God taught Joseph Smith that He judges us according to "the desire of [our] hearts." He is perfectly aware of the unique "degree of difficulty" we individually face, and He factors that in to His assessment of us. We should therefore focus our efforts on what we can control and leave the rest to Him.
“Calm as a Summer’s Morning”
Paul, Moroni, and Joseph Smith faced death with serenity, hope, and confidence in Christ. Their examples invite us to see the Final Judgment as a joyful and triumphant reunion with God, not as an event to be feared.
Accepted of the Lord
God loves all of His children perfectly. We please Him when we are humble, when we repent, and when we make every sacrifice He asks of us. In that way, we prepare for the ultimate manifestation of His acceptance—to be welcomed into His presence.
Upon the Housetops
We all have things we'd like to keep private. It's important to remember that permanent privacy is unachievable. The Lord warned that our iniquities will be "spoken uon the housetops." Fortunately, we can repent now and be prepared for that day.
Prepare to Be Judged
Nobody likes to be judged, but Book of Mormon prophets clearly emphasize the Final Judgment. Mormon pleads with us to "repent and prepare to stand before the judgment-seat of Christ." We prepare by changing for the better, with God's help, every day.
Arraigned
There were many lawyers in Ammonihah, so it's not surprising that Amulek used legal terminology to describe our future state. When we can visualize ourselves as a defendant in court, we are motivated to seek and receive all the help we need.
Righteous Still
John, Jacob, and Moroni all testified that the Final Judgment represents an acknowledgment of what we have become. Therefore, we need to ensure that the decisions we are making today are making us more righteous, more holy, and more happy.
Wedding Garments and Extra Oil
In two of Jesus's parables, people are punished harshly for seemingly minor infractions: dressing inappropriately or running out of supplies. Important events require careful preparation, so we must be particularly careful in our preparations to meet God.
Wheat Among Tares
The Parable of Wheat and the Tares teaches that God doesn't right every wrong immediately. We can flourish even when surrounded by negative influences by studying the Savior, making covenants with Him, and safeguarding the gift of the Holy Ghost.
The Valley of Decision
When Ahab, king of Israel, asked Jehoshaphat, king of Judah, to join him in battle against the Syrians, Jehoshaphat responded with solidarity: "I am as thou art, my people as thy people, my horses as thy horses" (1 Kings 22:4, see also 2 Chronicles 18:3). However, Jehoshaphat insisted on consulting with a prophet first. Ahab... Continue Reading →