Search Results

Come Follow Me (3 Nephi 11-17) You learn a lot about someone by watching them. Listening to what they say is instructive, but what they do helps you the most - to know what matters most to them. For instance, take Jesus. You learn a lot about Jesus from the Old Testament watching His interactions with the children of Israel as they stumble through more than one wilderness over the millennia. There's one overarching message to His covenant family - and thanks to the law of adoption, the whole human family: come home. "For all this his anger is not turned away, but his hand is stretched out still." (Isaiah 9:21) You learn more still from the New Testament as He assumes His undercover role as a mortal and walks with His brothers and sisters - hopefully, to Him, to become His daughters and sons. His days are filled with interruptions and ministering to people who never even showed up on His 'To Do' list until they showed up right in His path. The way Jesus navigated the day-to-day of mortal living, you have to suspect perhaps He didn't even have a 'To Do' list. Oh wait. Except one overarching thing He repeated often: I'm here to show you what it looks like to put Father's will first. "For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me." (John 6:38) Add that to the parables and the miracles and it would seem the Father gave Jesus one job: bring the children home. Lost sheep. Lost coins. Lost kids. Find what was lost, heal and restore them, and bring them home. Now. Take the myriad millennia of messages from these historical records and condense them into the few short days Jesus spent with the family of Lehi in the Book of Mormon. There you'll have a dense, compact collection of what matters most to Jesus Christ, whose one job was to make possible the rescue and restoration of God's family. You can see what matters to Jesus by what He does, how He does it, the priority He places upon it by putting it first, or by the repetition of certain actions or principles. Jesus wanted every single survivor to have a personal experience with Him - touch His wounds. If this record is to be a witness of His divinity, He was going to have legitimate witnesses . Just like every single human gets his or her own personal witness of the reality and divinity of the Savior through the Holy Ghost - personally and individually - each and every one of those people came forward one by one to see for himself. Given the number of people mentioned in the record, this had to have taken all day (3 Nephi 11:14-16). Jesus also called individuals forward to be healed one by one (3 Nephi 11:14-16) . He also called the children forward one by one to bless them (3 Nephi 17:21). Apparently, individuals matter to Jesus - a lot. It mattered enough to take the time, while thousands waited their turn, for every single individual to have the same opportunity at the experience of witnessing eternal scars or being healed or blessed individually by Him. Jesus ministers to everyone who will have Him as if that individual is the one and only lost child who needs finding and bringing home. He's here for all of us - but he came for you. Even if you were the only one that needed finding and saving. The fact that the bulk of the Sermon on the Mount from Matthew also appears in 3 Nephi teaches me that these are principles which matter to Jesus. The state of our hearts as we come to Him to repent and try to do better. Treating each other how we need to be treated. Giving atypical responses to soften hearts - second miles and second cheeks. Growing pure motives that don't involve anybody knowing the good you're up to. Learning you shouldn't criticize how someone is weeding his garden because you don't know the first thing that's growing there. But even before the repetition of this important sermon, Jesus revealed two very important priorities to Him in His kingdom: you have to be baptized by someone in authority to do it. The very first thing He did after everyone had witnessed His wounds was instruct and give authority to baptize. The very next thing Jesus did was teach that contention is not a part of His program. "...he that hath the spirit of contention is not of me, but is of the devil, who is the father of contention, and he stirreth up the hearts of men to contend with anger, one with another. "Behold, this is not my doctrine, to stir up the hearts of men with anger, one against another; but this is my doctrine, that such things should be done away." (3 Nephi 11:29-30) It matters to Jesus that you know He wants you with Him, because Father wants you with Him. It matters to Jesus that you know that about every other human being so you treat them nice. It matters to Jesus that you know there is order in His kingdom, so you need to come in the way He came in - by being baptized with authority (see 2 Nephi 31). Fun not-so-parenthetical fact: the word ordinance comes from the Latin: to put in order. It matters to Jesus that you don't identify with the stirrer uppers. Once you're in the kingdom there's simply no time or room for that. Contention is counter to the mission; there are sheep to find and love and heal. All of this is to say... You matter to Jesus. He will eternally bear His scars as proof of that. He drank the bitter cup for you because He craves you the way any Parent craves the beautiful creation of His child. You. Matter. To Jesus.

Come Follow Me (3 Nephi 20-26) I had one of those rare days this week when the 3D picture came into view, and I more fully understood what Isaiah was saying. Jesus was quoting Isaiah 54 to Lehi's family in 3 Nephi 22. Sometimes when you squint, you get a hint of what he's saying, but twice this week, reading that short chapter, I wept cathartically at what the Holy Ghost gave me in those verses. "And then shall that which is written come to pass: Sing, O barren, thou that didst not bear; break forth into singing, and cry aloud, thou that didst not travail with child..." (3 Nephi 22:1) Maybe it was because I wanted many more children than came to our house, that there was a miscarriage in the mix. Maybe it's because I'm still mourning the loss of two babies just this past year, born too soon to a beloved family member. Maybe it's because I've mourned for and with infertile friends. Maybe it's because my own arms are empty right now because of faraway grown-up children. All I know is that as I read that first verse, I heard God comforting women who ache to hold a child and for whatever reason, their arms remain empty. Except then, I saw the woman Christ was describing as a symbol for His covenant family, Israel. Because of millennia of disobedience and scattering, the patriarch of that family is portrayed as the empty-armed mother, wondering how he could have better taught eternal promises to his family to make them understand to better stay faithful. The ache of emptiness at no fruit for all the effort of planting is felt by the father as much as the mother in this metaphor. Even as Isaiah paints word images of barren women mourning the emptiness of their arms, the desolate lack of fruit for their planting, the voice of Jesus Christ encourages them to sing and rejoice, because these are the women who bear the most children! As the wiping of tears began in the story (Revelation 21:4), mine began as I read: "Enlarge the place of thy tent, and let them stretch forth the curtains of thy habitations; spare not, lengthen thy cords and strengthen thy stakes; " For thou shalt break forth on the right hand and on the left, and thy seed shall inherit the Gentiles and make the desolate cities to be inhabited." (3 Nephi 2-3) How can this be? How can my empty arms be so filled that I must spare no effort to make room for more than I can count - enough to fill cities? " ...for more are the children of the desolate than the children of the married wife, saith the Lord." (3 Nephi 22:1) The Father of the entire race has called one family to serve all the others, and knowing the fickle folly of the race, has made provisions for their folly. Even the folly of the servant family. A Savior to rescue, redeem, reclaim, and restore. A gathering - ironically - which will start with the children of the woman not under covenant! The fickle family will leave a record for their Gentile brothers and sisters, and thanks to the beautiful doctrine of adoption, these children will also make covenants, and call their wandering covenant brothers and sisters home. Which is more tender and intimate - the covenant between a parent and child, or that between a husband and wife? One of the loveliest images used to describe our relationship with our God is that of Bridegroom - one who keeps covenant in spite of the unfruitful or unfaithful wife. "For thy maker, thy