Saturday, February 23, 2013

1 Nephi 1:5

Lehi prayed with all his heart for his people, who would later try to take his life.  Why?  What grace allowed him to do that?  I love the definition for Grace in the Bible Dictionary.
It is likewise through the grace of the Lord that individuals, through faith in the atonement of Jesus Christ and repentance of their sins, receive strength and assistance to do good works that they otherwise would not be able to maintain if left to their own means. This grace is an enabling power that allows men and women to lay hold on eternal life and exaltation after they have expended their own best efforts. 
Lehi also demonstrated charity, as defined in Moroni 7:47-48
 47 But charity is the pure love of Christ, and it endureth forever; and whoso is found possessed of it at the last day, it shall be well with him.
 48 Wherefore, my beloved brethren, pray unto the Father with all the energy of heart, that ye may be filled with this love, which he hath bestowed upon all who are true followers of his Son, Jesus Christ; that ye may become the sons of God; that when he shall appear we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is; that we may have this hope; that we may be purified even as he is pure.
Because Lehi was worthy to have the companionship of the Holy Ghost by making consistent righteous choices in his life, he was close to God, he was heeding His Spirit, he was blessed with certain gifts of the Spirit, including charity.  He could feel Christlike love for his people, and in part, see as He sees, love as He loves, and love people even when they don't deserve it. That is the enabling power of grace that helps us become and continue to be better than we were and better than we could ever hope to be on our own, to love those who aren't loveable and to forgive those who trespass against us.  In short, to become like Him.

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