By Elder Patrick Kearon
Elder Patrick Kearon shares his gratitude for the opportunity to serve as an Apostle and emphasizes that God’s ultimate purpose is to bring all His children home. He uses a metaphor of a roadblock to illustrate how God does not create obstacles but instead removes them to ensure everyone can return to Him. Through the atonement of Jesus Christ, every barrier of physical and spiritual death is overcome, and God’s intent is for our happiness, redemption, mercy, and salvation.
The Father’s Plan: Bringing Us Home
Elder Kearon explains that the Father’s plan is designed to bring His children home, not to keep them out. He contrasts this with the imagery of a policeman creating a roadblock, clarifying that God’s approach is entirely opposite. God’s relentless pursuit is to help us choose Him and return to Him.
“My friends, my fellow disciples on the road of mortal life, our Father’s beautiful plan, even His ‘fabulous’ plan, is designed to bring you home, not to keep you out.”
Scriptural references for further study:
- 2 Nephi 26:24: “He doeth not anything save it be for the benefit of the world; for he loveth the world, even that he layeth down his own life that he may draw all men unto him. Wherefore, he commandeth none that they shall not partake of his salvation.”
- John 14:2-3: “In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.”
The Atonement: Removing Every Roadblock
Elder Kearon highlights the central role of Jesus Christ’s atonement in removing the barriers that separate us from our eternal home. Christ’s sacrifice ensures that physical and spiritual death do not prevent us from returning to God.
“Christ’s great atoning gift removes every roadblock of physical and spiritual death that would separate us from our eternal home.”
Scriptural references for further study:
- Alma 7:11-12: “And he shall go forth, suffering pains and afflictions and temptations of every kind; and this that the word might be fulfilled which saith he will take upon him the pains and the sicknesses of his people. And he will take upon him death, that he may loose the bands of death which bind his people; and he will take upon him their infirmities, that his bowels may be filled with mercy, according to the flesh, that he may know according to the flesh how to succor his people according to their infirmities.”
- Hebrews 2:14-15: “Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil; And deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage.”
The Intent of the Father’s Plan
Elder Kearon elucidates that the Father’s plan is multifaceted, aiming for our happiness, redemption, mercy, and salvation. Each aspect of the plan is designed to bring us joy and bring us back to God.
“The intent of the Father’s plan of redemption is in fact your redemption, your being rescued through the sufferings and death of Jesus Christ, freed from the captivity of sin and death. It is not to leave you as you are.”
Scriptural references for further study:
- Mosiah 3:19: “For the natural man is an enemy to God, and has been from the fall of Adam, and will be, forever and ever, unless he yields to the enticings of the Holy Spirit, and putteth off the natural man and becometh a saint through the atonement of Christ the Lord, and becometh as a child, submissive, meek, humble, patient, full of love, willing to submit to all things which the Lord seeth fit to inflict upon him, even as a child doth submit to his father.”
- Doctrine and Covenants 76:69: “These are they who are just men made perfect through Jesus the mediator of the new covenant, who wrought out this perfect atonement through the shedding of his own blood.”
The Son’s Role in the Plan
Elder Kearon emphasizes that Jesus Christ’s mission is aligned with the Father’s will. Christ’s work is to ensure that all of God’s children have the opportunity to receive eternal life and return to Him.
“For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me.”
Scriptural references for further study:
- John 6:38-40: “For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me. And this is the Father’s will which hath sent me, that of all which he hath given me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day. And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day.”
- Doctrine and Covenants 18:10-11: “Remember the worth of souls is great in the sight of God; For, behold, the Lord your Redeemer suffered death in the flesh; wherefore he suffered the pain of all men, that all men might repent and come unto him.”
The Good News: Access to the Father
Elder Kearon concludes by reinforcing the message that God’s plan is about bringing us back to Him. The atonement of Jesus Christ opens the way for us to return to the Father’s presence.
“The veil of the temple was rent in twain when Jesus died upon the cross, symbolising that access back to the presence of the Father had been ripped wide open—to all who will turn to Him, trust Him, cast their burdens on Him, and take His yoke upon them in a covenant bond.”
Scriptural references for further study:
- Hebrews 10:19-22: “Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus, By a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh; And having an high priest over the house of God; Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water.”
- Doctrine and Covenants 93:1: “Verily, thus saith the Lord: It shall come to pass that every soul who forsaketh his sins and cometh unto me, and calleth on my name, and obeyeth my voice, and keepeth my commandments, shall see my face and know that I am.”
Calls to Action:
- Embrace God’s plan for your life and strive to return to Him.
- Utilize the atonement of Jesus Christ to remove any barriers in your spiritual journey.
- Seek happiness, redemption, mercy, and salvation through faithful living.
- Align your will with that of the Father and the Son to achieve eternal life.
- Take proactive steps to draw nearer to God and trust in His loving intent.