Do you remember the “Great Exchange” Jaci mentioned in her book? Right now is
your chance to put this to the test! In order to be justified, we must rely on Christ’s
merits and mercies.
I want you to go and actually take the time to do it! Take your pages of the Inventory
and get on your knees. Give it all over to God. You can even visualize placing it all
in your Savior's hands if you need to as you pray. Personally, I have experienced a
difference when I have asked Him to take things from me versus handing them over
to Him.
and get on your knees. Give it all over to God. You can even visualize placing it all
in your Savior's hands if you need to as you pray. Personally, I have experienced a
difference when I have asked Him to take things from me versus handing them over
to Him.
If you can recognize your powerlessness over all of the events, inputs, beliefs,
emotions, and actions/behaviors you took the time to look at squarely, you are
ready to take this step. Jesus Christ has already covered it. He is simply waiting
for you to allow Him to.
emotions, and actions/behaviors you took the time to look at squarely, you are
ready to take this step. Jesus Christ has already covered it. He is simply waiting
for you to allow Him to.
Jesus Christ is exchanging His sacrifice for your sins. He is also wanting to upgrade
your fallen man and natural man tendencies with His traits and characteristics. In
this part of our journey we are talking about a forsaking you may not have ever
realized is possible.
your fallen man and natural man tendencies with His traits and characteristics. In
this part of our journey we are talking about a forsaking you may not have ever
realized is possible.
The scriptures refer to it as the “mighty change of heart” (see Alma 5:12-14
and Mosiah 5:2), the “new man” (Ephesians 2:15, Ephesians 4:24-25, and
Colossians 3:10), or “new creature” (2 Corinthians 5:17). A mighty change of
heart means He changes us at the “Belief” level.
and Mosiah 5:2), the “new man” (Ephesians 2:15, Ephesians 4:24-25, and
Colossians 3:10), or “new creature” (2 Corinthians 5:17). A mighty change of
heart means He changes us at the “Belief” level.
It means that Christ will literally begin instilling His strengths and attributes into us.
We will talk more about the details of this at the end of the chapter. If now is a good
time, put the book down, take your Inventory in hand, and get on your knees and
make this Great Exchange. If not, then take care of it as soon as you are ready to.
We will talk more about the details of this at the end of the chapter. If now is a good
time, put the book down, take your Inventory in hand, and get on your knees and
make this Great Exchange. If not, then take care of it as soon as you are ready to.
When I did this I didn’t fully understand. I thought it meant I was completely changed
from that moment forward. I was, but not in the ways I was expecting. For some
reason as I had looked forward to this part of my journey, I had expected that it meant
from that moment on I would no longer give in to sin or make another mistake for the
rest of my life.
from that moment forward. I was, but not in the ways I was expecting. For some
reason as I had looked forward to this part of my journey, I had expected that it meant
from that moment on I would no longer give in to sin or make another mistake for the
rest of my life.
Although there have been some aspects of my fallen or natural man tendencies that
were instantly changed or some aspects that came relatively quickly, the vast majority
has been a process. After more time and further understanding, I have concluded
that we get on our knees like this to invite the process to begin.
were instantly changed or some aspects that came relatively quickly, the vast majority
has been a process. After more time and further understanding, I have concluded
that we get on our knees like this to invite the process to begin.
Elder Bednar said, “For many of us, conversion is an ongoing process and not a one
time event that results from a powerful or dramatic experience. Line upon line and
precept upon precept, gradually and almost imperceptibly, our motives, our thoughts,
our words, and our deeds become aligned with the will of God. Conversion unto the
Lord requires both persistence and patience” (HERE). Although this is something you
will begin today, it will most likely not be completed today. It is designed to be a
lifelong process for most of us.
time event that results from a powerful or dramatic experience. Line upon line and
precept upon precept, gradually and almost imperceptibly, our motives, our thoughts,
our words, and our deeds become aligned with the will of God. Conversion unto the
Lord requires both persistence and patience” (HERE). Although this is something you
will begin today, it will most likely not be completed today. It is designed to be a
lifelong process for most of us.
