Mormon testifies that "we know our record to be true, for behold, it was a just man who did keep the record—for he truly did many miracles in the name of Jesus; and there was not any man who could do a miracle in the name of Jesus save he were cleansed every whit from his iniquity." (8:1) In the next verse, however, he says of the record:
2 And now it came to pass, if there was no mistake made by this man in the reckoning of our time, the thirty and third year had passed away;
The truth of the record is not in dates or places or some historical or geographical accuracy. The truth is in the testimony of Jesus Christ. It is true because those who kept the record were inspired by God and were attempting to live according to His teachings and keep His commandments. They were "cleansed every whit from [their] iniquity" through faith and repentance.
3 Nephi 9
13 O all ye that are spared because ye were more righteous than they, will ye not now return unto me, and repent of your sins, and be converted, that I may heal you?
14 Yea, verily I say unto you, if ye will come unto me ye shall have eternal life. Behold, mine arm of mercy is extended towards you, and whosoever will come, him will I receive; and blessed are those who come unto me.
2 And now it came to pass, if there was no mistake made by this man in the reckoning of our time, the thirty and third year had passed away;
The truth of the record is not in dates or places or some historical or geographical accuracy. The truth is in the testimony of Jesus Christ. It is true because those who kept the record were inspired by God and were attempting to live according to His teachings and keep His commandments. They were "cleansed every whit from [their] iniquity" through faith and repentance.
3 Nephi 9
13 O all ye that are spared because ye were more righteous than they, will ye not now return unto me, and repent of your sins, and be converted, that I may heal you?
14 Yea, verily I say unto you, if ye will come unto me ye shall have eternal life. Behold, mine arm of mercy is extended towards you, and whosoever will come, him will I receive; and blessed are those who come unto me.
I'm so grateful that God is merciful and that he extends the invitation to come unto Him and be healed. All of us make mistakes. Even those we think are "righteous" are only righteous in some relative sense -- relative to those who are less righteous. The Savior taught that we should strive, but that we cannot ever call ourselves "good" in the sense that God is good (Matt. 19). We have to keep the commandments on rely on His merits and mercy. Then we have the promise of eternal life through Him.
16 And, behold, one came and said unto him, Good Master, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life?
17 And he said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God: but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments.
16 And, behold, one came and said unto him, Good Master, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life?
17 And he said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God: but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments.
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