Sunday, August 18, 2013

Never Too Late

President James E. Faust once said, "I am grateful that it is never too late to change, to make things right, to leave old activities and habits behind."
Earlier this week after attending the pre-op appointment with my doctor (I'm getting my tonsils removed tomorrow), I was ready to back out of the whole thing. I was scared for the rough recovery, I was nervous about the procedure, I was upset I couldn't eat ice cream.
After sharing these thoughts with my mom while walking out to the car (I obviously didn't pay for the 2 pre-op appts)she turned to me and said, "Audrey. You can leave your tonsils in and they will continue to give you nothing but problems. Or, you can get them out, have a rough week of recovery and solve any other problems that they could cause you in the future." Needless to say, I continued on without another thought of revoking the surgery. I want those things out of there more than anything.
I think that's what President Faust was trying to say a little bit. Repentance is tough. In fact, it's a really rough process if you are doing it right. But. It will solve problems you've had in the past, and it will prevent future problems. Just like the removal of tonsils.
While it might be too late for some old geezer to get their tonsils removed :) it will never be too late for someone to accept Jesus's atoning sacrifice and be saved.

by having Him we have it all.
by loving Him we love all.

I know that if we have faith, mere faith, in Jesus Christ, than He will accept us on our own. But we also know that faith without works is dead (James 2:17,20; KJV)and we prove our faith by our works (James 2:18; KJV). In 400 A.D. the prophet Moroni wrote concerning our Savior,
"And Christ truly said unto our fathers: If ye have faith ye can do all things we are expedient in me." (Moroni 10:23; Book of Mormon)

We can choose to be unstoppable through Christ.
We can choose to be unstoppable for Him as well.

Our goal should be to go back to His presence for His goal is to get us back with Him.
I was in my mission prep class a couple weeks ago (a class provided by my church to prepare me for serving a church mission) when a girl raised her hand and profoundly said "You know what I realized? Some things I can only get through because Christ conquered them already and is fighting them with me!"
Please remember that. You are never alone.
It's been said that He is mighty to save.
This I believe. There is no one He can't reach, no one He can't comfort, no one He'll deny. including you.
If you are weary, lost, sick, alone,or even afraid, lean on Christ. Rely on Him. Pray your heart out reaching the heavens and I promise you. He will not leave you comfortless. Be sincere with God and He will return the favor to you.

A French poet once wrote:
Come to the edge
No we'll fall
Come to the edge
No we'll fall
we came to the edge
He pushed us
We flew

Trust Him, and you will fly.

I know the Savior lives. I know He loves all us individually for He is the only one who truly understands us.
I know He is willing to be our Rock when we have to fall.
I know He knows us for He died for us. Not as a group, but as His people. Let Him heal you.
I love my Savior.

I know that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints is the true church; open to all who wish to come and join.
And my invitation is that to you:
Come and join.
Talk to those Mormon missionaries next time you see them.
Talk to your Mormon friends about their beliefs.
Talk to God about your hopes, dreams, doubts and fears.
Come unto Christ, and be saved.
It is never too late.