As we have a mighty change of heart, we are born again, but this time we are spiritually
born of Christ. “In mortality we experience physical birth and the opportunity for
spiritual rebirth. We are admonished by prophets and apostles to awake unto God,
be ‘born again,’ and become new creatures in Christ by receiving in our lives the
blessings made possible through the Atonement of Jesus Christ. The ‘merits, and
mercy, and grace of the Holy Messiah’ can help us triumph over the self-centered
and selfish tendencies of the natural man and become more selfless, benevolent,
and saintly. We are exhorted to so live that we can ‘stand spotless before [the Lord]
at the last day’” (Source). Repentance isn’t a one-time check it off the list thing.
Repentance is actually a pattern.
born of Christ. “In mortality we experience physical birth and the opportunity for
spiritual rebirth. We are admonished by prophets and apostles to awake unto God,
be ‘born again,’ and become new creatures in Christ by receiving in our lives the
blessings made possible through the Atonement of Jesus Christ. The ‘merits, and
mercy, and grace of the Holy Messiah’ can help us triumph over the self-centered
and selfish tendencies of the natural man and become more selfless, benevolent,
and saintly. We are exhorted to so live that we can ‘stand spotless before [the Lord]
at the last day’” (Source). Repentance isn’t a one-time check it off the list thing.
Repentance is actually a pattern.
"Repentance isn’t His backup plan in the event we might fail. Repentance is
His plan, knowing that we will. This is the gospel of repentance, and as President
Russell M. Nelson has observed, it will be 'a lifetime curriculum'" (Source).
His plan, knowing that we will. This is the gospel of repentance, and as President
Russell M. Nelson has observed, it will be 'a lifetime curriculum'" (Source).
The mighty change of heart opens the door to the remission of sins
(see Mosiah 4:3). “...their hearts had been changed; that they had no more desire
to do evil” (Alma 19:33). “...the Spirit of the Lord Omnipotent, which has wrought a
mighty change in us, or in our hearts, that we have no more disposition to do evil,
but to do good continually” (Mosiah 5:2).
(see Mosiah 4:3). “...their hearts had been changed; that they had no more desire
to do evil” (Alma 19:33). “...the Spirit of the Lord Omnipotent, which has wrought a
mighty change in us, or in our hearts, that we have no more disposition to do evil,
but to do good continually” (Mosiah 5:2).
I took a long time preparing to make the Great Exchange and I studied those
verses. Then after that night on my knees and returning back to the demands of
my daily life, I felt discouraged when I would make a mistake.
verses. Then after that night on my knees and returning back to the demands of
my daily life, I felt discouraged when I would make a mistake.
“I must not have actually had a mighty change of heart then,” I told myself. I
recognized later that the keywords in these verses are desire and disposition.
It doesn’t say they never made a mistake again! It simply says they didn’t have
the desire or disposition to sin.
recognized later that the keywords in these verses are desire and disposition.
It doesn’t say they never made a mistake again! It simply says they didn’t have
the desire or disposition to sin.
Let me try to explain in my own words how this looked in my life. I began to
discover that through the process of having a mighty change of heart, we will still
actually make mistakes. The difference now is that we don’t want to.
discover that through the process of having a mighty change of heart, we will still
actually make mistakes. The difference now is that we don’t want to.
We have given over our whole heart to God. At times it can be confusing and
frustrating that even though our heart is right, we still will not always do it perfectly.
The difference with a mighty change of heart is that our mistakes or sins don’t take
us down like they used to. As soon as the Spirit brings it to our attention, we take
care of it. We know exactly what we need to do, and because of Jesus Christ we
can do it!
frustrating that even though our heart is right, we still will not always do it perfectly.
The difference with a mighty change of heart is that our mistakes or sins don’t take
us down like they used to. As soon as the Spirit brings it to our attention, we take
care of it. We know exactly what we need to do, and because of Jesus Christ we
can do it!
Nephi describes this perfectly. “Behold, my soul delighteth in the things of the Lord;
and my heart pondereth continually upon the things which I have seen and heard.
Nevertheless, notwithstanding the great goodness of the Lord, in showing me his
great and marvelous works, my heart exclaimeth: O wretched man that I am! Yea,
my heart sorroweth because of my flesh; my soul grieveth because of mine iniquities.
