In my reading this week, I came across a passage in 2 Nephi. After Lehi dies, Nephi is reflecting upon his own life. He feels sorrow because of his iniquities and short comings. While he is thinking about his past sins, he says "Nevertheless, I know in whom I have trusted. My God hath been my support; he hath led me through mine afflictions in the wilderness; and he hath preserved me upon the waters of the great deep. He hath filled me with his love, even unto the consuming of my flesh." I think this passage is amazing. So often I feel inadequate, unworthy, and upset by the things that I am tempted with. There are times when I think I have made too many mistakes, or committed sins too serious to be forgiven of. This chapter is such a beautiful reminder of the love that Heavenly Father has for us. He is not waiting to love us until we are perfect, He loves us NOW. He loves us with our mistakes, our sins, our challenges, and our short comings. He loves us as the imperfect beings that we are, and He wants to help us progress. Heavenly Father hears our cries and wants nothing more than to give us strength to help us through our trials. Later in the chapter Nephi says, "If the Lord in his condescension unto the children of men hath visited men in so much mercy, why should my heart weep and my soul linger in the valley of sorrow, and my flesh waste away and my strength slacken, because of mine afflictions?.... Awake my soul! No longer droop in sin. Rejoice, O my heart, and give place no more for the enemy of Soul." Nephi is reminding us to be of good cheer. Heavenly Father does not want us to be upset because we are not perfect, nobody is. He wants us to rejoice and to be happy. I love this message and I am thankful for this beautiful reminder from Nephi. I love being part of a gospel that is focused on happiness, and I am so thankful for the peace that it brings to my life.
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