husband , the Lord of Hosts is his name; and thy Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel - the God of the whole earth shall be called. For the Lord hath called thee as a woman forsaken and grieved in spirit, and a wife of youth, when thou wast refused, saith thy God." (3 Nephi 22:5-6) When we read of generations of covenant Israel being unfruitful in their disobedience, wandering from their covenants, it can be easy to focus on the barrenness - the lack of fruit - the broken covenant. That's us; that's the side of the covenant we can relate to. It's easy to forget the One on the other side of the covenant who set the terms - the One whose very character and nature forbid Him to abandon us. Our God doesn't keep covenants the way we do, and praise Him forever because of it: "For a small moment have I forsaken thee, but with great mercies will I gather thee. "In a little wrath I hid my face from thee for a moment , but with everlasting kindness will I have mercy on thee, saith the Lord they Redeemer. "...for as I have sworn that the waters of Noah should no more go over the earth, so have I sworn that I would not be wrath with thee . "For the mountains shall depart and the hills be removed, but my kindness shall not depart from thee, neither shall the covenant of my peace be removed , saith the Lord that hath mercy on thee." (3 Nephi 22:7-10) In the October 2022 Liahona, President Nelson wrote: "Once we make a covenant with God, we leave neutral ground forever. God will not abandon His relationship with those who have forged such a bond with Him." (Russell M. Nelson, "The Everlasting Covenant," Liahona, October 2022) ( https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/liahona/2022/10/04-the-everlasting-covenant?lang=eng ) Everlasting kindness is only part of what God the Father and His Son, Jesus Christ bring to covenant making. Their eternal mercy and kindness will allow a nearly infinite number of second chances. This is their nature, even in generations of barren unfruitfulness: " For all this his anger is not turned away, but his hand is stretched out still." (Isaiah 9:21) "For all this..." - for all the disobedience - the wandering - the years of empty arms - and no fruit in spite of the planting. They're also talking about their empty arms - without us! For all the millennia of separation and broken covenants, His anger is not turned away because it must not be turned away - eternal natural and divine law forbid it. Consequences must be meted according to our choices. But... His hand will be stretched out still. The Savior's mercy will be offered as long as is eternally possible. The invitation to come home will never be rescinded until that final harvest when all accounts must be settled. Everlasting kindness looks like that. "God's intent is to bring you home." ( https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2024/04/45kearon?lang=eng ) https://youtu.be/UaeImqkrf9Q?si=qfiQzDWqXOtwmoVL

(Come Follow Me, 3 Nephi 12-16) Jesus loves to talk about His Father. In the New Testament and in 3 Nephi in the Book of Mormon, it's clear Jesus wants people to know who His Father is. He wants people to know of His boundless goodness, and feel completely unafraid to come to Him with our needs - even our fondest desires. Approaching the throne of God is so much more safe than many imagine, and Jesus wants the human race to know it. Much of 3 Nephi mirrors scripture in the New Testament - like here, where Jesus explains how His Father God answers prayers: "For every one that asketh, receiveth; and he that seeketh, findeth; and to him that knocketh, it shall be opened. "Or what man is there of you, who if his son asked bread , will give him a stone? "Or if he ask a fish , will he give him a serpent? "If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father who is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?" (3 Nephi 14:8-11) If an earthly father knows to not give a stone for bread when his child is hungry, then certainly a Heavenly Father will give that earthly need - and how much more? "...remember, remember that it is upon the rock of our Redeemer, who is Christ , the Son of God , that ye must build your foundation; that when the devil shall send forth his mighty winds, yea, his shafts in the whirlwind, yea, when all his hail and his mighty storm shall beat upon you, it shall have no power over you to drag you down to the gulf of misery and endless wo, because of the rock upon which ye are built, which is a sure foundation, a foundation whereon if men build they cannot fall." (Helaman 5:12) If an earthly father knows to not give that hungry child a serpent instead of a fish, then certainly a Heavenly Father will provide for that temporal - temporary need - and how much more? "...as the Lord God liveth that brought Israel up out of the land of Egypt, and gave unto Moses power that he should heal the nations after they had been bitten by the poisonous serpents, if they would cast their eyes unto the serpent which he did raise up before them,... there is none other name given under heaven save it be this Jesus Christ, of which I have spoken, whereby man can be saved." (2 Nephi 25:20) Jesus subtly teaches this powerful truth: God has asked us to pray for our temporal needs, but He is far more concerned about our eternal spiritual needs. And because He is our Father and loves us, He will generously give us both. I can look back on so many times when I've prayed for something transient and gotten so much more than I asked for. God's abundance has taught me to be instantly suspicious of anyone preaching scarcity. Scarcity breeds fear, coveting, greed, and pettiness. Abundance breeds faith, generosity, and benevolence. That's who our God is. That's who He wants us to be. How often will He give us more than we asked for, in order to teach us this? I can also look back on many more times when I've prayed for something terribly important, and in the transient moment, received an answer of no. As time passes, I've learned that Father's noes look like this - either: A permanent no is because I've asked for something not in accordance with His will, or The temporary no is really an answer of "not now" or "not yet" - or The no could actually include this statement: "I have something better for you." The Bible Dictionary teaches this powerful truth about asking amiss: "Prayer is the act by which the will of the Father and the will of the child are brought into correspondence with each other. The object of prayer is not to change the will of God, but to secure for ourselves and for others blessings that God is already willing to grant, but that are made conditional on our asking for them." (Bible Dictionary, p. 752-753) I've learned that the condition of asking is more about honoring my agency than anything else. I've learned that as much as our Father God wants to be actively involved in my life, He's terribly polite, and will not intrude when not invited. What a Gentleman. If I pray like I'm putting coins in a vending machine, the outcome is rarely the Milky Way I thought I was after. But as I learn to pray to seek the will of God, and to train my unruly human heart to want that will more than my own, I start to see that my Father God will give me bread - for now - and an immovable stone of faith to build my life on. He will give me the fish I need to fill my belly today - and access to His Only Begotten Son. "...And as he lifted up the brazen serpent in the wilderness, even so shall he be lifted up who should come. "And as many as should look upon that serpent should live, even so as many as should look upon the Son of God with faith, having a contrite spirit, might live, even unto that life which is eternal." (Helaman 8:14-15) How much more does our God want to give us, if we learn to want it, and ask? He wants to give us everything - and His Beloved, perfect Son gave His all to provide it. Bread and stone; fish and serpent. More than we can ever possibly need or want - now and eternally. That's who our God is - Our Father. Abundance. Generosity. And love beyond measure. "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." (John 3:16)

