I really liked reading what Brother Wilcox had to say about grace. I recommend this book. Here are some lines that resonated with me, and I could list many more:

God is a “God of grace." His gift is not a prize for the righteous. His help is not a reward for the worthy. It is not waiting for us once we change.  It is the power we need throughout the entire perfecting process. No wonder we sing with all our hearts, “Oh, it is wonderful, wonderful to me!” (pg. 5, referencing Hymns no. 88 and 193).

Think of a child in school who has been assigned to write a story.  He is not better off by leaving his paper clean with no marks on it. A clean sheet of paper is not the goal.  He needs to write his first draft.  The teacher then suggests he add in more description and detail.  Maybe she suggests that he use a different word here or there and fix some spelling and punctuation errors.  The student returns to his desk and makes changes.  A perfect first draft is not the goal. The teacher knows that improving the writing is only a way of improving the writer. It is the same for us as we choose to engage with Christ in the repentance process (pgs. 153, 154).

It may take us years to realize that some of the greatest evidences of God’s love are the closed doors He sends when we are praying for open ones. His delays are not always denials.  If we can look back and see His hand in our lives in the past, we must press forward believing that same hand will be evident in the future. If we can see He has brought us to this point, we must believe He does not intend to drop us now (pg. 118).

Every week is busy.  Every week I have more things to do than I have time for.  I just keep trying and scheduling and working.  Yesterday I received a prompting that I am trying to do life all alone and that I need to ask God for help.  

But doesn't God have bigger issues to think about? People I know have more important issues to resolve in their lives than my little issues and I want God to help them before He helps me. 

But then I remembered that Christ's grace is sufficient for all men, not just some. 

God is aware of all of His children, not just some of them.

So I asked for help in my prayers.  I asked for guidance from the Holy Ghost and for strength to do what is needed.  I didn't ask to be able to do everything, but that which is needed.

 

Jordan Winkle expressed this situation well when he said,  "I’m prone to relying upon my own strength, and in my pride I really had thought I could overcome my trial alone. But I came to realize that I wasn’t failing because the trial was too hard; it was because I wasn’t allowing Jesus Christ to offer me His strength and support. We don’t have to face any trials alone. We can rely upon our Savior for strength.

("What I Was Misunderstanding about the Saviour," By Jordan Winkle, December 2023 Liahona)

The October 2021 sessions of General Conference have ended. The speakers this weekend were exhilarating, instructive, strengthening, poised, confident, humble, and marvelous!

Frankly, I feel a bit overwhelmed.  Where in the world do I go from here? There is so much to absorb and so much to work on and change. Prior to conference I felt that I had more to do in life than I had time for, and now I feel I need to do and be more. 

But I will calmly and cautiously proceed, listening to the Spirit and being open to promptings.

Have I given my whole self to the Savior, or only part?

Who can I bring with me as I come closer to Christ?

How can I lift my slope?

How and where can I best "give back"?

In the days, weeks, and months ahead, how can I best fortify my spiritual foundation?

I need to become more loving. I need to rely on the Savior's grace. I need to let Him be the author and finisher of my story. I need to look for ways to make small gains (even 1% gains), and then feel good about the progress, no matter how small. I want to exude love like President Nelson does. I want to be a faithful disciple of Jesus Christ.

I enjoyed reading this book, and the thoughts from Brother Wilcox strengthened my understanding and appreciation of the Atonement.  Here are a few great lines from the book:

We have a Savior who covers us, a Redeemer who changes us, and a Good Shepherd who is willing to go in search of us again and again—continuously.

(pg. 3)

The Atonement is not just about paying debts but about transforming debtors.

(pg. 73)

Christ’s power is not an emergency generator that turns on once our supply is exhausted.  It is not a booster engine once we run out of steam.  Rather, it is our constant energy source.  If we think of Christ only making up the difference after we do our part, we are failing to keep the promise we make each Sunday to remember Him always.

(pg. 104)

The Atonement is not just for the prodigal sons out there, but also for all their brothers and sisters who stayed home.  It’s not just for the thieves crucified next to Christ, but for the faithful disciples who looked on as well.  No one can make it to heaven alone.  We must have a covenant relationship with God and Christ, who an take the very ropes of sin that previously bound us down and lift us up.

(pg. 191)