I am encompassed about, because of the temptations and the sins which do so easily
beset me” (2 Nephi 4:16-18, emphasis added).
and my heart pondereth continually upon the things which I have seen and heard.
Nevertheless, notwithstanding the great goodness of the Lord, in showing me his
great and marvelous works, my heart exclaimeth: O wretched man that I am! Yea,
my heart sorroweth because of my flesh; my soul grieveth because of mine iniquities.
I am encompassed about, because of the temptations and the sins which do so easily
beset me” (2 Nephi 4:16-18, emphasis added).
Now notice how mid-verse he comes to himself and starts to quickly snap out of it,
“And when I desire to rejoice, my heart groaneth because of my sins; nevertheless,
I know in whom I have trusted. O then, if I have seen so great things, if the Lord in
his condescension unto the children of men hath visited men in so much mercy,
why should my heart weep and my soul linger in the valley of sorrow, and my flesh
waste away, and my strength slacken, because of mine afflictions? And why should
I yield to sin, because of my flesh? Yea, why should I give way to temptations, that
the evil one have place in my heart to destroy my peace and afflict my soul? Why
am I angry because of mine enemy? Awake, my soul! No longer droop in sin.
Rejoice, O my heart, and give place no more for the enemy of my soul”
(2 Nephi 4:19, 26-28, emphasis added).
“And when I desire to rejoice, my heart groaneth because of my sins; nevertheless,
I know in whom I have trusted. O then, if I have seen so great things, if the Lord in
his condescension unto the children of men hath visited men in so much mercy,
why should my heart weep and my soul linger in the valley of sorrow, and my flesh
waste away, and my strength slacken, because of mine afflictions? And why should
I yield to sin, because of my flesh? Yea, why should I give way to temptations, that
the evil one have place in my heart to destroy my peace and afflict my soul? Why
am I angry because of mine enemy? Awake, my soul! No longer droop in sin.
Rejoice, O my heart, and give place no more for the enemy of my soul”
(2 Nephi 4:19, 26-28, emphasis added).
Now look how Nephi starts turning to Christ instead, “O Lord, wilt thou redeem my
soul? Wilt thou deliver me out of the hands of mine enemies? Wilt thou make me
that I may shake at the appearance of sin? May the gates of hell be shut continually
before me, because that my heart is broken and my spirit is contrite! O Lord, wilt thou
not shut the gates of thy righteousness before me, that I may walk in the path of the
low valley, that I may be strict in the plain road! O Lord, wilt thou encircle me around
in the robe of thy righteousness! O Lord, wilt thou make a way for mine escape before
mine enemies! Wilt thou make my path straight before me! Wilt thou not place a
stumbling block in my way—but that thou wouldst clear my way before me, and
hedge not up my way, but the ways of mine enemy. O Lord, I have trusted in thee,
and I will trust in thee forever. I will not put my trust in the arm of flesh; for I know that
cursed is he that putteth his trust in the arm of flesh. Yea, cursed is he that putteth his
trust in man or maketh flesh his arm. Yea, I know that God will give liberally to him that
asketh. Yea, my God will give me, if I ask not amiss; therefore I will lift up my voice
unto thee; yea, I will cry unto thee, my God, the rock of my righteousness. Behold,
my voice shall forever ascend up unto thee, my rock and mine everlasting God. Amen”
(2 Nephi 4:31-35, emphasis added).
soul? Wilt thou deliver me out of the hands of mine enemies? Wilt thou make me
that I may shake at the appearance of sin? May the gates of hell be shut continually
before me, because that my heart is broken and my spirit is contrite! O Lord, wilt thou
not shut the gates of thy righteousness before me, that I may walk in the path of the
low valley, that I may be strict in the plain road! O Lord, wilt thou encircle me around
in the robe of thy righteousness! O Lord, wilt thou make a way for mine escape before
mine enemies! Wilt thou make my path straight before me! Wilt thou not place a
stumbling block in my way—but that thou wouldst clear my way before me, and
hedge not up my way, but the ways of mine enemy. O Lord, I have trusted in thee,
and I will trust in thee forever. I will not put my trust in the arm of flesh; for I know that
cursed is he that putteth his trust in the arm of flesh. Yea, cursed is he that putteth his
trust in man or maketh flesh his arm. Yea, I know that God will give liberally to him that
asketh. Yea, my God will give me, if I ask not amiss; therefore I will lift up my voice
unto thee; yea, I will cry unto thee, my God, the rock of my righteousness. Behold,
my voice shall forever ascend up unto thee, my rock and mine everlasting God. Amen”
(2 Nephi 4:31-35, emphasis added).
