Jennifer (3 of 3)
Posted by Tyler on July 14th, 2006
You, observant reader, have probably noticed that this post will have three, not two, parts. Perhaps you are hoping the last chapter in this saga contains a miracle, an epiphany, the story of Jennifer running into the chapel just at the end of Sacrament Meeting and later explaining to us the resurrection of her testimony after a long night of doubt. I, too, wish the story ended that way; and perhaps that will happen some day. For now, however, the story ends as I have already described, with a “letter of resignation” delivered to the Bishop (Jake and Jennifer, incidentally, drifted apart and eventually broke up some months before these latest events).
This story, however, affords us an opportunity to look to ourselves and learn. Jennifer says she left the Church because we do not accept Christ’s grace in the way she believes we must. Such a belief is complicated, as are all perceptions, by the fact that it is, by definition, of dual nature. Every perception involves both the perceiver and the perceived. I can do little, I suppose, to change the perceiver in this case. What processes play themselves out in Jennifer’s head I do not know; what complexities she brings from her former religion, experiences, friends, and family are mostly a mystery to me. I can, however, at least comment on the belief she perceives we have—on her perception that we downplay the importance of Christ’s sacrifice. This belief, of course, is hardly unique to her; many of the Church’s critics site this same supposed problem.
My brother, for instance, was once teaching an investigator in a public library when an unknown lady approached the missionaries and the investigator and said, “Don’t listen to them—Mormons remove Christ from his thrown and place themselves there instead!” That this belief holds such wide sway troubles me deeply because I believe our canon so clearly refutes it–we, of all people, should be quick to affirm the infinity, grandeur, depth, breadth, centrality, and uniqueness of the Atonement.
For me, one of the most telling scriptures as to the importance of the Atonement in LDS theology comes in section 138 of the Doctrine and Covenants. This section, after all, is very “Mormon,” describing, as it does, the spirits “assembled awaiting the advent of the Son of God into the spirit world.” The concept of the Spirit World, as described here, is, so far as I know, unique to the religion(s) restored by Joseph. Furthermore, Joseph F. Smith describes a uniquely Mormon congregation of prophets and righteous leaders, including, as his list does, “the prophets who dwelt among the Nephites and testified of the coming of the son of God,” as well as, “The Prophet Joseph Smith, and [Joseph F. Smith's] father, Hyrum Smith, Brigham Young, John Taylor, [and] Wilford Woodruff.”
That a modern Mormon prophet should have a vision of his predecessors–Biblical, Nephite, and American–does not surprise us. What might be surprising to some, however, is what I consider the focal verse of this section. For, after viewing this vast assemblage of the Savior’s faithful servants, Joseph sees the arrival of the Son of God into the spirit world, which he describes this way: “And the saints rejoiced in their redemption, and bowed the knee and acknowledged the Son of God as their Redeemer and Deliverer from death and the chains of hell.”
When we learn that “every knee shall bow,” then, we are not speaking only of the small and simple among us, but also of the spiritually mighty–even the light of the “noble and great ones†pales before the brilliance of the Bright and Morning Star.
The expansiveness of Mormon theology invigorates me; it is, as Elder Maxwell would say, “inexhaustible.” As W. W. Phelps wrote near the dawn of this dispensation: “The visions and blessings of old are returning, and angels are coming to visit the Earth…. The knowledge and power of God are expanding; the veil o’er the Earth is beginning to burst.” Joseph Smith responded to Emerson’s call for modern prophets and the Pentecost that subsequently burst upon Kirtland, Independence, and Nauvoo is surely one of the great spiritual outpourings in the Earth’s history. For the believing Saints, a window of some twenty-five years included the opening of the heavens, the restoration of Priesthood, the bestowal of new scriptures, the return of the sealing power, the introduction of vicarious ordinances, and the return of the new Testament Church. Let us assure, however, that we always remember that this glorious burst of Gospel light nevertheless does not negate the importance of the central act of history: the Atonement of Jesus Christ. As planets circling the sun, or as spokes turning about the hub, all aspects of the Gospel are, as Joseph once wrote, appendages to the Atonement of Jesus Christ. Without that, everything else—from the creation, to the fall, to the restoration, to the Latter-days—is for naught. Christ is, indeed, the Life; for without Him nothing else breathes nor moves. It is his sacrifice, which ultimately gives meaning and substance to all the rest.
