Tape Measure Living

We have been taught to follow the example of Jesus Christ, and to walk on the path that leads to eternal life. But, this path is not a broad or wide path, but it is a straight and narrow one. Jesus teaches us in the Book of Mormon, "because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it" (3 Nephi 14). He said that there are FEW that find the end of this path and the reward that awaits, which is eternal life. Why don't very many people make it to the end? Well, it's because they push the boundaries that have been established by God and try to "measure" how far they can stray from the path.

Shouldn't we try to walk right down the middle of the path? There is even an iron rod to hold on to (1 Nephi 8) that will lead us directly to our reward at the end. If we just held fast to this iron rod (which is the word of God) then we would be perfectly fine and be able to walk in Jesus' footsteps all the way to eternal life. But, because we are human, we like to push the limits. Why? Well, it's too hard to live God's commandments, we're lazy, we like to rebel, and there are many more. We will not receive the fullness of joy that comes from living the gospel if we are using a tape measure to see how far from the middle of the path we can stray. God's laws are never-changing, and in a world where morals are ever-changing, it can be hard to stay in the middle of the path. Are we expected to be perfect? No. BUT, we are expected to try the best that we can and aim for the middle of the path. We cannot change the commandments of God, neither can we bend them. Those that live that way hurt themselves every time that they try to measure how far from the middle of the path they can stray, and eventually Satan will "[lead] them by the neck with a flaxen cord, until he bindeth them with his strong cords forever" (2 Nephi 22).

Stay in the middle of the path, follow the Savior's example because He will not lead us astray. If we hold fast to His teachings, and if we obey the commandments that we have been given, we will receieve eternal life. I know that to be true with all my heart.

With love,
Elder Brennan Edwards