Can you see the difference? It doesn’t mean that the moment we make the Great
Exchange we will be instantly perfect; it simply means that Satan cannot keep us
held captive for long in those moments that we do slip back into old traps. Little
by little---almost imperceptibly---we will began to notice that we are different.
Sometimes we can be so busy in the climb upward that we don’t always see what
is beginning to happen.
Exchange we will be instantly perfect; it simply means that Satan cannot keep us
held captive for long in those moments that we do slip back into old traps. Little
by little---almost imperceptibly---we will began to notice that we are different.
Sometimes we can be so busy in the climb upward that we don’t always see what
is beginning to happen.
Repentance is about more than just meeting the demands of justice, although the
demands of justice must be met. Payment for our sins isn’t all God wants from us!
Remember we, as in you and I, can’t meet those demands. Christ can if we turn to Him,
but, again, justice isn’t the only reason God asks us to repent.
demands of justice must be met. Payment for our sins isn’t all God wants from us!
Remember we, as in you and I, can’t meet those demands. Christ can if we turn to Him,
but, again, justice isn’t the only reason God asks us to repent.
Repentance is not only an opportunity to be obedient, but also to an opportunity
to be willing. God requires both obedience and willingness (see D&C 64:34).
Our willingness comes as we “...[yield our] hearts unto God (Helaman 3:35)
and allow Christ to change us. Maybe in the past we have handed over bits
and pieces of our heart, but that isn’t what He wants. He wants it all.
Everything. And repentance is the opportunity to hand it all over like we
may have never done in the past.
to be willing. God requires both obedience and willingness (see D&C 64:34).
Our willingness comes as we “...[yield our] hearts unto God (Helaman 3:35)
and allow Christ to change us. Maybe in the past we have handed over bits
and pieces of our heart, but that isn’t what He wants. He wants it all.
Everything. And repentance is the opportunity to hand it all over like we
may have never done in the past.
I hope this analogy doesn’t hit too close to home, but what would you think if
your spouse told you s/he would be 80% faithful to you? How would you feel?
What if s/he even said 99% faithful? I don’t know about you, but that would still
bother me. But that is exactly what we are doing when we withhold a portion of
our heart from God (see Hosea)!
your spouse told you s/he would be 80% faithful to you? How would you feel?
What if s/he even said 99% faithful? I don’t know about you, but that would still
bother me. But that is exactly what we are doing when we withhold a portion of
our heart from God (see Hosea)!
This whole process will take time and practice. Our courage and our willingness
to be persistent can increase as we understand that we aren’t going to somehow
hit a point that God kicks us out and we lose our chance at it. Sometimes we get
so hung up on being perfect that it’s easy to get impatient with ourselves. We
cannot dismiss the command to be perfect (3 Nephi 12:48), yet how do we
become perfect? Perfection is a process and like all processes, it requires time
and practice (for most of us). Let me share with you some of my favorite quotes
that illustrate this concept.
to be persistent can increase as we understand that we aren’t going to somehow
hit a point that God kicks us out and we lose our chance at it. Sometimes we get
so hung up on being perfect that it’s easy to get impatient with ourselves. We
cannot dismiss the command to be perfect (3 Nephi 12:48), yet how do we
become perfect? Perfection is a process and like all processes, it requires time
and practice (for most of us). Let me share with you some of my favorite quotes
that illustrate this concept.
“When a young pianist hits a wrong note, we don’t say he is not worthy to keep
practicing. We don’t expect him to be flawless. We just expect him to keep trying.
Perfection may be his ultimate goal, but for now we can be content with progress
in the right direction. Why is this perspective so easy to see in the context of
learning piano but so hard to see in the context of learning heaven?” (Brad
Wilcox, His Grace is Sufficient, Source, emphasis added).
practicing. We don’t expect him to be flawless. We just expect him to keep trying.