I can’t explain it; perhaps I don’t need to. General conference weekend feels like a holiday weekend. And no, it’s not because I can watch church in my jammies. Though that doesn’t hurt. I loved the feel of general conference growing up, even though I scarcely comprehended the importance of it. It permeated our tiny house, as every radio and TV were tuned to it. During seminary years, it was part of my grade to listen to at least two sessions and take notes. Having that incentive, conference began to have more meaning, and once in a while, I heard something that started the seeds of a testimony growing. In the early years of our marriage, I pined for it, as we too often missed it for family events. I always wanted to go back and read the talks after I’d heard them, but it took close to 15 years of marriage to start the habit and add it to inconsistent study time. Thanks to a stake president’s invitation, I finally read every single talk once before the next conference came around again. At the time, it felt like a huge accomplishment. Now, general conference isn’t just a bi-annual weekend to anticipate; it’s also a vital daily life preserver in a turbulent sea of everyday living. In the season when reading conference talks felt like a challenge, those two weekends every spring and fall felt like an oasis in a lone and dreary desert. General conference provided living water to drink deeply from, and to luxuriate in after the previous six months of privation. All too soon I was back in the dessert, yet at some point, I finally came to learn that I could drink from that water the entire six months. To feast on inspired words all year turned those talks into a daily vitamin - as vital to my spiritual well-being as my daily dips-turned-dives into the Book of Mormon. The last several weeks has found me exhausted from my signature cough.  To those who have heard it: no, I do not have tuberculosis or emphysema. No, I did not take up smoking at age 4.  I simply cough this not-so-dainty cough nearly every time I get a cold for what seems like FOREVER. Feeling exhausted and useless, I prayed about how I could use my time better than Netflix or an insipid game on my phone.  I received a most unusual and unexpected invitation: go back and read all the conference talks again before general conference. But wait, there’s more. The invitation included going back and listening to every single Inklings Institute class, the Instagram class offered by Sister Emily Freeman every Thursday morning, each on an individual conference talk from the previous general conference. Accepting this inspired invitation yielded remarkable results.  As I finished today I re-read these amazing words of President Russell M. Nelson: “I invite you to consider carefully the following three statements: The gathering of Israel is evidence that God loves all of His children everywhere. The gospel of Abraham is further evidence that God loves all of His children everywhere. He invites all to come unto Him - ‘black and white, bond and free, male and female; … all are alike unto God.’ The sealing power is supernal evidence of how much God loves all of His children everywhere and wants each of them to choose to return home to Him.” (Russell M. Nelson, “Rejoice in the Gift of  Priesthood Keys,” General Conference, April 2024) I was struck with “good, better, best” tone of President Nelson’s list which he cited as evidence of God’s infinite love for His children. Because of glutting myself in the oasis of living water for the last 3 or 4 weeks, every talk had somehow culminated to this beautiful list, and the Spirit gave sweet clarity to it: To be gathered - and to gather (Moses’ keys) - we are invited to the wedding. Everyone is invited. To accept the gospel of Abraham (Elias’ keys) - we are invited to come in in a higher and holier way - as the bride - under the protection of a covenant. Everyone is invited to enter the covenant. To partake of the sealing power (Elijah’s keys) - we are invited to stay - forever a part of God’s family, to “ go no more out.” (Revelation 3:12) This is why daily water is so much better than the glutting once at an oasis, living my life like a weary little spiritual camel, expecting the huge drink to last for six months.  The messages become more interconnected, more relevant to current problems, and so very much more intimate and personal. General conference talks have become a part of my personal liahona, with new writing every six months according to my faith and diligence (1 Nephi 16:29). As the world darkens and the sea I’m navigating continues to grow more turbulent, general conference twice a year definitely feels like an oasis again, but general conference every day feels more like a steady IV drip of heavenly strength and nourishment, far more vital than even a daily vitamin. I’m so grateful I accepted the invitation to immerse in the living water of general conference this last month. General conference is a lifeline that connects me to my Father, my Savior, and my study companion - the Holy Ghost. It’s my lifeline to Home.  And it’s this weekend.

Come Follow Me (Alma 51 & 60) Those kingmen, though. They sure knew how to bury the lead story of their true motives when their cause was introduced: "there were a part of the people who desired that a few particular points of the law should be altered." (Alma 51:2) No biggie - just a few teensy tweaks. As the petition was presented and the inevitable tantrum ensued because Pahoran denied the request, the few particular points became a movement to dethrone Pahoran. This group of citizens would rather have a king because that seems a more sensible way to get what they want. The petition became a ballot initiative, with catchy slogans and monikers on both sides of the issue. Kingmen described those who "were desirous that the law should be altered in a manner to overthrow the free government and to establish a king over the land." (Alma 51:5) Those who wanted to maintain a free government with the brilliant system of judges established by King Mosiah called themselves freemen . Suddenly, a country with national threats to their security is plunged into a civil dispute - "but not unto bloodshed." (Alma 51:4) The election turned out in favor of keeping the chief judge, which put the issue to rest - for a few minutes, anyway. This begs the question - what does a free government look like? Reading both the Old Testament and Book of Mormon, as well as what God has said about governments in D&C 134, and studying the ideas of the American Founders, I've made an extremely pared down list so I don't go off on a tangent. Since tangential is sort of my zip code. A free government: Establishes and maintains laws which foster self-governance: laws which provide incentives for self-reliance and makes it difficult to become chronically dependent. Focuses on the protection of individual rights civically - and the rights of the entire country nationally - particularly against foreign influence and invasion. This is the very essence of why governments were established in the first place. A free government - focused on its primary job of protecting rights - doesn't micromanage the individual lives of its people. This implies that centralized government far away from the individual citizens is undesirable because it's least efficient, least effective, unsustainable, and contrary to individual rights in the first place. It's good to consider basic elements of a free government when you consider what sort of people would oppose it. We get a brief sketch in Alma 51:8: "Now those who were in favor of kings were those of high birth, and they sought to be kings; and they were supported by those who sought power and authority over the people." (Alma 51:8) Hmmm ... those who both sought to be kings and those who supported them who also wanted power and authority. From behind the scenes, perhaps? Interesting distinction, don't you think? It seems those "of high birth" would be individuals who imagine themselves better suited to rule than the ordinary class citizen. No doubt, these would be folks who ascribe to Plato's ideal of philosopher kings: "Plato argues that philosophers are the most qualified individuals to rule the state due to their deep understanding of truth, justice, and the nature of the human soul. He believed that ordinary people often lack the wisdom and insight necessary for effective governance." ( https://platointelligence.com/what-is-a-philosopher-king-according-to-plato/#google_vignette ) Just a wild guess: I'm thinking money is always going to be involved with those who fancy themselves better qualified to rule. You actually get a fuller sense of what kingmen look like - what they do and what motivates them - in Moroni's epic letter to Pahoran in Alma 60. From the seeming and deceptive safety of our 21st century perch, we generally read that letter knowing the gross misunderstanding from Moroni's perspective, but read it again. This time - imagine he's writing it to those very kingmen who had run Pahoran out of town. There's an excellent sense of how kingmen operate and gain strongholds in governments. Disclaimer - the first two on the list don't come from Moroni's letter; just FYI: When they don't get their way at the polls - "by the voice of the people" - they look