In the Book of Mormon we read that in the day of judgment, we will not be able to lie and say we have been righteous if we have not. We will come before God with a perfect remembrance of all our wickedness. We cannot think of being saved if we have yielded ourselves to become subjects to the devil. Alma 5:16-20 "I say unto you, can you imagine to yourselves that ye hear the voice of the Lord, saying unto you, in that day: Come unto me ye blessed, for behold, your works have been the works of righteousness upon the face of the earth? Or do ye imagine to yourselves that ye can lie unto the Lord in that day, and say—Lord, our works have been righteous works upon the face of the earth—and that he will save you? Or otherwise, can ye imagine yourselves brought before the tribunal of God with your souls filled with guilt and remorse, having a remembrance of all your guilt, yea, a perfect remembrance of all your wickedness, yea, a remembrance that ye have set at defiance the commandments of God? I say unto you, can ye look up to God at that day with a pure heart and clean hands? I say unto you, can you look up, having the image of God engraven upon your countenances? I say unto you, can ye think of being saved when you have yielded yourselves to become subjects to the devil?"
In the Old Testament we read that those who are not ashamed of their sins will fall and be cast down. Those who walk in the paths that are good will find rest to their souls, but those who refuse to listen to the watchmen set over them will bring evil upon themselves. Those who reject the law and will not hearken to the words of the Lord will reap the fruit of their thoughts. Jeremiah 6:15-19 "Were they ashamed when they had committed abomination? nay, they were not at all ashamed, neither could they blush: therefore they shall fall among them that fall: at the time that I visit them they shall be cast down, saith the Lord. Thus saith the Lord, Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls. But they said, We will not walk therein. Also I set watchmen over you, saying, Hearken to the sound of the trumpet. But they said, We will not hearken. Therefore hear, ye nations, and know, O congregation, what is among them. Hear, O earth: behold, I will bring evil upon this people, even the fruit of their thoughts, because they have not hearkened unto my words, nor to my law, but rejected it."
Some scriptures with a thought booklet ell us to present our bodies a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God. Instead of conforming to this world, we need to submit to the perfect will of God,transforming ourselves and renewing our minds so that we are acceptable to Him. Some people may feel that by giving up their worldly sins and keeping the commandments of God, they are restricting themselves and limiting what they can do. But actually, keeping the commandments protects us from harm. It's like if you have water that is impure and would cause illness if you drank it. It needs to be filtered so that it is good to drink. Living the gospel filters out impurities from our minds and our lives--impurities that would cause us harm. The Lord gave us commandments to bless us and keep us safe. Romans 12:1-2 "I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God."
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