So I know what you're thinking, "Sister Monson can't spell," but I promise I can! Justyce is the name of the girl who was baptized in Silverdale 6th this past week! What a great blessing it was to be able to see her be baptized and to feel of the sweet spirit that she brings to this ward. Justyce is 10 and she loves the gospel so much! Sister Stallings and I had the opportunity to teach her the last few weeks, and it has been such a joy. The missionaries who began teaching her were able to come up as well.
What I have been thinking a lot about lately is the subject of mercy and justice. It seems at times that both mercy and justice cannot reside in the same place at the same time. We are all sinners and we all deserve a little bit of justice, but we, as children of God, also need mercy.
I love these verses in Alma 42:
22 But there is a law given, and a punishment affixed, and a repentance granted; which repentance, mercy claimeth; 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.
23 But God ceaseth not to be God, and mercy claimeth the penitent, and mercy cometh because of the atonement; and the atonement bringeth to pass the resurrection of the dead; and the resurrection of the dead bringeth back men into the presence of God; and thus they are restored into his presence, to be judged according to their works, according to the law and justice.
24 For behold, justice exerciseth all his demands, and also mercy claimeth all which is her own; and thus, none but the truly penitent are saved.
25 What, do ye suppose that mercy can rob justice? I say unto you, Nay; not one whit. If so, God would cease to be God.
I talk to people every day who tell me "It is by grace alone that we are saved, works have nothing to do with it!" Internally I am laughing at that, for how could we be saved, if we simply ignore God's commandments and rely solely on His grace?
Nephi describes it this way:
For we labor diligently to write, to persuade our children, and also our brethren, to believe in Christ, and to be reconciled to God; for we know that it is by grace that we are saved, after all we can do.(2 Nephi 25:23)
When we have given our all, that will be enough, and Christ's amazing grace will be there to heal us, to save us and to lift us up. I know that's true, and that we really do have a Savior who can save us from our sins.
All my love,
Sister Megan Monson