to other means to force their point (see Alma 46 and Helaman 1). They generally see external enemy influences, which threaten national security, as opportunities rather than threats (Alma 51:13). Now - Moroni's accusations - which are 100% correct when it comes to the kingmen: View national defense and border protection as a low priority of government - which is the very purpose of government (Alma 60:2). Live in comfort and luxury on the backs of others who do without (Alma 60:5, 7). CAVEAT: THIS IN NO WAY EQUATES TO INCOME INEQUALITY AMONG PRIVATE CITIZENS. We're talking about government. Private individuals who have more have a moral and spiritual duty, as per the first and second commandments, to share. THIS ... is not THAT. The liberty of others is a lower priority than personal comfort amidst political turmoil and upheaval (Alma 60:10). Assume that God's protection will come without any personal involvement in political conflict (Alma 60:11). Corruption follows divisiveness in government, as factions turn to immoral acts to further their goals - "the ends justify the means" (Alma 60:15-16). Personal comfort and security actually become the motivators to stay uninvolved (Alma 60:19-23). Government leaders neglect to put their own house in order before addressing external threats (Alma 60:23-24). There is one constant in any equation which seeks to predict outcomes in human behavior - human nature . In spite of the equation, and in spite of the volatile and unstable nature of human nature - human nature is ironically - wildly predictable: "We have learned by sad experience that it is the nature and disposition of almost all men, as soon as they get a little authority, as they suppose [or money, or education, or influence], they will immediately begin to exercise unrighteous dominion." (D&C 121:39) If you're reading this, you probably failed the kingman test, but you might want to consider using it as a litmus test for future political candidates. We already have far too many kingmen in offices for my comfort or taste.

Come Follow Me (3 Nephi 1-7) I know I sound like a broken record. Reading the Book of Mormon just keeps feeling eerily like I'm reading a modern news story, or reading a transcript of a modern interview with a current political candidate, or listening to a current political speech. IT'S. EERIE, I tell you, and I'm starting to feel a tad repetitive. I'm starting to feel a tad repetitive. And parenthetically, before I call out Giddianhi for his perfectly appalling letter in 3 Nephi chapter 3, I need to rave for just a little minute about the absolute brilliance of the Book of Mormon in general. First and foremost, it testifies of the divine redeeming message and mission of Jesus Christ. So - not just brilliant there, but inspired. Second, it shows what good government and bad government looks like, underscoring the how very much is at stake when secret combinations are allowed to flourish. But thirdly, this book is fast becoming my favorite guidebook on human nature in general. I'd so love to sit down with a clinical psychologist who's read it to dissect the many predictable patterns of human behavior that are so starkly laid out here. You can learn SO MUCH about human nature from reading this book. I had to say that first so that the letter in 3 Nephi chapter 3 serves as a huge Exhibit A in our case for human nature remaining static for lo, these millennia of history. I will never stop finding this fact remarkable: in all its capricious volatility, human nature is staggeringly predictable in any myriad of scenarios. Look at the man behind the letter: Giddianhi is the current head of the Gadianton robbers, the secret combination - which at this point is anything but secret. They're so far along in gaining complete control of the government, they don't even pretend to hide their plans and motives anymore. Gone are the days of couching their agenda in pleasing rhetoric; now it's just "We want power, and we don't care whom we have to get rid of to get it." Giddianhi opens his letter with condescending lies, insinuating that the government Lachoneus oversees has happened dishonestly. He mocks Lachoneus for attributing their preservation to God, and acts as if the rights of liberty and property aren't legitimate: "maintaining that which ye suppose to be your right and liberty; yea, ye do stand well, as if ye were supported by the hand of a god, in the defence of your liberty, and your property, and your country, or that which ye do call so ." (3 Nephi 3:2, emphasis added) It's at this point in a modern-day movie when the victim who is being set up to look crazy usually raises his voice. "I am NOT crazy!" he/she strongly protests, lending perfectly to the perpetrator's plans to make the person look crazy. Suddenly, the villain can leap back in greatly postured surprise and even fear, again - lending to the perception of the victim being truly unhinged. But Giddianhi is writing a letter, and the pile-on of gaslighting rhetoric continues. Speaking of his men who are ready to annihilate the Nephites: "...knowing of their unconquerable spirit, having proved them in the field of battle, and knowing of their everlasting hatred towards you because of the many wrongs which ye have done unto them, therefore if they should come down against you they would visit you with utter destruction." (3 Nephi 3:4, emphasis added) Remind me what wrongs the Nephites committed again? Not giving them their way? Yeah, pretty much. He goes on, adding more lies: "Therefore I have written this epistle... feeling for your welfare, because of your firmness in that which ye believe to be right..." (3 Nephi 3:5) Do you honestly think this man is worried about the welfare of the people he wishes to conquer, particularly when in the next breath he claims that all that they possess is illegitimately theirs, after he has already stated he means to take it for himself? And then it just gets creepy - the lie of the payoff: "...yield yourselves up unto us, and unite with us and become acquainted with our secret works, and become our brethren that ye may be like unto us - not our slaves, but our brethren and partners of all our substance." (3 Nephi 3:7) Is there anyone who would believe this potentially invading force is going to make those he conquers his equals in rights and privileges? When has that ever happened? I'll quick and wait while you google and check... Please note: the true motive is revealed in the negative promise at the end of that statement: "not our slaves." The translation of "we don't want to make your slaves" ? "We intend to make you our slaves." This is roughly akin to the old Jedi mind trick: "These are not the droids you are looking for." The promise of complete destruction if these demands aren't met follow, and then Giddianhi sunnily concludes his missive: "...I am governor of this the secret society of Gadianton; which society and the works thereof I know to be good..." "...deliver up your lands and your possessions...that this my people may recover their rights and government, who have dissented away from you because of your wickedness in retaining from them their rights of government." (3 Nephi 3:9-10) The final coup de grace - these things are unlawfully yours because you took them from us. The letter is completely preposterous in its claims, and the language seeks to make the bully - Giddianhi - the victim. Classic narcissistic behavior. Thank heaven Lachoneus was a wise and discerning leader who couldn't be cowed by such blatant tactics of intimidation. A pattern for dealing with such threats in the Lord's way finishes the chapter: Lachoneus urges his people to pray for strength to go against these ruthless enemies (v. 12). He gathered everyone together in one body and made sure there were strong military reinforcements around them (v. 13-14). Gidgiddoni, the chief military leader who also had the spirit of revelation (v. 19), taught the people that the Lord will never condone the first strike. This is the way to assure the Lord's protection in an unrighteous confrontation (v. 21). Previously, the people had received counsel to prepare for potential sieges, so they had provisions to see them through a war. Perhaps this story makes you feel like you just read a current events story, rather than of an event which happened over two thousand years ago. For your consideration, I submit this as today's Exhibit A of 'There is Nothing New Under the Sun Where Human Nature is Concerned.' Same song, different singers. For the record, I wish we had more leaders - and citizens - who didn't fall for the gaslighting today. I wish we had more leaders who didn't do the gaslighting. Perhaps that's a litmus test in discerning true motives, eh?

