Discussion
I have mixed feelings about this particular passage. I love the insight and importance it conveys about autonomy and our responsibility when it comes to living the gospel. I also dislike the scripture because of the same reason. It makes me realize that I am not "anxiously engaged" and "do many things of [my] own free will." Indeed, I do many things because of my calling and its what I'm supposed to do. I don't murmur or complain about it and there is no resentment of any kind. I enjoy what I do. But I also know deep down I wouldn't do most of what I do without having the calling.
It makes me think of the scripture in 1 Nephi 16:2:
"And it came to pass that I said unto them that I knew that I had spoken hard things against the wicked, according to the truth; and the righteous have I justified, and testified that they should be lifted up at the last day; wherefore, the guilty taketh the truth to be hard, for it cutteth them to the very center."I'm the wicked man getting cut "to the very center." But the original scripture in D&C does give me hope though because it gives me a standard to follow so I can work towards that goal of being "anxiously engaged."
Free will is a powerful thing. I've read somewhere that it's such a powerful gift that even God himself can't break it or destroy it.
ReplyDeleteI don't think you shouldn't feel bad for doing many good things because your calling demands it. There's a lot of people out there that even though they have a calling, don't do a single good thing, because they just don't feel like it. Free will is a powerful thing indeed.
you should feel bad I meant.
ReplyDelete