Latter-day Saints Keep on Trying, By Elder Dale G. Renlund, Of the Seventy
As we try, persevere, and help others to do the same, we are true Latter-day Saints.
LEARNER READINESS
READ A
A - My invitation to all of us is to evaluate our lives, repent,and keep on trying. If we don’t try, we’re just latter-day sinners; if we don’t persevere, we’re latter-day quitters;and if we don’t allow others to try, we’re just latter-day hypocrites. As we try, persevere, and help others to do the same, we are true Latter-day Saints. As we change,we will find that God indeed cares a lot more about who we are and about who we are becoming than about who we once were.
Q: Why does God care about who we are and who we are becoming than about who we once were? (because all sins repented of are remembered no more), (because Christ paid for all of our sins, and multiple iteration of our sins- all because he loves us).
TRYING
B - This statement—“a saint is a sinner who keeps on trying”—should reassure and encourage members of the Church. Although we are referred to as “Latter-day Saints,” we sometimes flinch at this reference. The term Saints is commonly used to designate those who have achieved an elevated state of holiness or even perfection. And we know perfectly well that we are not perfect.
SAY: Elder Renlund changes course a little and moves on the subject of permitting others to change. He says this: The comedy As You Like It, written by the English playwright William Shakespeare, depicts a dramatic change in a character’s life. An older brother attempts to have his younger brother killed. Even knowing this,the younger brother saves his wicked brother from certain death. When the older brother learns of this undeserved compassion, he is totally and forever changed and has what he calls a “conversion.” Later several women approach the older brother and ask,“Was’t you that did so oft contrive to kill [your brother]?”
The older brother answers, “’Twas I; but ’tis not I: I do not shame to tell you what I was, since my conversion so sweetly tastes, being the thing I am.”
READ D
D - In His mercy, God promises forgiveness when we repent and turn from wickedness—so much so that our sins will not even be mentioned to us. For us, because of the Atonement of Christ and our repentance, we can look at our past deeds and say, “’Twas I; but ’tis not I.” No matter how wicked, we can say, “That’s who I was. But that past wicked self is no longer who I am.”
SAY: Elder Renlund starts is talk with a quote from Nelson Mandela. Mandela frequently deflected accolades by saying, “I’m no saint—that is,unless you think a saint is a sinner who keeps on trying.”
READ B
READ B
B - This statement—“a saint is a sinner who keeps on trying”—should reassure and encourage members of the Church. Although we are referred to as “Latter-day Saints,” we sometimes flinch at this reference. The term Saints is commonly used to designate those who have achieved an elevated state of holiness or even perfection. And we know perfectly well that we are not perfect.
Q: So, why do we call ourselves Saints? (to help us rise to the challenge, to inspire us, to help us aspire to higher ideals)
LEARNER INVOLVEMENT
READ C
C - Our theology does teach us, though, that we may be perfected by repeatedly and iteratively “relying wholly upon” the doctrine of Christ: exercising faith in Him, repenting, partaking of the sacrament to renew the covenants and blessings of baptism, and receiving the Holy Ghost as a constant companion to a greater degree. As we do so, we become more like Christ and are able to endure to the end, with all that that entails. In less formal terms, God cares a lot more about who we are and who we are becoming than about who we once were. He cares that we keep on trying.
C - Our theology does teach us, though, that we may be perfected by repeatedly and iteratively “relying wholly upon” the doctrine of Christ: exercising faith in Him, repenting, partaking of the sacrament to renew the covenants and blessings of baptism, and receiving the Holy Ghost as a constant companion to a greater degree. As we do so, we become more like Christ and are able to endure to the end, with all that that entails. In less formal terms, God cares a lot more about who we are and who we are becoming than about who we once were. He cares that we keep on trying.
Q: Why is it important to keep on trying?
Q: What is the connection between keeping on trying and the Atonement?
SAY: Earlier I quoted Elder Renlund as say that "If we don’t try, we’re just latter-day sinners; if we don’t persevere, we’re latter-day quitters"
Q: Why are we Latter-day Sinners if we don't keep on trying?
Q: What does not trying and not persevering tell us about our belief in the Atonement and our reliance wholly upon the doctrine of Christ? (That we don't believe it)
PERMITTING OTHERS TO CHANGE
LEARNER APPLICATION
SAY: Elder Renlund changes course a little and moves on the subject of permitting others to change. He says this: The comedy As You Like It, written by the English playwright William Shakespeare, depicts a dramatic change in a character’s life. An older brother attempts to have his younger brother killed. Even knowing this,the younger brother saves his wicked brother from certain death. When the older brother learns of this undeserved compassion, he is totally and forever changed and has what he calls a “conversion.” Later several women approach the older brother and ask,“Was’t you that did so oft contrive to kill [your brother]?”
The older brother answers, “’Twas I; but ’tis not I: I do not shame to tell you what I was, since my conversion so sweetly tastes, being the thing I am.”
READ D
D - In His mercy, God promises forgiveness when we repent and turn from wickedness—so much so that our sins will not even be mentioned to us. For us, because of the Atonement of Christ and our repentance, we can look at our past deeds and say, “’Twas I; but ’tis not I.” No matter how wicked, we can say, “That’s who I was. But that past wicked self is no longer who I am.”