(Edited from original post September 12, 2021) Yesterday, I read a number of posts of the phone transcript from Todd Beamer on Flight 93 from September 11, 2001. Todd Beamer’s story will forever touch me - evoke the most primal, raw emotions of grief and gratitude. Grief - that such a fine young man left this world so soon. Gratitude - that such men are sent into a world with so much darkness and selfishness - sent into the kingdom for such a time as this - to show us what living is for. It will forever touch me that seeing nothing but death as a choice, this man chose to use his death to save others. “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.” (John 15:13) I’ve always seen the Christ-like parallel in Todd Beamer’s choice, because even for me, it’s kind of hard to miss. But yesterday, reading the entire transcript again, the words right before the gritty, courageous words, “Let’s roll,” I caught something new. “I will fear no evil, for thou art with me….. [Psalms 23] “Todd: (softer) God help me…Jesus help me…” Suddenly, in that last quiet part of a desperate prayer, I was reminded of another quiet, desperate prayer: “And he went a little further, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt.” (Matthew 26:39) In those last words of Todd Beamer, I felt that reluctance a person would feel prior to the hardest thing he is asked to do in this life, being uttered right alongside the prayer asking for the strength to do it. Right beside the plea for the strength, is the plea of a frightened child: Father - please don’t make me do this. But if I must - please don’t let me shrink. And suddenly, I realized that that prayer is the prayer of every single good person I know. Every single person I know well enough to talk about Real with - is more than a little unsettled about what lies ahead as the world darkens - and brightens - simultaneously. How brilliant that the apostle John compares waiting for the Savior’s return to childbirth. I remember in the weeks leading up to my children’s births, not knowing what to expect, I went through periodic waves of the exact same prayer of a brave but frightened child: Father - please don’t make me do this. But if I must - please don’t let me shrink. Waiting for a baby to be born, or the King to return, is a bit grim in the final hours. The sense that much, much more is going to be required of us than we may currently possess, is an overwhelming feeling - whether you’re 8 months pregnant, about to take down a plane hijacked by evil men, or simply a committed disciple determined to emulate the Son of Man in His love for all of God’s children. However that may look in your corner of His kingdom. Every committed disciple I know is grappling with how to love each other when the powers of darkness seek to turn each other into Other. The most divisive, dangerous, and deadly word we can use for another child of God - a brother or sister - is Other. Divisiveness is the true contagion - highly transmissible if emotion is given sway over principles of love, unity, agency, compassion, forgiveness, and forbearance. As I read Todd Beamer’s prayer before he got up off his knees and went to the work of his heroic death, I wept afresh - just like every time I read his story - but this time, with new insight. Todd Beamer is all of us, knowing that lots of ugly lies ahead, but knowing something is expected of us to combat the ugliness. Love. Beauty for ashes. God… help us. Jesus… help us. Then… Let’s roll.

I went to Narnia this summer. I've only been one other time; I took my son when he was 10; he's going to be 34 in a few weeks. These last few months I had the strongest urge to go again. I'm so glad I did. There are so many lessons to learn there. Also, the animals talk. As a much younger mother, I had read Lion and Caspian before venturing back and reading all seven books with my children. By the time the three of us went together, I had begun a random list of people I hoped to have lunch with some day in the afterlife. Lewis was definitely on the short list which included people like Joseph Smith, Anne Frank, and Helen Keller. I loved the idea of visiting with people who had not just made a difference in the world at large, but made a big difference in my world - in me . Then one day the most absurd and important idea popped into my head: What exactly do you have to say when you meet Mr. Lewis? I realized I might want to be more intentional in what I consumed mentally (see Louis L'Amour quote on home page) so I would have something substantive of my own to bring to the table. Dull lunch indeed, if all I did was reenact the hysterical Chris Farley character from SNL, interviewing various random famous people. ( https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NHPQFPdj8ko&pp=ygUoY2hyaXMgZmFybGV5IGludGVydmlldyBmYW1vdXMgcGVvcGxlIFNOTA%3D%3D ) But I digress. (Imagine) This summer, I revisited one of the loveliest journeys of my life as a mother - taking my precious children into a treasured book. In typical fashion, Megan forged on ahead of us and finished on her own, leaving Grant and me to carry on for most of the series. We read them in Mr. Lewis' preferred order, chronologically: The Magician’s Nephew The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe The Horse and His Boy Prince Caspian: The Return to Narnia The Voyage of the Dawn Treader The Silver Chair The Last Battle This summer, I saw more deeply the themes of Christianity Lewis wove into the fantastical world. Lewis' ability to make profound lessons about human nature simple enough for children served to underscore them somehow. These endearing characters taught me through their own lessons. In The Magician's Nephew, my children saw strong people manipulate and exploit weak people. We read of an entire world destroyed by pride. We watched a little boy full of self-justification learn that despite all excuses and extenuating circumstances, it's impossible to lie to Aslan; your heart simply won’t let you, and neither will He. In The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe, we watched an innocent little boy become addicted before he even knew something was bad for him - all with the promise of importance over siblings with whom he often felt overlooked. It's so important to learn that if someone's offering you something which sounds too good to be true, it is . I love that my children saw Lewis' symbolic telling of the importance of sacrifice and atonement - gently teaching of the ultimate Atonement of Jesus Christ in the sacrifice of Aslan. In A Horse and His Boy, we saw the life of a seemingly unimportant little boy become terribly important in saving a kingdom. Every unfortunate thing that happened to him forged his character and taught him he was carefully watched over by a benevolent power much higher than his own - for a higher purpose than he could ever have imagined. In Prince Caspian, we learned your personal instructions from God may look completely different from everyone else's around you - probably will - but to trust what you know is true. We learned that power in the hands of evil is always for selfishness, but power in the hands of virtue is for service and sacrifice. In Dawn Treader, we met a terribly obnoxious little boy who thought he could restore himself when he recognized what a rotter he was. What a valuable lesson: though more painful, at first - Aslan's way of redemption was a sweet relief. It was equally valuable to watch that obnoxious little boy not be completely transformed afterwards, but forever committed to practicing his new, non-obnoxious ways. In The Silver Chair - we ventured far beneath Narnia to rescue someone terribly beloved and valued - who had been enchanted into a complete forgetfulness of his true identity. We learned a lesson of following instructions as exactly as you know how, and that distractions can lead to a dangerous downward incline. In The Last Battle , we were surprised to meet a counterfeit Aslan - with so many horrendous