This testimony I have gained, mostly, from my study of the Book of Mormon: Another Testament of Jesus Christ. I share President Hinckley’s incredulousness that the Christian world does not embrace the Book of Mormon (though I guess I’m not surprised, since the Book of Mormon prophecies of the same). For me, there is no greater testament to the divinity of the Son of God than the Book of Mormon. For a partial list of scriptures that affirm the centrality and importance of the Atonement, I might read the following:
Title Page
1 Nephi 8:10-12
1 Nephi 10:10-11
1 Nephi 11:13-24, 31
1 Nephi 19:8-10, 23
1 Nephi 21:10, 15, 16
2 Nephi 2 (esp. 7 and 
2 Nephi 4:31-34
2 Nephi 6:9
2 Nephi 7:7
2 Nephi 9 (esp. 5-8, 41)
2 Nephi 10:24
2 Nephi 11:4-7
2 Nephi 17:14
2 Nephi 19: 2, 3, 4, 6, 7
2 Nephi 25:19, 20, 23-27
2 Nephi 31:5-21
2 Nephi 33: 4, 6, 9-11
Jacob 1:7, 8
Jacob 4:4-18
Jacob 5:47
Jacob 7:11-12
Jarom 1:11
Omni 1:26
Mosiah 3-5 (esp. 3:5-11, 15-17, 19; 4:2-9; 5:1-8)
Mosiah 13:27-35
Mosiah 14:2-7
Mosiah 15
Mosiah 16:6-10
Mosiah 27:24-32
Alma 5:6-16, 19, 21, 26-27, 33, 48
Alma 7:3, 9-15
Alma 9:11, 26, 28
Alma 11:40-44
Alma 16:19
Alma 18:39-41
Alma 19:6, 13, 14, 29
Alma 21:7-9
Alma 22:12-18
Alma 24:10-11, 13, 23
Alma 25:15-16
Alma 30:39
Alma 31:31, 38
Alma 33:11-17, 22
Alma 34:8-16
Alma 36 (esp. 17-21)
Alma 38:8-9
Alma 39:15-19
Alma 42:14-24, 26-27 (esp. 23)
Helaman 5:12
Helaman 8:13-23
Helaman 14:11-17
3 Nephi 7:16
3 Nephi 9:14-22
3 Nephi 11-28 (esp. 11:11-15; 15:8-10; 22; 27:13-27)
Mormon 3:21
Mormon 5:14-15
Mormon 7:5-10
Mormon 9:12-14
Ether 3:1-20
Ether 12:4, 41
Moroni 4:3
Moroni 5:2
Moroni 7:22-48
Moroni 8:12, 22, 23
Moroni 9:22, 25, 26
Moroni 10:30-34
It is partly because I so dearly love these verses that Jennifer’s defection from the Church stings me so deeply. My study of the Book of Mormon has given both birth and wings to my testimony of the Savior—I cherish the knowledge the Book of Mormon gives me about Christ.
One final theological note: Mormon theology’s insistence on our giving our “all†does not detract from the magnitude of Christ’s sacrifice. As I have already articulated, Jennifer specifically quoted “by grace we are saved, after all we can do†as a major reason she left the Church. Her argument was that Mormons think less of the Atonement because we believe our utmost is also necessary for us to gain salvation. Someone much smarter than me could write a full treatise on the interplay of grace and works in Mormon theology. For my purposes, however, suffice it to say that Christ has always made clear—in the Old and New Testament, in the Book of Mormon, and in modern scripture—that we must offer up a contrite heart if we are to be exalted. That is, nothing less than all we have to give will suffice.
