So We Might Be Free

I don't think we can or will ever be able to fully appreciate the extent of the life and sacrifice of a man named Jesus Christ. I have heard some Christian people say that they don't know how other, non-Christian, people are able to live without faith in a God, or any redeemer. They say that life is hard enough to try living it on your own. But as has been proved through thousands of years and billions of people's not acknowledging a higher power, at least in the Christian monotheistic sense, it is possible to live a life "on your own". I know several very intelligent people who seem very content in their atheistic/agnostic beliefs. They find peace in learning and loving.

Now, you Christians are going to start telling me that they are probably in pain deep inside, burying or having destroyed the light of Christ they were born with. You might say they know deep down inside that there is a higher power. Or that they are just too puffed up in themselves to see that someone might be better than they are. They have found a place of mind where they can function and live their lives the way they find best for themselves. Of course, this is part of my point.

We are taught in the book of John that, parenthesis added, "that was the true Light (referring to Jesus Christ), which lighteth every man that cometh into the world" (John 1:9) Also in the Doctrine and Covenants, "And the Spirit giveth light to every man that cometh into the world; and the Spirit enlighteneth every man through the world..." (D&C 84:46). Though people may refuse Christian theology, there is a light that stays with them. As long as a man obeys a law, he/she is blessed for it.

The Lord never intended for us to be ignorant and foolish beings that relied explicitly on Him. We are to attempt to grow our own brains through experience. He has said, "Behold, you have not understood; you have supposed that I would give it unto you, when you took no thought save it was to ask me" (D&C 9:7). All men are searching for the same thing. Happiness. Though with one short survey of current events on this planet we call Earth, this concept may seem laughable. But even those who seek to harm every other being on the planet are searching for happiness, either in this life or the next: They just have a very different concept of happiness. But that is another topic for another day.

People who do not profess a belief in the One True God are not left alone because of their unbelief. They too, as children of Heavenly Father regardless of all of their choices (lets face it. who makes the right choices every time?), are entitled to the promised blessings. They too may feel of His love in their lives. God is "no respecter of persons" (D&C 1:35). We obtain what we own (knowledge, understanding, gift of the Spirit, etc.) through our own choices, but not Love. Love is unconditional. Jesus of Nazareth did not approach the Garden of Gethsemane thinking "This Atonement is only for the righteous, hard-working, obedient people." As I said at the beginning, I do not think we may fully understand the Atonement, because it is in places we cannot see, in, maybe especially, places we do not expect.

We also cannot appreciate the chains we are bound with by wrong choices and wrong thoughts. Whenever you put sugar into your body, your blood flow is slowed. You cannot see or feel your blood moving through you, so you obviously can't feel when it's slowing. Except those times when you feel that sugar crash of a lethargic body, when you've ingest way too much sugar. So is the same reaction of your soul when you act on something that pulls you from perfection like God. You can't feel the chains wrapping around your brain of judgment, feeling, and compassion. But like sugar, if you keep eating it, your body slows and deteriorates. Each chain slows and deteriorates your brain and soul. But because of Christ, we can be freed from every chain. Every. Single. One. Heavy, solid and brick like chains, to strings of nylon. This is what is conditional. Anyone can live forever. And everyone will. But not everyone can live free forever.

For most people this is hard to fully understand, and for all people impossible to fully understand. Again like the sugar, you cannot really tell what is happening to you. This is why so many deny the Christ. The sad thing is, everyone is so desperate for healing. Grasping and slipping in their own minds, seeking goodness and solace around them when it isn't to be found in the minds of men. Christ has broken the bonds of death and sin. His Love is eternal and infinite (1 Nephi 11:22; 2 Nephi 1:15; 1 John 4:7-8; Romans 8:39 ).

One day we will have the chance to meet our Maker and our Redeemer. Until then, believe on the words of prophets from all generations of mankind. For today this Easter Sunday, Jesus Christ rose. His work is complete. "God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us" (Romans 5:8). Rejoice in what you do know. Rejoice in the peace and love that is available to you now, at this moment. "And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus" (Philippians 4:7).

Happy Easter.