The presence of the Lord

“For I the Lord cannot look upon sin with the least degree of allowance.” D&C 1:31

Well… no way any of us can stand in the presence of the Lord then, right?!

Of course not.

Because immediately after telling us this in verse 31, the Lord gives us the most tender, personal, and hopeful principle in verse 32:

“Nevertheless, he that repents and does the commandments of the Lord shall be forgiven;”

Sometimes I wonder, “How am I ever going to be good enough?”

I’m repenting of the same things over and over.

I’m trying to figure out a life filled with messy relationships in the most Christlike way that I can.

I’m trying to do what’s right, and I keep falling short.

But when I’m in the scriptures, I feel these tender little reminders often:

“You are good enough.”

“You are trying.”

“You are keeping the commandments the best you can.”

“You are trying to change every day.”

I write these statements in the margins of my scriptures pretty often, because I think the Spirit needs me to remember these often.

I will make mistakes. I will fall short.

But all that I need to do in order to enter the presence of the Lord…

All that I need to do in order to be in the presence of my God and Savior…

Is to just try.

To keep the commandments.

And when I fall short – I just have to want to sincerely change.

And that’s it.

It’s difficult. And it’s a lifelong process – no matter how long we’ve got here on earth.

But to be able to dwell in the presence of my God?

I’ll keep going.

Happy Studying!

-Cali Black