"Lord Cleanse me of anything that Breaks your Heart"
This humble supplication pierces my heart each time I read it much like the first time I pondered it.
It is similar to the theme of a favorite Book of Mormon account in Alma 22 when Aaron and his brethren were led to the land of Nephi and met the Chief Lamanite king, the father of Lamoni. The King's question to Aaron was this, "What is this that Aaron said "if ye will repent ye shall be saved, and if ye will not repent, ye shall be cast off at the day?" Aaron then teaches the king the surety that there is a God that created all things. He expounded the scriptures teaching him about the time from creation of Adam and the plan of redemption which was prepared from the foundation of the world, through Christ.14) "And since man had fallen he could not merit anything of himself; but the sufferings and death of Christ atone for their sins, through faith and repentance, and so forth, and that he breaketh the bands of death, that the grave shall have no victory, and that the sting of death should be swallowed up in the hopes of glory." 15) "After Aaron had expounded these things unto him, the king said: "What shall I do that I may have this eternal life of which thou hast spoken? Yea, what shall I do that I may be born of God, having this wicked spirit rooted out of my breast, and receive his Spirit, that I may be filled with joy, that I may not be cast off at the last day? Behold said he, I will give up all that I possess, yea, I will forsake my kingdom, that I may receive this great joy."
In this declaration the king states his desire. What is our desire? Have we longed for a closer relationship with our Savior that would cause us to consider giving up our favorite sin? In later verses the king humbly pleads "Oh God, Aaron hath told me there is a God, and if thou art God, wilt thou make thyself known unto me, and I will give away all of my sins to know thee, that I may be raised from the dead, and be saved at the last day."
As we approach the beginning of a new year we are often inclined to take a self inventory. Do we really want to take old baggage with us into the new year? Can we consider leaving behind negative attitudes, grudges, judgements, recrimination, past mistakes, old addictions, misunderstandings or any other folly that causes us to lag behind a more joyful potential? Said Tyler Knott Gregeon:
"Oh what we could be if we stopped carrying the remains of who we were". Sometimes we have to let things go to make room for better things, to make room for a more divine self, a more glorious, more appreciative, more faithful, more devoted daughter of God, centered in Christ.
How do we recognize what we need to do in order to become the person God desires us to be? President Monson in October 2015 conference said "I reiterate what we have been told repeatedly, that in order to gain and keep the faith we need, it is essential that we read and study and ponder the scriptures. Communication with our Heavenly Father through prayer is vital. We cannot afford to neglect these things, for the adversary and his hosts are relentlessly seeking for a chink in our armor, a lapse in our faithfulness. Said the Lord, "Search diligently, pray always and be believing and all things shall work together for your good."
Paraphrasing Dieter F. Uchtdorf as he spoke in April 2015 General Conference "The Gift of Grace", "The grace of God is our great and everlasting hope. Through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, the plan of mercy appeases the demands of justice and brings about means unto men that they may have faith unto repentance. Many people feel discouraged because they constantly fall short. They know firsthand that "the spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak." Our sins, though they may be as scarlet, can become white as snow. Because our beloved Savior gave himself a ransom for all. An entrance into His everlasting kingdom is provided unto us. The gate is unlocked! It leads to heights we can scarely comprehend! "The spirit of the Lord (Our God) brings about such a mighty change in us...that we have no more disposition to do evil, but to do good continually." Therefore, our obedience to God's commandments comes as a natural outgrowth of our endless love and gratitude for the goodness of God. This form of genuine love and gratitude will miraculously merge our works with God's grace. Virtue will garnish our thoughts unceasingly, and our confidence will wax strong in the presence of God." Enlightenment and understanding come to us when we do the will of the Father." "Today and forevermore God's grace is available to all whose hearts are broken and whose spirits are contrite. Jesus Christ has cleared the way for us to ascend to heights incomprehensible to mortal minds. I pray we will show our love for God and our gratitude for the gift of God's infinite grace by keeping his commandments and joyfully walking in a newness of life."
May we feel to say "Lord cleanse me of anything that breaks your heart." May we look to Him our Savior with clean hands, pure heart, peace of conscience and with loving gladness as we welcome the New Year before us. In the Name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
Sister Addie Rushton Simper
Centralia Stake Relief Society President
