The Plan of Redemption: What does it mean? Wk 02

This week I felt the love of my Heavenly Father as I studied the guide for REL 275 Teachings of the Book of Mormon. We were to find the opposites in the scriptures about the fall of Adam. I am well aware of the scriptures about the requirements for Opposition in all things. My mom drilled that into me growing up. Yes, there is opposition in all things. Those words kind of shut me down almost trigger words for me. However, this week as we studied the opposites identified in our practice I was impressed by how often there is direct opposites!  Just so I can remember them all, I want to list them here:

Remain in the condition in the Garden vs Change their condition

Remain in the condition in which they were created vs Leave the Garden

Stay in the Garden of Eden vs Live on Earth 

Live forever in a state that never ends vs in a state that does end by death

No Children vs Joy in Posterity

No knowledge of good and evil from experience vs Knowledge of good and evil from experience

No Good vs No Sin

State of Innocence, sinless, guiltless vs Captivity Death & Punishment

Stay in God's immediate Presence vs Leave God's immediate presence.

There are so many that are so opposite in this important part of the Gospel!  Then we went on to identify the opposites in the atonement, the fall, and life. I was shocked because so often there is only one right way. There is one rod of iron! Our Heavenly Father really did want us to have all the choices. He wanted us to have the ability to choose the whole array from good to bad for ourselves. We have to be so careful to find the right way, and so often, the right way seems hidden by the logic of what my brain would think! This is has been brought to my understanding over and over again lately! I have believed that one thing would be the case, but in life the opposite of that was proven as the right way.  Tithing for example! This CoVid disease. Is it bad for the missionaries to come home? Yes, but no! Families are gathered together! The family is coming back together for so many! Over and over again I have seen the logic of what I think proved to be the Opposite that I need to be doing. 

For the past 9 years my extended family relations have been strained. Yet, I see many opposite lessons that I have learned as a result of the struggle. The opposition has taught me, molded me into the person that I am, for better or for worse. While I believe it is wrong and lazy to blame my upbringing or circumstances for disfunction, I can not deny that the past influences who I am, and molds my decisions for good and bad both! While on one hand, the lessons I have learned are so tender. They hurt my heart. Yet, as a result, I have learned what I do NOT want to repeat! I have seen first hand how hurtful and damaging some choices are! I will do all in my power to NOT pass that on to my kids! What a blessing to change, live and grow! My parents claim in counselor's offices that they are too old to change. Their actions, they exclaim will not change. Ok, what a sad thing to be at any stage, unwilling to bend. I don't believe that is the Savior's way!  Indeed, in the end, every knee will bow (bend) and every tongue confess Jesus is the Christ. He will ask an accounting of our days, our choices, our responses to His invitations, everyone! 

So, yes, there is opposition in all things. There is good and bad. Identifying the bad, and recognizing the good is the test of this life! Sometimes it is hard to tell because the carnal, sensual things are made to look right in this life. They are not! To see with eyes of love, eyes of eternity requires a broken and a contrite heart. Indeed, when we know pain, we know that our Savior knows too! He will help us! He has suffered for us! For you and for ME!