Perfection may be his ultimate goal, but for now we can be content with progress
in the right direction. Why is this perspective so easy to see in the context of
learning piano but so hard to see in the context of learning heaven?” (Brad
Wilcox, His Grace is Sufficient, Source, emphasis added).
“The job [of perfection] will not be completed in this life: but [God] means to get us
as far as possible before death” (C.S. Lewis, Source). “In those anxious moments
[I wonder if I’m doing enough], the greatest comfort I have found is in knowing any
effort is pleasing to God even if He and I both know it’s not my all or my best. It may
be far from an acceptable offering, but God accepts it nonetheless because ultimately
He is more concerned with the offerer than the offering. Elder Gerald N. Lund wrote:
‘Remember that one of Satan’s strategies, especially with good people, is to whisper in
their ears: “If you are not perfect, you are failing.” This is one of his most effective
deceptions...we should recognize that God is pleased with every effort we make---
no matter how faltering---to better ourselves’” (Wilcox, The Continuous Atonement,
108, emphasis added).
as far as possible before death” (C.S. Lewis, Source). “In those anxious moments
[I wonder if I’m doing enough], the greatest comfort I have found is in knowing any
effort is pleasing to God even if He and I both know it’s not my all or my best. It may
be far from an acceptable offering, but God accepts it nonetheless because ultimately
He is more concerned with the offerer than the offering. Elder Gerald N. Lund wrote:
‘Remember that one of Satan’s strategies, especially with good people, is to whisper in
their ears: “If you are not perfect, you are failing.” This is one of his most effective
deceptions...we should recognize that God is pleased with every effort we make---
no matter how faltering---to better ourselves’” (Wilcox, The Continuous Atonement,
108, emphasis added).
"Our perfect Father does not expect us to be perfect children. He had only
one such Child. Therefore, sometimes with smudges on our cheeks, dirt on
our hands and shoes untied, stammeringly, but smiling we present God with
a dandelion--as if it were an orchid or a rose! If for now the dandelion is the
best we have to offer, He receives it knowing what we may later place on t
he altar. It is good to remember how young we are spiritually" (Elder Maxwell,
I found this quote here, emphasis added).
one such Child. Therefore, sometimes with smudges on our cheeks, dirt on
our hands and shoes untied, stammeringly, but smiling we present God with
a dandelion--as if it were an orchid or a rose! If for now the dandelion is the
best we have to offer, He receives it knowing what we may later place on t
he altar. It is good to remember how young we are spiritually" (Elder Maxwell,
I found this quote here, emphasis added).
”If we believe we have to be completely worthy before we approach God,
we will never be able to. Those who feel like failures don’t usually fight for
a front-row seat at heaven’s throne. Instead we distance ourselves even
farther from the source of worthiness we seek. Maybe we do this out of
embarrassment, lack of confidence, low self-esteem, or for many other
motives. Whatever the reason, we are all too quickly caught in a never-ending
cycle of procrastinated change and postponed happiness” (Wilcox, The
Continuous Atonement, 105, emphasis added).
we will never be able to. Those who feel like failures don’t usually fight for
a front-row seat at heaven’s throne. Instead we distance ourselves even
farther from the source of worthiness we seek. Maybe we do this out of
embarrassment, lack of confidence, low self-esteem, or for many other
motives. Whatever the reason, we are all too quickly caught in a never-ending
cycle of procrastinated change and postponed happiness” (Wilcox, The
Continuous Atonement, 105, emphasis added).
We don’t need to cower or worry because of our past, our sins, our weakness,
or shortcomings. We are already covered! God has already provided His beautiful
and perfect gift of the Atonement. We need only pick it up and use it with a grateful
heart. We can RUN to Him and fall rejoicing into His open and waiting arms because
of our Savior!!! And even then, He is there to help us every moment along the way!
or shortcomings. We are already covered! God has already provided His beautiful
and perfect gift of the Atonement. We need only pick it up and use it with a grateful
heart. We can RUN to Him and fall rejoicing into His open and waiting arms because
of our Savior!!! And even then, He is there to help us every moment along the way!
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