As I study and ponder in preparation of this Easter Sunday, many thoughts and questions cross my mind. One with most impact is that the Atonement of Jesus Christ offers me freedom. The price has already been paid for my return to Heavenly Father. Whether or not I do anything in return is up to me. I can choose to simply exist and coast through life, or I can choose to attempt to increase upon my character and knowledge. And even more so, if I choose to make that attempt, the amount of increase is, again, at my choosing. In reality, the stress and anxiety associated with the work that I feel is necessary for my personal salvation is lifted, because my personal salvation has already been completely purchased in full. I now get to choose the fruit of it.
This concept continues to relieve my stresses when I allow it to transfer into the rest of my life and recognize that, likewise, has the price been paid for all of my family members. They, too, will return. They will know God’s love. They will feel it. We all get to choose.
2 Nephi 9:6-15, There is talk and explanation of the resurrection. In one particular section, it says, “For behold, if the flesh should rise no more our spirits must become subject to that angel who fell from before the presence of the Eternal God, and became the devil, to rise no more.” Why? If we were spirits before mortal life and lived with Heavenly Father then, why after death, without the resurrection, would we automatically become subjects of the devil instead of just spirits again? I’m not following that.
I was just listening to “Joseph Smith, Rough Stone Rolling,” when it mentioned that “Joseph’s religion made the body essential to human fulfillment.” It mentions that the spirit and the body is the soul of man and only when joined eternally could a person receive a fullness of joy. This helps my understanding some, but still leaves me asking why, without the body, we must become subjects to Satan? Are we not able to withstand Satan’s evils without the body? Is it a necessary tool/power/force? I’m still thinking on this … Share if you have answers.
