“For the fullness of mine intent is that I may persuade men t come unto the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, and be saved.” I Nephi 6:4
I’m sure you’ve read the charge, found several times in the Book of Mormon, to “Come Unto Christ.” I believe perhaps the most important thing we can do in this life is to “Come Unto Christ.” But I also believe every one of us may be holding on to something that keeps us from coming unto Him without hesitation or pause.
At the end of the Book of Mormon, Moroni, in his closing comments almost begs us to “Come Unto Christ” and “touch not the evil gift, nor the unclean thing.
“And again I would exhort you that ye would come unto Christ, and lay hold upon every good gift, and touch not the evil gift, nor the unclean thing.” (Moroni 10:30)
Touching not the evil gift, nor unclean thing brought to my mind something I read from President Spencer W. Kimball, who was the Prophet when I was called on my mission, married and moved into our stake. He records the following:
I am reminded of an article I read some years ago about a group of men who had gone to the jungles to capture monkeys. They tried a number of different things to catch the monkeys, including nets. But finding that the nets could injure such small creatures, they finally cam upon an ingenious solution. They built a large number of small boxes, and in the top of each they bored a hole just large enough for a monkey to get his hand into. They then set these boxes out under the trees and in each one they put a nut that the monkeys were particularly fond of.
When the men left, the monkeys began to come down from the trees and examine the boxes. Finding that there were nuts to be had, they reached into the boxes to get them. But when a monkey would try to withdraw his hand with the nut, he could not get his hand out of the box because his little fist, with the nut inside, was now too large.
At about this time, the men would come out of the underbrush and converge on the monkeys. And the men coming, they would shriek and scramble about with the thought of escaping; but as easy as it would have been, they would not let go of the nut so that they could withdraw their hands from the boxes and thus escape. The men captured them easily.
And so it often seems to be with people, having such a firm grasp on things of the world -- that which is telestial -- that no amount of urging and no degree of emergency can persuade them to let go in favor of that which is celestial. Satan gets them in his grip easily. If we insist on spending all our time and resources building up for ourselves in worldly kingdom, that is exactly what we will inherit.
In spite of our delight in defining ourselves as modern, and our tendency to think we possess a sophistication that no people in the past ever had -- in spite of these things, we are, on the whole, an idolatrous people -- a condition most repugnant to the Lord.
. . . It may seem a little difficult at first, but when a person begins to catch a vision of the true work when he begins to see something of eternity in its true perspective, the blessings begin to far outweigh true perspective; the blessings begin to far outweigh the cost of leaving "the world" behind.
Herein lies the only true happiness, and therefore we invite and welcome all men, everywhere, to join in this work. For those who are determined to serve the Lord at all costs, this is the way to eternal life. All else is but a means to that end.
-President Spencer W. Kimball, "The False Gods We Worship," Ensign, June 1976, First Presidency Message, pages 5-6.
Think about what “evil” things in your life may be keeping you from “Coming Unto Christ” without reservation. Maybe it’s not obeying your parents; judging others too harshly; or not following the promptings you feel from the Holy Ghost. It might be swearing; watching inappropriate movies or TV shows; or turning away from someone who needs a friend. Perhaps it’s viewing pornography; not reading your scriptures each day; or listening to music that you wouldn’t feel comfortable singing in front of your mother.
Let me share with you another secret I’ve found in letting go of the “evil” things in your life. I believe reading and studying the Book of Mormon each day has miraculous results in helping you overcome anything that may be holding you back from the Savior’s embrace.
Like Nephi and Moroni, I would plead, exhort, and even beg that you “let go” of whatever holds you back from “Coming Unto Christ.” Don’t be like the monkey’s that sacrificed their lives for one measly nut. Do what you need to do to make the changes in your life that you want to make … and I promise it will be easier as you read the Book of Mormon each day. I also promise that the moment you do let go and repent, you will find yourself closer to the Savior. When that happens your life will be filled with greater love, value, purpose and lasting happiness.
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