Articles of Faith 2&3
Written by Christina Judd
“We believe that men will be punished for their own sins, and not for Adam’s transgression.
“We believe that through the Atonement of Christ, all mankind may be saved, by obedience to the laws and ordinances of the Gospel.”
As members of the Church of Jesus Christ, we sometimes fall prey to a misconception that the law is our friend; that if we do it well enough, the law will work in our favor. This is inaccurate. If we want to clearly understand Jesus Christ—His role and purpose—and deepen our relationship with Him, we have to know what the law actually does to imperfect, fallen mortals:
“Now to him who is justified by the law of works, is the reward reckoned, not of grace, but of debt (Rom 4:4 JST).”
“For the law was after the carnal commandment, to the administration of death (John 1:8).”
“And the law is given unto men. And by the law no flesh is justified; or, by the law men are cut off. Yea, by the temporal law they were cut off; and also, by the spiritual law they perish from that which is good, and become miserable forever (2 Nephi 2:5).”
The law “availeth [us] nothing” (Mosiah 3:15).
The law does nothing but condemn us—to debt and death. Justice, the law, does not accept “tried hard” or “worked hard” or “did good works”. It demands perfect. To us, imperfect mortals, no amount of commandment keeping heals, changes, strengthens, purifies, or perfects us. Only Jesus Christ can do that, as we repent.
During His mortal ministry, Jesus Christ not only paid the price of our weakness and sin, He also kept every law perfectly. He did everything we could never do for ourselves: live perfectly and pay for our imperfection. When He appeared to the Nephites, He said, “…the law in me is fulfilled, for I have come to fulfill the law; therefore it hath an end … Behold, I am the law, and the light. Look unto me, and endure to the end, and ye shall live; for unto him that endureth to the end will I give eternal life (3 Nephi 15: 5, 9 emphasis added).” Because of His atonement, Jesus overcame and became the law. We are now accountable to the most gracious, loving, tender, compassionate, merciful, and kind being in the universe; the only One who understands everything about what we do and why we do it. He became the law, making us accountable to Him—not law or commandments (2 Nephi 2:6-7). We bind ourselves to Him, and repent, so he can carry us home (Doctrine and Covenants 45:3-5).
Faith
Repentance
Covenants
Be sanctified and purified by the Holy Ghost
After performing an atonement on our behalf, the Savior clarified our responsibility for healing and change, “And ye shall offer for a sacrifice unto me a broken heart and a contrite spirit. And whoso cometh unto me with a broken heart and a contrite spirit, him will I baptize with fire and with the Holy Ghost (3 Nephi 9:20)”.
Our work is to repent, to offer our honest hearts. Every thought, feeling, and action is sent up in prayer. “Look unto me in every thought; doubt not, fear not (D&C 6:36).” He then sends the Holy Ghost to sanctify (cleanse) and purify (make holy, perfect) our hearts. By healing and changing our hearts, He heals and changes our thoughts, feelings, and actions. “The spirit of the Lord Omnipotent has wrought a mighty change in us, or in our hearts, that we have no more disposition to do evil, but to do good continually (Mos 5:2).” King Benjamin’s people believed, repented, entered into covenant with Jesus Christ, and the Holy Ghost changed their hearts, changing their thoughts, feelings, and actions. Our healing, change, and perfection begins and ends with Jesus Christ, Alpha and Omega, the Beginning and the End, not the law. We look; He heals (1 Nephi 17:41).
What do we have to do to be changed, healed, perfected, and receive eternal life? The first principles and ordinances of the gospel: Faith, Repentance, Covenants, Receive the Holy Ghost, repeat, repeat, repeat…
“Now this is the commandment: Repent, all ye ends of the earth, and come unto me and be baptized in my name, that ye may be sanctified by the reception of the Holy Ghost, that ye may stand spotless before me at the last day (3 Nephi 27:20 emphasis added).” Jesus Christ, Himself, is the answer to every question, the solution to every problem, and we access Him and all His power as we look at Him in every thought.
Mortality is working. Jesus is working. Our mortal journey is not the process of “earning” or “working for” home, but of being prepared for home. Whatever strife or sorrow we experience, we look to the Savior to heal, change, and strengthen us (Articles of Faith 2). Everything else will fall perfectly into place.
For further study (not an exhaustive list.)
How does Christ heal and change me?
3 Nephi 27:20, 3 Nephi 9:13-14, 22, Mosiah 5:2
What do I have to do to be healed?
1 Nephi 17:41, 3 Nephi 27:19-20, Alma 34:31
How do I repent?
Alma 34:14-27, Alma 36:17-18
What is The Gospel?
3 Nephi 27:13-16
Why did Jesus suffer, bleed, and die for me?
Doctrine and Covenants 18:10-15, 19:16-18
In Moses 5:11, what was Eve saying we need to be obedient to?
Moses 5:7-8
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Appreciate the further reading suggestions on understanding the law