by Elder Dale G. Renlund
"God cares a lot more about who we are and who we are becoming than about who we once were. He cares that we keep on trying."
I love that quote!
"Because of God's mercy and the Atonement of Jesus Christ" we can change.
"No matter how wicked, we can say, 'That's who I was. But the past wicked self is no longer who I am.'"
"Satan wants us to think that when we have sinned we have gone past a “point of no return”—that it is too late to change our course." (from Pres. Uchtdorf's April 2007 talk) Don't listen!!!
"President Thomas S. Monson has taught, 'One of God's greatest gifts to us is the joy of trying again, for no failure ever need be final.' "
"Even if we've been a conscious, deliberate sinner or have repeatedly faced failure and disappointment, the moment we decide to try again, the Atonement of Christ can help us."
"Even if we've been a conscious, deliberate sinner or have repeatedly faced failure and disappointment, the moment we decide to try again, the Atonement of Christ can help us."
Everyone can have a fresh start! Everyone can change. That's the blessing of the Atonement.
"As God encourages us to keep on trying, He expects us to also allow others the space to do the same, at their own pace."
I think often times we (me included) are too quick to judge, too quick to form an opinion, and too quick to hold a grudge. If God allows second chances, why don't we?
"We must not only be tolerant while others work on their individual illnesses; we must also be kind, patient, supportive, and understanding."
What if I had made the same mistake? How would I want others to treat me? I would want kindness, understanding, love, and a second chance.
"The Church is like a big hospital, and we are all sick in our own way. We come to church to be helped."
I love the example Elder Renlund gives of the proud missionary who thinks he's better than his lazy companion. He then receives a profound impression, as if God were saying to him, "You know. . . , compared to me, the two of you aren't all that different."
Elder Renlund's "invitation to all of us is to evaluate our lives, repent, and keep on trying. . .As we change, we will find that God indeed cares more about who we are and about who we are becoming than who we once were."
Elder Uchtodorf's April 2007 talk, Point of Safe Return