I Have Glorified the Father in Taking upon Me the Sins of the World

After descending from heaven to visit a group of Lehi’s descendants gathered at one of their temples, Christ reminds them of who He is and the relationship He has with God the Father.

“…I am the light and the life of the world; and I have drunk out of that bitter cup which the Father has 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…I am the God of Israel and the God of the whole earth, and have been slain for the sins of the world.” (3 Nephi 11:11,14)

Questions:

-How did Christ’s life and Atonement (won through incomprehensible and eternally meaningful suffering) glorify the Father?

-Was Christ’s unflinching loyalty to the Father closely tied to his similar loyalty to us (those for whom He worked out the Atonement)?

-What would it mean to you to strive to be as loyal to Christ as He has been to you and God our Father?

There is Nothing Which is Good Save it Comes from the Lord

Amaleki (a Book of Mormon prophet writing around 130 B.C.) invites all to come to the God of Israel and believe in the gifts He bestows upon the faithful. Amaleki testifies all that is good comes from God.

“…Come unto God, the Holy One of Israel, and believe in prophesying, and in revelations, and in the ministering of angels, and in the gift of speaking with tongues, and in gift of interpreting languages, and in all things which are good; for there is nothing which is good save it comes from the Lord: and that which is evil cometh of the devil.” (Omni 1:25)

Questions:

-How does one come to the Holy One of Israel? Is it possible to do so without believing in the miracles He performs among the faithful?

-Why do some blame God for evil instead of recognizing that only the good comes from God?

-Do you feel closer to God when you are thinking about all that is good in your life? Or, when you are dwelling on all that is wrong in your life?