While this commandment is demanding, however, it also actually reminds us of the Atonement’s vast power to save. For us, after all, “all†we can give will often be relatively little. Only perfection merits God’s presence, and all of us fall woefully short of that mark; only through the Atonement can any of us enter into the presence of God. Just as importantly, it will not matter, at the judgment day, how much our “all†was. For some, especially, this all will have been very little—circumstances, environment, genealogy, and weakness dictate that many of us fall even more short of the mark. At the judgment day, however, it will not matter how much our all was, as long as it was everything we had to give. The Atonement makes the objective sufficiency of our effort irrelevant—Christ, who has descended below everything we face—will know perfectly how hard we tried. And, in the end, it will be that—our effort, not the result—along with the perfection and infinity of His atonement that will ensure those who come unto to Christ and find perfection in Him a place in the Kingdom of God.
Great stuff, Tyler. I was hoping for a miracle.
Like you say, it’s hard to understand how Jennifer could see things the way she did, how “after all you can do” negates “It is by grace that ye are saved,” not to mention the many scriptures that emphasize our complete dependence on grace. Also, that there are prerequisites that we must accomplish in order to make us eligible for grace is also taught by the Bible churches. They teach that one must accept Christ, which is a prerequisite, a “work,” that makes them eligible for salvation by grace. That they have to do something in order to be eligible doesn’t deny the Christ’s power to save. Where we differ is what the “something” is.
Comment # 1 left by Tom on July 14th, 2006
Thank you Tyler!
Comment # 2 left by Wade on July 14th, 2006
Well done again.
I like how you make the restoration seem so important. We don’t get enough of that at the ‘nacle I’m afraid.
To be honest, however, I have always been troubled by the same verse. ‘After all you can do’. Perhaps it is because I am so blasted capable, but all seems like a lot.
Elder Worthlin gave a talk several years ago in conference about doing your best. He gives a story of a blind mountain climber who scaled mount Everest. My response? How do we know that was his best? Could he have climbed a taller mountain? Could he not have done it faster than he did? Second guessers from without and within could always suppose that you could have done more with something.
If I look deep within myself with total honesty and ask if I have done my best - I usually will have to admit no. I wonder if there have been more than about a half dozen times when I could say I have done my very best. Most of the time I get by to a level I am comfortable with. I often do not even know WHAT I should be doing let alone HOW. And if I do something, am I not neglecting something else?
My only hope, therefore is that whatever weaknesses I may have, including laziness, lack of motivation, ignorance of God’s will, fear, etc., etc., etc. are part of who I am and will be mercifully included in judgment.
I’m afraid if I were the ultimate judge, the CK would be a very lonely place. So, I have never particularly liked this verse.
Comment # 3 left by Eric Nielson on July 14th, 2006
Tom–Let’s keep hoping (and praying) for the miracle.
Thanks, Wade.
Eric–I’m with you, I’m a compulsive worry-wart about doing my best. On a small scale, for instance, I feel like I must do my best studying for exams before asking for Help. My best, though, often ends up being rather neurotic. I am working on achieving a better balance.
On a larger scale, however, perhaps my favorite verses concerning the Atonement are Alma 7:11 and 12. “Succor” indicates that Christ understand, intimately and indiviudally, each of our trials. As Nephi teaches, “the keeper of the gate is the Holy One of Israel and he employeth no servant there.” he understands everyone–including the slightly neurotic and those who wear themselves thin trying to do their best.
Comment # 4 left by tyler on July 14th, 2006
My best, though, often ends up being rather neurotic. I am working on achieving a better balance.
Great point. It’s sort of difficult to determine what our “best” really is. Just because I didn’t give 100% in one area of my life doesn’t mean I’m not giving my best as a whole in my life.
I hate to let the cat out of the bag on my next marathon post but it is along these lines: If I were to give my absolute best on one of my training runs, I would be blown out for the next day. Sometimes giving my best means pacing myself or even giving in to a particular weakness (say for example my weak shins). If I avoid that over-exertion, I can maintain my overall health and have the strength I need to build up my overall fitness level.
