5.31.2012

Articles of faith 2 and 3

Carrying on with the Articles of faith that we are learning about!  Here is the next two that we studied this week!
Enjoy!

2.  "We believe that men
will be punished for their
 own sins, and not for
Adam’s transgression."

In 2 Nephi 2:19-24, It explains why the Fall of Adam and Eve was so important to us.

 19 And after Adam and Eve had partaken of the forbidden fruit they were driven out of the garden of Eden, to till the earth.
 20 And they have brought forth children; yea, even the family of all the earth.
 21 And the days of the children of men were prolonged, according to the will of God, that they might repent while in the flesh; wherefore, their state became a state of probation, and their time was lengthened, according to the commandments which the Lord God gave unto the children of men. For he gave commandment that all men must repent; for he showed unto all men that they were lost, because of the transgression of their parents.
 22 And now, behold, if Adam had not transgressed he would not have fallen, but he would have remained in the garden of Eden. And all things which were created must have remained in the same state in which they were after they were created; and they must have remained forever, and had no end.
 23 And they would have had no children; wherefore they would have remained in a state of innocence, having no joy, for they knew no misery; doing no good, for they knew no sin.
 24 But behold, all things have been done in the wisdom of him who knoweth all things.

Then the knowledge that we are punished for our own choices, not for any one else, including Adam and Eve.

2 Nephi 2:25-27
 25 Adam fell that men might be; and men are, that they might have joy.
 26 And theMessiah cometh in the fulness of time, that he may redeem the children of men from the fall. And because that they are redeemed from the fall they have become free forever, knowing good from evil; to act for themselves and not to be acted upon, save it be by the punishment of the law at the great and last day, according to the commandments which God hath given.
 27 Wherefore, men are free according to the flesh; and all things are given them which are expedient unto man. And they are free to choose liberty and eternal life, through the great Mediator of all men, or to choose captivity and death, according to the captivity and power of the devil; for he seeketh that all men might be miserable like unto himself.

3.  "We believe that
 through the
Atonement of Christ,
 all mankind may be saved,
by obedience to the laws
and ordinances of the Gospel."

This one is found in Alma 12:31-34

 31 Wherefore, he gave commandments unto men, they having first transgressed the first commandments as to things which were temporal, and becoming as gods, knowing good from evil, placing themselves in a state to act, or being placed in a state to act according to their wills and pleasures, whether to do evil or to do good—
 32 Therefore God gave unto them commandments, after having made known unto them the plan of redemption, that they should not do evil, the penalty thereof being a second death, which was an everlasting death as to things pertaining unto righteousness; for on such the plan of redemption could have no power, for the works of justice could not be destroyed, according to the supreme goodness of God.
 33 But God did call on men, in the name of his Son, (this being the plan of redemption which was laid) saying: If ye will repent, and harden not your hearts, then will I have mercy upon you, through mine Only Begotten Son;
 34 Therefore, whosoever repenteth, and hardeneth not his heart, he shall have claim on mercy through mine Only Begotten Son, unto a remission of his sins; and these shall enter into my rest.



I know, that as we come to understand and apply these 2 beliefs, we will experience joy and happiness in this life.  We are the ones who are responsible for our actions, and even though we make wrong choices, we can be forgiven if we will repent and strive to be obedient to the laws of the Gospel.