(The following is from a sermon given in a sacrament meeting in 2009)
“Remember the worth of souls is great in the sight of God; for, behold, the Lord your Redeemer suffered death in the flesh; wherefore he suffered the pain of all men, that all men might repent and come unto Him. And he hath risen again from the dead, that he might bring all men unto him, on conditions of repentance. And how great is his joy in the soul that repenteth!” (Doctrine and Covenants 18: 10-13)
The Savior did not come down to praise those who were already living their lives in the way He would have them live; He came down to persuade sinners to repent. The Church is not a gathering-place of the already perfected. It is a school where we are taught how to live, how to repent, and how to improve.
The apostle Paul taught this concept to struggling members of the church in Ephesus. He told them, “And [Christ] gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; for the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ: That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; but speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ … This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind, having the understanding darkened, … who being past feeling have given themselves over unto lasciviousness, to work all uncleanness with greediness. But ye have not so learned Christ; If it so be that ye have heard him, and have been taught by Him, as the truth is in Jesus: [then surely ye would] put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; and be renewed in the spirit of your mind; and that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness. Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbor: for we are members one of another.” (Ephesians 4:11-25)
“For the Son of man is come to save that which was lost. How think ye? If a man have an hundred sheep, and one of them be gone astray, doth he leave the ninety and nine and goeth into the mountains, and seeketh that which is gone astray? And if it be that he find it, verily I say unto you, he rejoiceth more of that sheep, than of the ninety and nine which went not astray. … Therefore is the kingdom of heaven likened unto a certain king, which would take account of his servants. And when he had begun to reckon, one was brought unto him, which owed him ten thousand talents. But forasmuch as he had not to pay, his lord commanded him to be sold, and his wife, and children, and all that he had, and payment to be made. The servant therefore fell down, and worshipped him, saying, Lord, have patience with me, and I will pay the all. Then the lord of that servant was moved with compassion, and loosed him, and forgave him the debt. But the same servant went out, and found one of his fellowservants, which owed him an hundred pence: and he laid hands on him, and took him by the throat, saying, pay me that thou owest. And his fellowservant fell down at his feet, and besought him, saying, have patience with me, and I will pay thee all. And he would not: but went and cast him into prison, till he should pay the debt. … So likewise shall me heavenly Father do also unto you, if ye from your hearts forgive not every one his brother their trespasses. …Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Till seven times? Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, until seven times: but, until seventy times seven.” (Matthew 18:11-13, 23-35, 21-22)
It is our job to forgive others. Righteousness is an attitude that is marked by good deeds; it is not the sum of deeds done. Perfection and true discipleship is an attitude, an ongoing process, and not a condition of our existence.
We need to heed the provisions set out in our covenants and rise above the world. We need to be more than the world expects us to be. We need to keep ourselves above the world, so that we can reach downward and lift those of us who are less fortunate. We are all ordinary people, some of us are just placed in positions that allow us to help others more effectively. No one is any better than anyone else. Those of us who are tithe-paying, “card-carrying” members of the church who give little thought to reaching outward to help others ought to reconsider how well we really are doing at putting our righteousness to use. What does it mean for us to be the person that the Lord wants us to be, if we don’t use our prominence to inspire others to want to change and improve? “Verily I say unto you all: Arise and shine forth, that thy light may be a standard for the nations; and that the gathering together upon the land of Zion, and upon her stakes, may be for a defense, and for a refuge from the storm, and from wrath…” (Doc. & Cov. 115: 5-6) “Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.” (Matthew 5: 14-16)
The example of the Savior is always one that is worth following.
"Then drew near unto him all the publicans and sinners for to hear him.
And the Pharisees and scribes murmured, saying, This man receiveth sinners, and eateth with them.
And he spake this parable unto them, saying,
What man of you, having an hundred sheep, if he lose one of them, doth not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness, and go after that which is lost, until he find it? And when he hath found it, he layeth it on his shoulders, rejoicing. And when he cometh home, he calleth together his friends and neighbours, saying unto them, Rejoice with me; for I have found my sheep which was lost.
I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance.
Either what woman having ten pieces of silver, if she lose one piece, doth not light a candle, and sweep the house, and seek diligently till she find it? And when she hath found it, she calleth her friends and her neighbours together, saying, Rejoice with me; for I have found the piece which I had lost.
Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth.
And he said, A certain man had two sons: And the younger of them said to his father, Father, give me the portion of goods that falleth to me. And he divided unto them his living.
And not many days after the younger son gathered all together, and took his journey into a far country, and there wasted his substance with riotous living. And when he had spent all, there arose a mighty famine in that land; and he began to be in want.
And he went and joined himself to a citizen of that country; and he sent him into his fields to feed swine. And he would fain have filled his belly with the husks that the swine did eat: and no man gave unto him.
And when he came to himself, he said, How many hired servants of my father’s have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger!
