the action of forgiving

In sacrament meeting yesterday,  the last speaker was listing out the things we couldn't do for ourselves that only Christ could do. One of those things was "you can't pardon your own sin".

"You can't pardon your own sin." So, why is it that so many of us try to do just that?

When our choices are not in line with the Gospel, we justify our sins and try to absolve ourselves of the consequences, not earthly consequences so much as Eternal consequences.

I think that some members of the church watch General Conference to try and find excuses for their behavior or the behavior of others instead of sound loving correction. When they find no solace or acceptance of their sins or the sins of others they become angry. They lash out at the leaders calling them out of touch, bigots and whatever else they may say to justify their response.

"Wherefore, brethren, seek not to counsel the Lord, but to take counsel from his hand" Jacob 4:10

During last General Conference Elder Bednar spoke about his experience with his wife in Africa where they watched two cheetahs hunt a herd of prey and was impressed by their determination and relentless pursuit of the herd. He likened it to the way that Satan continues to pursue us spiritually hoping for those moments of weakness so that he can have the advantage.

It was a great comparison. One would think that it was a simple analogy and anyone with even the slightest amount of wisdom could see the truth in his words. I sadly found out, however, that there were some who took issue with his talk. They thought that he was literally saying cheetahs were satanic and it wasn't just one or two people either who misunderstood.

Mind. Blown.

While this wasn't necessarily an attempt to "pardon one's own sin", it is a symptom of what is wrong.

There is a breakdown in understanding these spiritual parables. How does that begin?

During Christ's mortal journey, he often used parables as a way to teach the people. His disciples asked him why he taught this way as it was found to be confusing.

“Why speakest thou unto them in parables?” He responded, “Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given” (Matt. 13:10–11)."

 Alma in the Book of Mormon reiterates and expounds upon this:

"It is given unto many to know the mysteries of God … according to the heed and diligence which they give unto him. And therefore, he that will harden his heart, the same receiveth the lesser portion of the word; and he that will not harden his heart, to him is given the greater portion of the word, until it is given unto him to know the mysteries of God until he know them in full” (Alma 12:9–10)

While I felt that the use of the cheetahs was a simple comparison to how Satan pursues us. I wondered how in the world they didn't get it. How could it be possible for two people to read or hear the same things and yet get completely different messages?

“Two men may hear the same words, one of them listens in indolence and indifference, the other with active mind intent on learning all that the words can possibly convey; and, having heard, the diligent man goes straightway to do the things commended to him, while the careless one neglects and forgets. The one is wise, the other foolish; the one has heard to his eternal profit, the other to his everlasting condemnation.”Elder James E. Talmage (1862–1933)

We are in the last dispensation, mere days, hours, minutes away (figuratively speaking) until the triumphal return of Christ and the work of sifting the wheat from the tares have already commenced.

Those who have the spirit but refuse to listen and understand will find themselves left alone to their own devices. They will lose or perhaps have already lost their spiritual insight and wisdom. They have become easily blinded by the "craftiness of men" and are caught in a very dangerous downward spiral that can only end one way if not corrected.

They will be tossed about as ships that have no sails, having fallen prey to the relentless hunt of their pursuer. They will be stagnant, having forgotten what they once knew.

"For whosoever hath, to him shall be given, and he shall have more abundance: but whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken away even that he hath" Matt 13

Our leaders can see what is coming and they are lifting up their collective warning voices. 

"For behold, at that day shall he rage in the hearts of the children of men, and stir them up to anger against that which is good. And others will he pacify, and lull them away into carnal security, that they will say: All is well in Zion; yea, Zion prospereth, all is well—and thus the devil cheateth their souls, and leadeth them away carefully down to hell. And behold, others he flattereth away, and telleth them there is no hell; and he saith unto them: I am no devil, for there is none—and thus he whispereth in their ears, until he grasps them with his awful chains, from whence there is no deliverance." 2nd Nephi 28

 If we aren't careful and watchful and listen to those who are set apart to warn us, we will be easy prey.