Grace - Insight Into D&C 93

In this revelation, the Prophet Joseph Smith learned that in antiquity John “received grace for grace ... [and] continued from grace to grace, until he received a fulness” (D&C 93:12–13). He also learned, “If ... you shall receive of his fullness, ... you shall receive grace for grace” (D&C 93:20).

What is the definition of grace that was revealed to the Prophet Joseph? In the simplest of terms, grace is a gift from our Heavenly Father given through the Atonement of the Savior Jesus Christ. It is by grace that all who have lived will be resurrected, where spirits will again reunite with bodies, never to be separated. It is through grace that all who repent can be forgiven of their trespasses and sins.

In the scriptures, the word grace is often used in conjunction with the spiritual healing offered through the mercy of Jesus Christ. The Lord has promised that if we humble ourselves before Him and have faith, His grace will help us overcome personal weaknesses and give us needed strength to do good works (see Ether 12:27). Such grace enables men and women to lay hold on eternal life.

Elder Jose L. Alonso, in his October 2017 general conference address, shared a story of a father named Ted that shows the importance of the grace offered by the Lord Jesus Christ. Ted recalled that—

August 21, 2008, was the first day of school, and Cooper’s three older brothers, Ivan, Garrett, and Logan, were all at the bus stop waiting to board buses. Cooper, who was four years old, was on his bike; my wife, Sharon, had walked.

My wife was across the street and motioned to Cooper to cross. At the same time, a car very slowly made a left turn and rolled over Cooper.

I received a phone call from a neighbor telling me Cooper had been hit by a car. I quickly drove down to the bus stop to see him. Cooper was lying on the grass, struggling to breathe, but had no visible injuries.

I knelt down by Cooper and said encouraging things like “It’s going to be OK. Hang on.” At that moment my high priests group leader, Nathan, appeared with his wife. She suggested we give Cooper a priesthood blessing. We laid our hands on Cooper’s head. I can’t remember what I said in the blessing, but I clearly remember the presence of others around us, and it was at that moment I knew Cooper was going to pass away.

Cooper was flown by helicopter to the hospital but did, in fact, pass away. I felt Heavenly Father was telling me that my earthly stewardship had ended and that Cooper was now in His care.

We were able to spend some time with Cooper at the hospital. The workers there prepared him so we could hold him and say our goodbyes and allowed us to spend as much time with him, holding him, as we desired.

On the way home, my grief-stricken wife and I looked at each other and started talking about the boy who was driving the car. We didn’t know him, even though he lived just one street over and was within our ward boundaries.

The next day was very difficult for us as we were all completely overwhelmed with grief. I fell to my knees and prayed the most sincere prayer I had ever offered. I asked Heavenly Father in the name of my Savior to take away my overwhelming grief. He did so.

Later that day one of the counselors in our stake presidency arranged for us to meet with the young man—the driver of the car—and his parents at the counselor’s home. Sharon and I waited for the boy and his parents to arrive. When the door opened, we met them for the first time. My bishop whispered in my ear, “Go to him.” Sharon and I embraced him in a big group hug. We wept together for what seemed to be a long time. We told him we knew that what had happened was the definition of an accident.

It was miraculous to Sharon and me, both that we felt the way we did and that we still do. By God’s grace, we were able to take the big path, the obvious path, the only path, and love this good young man.

We have become very close to him and his family over the years. He has shared his most precious milestone moments with us. We even went to the temple with him as he prepared for his mission.[1]