At Christmastime, I saw a message that I really appreciated: "It was never meant to be a burden." It referred to the chaos and pressure of Christmastime and shopping, but I think it applies to so many aspects of faith and religion. Our Savior came to help us carry our burdens, not add to them. Yes, there are laws and commandments to follow. Yes, we can lose ourselves in service. But I think living the gospel in a Law of Moses fashion can become a burden - if we don't give ourselves mercy, forgiveness, and room to grow. I'm not saying we should be rebellious, but instead that we should acknowledge our mortal frailties and focus on keeping our intentions good and pure. I was talking to someone today about how perfectionism can ruin the experience of religion and prevent us from finding the real joy that our Savior means us to feel. That's scriptural, of course - we're meant to have joy!
2 Nephi 2:22-25
22 And now, behold, if Adam had not transgressed he would not have fallen, but he would have remained in the garden of Eden. And all things which were created must have remained in the same state in which they were after they were created; and they must have remained forever, and had no end.
23 And they would have had no children; wherefore they would have remained in a state of innocence, having no joy, for they knew no misery; doing no good, for they knew no sin.
24 But behold, all things have been done in the wisdom of him who knoweth all things.
25 Adam fell that men might be; and men are, that they might have joy.
Sometimes I forget the context of verse 25. We hear it alone so often. It's important that we live the gospel for the right reasons. If we focus too much on the actions, the rules, and so on, we miss the heart. When we are obedient because we love Jesus Christ and have a relationship with Him, it doesn't feel like a burden. Closeness to Him and His Spirit naturally leads to us following His path. But He wants us to do it because there is joy in it, because it's best for us, and because He loves us. He knows that it's the best way for our burdens to be lifted. Keep the commandments, yes! But do it because you love Him. When our hearts are in the gospel, it will change us and we will eventually (not right now guys, don't panic) become perfected beings with no desire to do wrong. Difficult choices become easier with time.
Matthew 11:28-30
28 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.
30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.
I've been thinking about this a lot lately, because it's a contrast to this scripture:
Matthew 16:24
24 Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross and follow me.
I admit, sometimes what the Lord asks us to do can feel like a burden - like He's asking us to carry a cross alongside Him. I've felt that way before. Callings can make our lives busy. The question is, are we doing them out of obligation or because we love the Lord and those we serve? The gospel requires sacrifice, but an eternal perspective shows us how worthwhile the end result will be. I know it's hard to have a good attitude sometimes. There is so much required of us in this modern world. We need to prioritize God and do it because we want to. It really isn't so difficult once our wills are aligned with His.
I love this Joseph Smith Translation that aids in understanding the idea of taking up a cross:
JST, Matthew 16:25–29
26 And now for a man to take up his cross, is to deny himself all ungodliness, and every worldly lust, and keep my commandments.
27 Break not my commandments for to save your lives; for whosoever will save his life in this world, shall lose it in the world to come.
28 And whosoever will lose his life in this world, for my sake, shall find it in the world to come.
29 Therefore, forsake the world, and save your souls; for what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?
This bit from the Come, Follow Me manual sums it up nicely:
In many ways, the Pharisees and scribes had made worshipping Jehovah burdensome. They often emphasized strict rules over eternal truths. Rules about the Sabbath day, which was meant to be a day of rest, were themselves a heavy burden.
And then, Jehovah Himself came among His people. He taught them that the true purpose of religion is not to create burdens but to relieve them. He taught that God gives us commandments, including the one to honor the Sabbath, not to oppress us but to bless us. Yes, the way to God is strait and narrow, but the Lord came to announce that we need not walk it alone. “Come unto me,” He pleaded. His invitation, to all who feel “heavy laden” for any reason, is to stand beside Him, to bind ourselves to Him, and to let Him share our burdens. His promise is “Ye shall find rest unto your souls.” Compared to the alternatives—trying to carry on alone or relying on mortal solutions—His “yoke is easy, and [His] burden is light.” (Matthew 11:28–30.)
Following the Savior means we don't have to do things on our own. Our mortal capabilities can't carry the burden in the same way He can. Our mortal solutions often aren't the best. Yoking ourselves to Christ doesn't mean we don't have trials, but it does mean we'll have His help and guidance. We'll have His joy and that can make any burden light. An eternal perspective helps us see that our burdens aren't permanent but that joy can be. There is always joy because there is always a Savior and His Atonement - yesterday, today, and forever.
Doctrine and Covenants 130:20–21
20 There is a law, irrevocably decreed in heaven before the foundations of this world, upon which all blessings are predicated—
21 And when we obtain any blessing from God, it is by obedience to that law upon which it is predicated.
We are given commandments so that we can be obedient and receive blessings. The Lord wants, so much, to bless us. He doesn't want to make our lives harder. He wants us to follow the path home so He can be with us for the eternities. It's not about controlling us or making us suffer. It's about opening up the windows of heaven in our behalf. He loves us. Everything is for our good. Life is so simple when we realize that.
Live in such a way that the Lord can bless you and guide you.
Bonnie Gwyn
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