceptation."
Doctrine and Covenants 128:24
Always before when I read this verse, I thought that the question "who can stand when he appeareth?" was rhetorical... that it was about the power of God and the fact that no one can withstand his power. Today, though, I feel like it is actually asking us which of us will be able to stand before God when he returns... that it is possible, and that God stands ready to help us become purified, and whole, and holy... able to stand before him and be accepted.
Today, let's work with God to improve and learn and grow so that we will be able to stand, both at the last day, and now, as better people and worthy of all that God is willing to grant us. … I know that we don't often feel worthy, especially thinking about such a momentous meeting, but isn't that part of the point? God wants us to feel worthy, and loved, and accepted, and to overcome our weaknesses and to feel strong and positive and capable of succeeding. God isn't here to tear us down like a drill sergeant, telling us how worthless we are and bullying us into shape. He's here to lift us and help us and help us realize the good within us, and choose to be true to it. Let's allow him to help us find that part of ourselves, no matter how lost we feel.
Doctrine and Covenants 128:24
Always before when I read this verse, I thought that the question "who can stand when he appeareth?" was rhetorical... that it was about the power of God and the fact that no one can withstand his power. Today, though, I feel like it is actually asking us which of us will be able to stand before God when he returns... that it is possible, and that God stands ready to help us become purified, and whole, and holy... able to stand before him and be accepted.
Today, let's work with God to improve and learn and grow so that we will be able to stand, both at the last day, and now, as better people and worthy of all that God is willing to grant us. … I know that we don't often feel worthy, especially thinking about such a momentous meeting, but isn't that part of the point? God wants us to feel worthy, and loved, and accepted, and to overcome our weaknesses and to feel strong and positive and capable of succeeding. God isn't here to tear us down like a drill sergeant, telling us how worthless we are and bullying us into shape. He's here to lift us and help us and help us realize the good within us, and choose to be true to it. Let's allow him to help us find that part of ourselves, no matter how lost we feel.
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