Being Redeemed

Hey, Hey,

I know it is spelled different, at least according to the subtitles in Moana, but after opening that way I feel like I should break into song, but won't.  

This weeks pondering comes from 2 Nephi 2:26:

" And the Messiah cometh in the fulness of times, that he may redeem the children of men from the fall.  And because that they are redeemed from the fall they have become free forever, knowing good from evil; to act for themselves and not to be acted upon, save it be by the punishment of the law at the great and last day, according to the commandments which God hath given."

As I have pondered this verse, I can't help think of the timing when it was written.  Nephi was testifying many hundreds of years before the Messiah was even to be born, yet he bore his witness of the power of such event.  We can be redeemed from "The Fall".  What does that mean?

In Ether, the Brother of Jared teaches that "The Fall" is a change in our natures to turn from the Lord, through pride, doubt, giving in to temptation, or trusting in others more than the plan of salvation that has been prepared for us.  We "Fall" when we freely choose to act against the glad tidings of the gospel of Jesus Christ.

We are redeemed when we freely choose to use our knowledge of good and evil and follow good rather than evil, sometimes exercising a leap of faith.  The Brother of Jared teaches us that even in this mortal life, we can be redeemed through our faith.  If our faith is true enough, the Lord cannot hold us back from the veil, just as the Brother of Jared.  Moroni invites us all to find and exercise the same faith that the Brother of Jared had.

This is where I place my hope.  That through my continued efforts, I will be able to find and exercise such faith and one day be redeemed from the fall of my weak nature.

Our week -

It has been a busy one for the Queen.  She commented today that she felt like she worked harder this week than she has before, but does not have as much to show for it, yet she does not give up.  She is hoping to have more fruits from her labors in the week to come.

The Professor finally has a list, though it does not remove the anxiety of a new year and meeting a new group of kiddos.  She has prepared well, it will all work out in the end.

Tall Man, Ehl-Bo, and Lego have had a busy week.  We don't have all the details, but it has been busy.

Yo, Yo, CO Puddin is in the house!  Shout out to Puddin for completing his 12 week certification trials.  It was fun to get with both Lady Hawkins and Puddin today.  It was not the official celebration, but great to catch up.  Lady H is gearing up for a new school year as well.

SnackPack completed another successful performance and moves on to the next opportunity that comes knocking on his door.  It has been great seeing him around this week.