Latter Day Saints or Sinners

When we learn to accept and apply our Savior’s Atonement and Grace, we can forgive and move forward. We are, are we not Latter-Day Saints.

I Loved General Conference last weekend. I really enjoyed Elder Dale Renlund’s talk, “Latter-day Saints Keep on Trying."

He talked about Nelson Mandela’s remarkable Forgivness of those who had imprisoned him for 27 years.

Mandela received widespread acclaim and praise for this forgiveness. Mandela frequently deflected accolades by saying, “I’m no saint—that is, unless you think a saint is a sinner who keeps on trying.”

Elder Renlund remarks, “This statement—“a saint is a sinner who keeps on trying”—should reassure and encourage members of the Church. Although we are referred to as “Latter-day Saints,” we sometimes flinch at this reference. The term Saint is commonly used to designate those who have achieved an elevated state of holiness or even perfection. And we know perfectly well that we are not perfect.”

The gospel does teach us that “ we may be perfected by repeatedly “relying wholly upon” the doctrine of Christ: exercising faith in Him, repenting, partaking of the sacrament to renew the covenants and blessings of baptism, and receiving the Holy Ghost as a constant companion.”

God cares a lot more about who we are and who we are becoming than about who we once were. He cares that we keep on trying. In His mercy, God promises forgiveness to us, when we repent and turn from wickedness. 

Elder Renlund pointed out that, God’s desire that Latter-day Saints keep on trying also extends beyond overcoming sin. Whether we suffer because of troubled relationships, economic challenges, or illnesses or as a consequence of someone else’s sins, the Savior’s infinite Atonement can heal even—and perhaps especially—those who have innocently suffered. Christ understands perfectly what it is like to suffer innocently as a consequence of another’s transgression.

My invitation to all of us is to evaluate our lives, repent, and keep on trying. 

Elder Renlund said: If we don’t try, we’re just latter-day sinners; if we don’t persevere, we’re latter-day quitters; and if we don’t allow others to try, we’re just latter-day hypocrites.

  As we try, persevere, and help others to do the same, we are true Latter-day Saints. As we change, we will find that God indeed cares a lot more about who we are and about who we are becoming than about who we once were.