Brothers and sisters –
As we celebrate a week full of family, food and love of country, I am reminded of the many blessings that we all enjoy including life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. I am especially grateful for the chance that each of us has to move forward with the pursuit of happiness.
The Book of Mormon prophet Lehi taught us that, “Adam fell that men might be; and men are, that they might have joy.” (2 Nephi 2:25)
Joy — happiness that extends beyond our daily circumstances — comes from a knowledge of our divine heritage, our relationship to our Savior, Jesus Christ, and how those two things help us deal with the many challenges that come.
Sometimes, these challenges are brought on by our own choices. It can be challenging to change behavior and live more righteous lives. We each have areas of our lives we can improve in. However, while we’re making the slow journey to improved behavior, we can rely on the mercy of the Savior’s Atonement to assist us in our pursuit of happiness.
The Anti-Nephi-Lehies overcame their war-like and sinful ways to eventually become righteous, peaceful people who are example of discipleship we would do well to follow. But the change didn’t truly start until they accepted the Savior’s infinite assistance and immediately benefited from His mercy. In time, they saw the beauty that comes from righteous living and true discipleship.
“Who could have supposed that our God would have been so merciful as to have snatched us from our awful, sinful, and polluted state?
“Behold, we went forth even in wrath, with mighty threatenings to destroy his church.
“Oh then, why did he not consign us to an awful destruction, yea, why did he not let the sword of his justice fall upon us, and doom us to eternal despair?
“Oh, my soul, almost as it were, fleeth at the thought. Behold, he did not exercise his justice upon us, but in his great mercy hath brought us over that everlasting gulf of death and misery, even to the salvation of our souls.
“And now behold, my brethren, what natural man is there that knoweth these things? I say unto you, there is none that knoweth these things, save it be the penitent.” (Alma 26:17-21)
Let us always be counted among the penitent — the humble disciples who turn to Jesus Christ in our weakness — so that we may always be partakers of His mercy.
I look forward to seeing those of you whose last names begin with the letters Q through Z later today. For others, I am again authorizing the sacrament for in-home administration by worthy priesthood holders of the appropriate office. If you require assistance, as always, please reach out to a member of the bishopric, the Relief Society presidency or the elders quorum presidency and we will make sure you receive the sacrament.
I love you all and hope you have a wonderful fast Sunday.
Bishop Bennett