A Reminder that We are Dependent upon Heaven
Laziness is a foreign concept to Mormon doctrine. Life is about lifting the self and others towards a heaven filled with righteousness and goodness. However, such effort is beyond Herculean, and requires continuous heavenly assistance known as grace. Below is a grace-based formula for success.
When God cast Adam and Eve out of the Garden of Eden into the fallen world, they were told:
Genesis 3:19
In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return unto the ground [the grave].
Earth life was not designed to be easy. An earthly livelihood can be obtained only by the sweat of the brow. Only with the help of God can humanity be restored to the presence of God.
The biblical allusion to Adam and Eve is a reminder that work and effort is the NATURE of this world. But, no one is arguing, least of all Mormons, that humans can reach the presence of God without complete help from above.
Joseph Smith, the latter-day founder of the Mormon movement, said concerning the Church in 1831:
Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Joseph Smith (2007), Ch. 30: "Valiant in the Cause of Christ,” p. 352
It was clearly evident that the Lord gave us power in proportion to the work to be done, and strength according to the race set before us, and grace and help as our needs required.
Joseph Smith gave many admonitions to his followers to live in righteousness, but he rarely did so without reminders of the heavenly tools by which such living could be accomplished. For example, consider the following teaching:
Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Joseph Smith (2007), Ch. 30: "Valiant in the Cause of Christ,” p. 354 [emphasis mine]
No consideration whatever ought to deter us from showing ourselves approved in the sight of God, according to His divine requirement. Men not unfrequently forget that they are dependent upon heaven for every blessing which they are permitted to enjoy, and that for every opportunity granted them they are to give an account. You know, brethren, that when the Master in the Savior’s parable of the stewards called his servants before him he gave them several talents to improve on while he should tarry abroad for a little season, and when he returned he called for an accounting. So it is now. Our Master is absent only for a little season, and at the end of it He will call each to render an account; and where the five talents were bestowed, ten will be required; and he that has made no improvement will be cast out as an unprofitable servant, while the faithful will enjoy everlasting honors. Therefore we earnestly implore the grace of our Father to rest upon you, through Jesus Christ His Son, that you may not faint in the hour of temptation, nor be overcome in the time of persecution.
Latter-day Saints take the parable of the talents seriously (Matt. 25:14-30). This life is the time to learn and develop. It is not a time to become stagnant and carefree. Instead, we must expand our "talents" by working and moving forward. Can we do all of this on our own? NO. We are fully dependent upon heaven through faith, prayer, fasting, attending Church, reading scripture, and literally hundreds of other tools made efficacious by the atonement of Christ.
Grace and works interact in a synergistic manner. Works are made possible by grace. In fact, one might argue that the "light of Christ" (one manifestation of grace) is behind all righteous found anywhere in the world.
Wait! Have Latter-day Saints always taught such a strong concept of grace? Yes. The Book of Mormon is filled with such teachings. Consider the following:
Mosiah 5:15
15 Therefore, I would that ye should be steadfast and immovable, always abounding in good works, that Christ, the Lord God Omnipotent, may seal you his, that you may be brought to heaven, that ye may have everlasting salvation and eternal life, through the wisdom, and power, and justice, and mercy of him who created all things, in heaven and in earth, who is God above all. Amen.
2 Nephi 31:19
19 And now, my beloved brethren, after ye have gotten into this strait and narrow path, I would ask if all is done? Behold, I say unto you, Nay; for ye have not come thus far save it were by the word of Christ with unshaken faith in him, relying wholly upon the merits of him who is mighty to save.
These verses, among many others, make it clear that salvation is fully dependent upon Christ. How have we come thus far? The answer is only by the merits of Him who has the power to save.
None of the ideas taught above are a license to sin. Instead, they are a license to repent. Joseph Smith taught the following:
Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Joseph Smith (2007), Ch. 30: "Valiant in the Cause of Christ,” p. 356 [emphasis mine]
You cannot be too good. Patience is heavenly, obedience is noble, forgiveness is merciful, and exaltation is godly; and he that holds out faithful to the end shall in no wise lose his reward. A good man will endure all things to honor Christ, and even dispose of the whole world, and all in it, to save his soul.
