It is obvious from this scripture that we were not yet good enough, that there was more that we needed to learn and to do. There is something to be said of experience, for we read in Alma 7:13 that, "Now the Spirit knoweth all things; nevertheless the Son of God suffereth according to the flesh that he might take upon him the sins of his people, that he might blot out their transgressions according to the power of his deliverance..." In other words, By the Spirit His judgments would be just but it was necessary for Him to come to know in the flesh, how to heal us, by experience.
We learn very early on, the doctrine that God knows all, then if all is known why allow us to leave to come here? Why not just judge us on that foreknowledge? I say it is because we are not proving to God, but to ourselves what we are capable of becoming. When faced with a temptation or flaw we are to work those issues out through the process of real change. We learn in Ether 12:27 that the Lord allows weakness to be in us so that we may be humble. When we come to Him in humility He transforms that weakness into strengths. This too is a process!
I think of the way a recovering alcoholic becomes a strength and mentor to others that are battling the disease. When they have tempered the habit they become strengths to others. When the repentant soul testifies of the power of Christ's healing power we are strengthened by those words. His word is verified in these things.
In seeking true change in this process we must seek to be an active partner in the transformation. It is not enough to simply ask for a weakness to become a strength, the Lord expects us to work at it also. One can not become physically strong without exercise, so it is spiritually. How is a flaw ever really overcome if He simply removes it with no effort on our part? What happens then with the next challenge arises, (for there will be many) and we have no experience or strength to draw from? It is essential that we overcome with Him, for we are taught that the power to do good is within us D&C 58:27-28.
This lesson is learned in the raising of Lazarus. John 11 Jesus asked that the stone which covered his tomb be removed, Jesus did His part as He called Lazarus forth. Lazarus responded and came forth, Jesus then proceeded to ask that his grave clothes be removed. Surely it would have been easier to command the stone and his burial garments to be removed by His word only, but He allowed others to assist in this great miracle. I say unto you a greater miracle is had when a son or daughter of God overcomes some lifelong challenge or character flaw.
This is the way of the gospel. To prove to ourselves that we will follow all of His commands, and overcome all thing with His loving help. He has promised in that same section of the D&C, "For verily I say unto you, blessed is he that keepeth my commandments, whether in life or in death; and he that is faithful in tribulation, the reward of the same is greater in the kingdom of heaven. Ye cannot behold with your natural eyes, for the present time, the design of your God concerning those things which shall come hereafter, and the glory which shall follow after much tribulation. For after much tribulation come the blessings. Wherefore the day cometh that ye shall be crowned with much glory; the hour is not yet, but is nigh at hand."
Jesus is our loving Christ!
