I have loved witnessing the continuing Restoration of the gospel of Jesus Christ throughout my lifetime.
Growing up, the attitude of many things from my vantage point in the Church was very black and white.
For example, R-rated movies = bad.
But I’ve loved this ongoing Restoration, this maturation of our understanding.
Less rules and checkboxes from the Church.
This is what my mind was immediately drawn to when reading about how Christ appeared to the Nephites.
He is telling the Nephites that the strict, prescriptive Law of Moses is gone.
“Therefore those things which were of old time, which were under the law, in me are all fulfilled. Old things are done away, and all things have become new.” (3 Nephi 12:46-47)
But here’s the important shift –
In place of these lower, specific commands and counsel, we are instead given a higher law to self-administer.
Instead of not killing, we shouldn’t even be angry.
Instead of not committing adultery, we shouldn’t even lust in our minds.
Instead of loving our neighbors, love our enemies too.
And that’s what we’ve seen as a religious people in recent years.
Instead of sitting and passively listening to a lesson for an extra hour at church, make your own plan and teach your family.
Instead of visiting your assigned sister every month, figure out what she actually needs and do it, whenever that may be.
Instead of avoiding R-rated movies, figure out how to avoid the evil influences of Satan in any way possible.
Jesus’s powerful invitations shared in His “Sermon on the Mount” and His sermon at the temple in Bountiful are beautiful reminders that restrictions being taken away isn’t a free pass – it’s a call to a higher way to live.
Because in reality, Jesus doesn’t want really good rule followers.
Jesus wants people who are ready to become better out of their own free will and choice.
He wants disciples that use their agency to seek after the kingdom of God above all else.
Jesus Himself knows the blessings, confidence, and access to priesthood power that come when we choose the higher and the holier way to live.
Happy Studying!
-Cali Black