things done "in his name" that when the truth was finally revealed - far too many were jaded and contemptuous of the real Aslan going forward. It was important for my wide-eyed little boy to hear the story of a king who knew it was worth dying to not disappoint Aslan. Just the other night, I relived one of the most tender moments of leaving Narnia with my little boy twenty-four years ago. I read with great emotion some of the last lines in our adventure: Spoiler alert: this is literally the last page of the last book: [Aslan speaking to the children, of never having to leave Narnia again]: "The term is over: the holidays have begun. The dream is ended: this is the morning." "And as He spoke He no longer looked to them like a lion; but the things that began to happen after that were so great and beautiful that I cannot write them. And for us this is the end of the stories,... All their life in this world and all their adventures in Narnia had only been the cover and the title page: now at last they were beginning Chapter One of the Great Story, which no one on earth has read: which goes on for ever: in which every chapter is better than the one before." I was touched that there were tears in my little boy's eyes besides mine as I shut the book. There was that lovely pregnant pause at the end of every good book: that deep sigh of satisfaction of returning from a journey well worth taking. We smiled at each other with great affection. "Now that's someone I want to have lunch with some day," Grant said. I agreed most wholeheartedly. And twenty-four years later, I still do.

Come Follow Me (Helaman 1-6) One of my very favorite scriptures - even when I'm not reading it - is Helaman 3:29-30. It explains the importance of exact obedience in God's math equation of getting us where He wants us to be - with Him: "Yea, we see that whoever will may lay hold upon the word of God, which is quick and powerful, which shall divide asunder all the cunning and the snares and the wiles of the devil, and lead the man of Christ in a strait and narrow course across that everlasting gulf of misery which is prepared to engulf the wicked - "And land their souls, yea, their immortal souls, at the right hand of God in the kingdom of heaven , to sit down with Abraham, and Isaac, and with Jacob, and with all our holy fathers, to go no more out." (Helaman 3:29-30) I must confess: this scripture captured my attention when I first noticed three verbs next to each other in verse 29: 'will', 'may', and 'lay'. Apparently, once an English teacher, always an English teacher; my ever-present imaginary red pencil started twitching, certain this was some sort of grammatical error. Au contraire. Allow me to translate - with an ever-so-slight change in wording: "... whoever wants to, may choose to lay hold..." AHA. If I desire it, I can choose to grab hold of God's words - His rescuing gospel of Jesus Christ. It clearly reveals the deceptions of the destroyer. It changes me as I continue to practice higher and holier thought and behavior patterns. It teaches me repentance is simply repeating the process of change through practicing those higher and holier behaviors - even when they feel wholly unnatural to a natural girl at first. If continued, grabbing hold of this eternal reality sets me on a trajectory which will carry me across a gulf of misery. Now you know why you had to lay hold - hang on! There's a trajectory that will send you sailing... And eventually land you right next to God. Right where He lives - to live as He lives - and best part: "to go no more out." (v. 30) Apparently, exact obedience creates a trajectory. God's done the math, and teaches us that exact obedience takes us to the grand destination of the celestial kingdom. This is fabulous news, but on any given day, my natural self is limply lying next to my metaphorical handcart, completely girding for the next step ; who can think about the wild ride of celestializing? (see https://www.laureensimper.com/post/just-lyin-in-the-snow-on-a-summer-s-day-lookin-up-at-jesus ) The ride wouldn't be possible, and our being changed by the ride wouldn't be possible, were it not for the cleansing, redeeming, enabling, transforming blood of Jesus Christ. He came so you can take the ride. If you want to. No pressure. No one is forced; there isn't even a punishment for not taking the ride. The last two general conferences have had marvelous talks about three destinations - or landing spots - for God's children: President Dallin H. Oaks, "Kingdoms of Glory," October 2023: https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2023/10/17oaks?lang=eng Elder D. Todd Christofferson, "The Testimony of Jesus," April 2024: https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2024/04/51christofferson?lang=eng Our generous Father has prepared beautiful, unfathomable homes for all His children, save a very special few (see President Oaks' talk particularly). All will be perfectly suited for where they land, based on their level of obedience. Exact obedience lands us back with Him; casual obedience lands us in a realm ruled by Jesus Christ Himself; and even disobedience lands us in a realm ruled by the Holy Ghost. None are icky. There are just more privileges that come with more light, more obedience, and more learned and practiced ability to rule and reign... over yourself. (see D&C 76) Of course, Father generously wants to give us the entire kingdom, which is why He sent His perfect Son to earn it for all who will receive it, since we were pretty much disqualified the minute we entered this fallen sphere. But if you don't want it all, He pleads to give you some inheritance. He will give you as much as you can abide (see D&C 88:16-40). Father didn't randomly dream up rules for us, or penalties for breaking those rules. He enforces the rules of the universe; this is why He is God. Neal A. Maxwell wrote: "It is important to understand that obedience is not simply a requirement of a capricious god who wants us to jump hurdles for him for the entertainment of the Royal Court. It is really the pleading of a loving Father to you and me to discover, as quickly as we can, what we will discover eventually , that there are key concepts and principles that make for happy survival in a planned but otherwise cold universe. Faith and obedience compensate for the shortfall that is true of each of us in terms of our limited experience and limited knowledge. We simply have to rely on these other things to carry us forward at times because our experience and our knowledge fall short. And that pleading from a loving Father, and His prophets here, is to spare us the kind of pain that we will feel if we will not listen." (Neal A. Maxwell, A Time to Choose , p. 13-14) A final word to those of you who concuss as your trajectory lands you in hot water, a pile of mess, or against another brick wall, far less than glorious destinations, because holy smokes - you got it wrong. Again. Jesus. That's the final word. This whole practice of life is set up, from before the foundations of the world, for us to fail quite spectacularly on any given day, and not forever disqualify ourselves for this incredible ride back to the celestial kingdom. If your prayers are anything like mine, and you remonstrate to Father, "I can't do it!" - I most sincerely pray you can hear the voice of your Father - through His Holy Spirit - say to you: "Of course you can't. That's the point. Won't you please let me help you? It's why I came." Remember: no matter what the pathetic number in the equation that represents your ability, x + infinity = infinity. He came so you can practice. Not neurotically, yet not cavalierly. But with real intent. With full purpose of heart. He's ready to add to your teeny number and land you where you want to go - eventually soaring over all hot water, piles of mess, and hard brick walls. He means to bring you home, to go no more out. It's why He came. He's done the math, we just have to keep working the equation.

