Jul 7, 2024

Safe in His Arms by Gabriel Heaton

Many Nephites thought the Lamanites were irredeemable. Perhaps they thought the Lamanites had gone too far, had committed too many sins, to be saved by the Lord. I wonder if we think of some groups of people or individuals in that way today—maybe even ourselves. Has anyone really gone so far down the path of sin that Jesus Christ’s redeeming power can’t reach them?

Anyone who would answer “yes” to this question lacks an understanding of the Atonement of Jesus Christ. Elder Holland has counseled, “Let people repent. Let people grow. Believe that people can change and improve. Is that faith? Yes! Is that hope? Yes! Is that charity? Yes! Above all, it is charity, the pure love of Christ.”

When we give ourselves and those around us the space, time, and patience to change, coupled with the pure love of Christ, we can see miracles. The Lamanite people proved to be one example of the redemption that the Savior offers.

Alma 23:6–7 says, “As the Lord liveth, as many of the Lamanites as believed in their preaching, and were converted unto the Lord, never did fall away. For they became a righteous people; they did lay down the weapons of their rebellion, that they did not fight against God any more, neither against any of their brethren.”

Surely if the Lamanites can be converted unto the Lord and “never . . . fall away,” so can we, and so can anyone who truly desires to change to be like Christ. All we need to do is lay down our weapons of rebellion, stop fighting, and let God lead us in His path to happiness. 

This is much more easily said than done, but our Savior gives us grace and time to lay down our weapons of rebellion. These weapons include sins and weaknesses, but also sometimes the “good” things that we spend our time on when we could be doing “better” or “best” things. 

Wilford Woodruff taught, “We none of us are perfect whilst we dwell in the flesh; but the man who in humble reliance upon God never falters in the fight for the right, never wavers in his allegiance to the truth, and ever maintains inviolate his covenants, is one whom we can all pause to admire, and strive, by heaven’s help, to imitate.”

The only perfect being to have lived on this earth is Jesus Christ. As we strive to emulate Him, never give up our fight for the right, and stay true to the truth of His gospel, we will be strengthened to change and to truly be “converted unto the Lord.”

Lyndie is working toward a degree in Public Relations at Brigham Young University. Originally from Idaho Falls, Idaho, she enjoys running, spending time with her husband and family, and reading. Lyndie served a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Hermosillo, Mexico, where she developed a love for the Spanish language and the people there. She was drawn to the Wilford Woodruff Papers out of a desire to learn more about Church history and enjoys being part of the organization’s efforts to touch lives with Wilford Woodruff’s words.

The Wilford Woodruff Papers Foundation’s mission is to digitally preserve and publish Wilford Woodruff’s eyewitness account of the Restoration of the gospel of Jesus Christ and make his records universally accessible in order to inspire all people, especially the rising generation, to study and to increase their faith in Jesus Christ. For more information, please explore wilfordwoodruffpapers.org.