I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee, and am no more worthy to be called thy son: make me as one of thy hired servants. And he arose, and came to his father.
But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him. And the son said unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight, and am no more worthy to be called thy son.
But the father said to his servants, Bring forth the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet, and bring hither the fatted calf, and kill it; and let us eat, and be merry. For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found. And they began to be merry.
Now his elder son was in the field: and as he came and drew nigh to the house, he heard music and dancing. And he called one of the servants, and asked what these things meant.
And he said unto him, Thy brother is come; and thy father hath killed the fatted calf, because he hath received him safe and sound.
And he was angry, and would not go in: therefore came his father out, and entreated him.
And he answering said to his father, Lo, these many years do I serve thee, neither transgressed I at any time thy commandment: and yet thou never gavest me a kid, that I might make merry with my friends. But as soon as this thy son was come, which hath devoured thy living with harlots, thou hast killed for him the fatted calf.
And he said unto him, Son, thou art ever with me, and all that I have is thine. It was meet that we should make merry, and be glad: for this thy brother was dead, and is alive again; and was lost, and is found."
Luke 15
The parable of the prodigal son isn’t about the prodigal. It’s about the attitude of the “faithful” son, the one who always “did what’s right.” It’s about pride getting in the way of forgiveness. The point that the Savior was trying to make by teaching these parables is also the essence of the entire plan of salvation. It is entirely based off of the concept of gaining that which was supposed as being lost, rather than simply holding on to what we already have.
Imagine if we were sent to go down to this Earth as did Adam and Eve; pure, innocent, holy beings who had neither the capacity nor desire to sin. Imagine for a moment what this would mean regarding the responsibilities and privileges that are here for us to experience. There would be no need for missionary service. No need for home teaching. No need for temple work. No need for sacrament meetings, Relief Society meetings, primary, Sunday school, or priesthood meetings. No need to go to church at all. No need for testimonies. No need to change or improve. No need to repent. No need for baptism. No need to receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. No need to endure. No need for us to worry about putting off the natural man. No need for us to help each other get through any problems. No need for scriptures. No need for revelation. No need for a prophet. No need for us to carry priesthood power. No need to make or try to keep covenants. No need for an atonement, no need for a Savior, no need for families.
We would all just enjoy this wonderful place that our Father has prepared for us, without ever questioning the fact that there really is a better way. A more painful and difficult way, but an infinitely better way. Now, imagine God’s delight when, not having been born with a recollection of our time with Him in Heaven, we manage to get through this place. Somehow we are taught and faithfully implement the Gospel into our everyday lives. Somehow we grow in wisdom and stature, until we attain that level that is necessary for us to appreciate our place in God’s family. Somehow, without ever seeing Him, we gain an unshakeable witness that Jesus is the Christ, who was chosen from the beginning. Imagine how much greater our Father’s joy will be with us as we truly become more like Him, by enduring the less pleasurable experiences of mortality in order to really enjoy the good times. Imagine his pleasure in us as we overcome the world and learn to trust in Him. Imagine how much more meaningful it would be to make exalted beings out of sinners. Those of us who make it will only be considered repentant prodigals in the end.
I know the power of being quick to observe and slow to judge. I know that the Lord is pained to see us suffer and is there with us as we go through trials. He can help us. He literally knows exactly what it feels like. All we need to do is reach out to him for support; He will be there. It is my testimony that the most effective way to reach out to pull ourselves out of our own misery is to extend warm, welcoming arms to someone who needs our help and comfort. This way, both are pulled out of the dark shadows of misery and are brought out into the common ground between them that is where the Lord is also. We would all do well to live our lives with this attitude towards our friends — “Thee lift me and I’ll lift thee, and we’ll both ascend together.” (John Greenleaf Whittier)
I know that God lives. I have had too many of my prayers answered for anyone to convince me otherwise. I feel that the Brother of Jared’s experience on the mountain is not singular among men; I have seen the Lord’s hands in my life, working through the loving guidance and caring words of teachers, parents, siblings, and friends. I have experienced the supreme peace that comes through the honest application of the cleansing power of the Atonement. I have been blessed throughout my life with the association of good friends. I constantly wonder what I have ever done to deserve the life that I have. My only conclusion is that I don’t really deserve it. I have it so that I have added incentives to continue to improve and always remember to repent. I plead with you all at this time to please take time to remove the beam from your own eye, so that you might see for yourself whether there really is anything in your neighbor’s eye. Please take time to ponder the choices you have made in your life, and stop to consider whether it is worth your time to criticize the choices someone else has made.
I hope we never have the attitude of the brother of the prodigal son. What is the real advantage of eliminating evil from our lives if we fail to fill our lives with goodness? Please, take time to go out of your way to help someone who is struggling. Use your own influence for good. Pray as though everything depended upon God. Work as though everything depended upon you. I hope that we may always express and act upon sincere concern for the one.
