Soap Box Sunday

Today in sunday school, we studied 3 Nephi, 8-11. Everyone who has served a mission has chapter 11 (at least) practically memorized :) but it never ceases to amaze me!

A couple of things the Savior said really stood out to me:

3 Nephi 9:13-14

"O all ye that are spared because ye were more righteous than they, will ye not now return unto me, and repent of your sins, and be converted, that I may heal you?

Yea, verily I say unto you, if ye will come unto me ye shall have eternal life. Behold, mine arm of mercy is extended towards you, and whosoever will come, him will I receive; and blessed are those who come unto me."

One lady in the class made a really good observation. When we think about this occurance in 3 Nephi, all of the destruction, lives lost, and despair...and then the visit of the Savior, we begin to think about what is to come in our own time. This sister said that she appreciated the fact that none of these people who were spared were perfect--they were simply a bit more just than those who were killed. And that gave her hope--that even though she is not perfect, that is not what is required--she may have a chance! I thought about that, and realized I definitely have that same hope.

These verses also remind me yet again of the infinite compassion and love that the Savior has for each of us. Even when we fail, even when we sin, there is always a way back to him. He is pleading to us, that we might return. Though it is foolish to procrastinate the day of our repentance, (because, as Dahlin H. Oaks said, it is not necessarily what we have DONE in this life...it is what we've BECOME--and we won't become what our Heavenly Father knows we can become, with death-bed repentance) it is reassuring that no matter what, the Lord loves us and "his hand is stretched out still." (2 Ne. 15:25)

The Lord also loves us individually--this verse really reminds me of that:

3 Nephi, 11:14-15

"Arise and come forth unto me, that ye may thrust your hands into my side, and also that ye may feel the prints of the nails in my hands and in my feet, that ye may know that I am the God of Israel, and the God of the whole earth, and have been slain for the sins of the world.

And it came to pass that the multitude went forth, and thrust their hands into his side, and did feel the prints of the nails in his hands and in his feet; and this they did do, going forth one by one until they had all gone forth, and did see with their eyes and did feel with their hands, and did know of a surety and did bear record, that it was he, of whom it was written by the prophets, that should come."

Imagine how long the Savior stood there, as ONE BY ONE, each man, woman, and child, came to touch him and witness for themselves that he was truly their Redeemer. And I'm sure each person was not hasty to move on after they had waited and reached Him. This really does show the incredible love and concern Christ has for each of us. How His atonement truly was indeed a suffering for each of us individually. How He understands, cares for, and worries over of each of us on a personal basis.

It is no wonder Chapter 11 is the first chapter each investigator is assigned to read. I know that Jesus Christ is the reason we will be able to return to our heavenly home. I know He suffered to make that a reality. I know that we are here to learn to become more like Him, and that as we submit ourselves to Him, striving to be the best that we can be, He will make up the difference--He will make us whole.