Q: But, what about all the negative effects of our past behavior and sins? What about all those people that we hurt in the process of trying and changing?
READ E
E - God’s desire that Latter-day Saints keep on trying also extends beyond overcoming sin. Whether we suffer because of troubled relationships, economic challenges,or illnesses or as a consequence of someone else’s sins,the Savior’s infinite Atonement can heal even—and perhaps especially—those who have innocently suffered. He understands perfectly what it is like to suffer innocently as a consequence of another’s transgression. As prophesied, the Savior will “bind up the brokenhearted, … give … beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, [and] the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness.” No matter what, with His help, God expects Latter-day Saints to keep on trying.
E - God’s desire that Latter-day Saints keep on trying also extends beyond overcoming sin. Whether we suffer because of troubled relationships, economic challenges,or illnesses or as a consequence of someone else’s sins,the Savior’s infinite Atonement can heal even—and perhaps especially—those who have innocently suffered. He understands perfectly what it is like to suffer innocently as a consequence of another’s transgression. As prophesied, the Savior will “bind up the brokenhearted, … give … beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, [and] the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness.” No matter what, with His help, God expects Latter-day Saints to keep on trying.
READ F
F - Just as God rejoices when we persevere, He is disappointed if we do not recognize that others are trying too. Our dear friend Thoba shared how she learned this lesson from her mother, Julia. Julia and Thoba were among the early black converts in South Africa. After the apartheid regime ended, black and white members of the Church were permitted to attend church together. For many, the equality of interaction between the races was new and challenging. One time,as Julia and Thoba attended church, they felt they were treated less than kindly by some white members. As they left, Thoba complained bitterly to her mother. Julia listened calmly until Thoba had vented her frustration.Then Julia said, “Oh, Thoba, the Church is like a big hospital, and we are all sick in our own way. We come to church to be helped.”
F - Just as God rejoices when we persevere, He is disappointed if we do not recognize that others are trying too. Our dear friend Thoba shared how she learned this lesson from her mother, Julia. Julia and Thoba were among the early black converts in South Africa. After the apartheid regime ended, black and white members of the Church were permitted to attend church together. For many, the equality of interaction between the races was new and challenging. One time,as Julia and Thoba attended church, they felt they were treated less than kindly by some white members. As they left, Thoba complained bitterly to her mother. Julia listened calmly until Thoba had vented her frustration.Then Julia said, “Oh, Thoba, the Church is like a big hospital, and we are all sick in our own way. We come to church to be helped.”
SAY: Can you imagine the mess South Africa was in, desegregating a society deeply entrenched with false traditions about race?
Q: Why is Julia's counsel important when we are offended by others?
READ G
G - Julia’s comment reflects a valuable insight. We must not only be tolerant while others work on their individual illnesses; we must also be kind, patient, supportive, and understanding. As God encourages us to keep on trying, He expects us to also allow others the space to do the same, at their own pace. The Atonement will come into our lives in even greater measure. We will then recognize that regardless of perceived differences, all of us are in need of the same infinite Atonement.
G - Julia’s comment reflects a valuable insight. We must not only be tolerant while others work on their individual illnesses; we must also be kind, patient, supportive, and understanding. As God encourages us to keep on trying, He expects us to also allow others the space to do the same, at their own pace. The Atonement will come into our lives in even greater measure. We will then recognize that regardless of perceived differences, all of us are in need of the same infinite Atonement.
Q: What does Elder Renlund mean by allowing others space to keep on trying?
Q: What should we do when we want to judge others for being judgmental?
Q: Should we go as far a allowing others to persecute us without retaliating or withdrawing?
(BOM, Alma, feeling judged, not reviling back (Alma 1, Alma 34)
(BOM, Alma, feeling judged, not reviling back (Alma 1, Alma 34)
READ H
H - My invitation to all of us is to evaluate our lives, repent,and keep on trying. If we don’t try, we’re just latter-day sinners; if we don’t persevere, we’re latter-day quitters;and if we don’t allow others to try, we’re just latter-day hypocrites.
Q: Why do you think Elder Renlund says that if we don't allow others to try, that we're just latter-day hypocrites?
[if no response], SAY: Elder Renlund says that the word Hypocrite as used in the New Testament may be translated from the Greek as “pretender”; “the Greek word means ‘a play actor,’ or ‘one who feigns, represents dramatically, or exaggerates a part’” (Matthew 6:2, footnote a). If we do not give others the opportunity to change at their own pace, we are simply pretending to be Latter-day Saints.
Q: Brethren, why are we latter-day pretenders if we are not kind, patient, supportive, and understanding of others in their process of change? (because, in a real sense we are denying the atonement.)
Q: is not allowing others to try similar to calling others bad (judging them) while calling ourselves good?
CONCLUSION
As we try, persevere, and help others to do the same, we are true Latter-day Saints. As we change,we will find that God indeed cares a lot more about who we are and about who we are becoming than about who we once were. I am grateful for this. I am grateful for the atonement and God's grace. Without it, I would have to pay for all my past sins. I wouldn't be encircled by the arms of mercy.
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