Although we covered a huge amount of ground in the past two chapters, there are still
two other aspects of the Fall yet to be explored. Remember that before the Fall, Adam
and Eve freely walked and talked with God. The Fall introduced spiritual death, or
being cast out of His presence (See 2 Nephi 9:6, D&C 29:41, and Helaman 14:16). We
already talked generally about what a big change that was for Adam and Eve
(and also ourselves as we are born into this state). Just like the other two aspects
of the Fall we have closely examined, there is more significance here than we
may catch at first glance.
“One of the significant blessings of the Atonement emerges from Christ’s power to
redeem the spiritually dead. Spiritual death is a form of spiritual alienation or dissolution
of the divine relationship. But it is more than a geographic banishment from God’s
presence. Just as the physical body weakens with the onslaught of disease, it seems
that in the same way we weaken spiritually as we embrace each new sin. Perhaps we
lose our capacity or will to absorb light and truth. Perhaps, like an injured muscle, we
lose strength and resiliency to confront each new temptation. Whatever the mechanics,
spiritual death seems to result in a form of spiritual degeneration or entropy. As with
physical death, there needs to be some power to reverse the decaying process, to
heal our spiritual wounds, to strengthen our spiritual fiber. Again, the Atonement is
the source of that reversing power, that fount to which men ‘may look for a remission
of their sins’" (2 Nephi 25:26) (Callister, The Infinite Atonement, 175). Spiritual death,
or being cast out of God’s presence, means we are wasting away spiritually and will
continue to do so unless the process is reversed.
redeem the spiritually dead. Spiritual death is a form of spiritual alienation or dissolution
of the divine relationship. But it is more than a geographic banishment from God’s
presence. Just as the physical body weakens with the onslaught of disease, it seems
that in the same way we weaken spiritually as we embrace each new sin. Perhaps we
lose our capacity or will to absorb light and truth. Perhaps, like an injured muscle, we
lose strength and resiliency to confront each new temptation. Whatever the mechanics,
spiritual death seems to result in a form of spiritual degeneration or entropy. As with
physical death, there needs to be some power to reverse the decaying process, to
heal our spiritual wounds, to strengthen our spiritual fiber. Again, the Atonement is
the source of that reversing power, that fount to which men ‘may look for a remission
of their sins’" (2 Nephi 25:26) (Callister, The Infinite Atonement, 175). Spiritual death,
or being cast out of God’s presence, means we are wasting away spiritually and will
continue to do so unless the process is reversed.
Remember Rapha Yada? We haven’t visited the Yada part for a while because we
have been so busy focusing on the Rapha. I hope by now you are starting to see a
clear picture of why learning to sink and relax can help us to know God personally.
As we come to know Him, we will be able to go on His errand on the behalf of others.
have been so busy focusing on the Rapha. I hope by now you are starting to see a
clear picture of why learning to sink and relax can help us to know God personally.
As we come to know Him, we will be able to go on His errand on the behalf of others.
We come to know God through His son, Jesus Christ. “...if ye had known me, ye
should have known my Father also.” (John 8:19). The Savior promised, “...you
may come unto the Father in my name, and in due time receive of his fulness.”
(D&C 93:19). He also said, “And he that receiveth me receiveth my Father.”
(D&C 84:37). Our Savior makes it possible for us to come to know God for
should have known my Father also.” (John 8:19). The Savior promised, “...you
may come unto the Father in my name, and in due time receive of his fulness.”
(D&C 93:19). He also said, “And he that receiveth me receiveth my Father.”
(D&C 84:37). Our Savior makes it possible for us to come to know God for
“...[Christ] hath opened heaven’s gate.
We are free from sin’s dark prison,
Risen to a holier state” (HYMNS, #199).
“Since none of us will have been perfectly and consistently obedient to the gospel law,
His Atonement also redeems us from our own sins on condition of repentance. With
the Savior’s atoning grace providing forgiveness of sins and sanctification of the soul,
we can spiritually be born again and reconciled to God. Our spiritual death—our
separation from God—will end” (Christofferson, HERE, emphasis added).
His Atonement also redeems us from our own sins on condition of repentance. With
the Savior’s atoning grace providing forgiveness of sins and sanctification of the soul,
we can spiritually be born again and reconciled to God. Our spiritual death—our
separation from God—will end” (Christofferson, HERE, emphasis added).
Jesus Christ has lovingly and powerfully flung the gate wide open for you, but you
must walk through it. Believe it or not, all of that hard work you just did in the previous
chapters set you right up for the continuation of this process. Let’s figure out what we
need to do in order to walk through that open gate and come to the Father in Christ’s name.
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must walk through it. Believe it or not, all of that hard work you just did in the previous
chapters set you right up for the continuation of this process. Let’s figure out what we
need to do in order to walk through that open gate and come to the Father in Christ’s name.
Next Section HERE
Previous Section HERE
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