NEW CREATURES

And thus they become new creatures; and unless they do this, they can in nowise inherit the kingdom of god. 

(Mosiah 27:26)

 

Look at all the hair on that boy!

The arrival of our newest family member has given me pause to think about our existence here on earth and why we have come to such a difficult place to live.  Look around – this earth is not a very happy place.  There is misery and death and wickedness everywhere people populate the planet.

Part of my heart aches for this precious little boy (and all the other children we have in our clan) that is born into a sinful, violent and seemingly godless world.

I won’t say it isn't fair because this life was never founded on that principle, but it is difficult to think of consigning innocent souls to a world so controlled by evil.

But I am not afraid!!!

Why!? 

Because I am sure of the power of redemption offered through the Atonement of Jesus Christ.  My confidence in the Savior is grounded in the knowledge that He can truly make us into “new creatures” if we will let Him.  Alma was told:

Marvel not that all mankind, yea, men and women, all nations, kindreds, tongues and people, must be born again; yea, born of God, changed from their carnal and fallen state [one definition of becoming a new creature], to a state of righteousness, being redeemed of God….

Mosiah 27:25

Jacob is a “new creature” with his birth into mortality.  A few days ago, this little man was a person of spirit, bound by the rules that govern the world of pre-mortal spirits.  His acceptance of the Plan of Salvation included a stint in the world of mortality – and he agreed.  It meant he would forget all he knew from that life.  His only hope was a reliance on faith that his parents and others would instruct him in the way back to his God.

He trusted his Heavenly Father’s plan and he trusted the Son of God and His redeeming love.

Jacob will succeed!!

He has the tools, capacity, and lineage to make it so.

We will help along the way, and we will rejoice in the “NEW CREATURE” he will become right before our eyes.

Such is our God and His work and glory (Moses 1:39).