Likewise, I can’t give my best effort to all my sins/weaknesses at one time.. I’ll get a “sin splint”.
Tyler you are right… balance is where it’s at.
Comment # 5 left by Ryan on July 14th, 2006
To be honest, however, I have always been troubled by the same verse. ‘After all you can do’. Perhaps it is because I am so blasted capable, but all seems like a lot.
My dad likes to remind me that it’s not ALL we can do, it’s all we CAN do.
But that isn’t actually why I wanted to make a comment. I learned something that was really significant along these lines. Maybe doing all we can do isn’t about some long checklist that is longer for “capable” people. Consider this scripture from Alma 24:11-12:
“And now behold, my brethren, since it has been all that we could do, (as we were the most lost of all mankind) to repent of all our sins and the many murders which we have committed, and to get God to take them away from our hearts [there's grace!], for it was all we could do to repent sufficiently before God that he would take away our stain [grace]—
Now, my best beloved brethren, since God hath taken away our stains [grace], and our swords have become bright [grace], then let us stain our swords no more with the blood of our brethren. [forsaking]
“All we can do” is repent (and I see forsaking there at the end of v. 12). If we are repenting, that means we are doing our best to be better. Christ does the rest.
I think my husband said it well last night. Christ’s job was to be perfect. Our job is to repent. (I often think “all I can do” is be perfect, and then somehow His grace will be sufficient. But being perfect is not my job.)
Anyway, too much rambling for a simple concept. But I find it quite profound.
Comment # 6 left by mullingandmusing on July 17th, 2006
Mullingandmusing:
Thanks for that insight! I really like how Alma 24 defines our ability to do; it is quite profound and yet simple at the same time.
Comment # 7 left by Wade on July 18th, 2006
MullingandMusing et. al.–
I have heard a lot of talk (in other forums) centered on the meaning of doing “all” we can. One of the reasons this verse is so dear to me is because I used it a lot when I taught in the MTC. I used to tell the missionaries, for instance, they would be blessed with the gift of tongues after they had done all they could to learn the language. I really like M&M’s point, though, that, in a larger sense, perhaps, all we can do is repent–there really isn’t any more.
Or is there?
I’m not coming down one way or the other on this point but I still wonder if the full measure of our devotion is not required to gain salvation. I tend to think that the miracle of the Atonement is that it makes our all–however small that may be–enough. Still, though, I think our all is required.
What do others think?
Comment # 8 left by tyler on July 18th, 2006
Warning, this is LONG…it’s late and I don’t want to take the time to chop and edit, and besides I’m just doin’ my personal study here tonite cuz I’m interested in mulling over this, so some of this is stream-of-consciousness and repetitive. Don’t say I didn’t warn you!
(And since I’m new here, and if I’m violating some rule of maximum words allowed, then I promise I will “do all I can to repent” next time! 
I’m not coming down one way or the other on this point but I still wonder if the full measure of our devotion is not required to gain salvation. I tend to think that the miracle of the Atonement is that it makes our all–however small that may be–enough. Still, though, I think our all is required.
I am right there with you. I have loved and used this scripture for years. I used it as a missionary in the MTC with speaking the language. I used it as a student — if I did all I could, I felt God helped me. The principle is there and real. And there is scriptural support for that thought process.
“I will go and do….” (1 Ne. 3:7)
“The commandments of God must be fulfilled. And if it so be that the children of God keep the commandments of God he doth nourish them, and strengthen them, and provide means whereby they can accomplish the thing which he has commanded them.” (1 Ne. 17:3)
“Except ye keep comm. of God, ye shall perish.” (2 Ne. 30:1)
“All that God requires of you is to keep his commandments.” (Mosiah 2:22)
Mosiah 5:5 == Mosiah’s people willing to keep all comm.
Love God with heart, might, mind, strength, etc.
And so on. So, yeah, in sharing that insight about repentance, I wasn’t saying that there is no other thing to consider when looking at 2 Ne. 25:23.
