Be Ye Therefore--WHAT?!

I know, I know, it's been a while.  I apologize for my delinquency.  Something else you should know is that I will now be posting no more than once a week as part of a change in the assignment I've been given to share the gospel online.  Translation: fewer posts, but far more powerful because it's all my thoughts crammed into one!  Enjoy.

This morning I was studying scriptures about the nature of our Father in Heaven and came across one that is in both the Bible (Matthew 5:48) and the Book of Mormon (3 Nephi 12:48):

Therefore I would that ye should be perfect even as I, or your Father who is in heaven is perfect.

Holy Cow!  Talk about a tall order!  I don't know about you, but I've never done anything perfectly, let alone my own personal flaws.  But as I thought about that mandate, I also thought about how much trust Jesus has in us to invite us to be like Him and Heavenly Father.  He believes in us.  It might seem like the bar is too high, like trying to do all the things required of us and be the "perfect person" might be impossible and would cause us to feel immense pressure to always, always toe the line and never mess up.  But people who feel that way forget something else Jesus said:

These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace.  In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.  (John 16:33)

So you see, through Jesus Christ we can have peace in this world.  Yeah, there's a lot that tries to drag us down, and yeah, there's a lot of bad that happens, even to good people.  We aren't going to be perfect in this life, nor do we make ourselves perfect.  But it is up to us to try, try again, to always choose Jesus Christ.  The world says people will never be perfect, so why even try?  But Jesus says, "I would that ye should be perfect."  We have His confidence--what more do we need?

Fear not, for He has overcome the world.  Have a great week!

Much Love,

Elder Spendlove

PS Share this with someone who's having a bad week.  That's the best way to feel Christ's love--by sharing it!