After King Benjamin encouraged his Book of Mormon audience to “[put] off the natural man” (Mosiah 3:19), his listeners “viewed themselves in their own carnal state” (Mosiah 4:2) and felt remorse.
“They made no excuses,” said Elder David P. Homer, a General Authority Seventy, in an Ensign College devotional. “They blamed no one else. ... Their honest, personal reflection led them to see that they needed help. And knowing that they needed help, they then turned to Jesus Christ.”
Although many may stray from the safety and blessings of the gospel of Jesus Christ, taught Elder Homer, they can choose to return.
“My friends, decisions and choices matter.”
Elder Homer spoke to students and faculty on Tuesday, Oct. 10, in Salt Lake City. His message, revolving around the parable of the prodigal son, highlighted that lasting happiness comes by “doing our best to love God, to love and serve others, to actively pursue obedience and to repent when we fall short.”
Lessons from the prodigal son
Luke 15 recounts Christ offering three parables about finding what has been lost, including the parable of the prodigal son. Elder Homer said this story — which talks of a man who returns home after wasting all he had with riotous living — teaches seven lessons:
- “At some point, we, or someone we love, may lose our way.”
- “While we are away, we may make choices that bring us and those who love us great difficulty.”
- “If we are honest with ourselves, we will know in our hearts the condition of our lives and where to look for help.”
- “There is hope, both for those who wander and for those who love them.”
- “Repentance is possible, and forgiveness is available.”
- “It is better to forgive, even when it’s difficult.”
- “It is good to stay.”
The Savior’s parable is a redemption story of choosing to return and seek forgiveness through repentance.
Choices matter
Elder Homer said, “While much of what [the world] sells is exciting and stimulating, it does not, in the end, bring enduring safety, happiness, hope, peace or purpose.”
The prodigal son eventually realized this, and “seeing with clarity where he was and who he had become,” said Elder Homer, “he did not like what he saw. And so he resolved to return home, to confess what he had done and to beg his father for help.”
Gratefully, Heavenly Father, through His love, has provided His children commandments to keep them safe, covenants to keep them strong, and agency to help them grow. “And, because He loves us,” said Elder Homer, “He gave us the incomparable gift of His Only Begotten Son, who will show us the way and help us bridge the gap when we need it.”
He said, “Our decisions are like hinges on which the doors of eternity turn.” God’s children are free to choose their paths in life, but “once we make those choices, we will be tied to the consequences that must follow. ... Learn how to make righteous choices.”
Forgiveness and repentance are possible
“Repentance and forgiveness are available when we need them,” testified Elder Homer, even for those who feel there is no hope of being able to return.
The General Authority Seventy shared the words of a young mother and father who had lost their way but returned to the gospel for a temple sealing. The mother, Elder Homer recounted, said, “‘I am so grateful that we pushed through the feelings of guilt that Satan wanted us to feel.’” The father had shared a similar sentiment: “‘Our Heavenly Father only wants us to come home.’”
Those who are slow to forgive others — like the prodigal son’s brother, who “was angry” at the prodigal’s warm welcome back (Luke 15:28) — can recognize that forgiveness brings peace.
“Holding to our bitterness and anger may feel perfectly reasonable,” said Elder Homer, “but it can divert our attention from the positive things in our lives and limit our access to the healing power of the Atonement of Jesus Christ.”
‘It is good to stay’
After the prodigal son’s return was welcomed with celebration, his brother felt neglected for his years of righteous living. Yet their father delivered a comforting message: “Thou art ever with me, and all that I have is thine” (Luke 15:31).
Said Elder Homer: “The point seems to be: ‘You have always been with me. And because you stayed and did what was asked of you, you did not have to suffer the pain experienced by your brother. Because of your faithfulness, all that I have is yours.’”
A wise woman had shared with Elder Homer that “‘choosing to stay is different than not leaving. Not leaving is passive, whereas choosing to stay is an intentional act that embraces all the positive things that living the gospel brings.’”
When met with opposition from others, covenant keepers can “pay no heed to those who may demean or criticize your choice to believe. ... We think often of those who leave us. And while we lament each departure, we should never forget the millions who stay.”
