Suddenly, I remembered that I had a small homework assignment that was due online.

It was the end of the semester at BYU, it was an easy Education class, and I really wanted to sleep.

I knew I would get 10% off for each day it was late, and I knew I could still easily get an A in the course no matter what grade I got in this small assignment.

So I went to bed.

I was doing some basic “risk assessment” – and I was accurate in my conclusion. I got a 90% on the assignment, and an easy solid A in the class at the end of the semester.

I willingly chose the “punishment” because I knew it wouldn’t affect my overall outcome.

Can we do risk assessment with our salvation?

Can we calculate what the negative consequences will be and then decide whether or not we want to follow the rules exactly or whether we want to fudge the lines a bit?

Well, we can. But Nephi gives us the Lord’s dire warning against this.

Because the purpose of this life is not to “pass” or to turn in the correct assignments.

We are here to fundamentally CHANGE who we are and become like God.

So when we use risk assessment and decide that we are fine with the eternal consequences for a little bit of sin and merriness, we mock our Savior’s atoning sacrifice.

We are willingly doing something wrong because we think we’d rather face a little bit of godly punishment than deal with disciplined growth.

This can look like refusing to confess a sin. Making media choices we know are wrong because the rest of the world watches it, so it can’t be that bad. Knowingly committing a sin but thinking it’s justified because of all the good we do.

We will commit sin. We will commit sin when we know better.

But when we decide that we would rather sin and deal with the consequences than try to change our desires, we’re trying to do risk assessment with our souls.

And we miss out on true godly sorrow, growth, and progressive change. 

Happy Studying!

-Cali Black

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