“Worthiness Is Not Flawlessness,” For the Strength of Youth, Nov. 2021.
Saturday Evening Session
Worthiness Is Not Flawlessness
Excerpts
Some mistakenly receive the message that repentance and change are unnecessary. God’s message is that they are essential. …
Some mistakenly receive the message that repentance is a onetime event. God’s message is that, as President Russell M. Nelson has taught, “Repentance … is a process.” …
Some mistakenly receive the message that they are not worthy to participate fully in the gospel because they are not completely free of bad habits. God’s message is that worthiness is not flawlessness. Worthiness is being honest and trying. We must be honest with God, priesthood leaders, and others who love us, and we must strive to keep God’s commandments and never give up just because we slip up. …
Some mistakenly receive the message that God is waiting to help until after we repent. God’s message is that He will help us as we repent. …
… His grace is not just a prize for the worthy. It is the “divine assistance” He gives that helps us become worthy. It is not just a reward for the righteous. It is the “endowment of strength” He gives that helps us become righteous. We are not just walking toward God and Christ. We are walking with Them. …
… When you feel like you have failed too many times to keep trying, remember Christ’s Atonement and the grace it makes possible are real. “[His] arm of mercy is extended towards you” [3 Nephi 9:14]. You are loved—today, in 20 years, and forever.