Come Follow Me (Alma 43-52) The beginning war chapters of Alma rival any film about intrigue, treachery, patriotism and heroism you might be currently binge-watching on Netflix. Mormon tells the gripping tale of two leaders as foils to contrast each other in their character, desires, and works. One is his son's namesake - a man who put his country first and could see clearly through deception and demagoguery. One was the demagogue himself - an all-too-typical wannabe dictator - self-serving, cunning, and ruthless. Captain Moroni portrays a type of Jesus Christ: while not sacrificing his own life as our Savior did, he lived his life willing to do so if necessary to defend his country. Amalackiah portrays a type of Satan - living constantly in a state of entitled umbrage, supposing himself denied his due by others far less deserving. Mormon abridges this part of the record almost more as a well-trained author rather than an inspired historian and prophet. The contrast could not be more clear - the fruit of obedience to God's law leads to service, sacrifice, and freedom. The fruit of disobedience is selfishness, using others to serve selfish ends, and bondage for anyone foolish enough to hitch his wagon to that inevitably briefly bright star. The ongoing game of "How Does the Book of Mormon Look Like Today?" continues, and for those of you playing along at home, look at the same patterns of the adversary from millennia ago, and how they eerily resemble patterns you've most likely watched in the news recently. Every time, Moroni's response centers on "the cause of Christians"- the righteous use of agency which needs to be protected from tyranny. Amalackiah used demagoguery to "stir up" the people. His only cause was himself: he wanted the power to rule. The definition of demagogue: "a leader who obtains power by means of impassioned appeals to the emotions and prejudices of the populace." Moroni's response to Amalackiah gaining popular influence was to remind the people what they stood to lose if he became king: their liberty, their right to worship, and their families. While equally impassioned, Moroni reminded his people of what they were fighting for - not what they were fighting against: " And it came to pass that he rent his coat; and he took a piece thereof, and wrote upon it - In memory of our God, our religion, and freedom, and our peace, our wives, and our children - and he fastened it upon the end of a pole." (Alma 46:12) Amalackiah saved his own skin and left his followers behind when he could see he had lost momentum in his cause (Alma 46:29), and through treachery and fraud, quietly executed a coup among the Lamanites by assassinating their chief commander and then their king. As he went, he continued to make the issue about personalities and people - villainizing the entire Nephite nation to create an enemy to drive emotion and gain support. Moroni - even before the detailed descriptions of banks of earth and watch towers and weaponry - was "preparing the minds of [his] people to be faithful unto the Lord their God" (Alma 48:7) - teaching them correct principles to inspire a desire to govern themselves which was stronger than their desire to have a king. Demagogues create an enemy and stir up emotions against that enemy. Patriots defend principles - because correct principles lived and honored protect those they love. Amalackiah used the sword to gain selfish ends. He died by the sword, as Jesus promised (Matthew 26:52). Moroni used the sword to defend his neighbors, his family, and his homeland for unselfish ends: "...the Nephites were inspired by a better cause, for they were not fighting for monarchy nor power but they were fighting for their home and their liberties, their wives and their children, and their all, yea, for their rites of worship and their church." (Alma 43:45) As you read the rhetoric of the ancient despot and patriot, see if there are any similarities in today's touted causes. Fighting against people for a selfish end? Or fighting for the things you love the most? Fighting against people and personalities? Or fighting for principles? The fight hasn't changed, only the actors have. The causes haven't changed. But perhaps, thanks to the perennial focus groups, the rhetoric has been repackaged to sound more appealing. The warning of J. Reuben Clark, Jr. is as prescient today as when he wrote; "... in the whole history of the human race, from Adam until now, Tyranny has never come to live with any people with a placard on his breast bearing his name. He always comes in deep disguise, sometimes proclaiming an endowment of freedom, sometimes promising help to the unfortunate and downtrodden, not by creating something for those who do not have, but by robbing those who have. But Tyranny is always a wolf in sheep's clothing, and he always ends by devouring the whole flock, saving none. So it is today." (President J. Reuben Clark, Jr., Church News, September 21, 1946) So it was in 73 B.C. So it is in 2024.

