Most of us are willing to accept some truths but not yet ready to accept others. Some gospel truths simply contradict our natural desires or our traditional ways of thinking, and we have to be particularly receptive and humble in order to receive them.
Elder Neal A. Maxwell discussed this challenge at a funeral of a young father:
There are in the gospel warm and cuddly doctrines, and then there are some that are just outright wintry doctrines. … One of them, frankly, is that we cannot approach [real] consecration without passing through appropriate clinical experiences, [because we don t achieve consecration] in the abstract. …
Remarks at joseph S Clark funeral, February 23,1996, as quoted in Bruce C. Hafen, “The Story of A Disciple’s Life: Preparing the Biography of Elder Neal A. Maxwell,” BYU Studies Quarterly, 42:1
Sometimes [therefore,] the best people…have the worst experiences because they are the most ready to learn.
Lamoni and his people were particularly receptive to the gospel:
Ammon did preach unto the people of king Lamoni; and it came to pass that he did teach them all things concerning things pertaining to righteousness. And he did exhort them daily, with all diligence; and they gave heed unto his word, and they were zealous for keeping the commandments of God.
Alma 21:23
Elder Erich W. Kopischke used this passage to explain the importance of contrition:
The word contrite in the Oxford dictionary is defined as “feeling or expressing remorse at the recognition that one has done wrong.” If we have a contrite spirit, we acknowledge our sins and shortcomings. We are teachable “concerning [all] things pertaining to righteousness.” We feel godly sorrow and are willing to repent. A contrite spirit is willing to listen “to the enticings of the Holy Spirit.”
“Being Accepted of the Lord,” General Conference, April 2013
Today, I will strive to be open to all things pertaining to righteousness. I will strive to be humble enough to accept truths that differ from my current assumptions. I will strive to be contrite enough to repent and act upon those truths.
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