When You Take the Very First Step . . .

In the late 1980’s, I took some of my older children to see a live musical, My Turn on Earth by Carol Lynn Pearson. I remember it as the only time I have attended a musical theater in a ‘secular’ setting where I have felt presence of the Holy Ghost as it bore witness of the truths that were presented therein. I watched a video of the musical this morning with my granddaughter and felt the same witness of truth as I had the first time I saw it.

One line from the musical, presented in song with flourishes, is: “When you take the very first step on the road, you also take the last; so if you don’t like the end of the road—you better turn back FAST!” A simple principle--- repentance--- made possible ONLY because Jesus the Christ willingly offered himself as a sacrifice to carry out the plan of God the Father and thus atone for our sins. It was the supreme act of SELFLESS love- the perfect, spotless lamb without blemish suffered the pain, darkness and despair that result from sin- not His, but mine. His suffering of the consequences of my sins paid the demands of justice in order that he might extend mercy to me. Thus the merciful principle of repentance was made available so that though my “sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.” Isaiah 1:18

Having thought, said, and done things that I agonizingly regret and wish I could take back, I am drawn to my knees in humility and gratitude for the chance to go back and do it right or better this time. The mercy extended to me by my Heavenly Father and my savior, Jesus Christ, allows this zig-zag, back and forth pattern of mortal living. As with all principles in Heavenly Father’s perfect plan of salvation, this principle benefits me by allowing me the conditions where I may learn for my self to distinguish between good and evil; and to learn to value the good. It allows me to become wiser, kinder and stronger. “Do-Overs” are a key part of the great plan. The insight, the peace, the hope that comes in the process are witnesses to the wisdom of our Father.

With that understanding, it behooves me to take more time to look ahead to the end before choosing which road to set foot on. Having been given the gift of repentance, what benefit will it be to me if I fail to learn- and repeatedly set foot on the same doomed path?