Today the Primary children got to ask our bishop what his favorite parable was. He briefly told them why he likes the Good Samaritan. After I wondered if the kids knew what he was talking about, I wondered if I had a favorite. Truth to tell, I am favorite impaired. When Dale was in the Tabernacle Choir, people would ask me what my favorite song was in their tour concerts, and I would answer, “The one they are singing at the moment.”  Same with favorite food: the one in my mouth.  Maybe it’s just lousy decision making, but there it is. But not today. Instantly the parable of the vineyard workers came to my mind. In Matthew chapter 20 Jesus tells of a landowner who hired workers first thing in the morning, a few hours later, a few hours after that, and then at the very end of the day, with only one hour of sunlight left to work. Those who had worked all day were paid their contracted price, but were incensed to learn that the latecomers earned the exact wage. Jesus teaches that God doesn’t care when you come - He just wants you to come. He’ll welcome you no matter when you choose to come - He just wants you to come because you’re His precious child and He craves you the way you crave your children. This parable has been profoundly instructive of how generous Father is in His second, and third, and three millionth chances for me to try again. I’m sure it was on my mind today because this morning, I was again having one of my prayers with a recurring theme: regret. I know we’ve discussed Uncle Ricco, ( https://www.laureensimper.com/post/the-good-news-of-no-do-overs ) but there it is - I was mourning years - decades - of miscomprehension (euphemism for finger up my nose) and distraction (euphemism for laziness or procrastination), and once again asked Father if it was too late to live myself out of a myriad of consequences I’ve squarely earned for myself. The words were barely out, and the imagery of the parable in Matthew 20 came into my mind. While none of these words came into my mind, Father sent me these encouraging thoughts through that one image: “I don’t care that you’ve got less of your life to live than you’ve already lived - make the changes anyway.” “I pay the same for the latecomers, because I’m so thrilled that no matter how late you are, you still want to come and work for Me.” “You’re not a prisoner of your choices, because you can make a different choice this second - and I’ll help you.” Suddenly, I realized that making changes - changes me - whether the results are immediate or not. If I reach out with good will across a gap of indifference or hostility in a relationship, I mustn’t stay my hand, so to speak, and withdraw if I’m rebuffed. If I work in God’s vineyard, I know His standard, and I love Him enough to keep throwing good will across that gap regardless of outcome. If I read scriptures uncomprehendingly, wondering what on earth I just read (why yes, I was thinking about Isaiah, why do you ask?), I mustn’t stop reading in frustration, surrendering to my current level of understanding. If I work for God, I know His pay scale and keep reading, knowing one day, Isaiah’s words will reveal themselves like those elusive 3D pictures. If I attempt to adopt healthy choices for the rest of my life after years of neglecting my body, I must continue to make those choices until they become true habits, knowing my body will eventually trust me and serve me better. If I belong to God, I love Him enough to trust His promises and know I will be different at the end of the day. Even if I come at the end of the day. Even if for now, it may feel like I live in a prison of past choices because I didn’t show up earlier. In order to think celestial, I have to disconnect telestial cause and effect. This is a higher level of faith -  knowing that God’s laws of cause and effect don’t always show up in this lifetime. What I become making the celestial choice in a telestial world will always be worth it. Even if I don’t make the choice until I’m 67. I can’t necessarily work for results. I just need to work, learning to want what God wants, learning to love what God loves, knowing that each choice to change is the choice to come to the vineyard to work. Knowing that the pay is excellent and reliable. Even at the end of the day. That’s why I’ll never truly be a prisoner of my choices. The Eagles sang it best: “So oftentimes it happens that we live our lives in chains, and we never even know we have the key.” That’s what coming later in the day is all about. The good news of the gospel of Jesus Christ is that I can change - right this minute. At 10:00 p.m. Every choice is like another drop of oil in my lamp, changing me and preparing me so I’m ready to go in when the Bridegroom comes. I think I just switched parables, and so maybe this one is my new favorite…

Come Follow Me (Alma 39-42) I find myself quoting Mark Twain often with this characteristically pithy wisdom:  “Good judgment comes from experience. Experience comes from bad judgment.” Those ten words get to the heart the human experience, and to the heart of the gospel of Jesus Christ.  Christ's generous atoning sacrifice offers us all the benefit of experience - good judgment - without leaving us forever the prisoner of the inevitable consequences of our bad judgment.   As I write that, it almost sounds like an impossible sleight of hand: how is that even possible? Enos, incredulous at its effects in his own heart, asked,  Lord, how is it done?” (Enos 1:7) Alma explains this wondrous doctrinal reality in chapters 41-42 with some of the best clarity in all of scripture. The doctrine of restoration  is  the doctrine of turning bad judgment into good judgment, because of Jesus Christ. Chapter 41 sets up the dilemma of natural law which forever consigns us to those consequences.  Alma teaches: “And it is requisite with the justice of God that men should be judged according to their  works ; and if their works were good in this life, and the  desires  of their hearts were good, that they should also, at the last day, be restored unto that which is good. “And if their  works  are evil they shall be restored unto them for evil. Therefore, all things shall be restored to their proper order… “The one raised to happiness according to his  desires of happiness, or good according to his  desires  of good; and the other to evil according to his  desires  of evil…” (Alma 41:3-5) Alma makes it perfectly clear that both our desires and works over a lifetime create a perfect record to be judged from - which do we want - happiness or misery? Light or darkness? Freedom or captivity? I don’t know about you, but my works and desires are unruly and wildly unpredictable.  The education of earth is a grueling process at my house, and schooling those desires to fit into the will of God feels like trying to contain plutonium in a lunch sack.   I’d give the entire project up as hopeless, were it not for the glorious realities Alma teaches Corianton. He continues: “… if  he hath repented of his sins, and desired righteousness until the end of his days, even so he shall be rewarded unto righteousness. “Now, the decrees of God are  unalterable ; therefore, the way is prepared that whosoever  will  may walk therein and be saved.” (Alma 41:6,8) There's that comforting promise again: I can have this - if I want it. Irredeemably stained from living in this fallen world, I can't escape eternal justice which must be paid. God isn't a hard nose because of this requirement; Alma teaches: "Now the work of justice could not be destroyed; if so, God would cease to be God." (Alma 42:13) But because of Jesus Christ, my massive debt to justice is paid. I don't know how He did that for every living soul through the millennia in that one horrible, finite night, but He did. It allows mercy to be offered, and justice to still be paid: "And now, the plan of mercy could not be brought about except an atonement should be made; therefore God himself atoneth for the sins of the world, to bring about the plan of mercy , to appease the demands of justice, that God might be a perfect, just God, and a merciful God also." (Alma 42:15) In "The Mediator" - Elder Boyd K. Packer's general conference talk from April 1977 - he tells an original parable to illustrate how Jesus Christ becomes our mediator to pay justice - allowing both justice to be satisfied with full payment, thanks to His atoning sacrifice - and for mercy to be applied for those who accept Jesus as their creditor. ( https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/1977/04/the-mediator?lang=eng ) This video was in this week's Come Follow Me Lesson, depicting Elder Packer's parable: https://youtu.be/d7N5QDDboi8?si=uYqWznLii9lpq9eW Alma reiterates: "Therefore, O my son, whosoever will come may come and partake of the waters of life freely; and whosoever will not come the same is not compelled to come; but in the last day it shall be restored unto him according to his deeds." (Alma 42:27) Heaven is our original home. To be restored through Jesus Christ is to be as clean as when I left home. But now, because of His supreme act of love, I come with all the experience of doing it so gloriously wrong for lo, these many years. To quote our dear new temple president, Kenneth DuVall: "Perhaps his arms and hands are always outstretched so that we can clearly see the visible signs of His uncompromising commitment to our success in the imprints on his palms and wrists." (Kenneth DuVall, Taylorsville Temple President, Taylorsville Temple Dedication, June 2, 2024) Heaven is truly our original factory reset, because of Jesus Christ. But thanks to Him, all the data of our learned lessons isn't erased! Jesus was with the Father from the beginning when the Plan was designed and sustained and He agreed to implement it. He completed the transaction and paid the debt in full when He said "It is finished" on the cross (John 19:30). He is literally the author and finisher of our faith (Hebrews 12:2). We can gain the experience to achieve eternal judgment without forever remaining prisoners of our bad judgment, because of Him. "Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift." (2 Corinthians 9:15)