2024 February 8, Thursday, Journal Entry

I truly enjoy my assignment in the temple on Wednesday mornings. It gives me time to not only serve others but to contemplate and ponder what is being taught in the Come Follow Me material that I'm fortunate to review on a daily basis. 

What we see below is representative of teachings that urge us to place our service to God ahead of all other concerns in our daily lives. When we do that honestly with true intent I believe it qualifies as what is meant by having a "broken heart and contrite spirit". It's important to view this as not a thing of sadness or despair but of true happiness and hope.

Come Follow Me 

2 Nephi 2:7 Behold, he offereth himself a sacrifice for sin, to answer the ends of the law, unto all those who have a broken heart and a contrite spirit; and unto none else can the ends of the law be answered.

"Jesus Christ’s sacrifice for sin and salvation from spiritual death are available to all who have such a broken heart and contrite spirit. A broken heart and contrite spirit prompt us to joyfully repent and try to become more like our Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. As we do so, we receive the Savior’s cleansing, healing, and strengthening power. We not only do justly and walk humbly with God; we also learn to love mercy the way that Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ do."

"To do justly means acting honorably. We act honorably with God by walking humbly with Him. We act honorably with others by loving mercy."

Elder Dale G. Renlund Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, October 2020

"Is there something in you or in your life that is impure or unworthy? When you get rid of it, that is a gift to the Savior. Is there a good habit or quality that is lacking in your life? When you adopt it and make it part of your character, you are giving a gift to the Lord. Sometimes this is hard to do, but would your gifts of repentance and obedience be worthy gifts if they cost you nothing? Don’t be afraid of the effort required. And remember, you don’t have to do it alone. Jesus Christ will help you make of yourself a worthy gift. His grace will make you clean, even holy. Eventually, you will become like Him, “perfect in Christ.”

By Elder D. Todd Christofferson