The principles taught above may seem basic, but they need adoption. To Mormons, the word "faith" means "action" as much as it means "belief in God."
Our beloved country (the United States) is in a time of great turmoil. Our economy has been torn apart by abuse of credit, Ponzi schemes, alcoholism, drugs, dishonesty, and lack of concern for others. What will save us?
We must return to the ethic by which this world was devised: sweat on the brow. How can we do so much work? Faith in God's infinite ability to help is the only formula that is successful in the long-term.
Copyright 2008 S.Faux (Email: foxgoku54 [at] gmail [d0t] c0m; URL: http://mormoninsights.blogspot.com). Readers may distribute this post for noncommercial purposes provided such distributing is of the entire post, including author's copyright and contact information. All other rights reserved.
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4 comments:
I just came across the blog today, and Good post. I've been thinking about the concept of Grace a lot recently.
I do think that we tend to overlook the immense need for Grace, and that by ignoring grace, we are, effectually, ignoring the need for the atonement.
Much of the time, it seems that we want to compartmentalize - Grace VS works, etc. Since there are so many religions that emphasize the need for grace - often to the point of neglecting the need for good works, we, as Mormons, seem to overcompensate in the "Good Works." part.
The thing is: grace comes to us after we sufficiently express faith. You quoted 2 Nephi 31. Additionally, the following scripture explains the interdependent nature of grace and works: "For we labor diligently to write, to persuade our children, and also our brethren, to believe in Christ, and to be reconciled to God; for we know that it is by grace that we are saved, after all we can do." (2 Nephi 25:23).
I like to think of this in the following terms - our willingness to be faithful, repent, and do good works qualifies us for the blessings of Grace. Only after receiving grace can we receive all of the blessings of the atonement and salvation.
Thanks for the post.
chococatania:
Thanks for the great comment, and I would make only one friendly amendment to what you said.
A very significant part of the atonement (appropriately equated with grace) comes without works: resurrection. All humans are resurrected to some appropriate glory.
In previous blog essays(see, e.g., "Grace") I have broken the atonement down into three Rs: 1) resurrection, 2) redemption, and 3) relief.
Jesus promised to carry our burdens. Consequently, an essential part of the atonement is an enabling power to get us through the inevitable tribulations of life. Note: the atonement does not free us from tribulations, but it does provide relief.
Yes, I totally agree with what you say about the atonement. I am always amazed when I go through various trials in life, and see that really these trials are opportunities for me to experience the atonement - and grow closer to Christ. Often, these experiences allow me to learn the facets that you have described as Relief or Redemption. (i haven't quite been resurrected yet...)
In my earlier comment, I was just mentioning one way the atonement relates to the idea of grace/works. There are times we have to allow the atonement to take affect in our lives. In fact, I think that in regards to your 3 "r's" they are all decisions we either make here (to be redeemed or receive relief) or the atonement is a blessing because of a decision we made in the premortal realm (resurrection).
I do like and agree with the "3 R's" Idea for the scope of the atonement. In fact, i think it is an excellent way to succinctly describe the blessings of the atonement. I may have to borrow it. ;)
I am amazed at the gospel - at how much it covers, yet how simple it is. I am amazed that the singular act of the atonement truly is infinite. And because of The Grace of God and Jesus Christ, we are able to recieve immortality and eternal life; We are able to better navigate this life; Because of the atonement, we need not carry on in this life alone.
Thanks again for the blog post. I just love thinking about this stuff...
I’ve always been intrigued by the following phrase: “NOW is the time and the day of your salvation; and therefore, if ye will repent and harden not your hearts, IMMEDIATELY shall the great plan of redemption be brought about unto you.” (Alma 34:31 emphasis mine) I think I understand the algebra of redemption (resurrection), but perhaps not the trigonometry (redemption) or calculus (relief).
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