A Sunday Thought

When I see the words “command” and “evil” in the scriptures I think how modern society has vilified these words to make them more harsh than they really are, or at least than they originally were. As you read the scriptures, almost every time we get council from the Lord it is in terms of a commandment. You seldom see a softer word used. But you can frequently tell from the context, and you know from your other study of the character of the Lord, that He does not generally use it in harshness. He sometimes might be pleading with us to accept what He’s offering but could still use the word “command”. He commands us to be happy and accept what He offers us and many of us are repulsed at it simply because of the word “command”, forgetting why we came here. Makes you wonder if the adversary has worked to give that word its repulsive connotation in our time. Especially in American society where so many of us think we’re being individualists as we wear the uniform of our chosen life style and persona. “Evil” is much the same way. We all know and readily recognize that “no unclean thing can enter into the presence of God.” That means a little bit of disobedience will keep you out just as effectively as a horribly gross amount of wickedness. So when the Lord says we are evil, He’s not calling us horrible or incredibly wicked. He’s just acknowledging that we are disobedient enough to be disqualified. Thank goodness for the Atonement! This incredible gift is from a Very Special Person who knew from the start we would need help getting back and has provided a way.

"How great the wisdom and the love
That filled the courts on high
And sent the Savior from above
To suffer, bleed, and die!

"His precious blood he freely spilt;
His life he freely gave,
A sinless sacrifice for guilt,
A dying world to save.

"By strict obedience Jesus won
The prize with glory rife:
"Thy will, O God, not mine be done,"
Adorned his mortal life.

"He marked the path and led the way,
And every point defines
To light and life and endless day
Where God's full presence shines.

"How great, how glorious, how complete,
Redemption's grand design,
Where justice, love, and mercy meet
In harmony divine!"

Eliza R Snow