So today was ward conference. It was surprisingly good. All of the talks were right on - not too long winded or anything... Ha! That coming from the king of long wind...
In second hour I have been attending our ward's gospel essentials class. It is really good. Since most of our class is quite knowledgeable in gospel topics, we have the luxury of going quite deep with some of the discussions. I am convinced that this is more palatable than the pabulum they could be getting...
Today President Howard led the discussion. He started out talking about what is real. A good question! Is reality based on what we can perceive, can measure, even describe accurately? Can one accurately describe the taste of salt? The short answer is no. There are experiences we have that are sublime and beautiful if impossible to describe. Our inability to express what is in our heart does not make it any less real. I would submit that it makes it MORE real. Our eyes and senses can be deceived, while experiences with the divine cannot be faked.
He then went on to talk about the Atonement and how, even though we cannot decribe how it works, it is nonetheless very real for us. I mentioned how I thought that the grace of God not only saves us from the ultimate effects of our sin, it saves us from the short term effects of those sins as well. This means that when we sin, we are offending justice, which demands immediate restitution in order to maintain balance. We do not feel the immediate - or even the entire results of our actions because of the mercy and GRACE given to all of us. President Howard said that it was like expecting to drop off a building and not receive the effect of that fall. Nevertheless a space is granted through the GRACE of God that enables us time to repent and thus not face the full impact of the results of our decisions. As long as we are alive, we are able to experience this grace.
I need GRACE. I need it now and every day. I am afraid to think of my life without grace. It would be one without hope and joy and peace.
In second hour I have been attending our ward's gospel essentials class. It is really good. Since most of our class is quite knowledgeable in gospel topics, we have the luxury of going quite deep with some of the discussions. I am convinced that this is more palatable than the pabulum they could be getting...
Today President Howard led the discussion. He started out talking about what is real. A good question! Is reality based on what we can perceive, can measure, even describe accurately? Can one accurately describe the taste of salt? The short answer is no. There are experiences we have that are sublime and beautiful if impossible to describe. Our inability to express what is in our heart does not make it any less real. I would submit that it makes it MORE real. Our eyes and senses can be deceived, while experiences with the divine cannot be faked.
He then went on to talk about the Atonement and how, even though we cannot decribe how it works, it is nonetheless very real for us. I mentioned how I thought that the grace of God not only saves us from the ultimate effects of our sin, it saves us from the short term effects of those sins as well. This means that when we sin, we are offending justice, which demands immediate restitution in order to maintain balance. We do not feel the immediate - or even the entire results of our actions because of the mercy and GRACE given to all of us. President Howard said that it was like expecting to drop off a building and not receive the effect of that fall. Nevertheless a space is granted through the GRACE of God that enables us time to repent and thus not face the full impact of the results of our decisions. As long as we are alive, we are able to experience this grace.
I need GRACE. I need it now and every day. I am afraid to think of my life without grace. It would be one without hope and joy and peace.
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