The Straight Path

I have a friend who was having marital problems. When I told him that I have had similar issues, and have been working on them for over twenty years, he was shocked. "I don't want to go through this for years, isn't there a faster way?" He pleaded. I laughed, but realized that there is a shortcut for those who are humble.

We can take a direct route to Eternal Life. It isn’t a requirement that we wander for years, wallowing in sin, starving in the desert. The children of Israel had the option of going directly to the Promised Land, but they feared, and were consigned to wander in the wilderness with many hardships before their children were allowed to go in.

The key is humility.  Alma explains to a group of poor people that there are two ways to be humble -- by force, or by choice.

And now, as I said unto you, that because ye were compelled to be humble ye were blessed, do ye not suppose that they are more blessed who truly humble themselves because of the word? Yea, he that truly humbleth himself, and repenteth of his sins, and endureth to the end, the same shall be blessed—yea, much more blessed than they who are compelled to be humble because of their exceeding poverty.
     Alma 32:14-15

If we are humble because of our circumstances, we are blessed, even though we are forced to be humble, deciding to follow God. However, Alma explains that we are much more blessed if we seek the path and travel it by our own volition.  When we hear the word of God, and believe, we don’t have to be driven to obey because of circumstances of pain, suffering, poverty, hunger, loss, or a broken heart. We can choose a broken heart by making a willing sacrifice.

Verily I say unto you, all among them who know their hearts are honest, and are broken, and their spirits contrite, and are willing to observe their covenants by sacrifice—yea, every sacrifice which I, the Lord, shall command—they are accepted of me. For I, the Lord, will cause them to bring forth as a very fruitful tree which is planted in a goodly land, by a pure stream, that yieldeth much precious fruit.
     D&C 97:8-9

There are two types of sacrifice:
     1. Those that are imposed upon us by circumstances over which we have no control.
     2. Those that we willingly give.

The willing heart is much more blessed, who only has the enticing of the Holy Ghost to guide him to let go of his natural needs, wants, and worldly desires, submitting because of the still, small, voice to everything the Lord gives him.

...he yields to the enticings of the Holy Spirit, and putteth off the natural man and becometh a saint through the atonement of Christ the Lord, and becometh as a child, submissive, meek, humble, patient, full of love, willing to submit to all things which the Lord seeth fit to inflict upon him, even as a child doth submit to his father.
     Mosiah 3:19

Choosing the direct path to Eternal Life means doing everything the Lord puts in front of me, no matter what it is, and accepting it, even if I don’t understand it. It means not whining or complaining, comparing my sacrifices to that of others. It means turning to the Lord for my needs that I sacrifice. It means giving in to the still, small voice so I don’t have to be knocked over the head with pain or loss. It means remembering Him always, trusting in His love, like a little child trusts his father, putting my life into His hands, His wounded hands.

Look unto me in every thought; doubt not, fear not. Behold the wounds which pierced my side, and also the prints of the nails in my hands and feet; be faithful, keep my commandments, and ye shall inherit the kingdom of heaven. Amen.
     D&C 6:36-37

Making a willing sacrifice is following Christ, allowing the will of the Father in all things. That is His legacy. To suffer the will of God is to allow it. Jesus allowed the will of God always, living a perfect life, becoming the light of the world.

And behold, I am the light and the life of the world; and I have drunk out of that bitter cup which the Father hath given me, and have glorified the Father in taking upon me the sins of the world, in the which I have suffered the will of the Father in all things from the beginning.
     3 Nephi 11:11

Observing my friend's humility, I'm amazed at the progress he has made. He has submitted to everything, even though he didn't see the need, or understand the reason. He just does whatever is placed in front of him, willingly and fully, he has done things I never could have thought of, and the results are tremendous. I can already see the light at the end of the tunnel for them. Christ really does heal all wounds!