Yesterday we talked about restoration, in particular how it relates to the resurrection.
Video: Dallin H. Oaks: The Demands of Justice
What is the main topic of this clip? (What a man soweth he shall reap)
What does this mean?
Alma discussed the events of the Fall of Adam
Alma 42:7-10
What does “probationary” mean?
• The act of testing
• The testing or trial of a person’s conduct, character, qualities, or the like
• The state or period of such testing or trial
He mentions that we had become “carnal, sensual, and devilish, by nature”, what is the cause of this? (spiritual death)
The other day we talked about justice. We are going to talk a little more about it.
Elder Dallin H. Oaks:
“Justice has many meanings. One is balance….How is God’s justice a problem for us?
“People generally feel that justice has been done when an offender receives what he deserves-when the punishment fits the crime….
“…The idea of justice as what one deserves is the fundamental premise of all scriptures that speak of men’s being judge according to their works….
“The justice of God holds each of us responsible for our own transgressions and automatically imposes the penalty”
(Sins, Crimes and Atonement [address to CES religious educators, 7 Feb. 1992], 1-2).
He continues:
“Justice will also see that we receive what we deserve, and that is an outcome I fear. I cannot achieve my eternal goals on the basis of what I deserve. Though I try with all my might, I am still what King Benjamin called an ‘unprofitable servant’ (see Mosiah 2:21). To achieve my eternal goals, I need more than I deserve. I need more than justice”Imagine a place where you have felt safe, comfortable and happy.
(Sins, Crimes, and Atonement, 2).
What is this place like?
Now imagine that outside of this place everything is dark dirty and unclean.
At some point if you are to progress you will need to go on a journey. You will have to leave this place. It is a bit disconcerting and scary though you know you need to do it.
While on your journey you had to explore through swamps, mud and dirty places while on this journey. Try as you might you are not able to keep the dirt off of you.
You complete your journey and arrive back at your safe place. You are standing before the threshold dirty and weary from your travels looking at this clean, safe place. The law of this place is that you must be clean to enter.
How would you feel knowing that you made it through your journey, tried your hardest to stay clean and arrive back at your safe place and cannot enter?
Now imagine arriving at the same place being greeted by your brother who has a change of close and water to help clean you up from your journey so that you can enter your safe place without any concern about your state?
The law demands that only the clean can enter the abode. The demands of the journey made it impossible to be able to return.
This is where mercy comes in. In this instance mercy was provided by the friend that assisted in the cleansing process.
How many of us need mercy?
How has the Lord provided mercy for us?
Why must we go through trials and sorrow, even if we are repentant?
Elder Dallin H. Oaks:
“The person who repents does not need to suffer ‘even as’ the Savior suffered for that sin. Sinners who are repenting will experience some suffering, but, because of their repentance and because of the Atonement, they will not experience the full ‘exquisite’ extent of eternal torment the Savior suffered for that sin….
“…The repentant sinner who comes to Christ with a broken heart and a contrite spirit has been through a process of personal pain and suffering for sin. He understands the meaning of Alma’s statement that ‘none but the truly penitent are saved’ (Alma 42:24)”
(Sins, Crimes, and Atonment, 5).
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