HOWEVER, I’m becoming more intrigued by this concept of repenting being all we can do, because, in a sense, I think it encompasses all the above as well. And, frankly, it fits my perfectionist personality better. Because keeping all of God’s commandments all of the time is just impossible, and yet sometimes that feels like “all” I can (or should) do. But there is always a gap between what I should do and what I can do. And sometimes there is a gap between what I can do by definition (although that’s just plain hard to define…where are my limits anyway?) and what I do do. Ya know?
So I read the index snippets on repentance last night and it brought some interesting thoughts. FWIW….
1 Ne. 10:18 — way is prepared if al men reppent and come unto the Lord
14:5 If Gentiles repent it will be well with them… and 2 Ne. 6:12 if Gentiles repent they will be saved and will be covenant people if they repent (2 Ne. 30:2, 3 Ne. 16:13)
2 Ne. 2:21 — the whole purpose of us being here is that we have “prolonged days” that we may repent…that was the very reason the tree of life was banned from Adam and Eve after partaking of the fruit…big doctrinal deal there. (see also Al. 12:24)
-Repentance is a commandment (2 Ne. 2:21; Al. 9:12; 3 Ne. 11:32)
-The way to be found blameless is to repent and have faith (Mosiah 3:21)
Many times, the scriptures say “Preach nothing but repentance” (and sometimes faith along with it).
I could go on. In a sense, I think the concept of repentance covers what can be seen as “both sides” of this “debate.” Complete devotion is an ideal, but we can never be completely devoted 100% of the time. Thus, no matter what we do, we still have need to repent. There will still be more “all” to give. And we can’t undo those times that we aren’t 100% all of the time, in anything we do (nor can we often undo the problems that arise because of our mistakes…that is some of what I think the folks in that scripture I shared yesterday were saying…they had killed people, they couldn’t bring them back, so they realized all they could do was repent and leave the rest to the Savior).
The beauty of grace is that the Savior can help us — but only if our hearts are His. I think it’s sometimes possible to “do” (act devoted) without our hearts really being there. (Think of Elder Oaks and the whole “doing vs. becoming” talk, a concept that has continued to show up since then.) Devotion is not in acts, ultimately, it’s in our hearts (that IS our all, right? our hearts are our all — but if we give Him our hearts, won’t we be repenting like crazy cuz we will see the gaps that much more?? (Eth. 12:27)).
So I think about when the Savior spoke to the Nephites before His arrival, saying the new law of sacrifice was a broken heart and a contrite spirit. Not perfect obedience. Not 613 things they had to “do.” He wanted their hearts. Hearts that wanted more than anything to follow the Savior (which covers the whole devotion thing!!) but hearts that were broken to realize that they would never be perfect alone, and would always need to repent. Always need to keep trying. Always need to not give up even though they would always fall short in one way or another.
My other thought on this is that we can’t repent without law in place. By definition, repentance exists because law exists. Law implies that either obedience to that law happens (our efforts at devotion) or it doesn’t (necessitating repentance). Thus, in the full sense all we can do above and beyond what we “can” do in terms of devotion is repent for what we are not yet doing or becoming. After all, if there is no broken law, there is no need for grace. Grace is only needed for those things we need to repent of. So if we are not repenting for those things, He can’t save us from those things. Does that make sense? I may be talking in circles here, but it kinda clicked in my brain…just don’t know if I’m explaining it well.
Another way of saying it is that all the devotion in the world will still not be enough, and surely there will still be ways to improve. That means that devotion alone without being coupled with repentance and always striving to change, to draw closer, to be humble and teachable and broken-hearted and contrite, and not really focused on what we are doing, but focusing on what the Savior is doing for us.
Think 2 Ne. 2:11-13 and also Alma 42:15-22…
Here’s v.22: But there is a law given, and a punishment affixed, and a repentance granted; which repentance, mercy claimeth [that's the Atonement's grace right there]; otherwise, justice claimeth the creature and executeth the law, and the law inflicteth the punishment; if not so, the works of justice would be destroyed, and God would cease to be God.
