Redemption

In one of our Sunday meetings this week, we discussed this talk by Elder D. Todd Christofferson.  One of the titles on the teacher's slides was "Personal Experience with Redemption".  She told her powerful story of being reclaimed by the atonement of Jesus Christ.  I was moved by her words.  It caused me to reflect on my own experience with redemption and discovered that it was also extremely personal.

My personal relationship with my Savior Jesus Christ is best summed up by a verse in the Book of Mormon:
"...we know that it is by grace that we are saved after all we can do" --2 Nephi 25:23

For a long time, I thought this meant that I had to do something to qualify for His grace and mercy, that I needed to deserve redemption.  I have learned that that makes very little sense.  We need Him because our attempts to do good and love God and serve others are never enough.  We are imperfect and will always "come short of the glory of God" (Romans 3:23).  The "we" in "after all we can do" means me and Jesus Christ.  Through my baptism into the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, I've made promises with God, and now, we are a team.  Together, WE work through my personal weaknesses and failings and struggles.  And WE recognize that He does much more of the work than I do.  To me, the redemption of Jesus Christ means that He hasn't given up on me, and there is always hope.  I know He lives; He truly is my best and truest Friend.  I'm here as His representative to share this message with all: "the way is prepared...and salvation is free." --2 Nephi 2:4