Mosiah 4

Until we understand the Fall of Adam, we can’t understand the need for the Atonement of Christ. But when we do begin to get a sense of what King Benjamin calls our own “nothingness,” our “worthless and fallen state,” our status as “unworthy creatures,” then we begin to see that we are completely dependent upon the Savior and his Atonement. This is not to say that we don’t have godly potential as children of God; but speaks instead of our predicament as fallen sons and daughters due to our spiritual and temporal deaths. Sin and death separate us from God forever unless we humble ourselves and become as a little child. Then, like a child who is learning to play the piano, our job is to practice, while God’s role is to pay the price of the lessons. His grace covers the cost. We can’t afford the price of the lessons, but we can, practice every day; that is our part. We are “beggars” meaning that we don’t have the power to save ourselves. We are dependent upon Jesus to give us life and light. Through repentance we renew our covenant to be willing to take his name upon us, always remember him, and keep his commandments. We practice being like him. We must continue to diligently “watch ourselves,” our thoughts, our words, and our deeds. We must catch ourselves in our hypocrisies and try to never hide ourselves from God.