This scripture says mercy doesn’t claim the devoted, because no one can be perfectly devoted. Mercy claims those who are broken-hearted and those who respond to the remorse of conscience mentioned in v. 18. Again, if we could save ourselves through devotion, we wouldn’t need the Savior.
Also, my concern with emphasis on “our all” is that we sometimes can get in the mentality that if we just do enough, we can save ourselves. At least I do. I don’t WANT to need the SAvior in some weird way. I want to be perfect alone!
When I think about “all I can do” as repetance, it is a constant reminder that I NEED Him to save me! I feel less like a hamster in a running circle thingie trying to save myself — and wearing myself out trying to be “devoted.” That’s me, though.
All of that, though, really doesn’t negate what you said about devotion. A lot depends on the definition of devotion. If devotion includes repentance, which I imagine it does in your thinking, then we are probably talking about the same thing (although, like I said above, for my brain it works better to focus on repenting and not being “more devoted.”) So, in that sense, both “sides” are right. Either devotion includes repentance, or a repentant heart implies the devotion is in place and repentance happens for those things that aren’t yet done (or, better said, the becoming that hasn’t taken place). Either way, repentance is really what unlocks the Atonement, because we don’t need help with what we can already do or are already doing, ya know?
One last point…I think your application of the scripture at the MTC or my application in my schooling is a lesser version of that scripture. After all, 2 Ne. 25:23 isn’t about being saved from bad grades or a lack of the gift of tongues. It’s about salvation — being saved from our sins. We cannot be saved in our sins — we wouldn’t NEED the Savior if we didn’t sin, so that also makes me think that we are saved from our sins by grace after we repent. (Alma 11: 37 — “And I say unto you again that he cannot save them in their sins; for I cannot deny his word, and he hath said that no unclean thing can inherit the kingdom of heaven; therefore, how can ye be saved, except ye inherit the kingdom of heaven? Therefore, ye cannot be saved in your sins.” — Which says to me, again, that devotion is not enough…cuz we still sin even in our best efforts at devotion.)
(But again, I suspect that devotion in your mind would include a constant desire to improve and change and repent, so this has probably all been wasted e-breath. Sorry…. But it is fun to think “out loud” once in a while….)
If you are still reading…I warned you!
:)
Comment # 9 left by mullingandmusing on July 19th, 2006
OK, that was so obnoxiously long. Sorry!
Before I head off to bed, I pulled out 2 Ne. 25 again…might give us some clues.
v.23 The writers want to persuade their children to be reconciled to Christ. That implies overcoming sin. Our acts cannot do that, no matter how devoted we are.
v.24 They kept the law of Moses, but looked forward to Christ’s coming and fulfillment of the law.
v.25 The law was dead unto them…keeping the law was in obedience, but they knew the law was not enough. Neither are commandments or our actions/devotion enough. Our actions are dead in a sense, because
v.26 the purpose of looking to Christ is because He is how we receive remission of our sins because, again,
v.27 the law is dead, and only points us to Christ.
BUT, that said, v.29 also talks about worshiping with heart, might, mind and strength (just reread that just now), so there you go. Both elements are there in that very chapter.
p.s. Are girls even allowed at this party?
(Yes, you may say, but not verbose ones….)
Comment # 10 left by mullingandmusing on July 19th, 2006
Wow, many good points to ponder. At the end of the day, I think you are correct that there is much to be said for the idea that repentance constitutes all we can do if we view repentance correctly. That is, if we view repentance not as a checklist of “Rs” (e.g. remorse, recompense, etc.) but as a state of being, a change of heart, and a deep-ided desire to return to God. Such desire will inspire us “to strive, to seek, to find, and not to yield;” the savior becomes our North Star and our hearts are dedicated to Him.
Comment # 11 left by tyler on July 19th, 2006
Tyler,
I woke up with another scripture in my brain…the Lord tells us in D&C 19 that we might not suffer if what? If we will repent. Just another scripture I find compelling….
Comment # 12 left by mullingandmusing on July 19th, 2006