—I will give you rest—
I got to teach the Gospel Doctrine class today in Sunday School. We were studying third Nephi chapters 8-11. It seems that in preparing a lesson for something like this, it always seems to end up being more for oneself than for anyone else. I feel like I was edified and learned more than anyone else in the class.
These chapters talk about the destruction that occurred in the Americas after the death of Jesus Christ – the terrible storms, lightning, thunder, earthquakes, and the thick darkness that followed. The more wicked part of the people were destroyed. I was touched by the Lord’s invitation to the people that were spared to repent and come unto him. He descended out of heaven and showed himself – in his perfected, resurrected form – to the people, and taught them his doctrine: faith, repentance, baptism, and the receipt of the Holy Ghost. His whole message was one of love for the people, and his never ending mercy towards them, inviting them to come unto him and be saved.
This is the same invitation that he offers to you and me today. He does not want any of us to perish. He does not want anyone to lose their eternal inheritance. He is willing to forgive us all if we come unto to him and repent. I can be spiritually healed if I repent. The choice must be ours – this must be done willingly.
“Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” (Matthew 11:28 – 30)
He can make my burden light if I allow him into my heart, if I take the steps to repent of my sins. I can find the peace that only the Spirit can give and so can everyone. This is the message that Jesus Christ wants us to give to the world – a message of hope and of joy.
