“The gospel of Jesus Christ encompasses much more than avoiding, overcoming, and being cleansed from sin and the bad influences in our lives; it also essentially entails doing good, being good, and becoming better. Repenting of our sins and seeking forgiveness are spiritually necessary, and we must always do so. But remission of sin is not the only or even the ultimate purpose of the gospel. To have our hearts changed by the Holy Spirit such that “we have no more disposition to do evil, but to do good continually” (Mosiah 5:2), as did King Benjamin’s people, is the covenant responsibility we have accepted. This mighty change is not simply the result of working harder or developing greater individual discipline. Rather, it is the consequence of a fundamental change in our desires, our motives, and our natures made possible through the Atonement of Christ the Lord. Our spiritual purpose is to overcome both sin and the desire to sin, both the taint and the tyranny of sin.” (David A. Bednar, “Clean Hands and a Pure Heart,” Ensign, Nov 2007, 80–83)
Sisters, I would encourage each of you to find an area in your life that you can do good, be good, and become better in. I know that as we try to become a better sister in the gospel that the Lord will work a mighty change in us and we will be blessed beyond measure. Imagine if each of us picked just one or two areas in our lives that we can become better, how our branch would be lifted up and be changed! I thank each of you for the work you do in your families and in your homes. Sometimes things get overwhelming, but if we just focus on one thing at a time, we will become better women, mothers, and sisters in the gospel!
Mindy Zeigler
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