The Merits of Christ: Fallen Humanity’s Hope for Redemption

Title

The Merits of Christ: Fallen Humanity’s Hope for Redemption

Book Title

Living the Book of Mormon: Abiding by Its Precepts

Publication Type

Book Chapter

Chapter

19

Year of Publication

2007

Authors

Editors

Strathearn, Gaye (Secondary), and Swift, Charles (Secondary)

Pagination

256-263

Publisher

Religious Studies Center, Brigham Young University/Deseret Book

City

Provo, UT/Salt Lake City

Abstract

Understanding men and women’s inability to merit salvation through their own efforts can lead one to rely “alone upon the merits of Christ”. Nephi put it this way: “O Lord, I have trusted in thee, and I will trust in thee forever. I will not put my trust in the arm of flesh; for I know that cursed is he that putteth his trust in the arm of flesh. Yea, cursed is he that putteth his trust in man”. Nephi had seen his weak and fallen condition and realized that without the strength of the Lord, he would not be able to overcome the world and his own personal struggles. When we see clearly that we are lost and that we need Him, we can be led to rely on His goodness and His grace in our lives. This reliance on the merits of Christ involves more than simply passive belief. It includes recognizing our fallen nature and finding access to grace through making and keeping sacred covenants.
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Subject Keywords

Atonement
Redemption
Jesus Christ
Righteousness
Merits

Bibliographic Citation

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