Reflection~2 Nephi 17-29~What is Grace?

The concept of a “saving grace” is one that can be easily misunderstood. Grace can be defined as a key to salvation—the priceless gift of Christ’s Atonement. Some religions believe that accepting grace is the single requirement for one to enter the kingdom of heaven. However, while it certainly plays an imperative role in that effort, grace alone cannot guarantee us eternal happiness. We must accept the Savior’s selfless gift of divine mercy, yes. But we are also expected to prove our acceptance of and appreciation for that gift.

The Book of Mormon prophet Nephi verifies this when he states, “We know that it is by grace that we are saved, after all we can do” (2 Nephi 25:23, emphasis added). I believe this scripture is beautifully illustrative of that idea that grace and works are not two inherently detached concepts. Some may argue that if you believe in salvation by grace, works are irrelevant; others would retort with the conviction that the scriptures proclaim that we are judged exclusively according to our works.

In fact, as they have been thus presented, neither of these is completely true. The two must work in tandem, one with another. In accordance with Nephi’s counsel in 2 Nephi 25:23 is the truth that we must, in essence, make the absolute best of our agency—use it to improve our lives and the lives of those around us. This includes exercising humility when we appropriately use the gift of agency, and sincere repentance when we abuse it.

Thankfully, we do not need to wait until judgment day to utilize the gift of grace. I love the Bible Dictionary, so when the class was asked to prepare a definition of the word grace, that was the first guide I referenced. In part, grace is defined as “divine means of help or strength” (Bible Dictionary 654). In this sense of the word, grace can act as a source of support and inspiration as we seek out good works to carry out. Some tasks—even (or perhaps especially) those acts of charity that act as answers to prayers—simply cannot be performed without divine assistance. While our intentions may be pure and selfless, we are sometimes limited by our mortal shortcomings. As we prayerfully and humbly seek out and participate in worthy efforts, grace will not only be apparent to those receiving service, but to those offering it.

In brief terms, grace and works in unison are required to meet what should be our end goal of eternal life in the Celestial Kingdom. Works without grace is insufficient, and grace without works is mockery before Christ and God. Saving grace—that which we must rely on after we have used our agency to the best of our ability—is made possible through the Atonement of Jesus Christ. However, we need not wait until our day of judgment to apply grace to our lives; it acts as a heaven-sent aid for us to accept humbly as we serve others. It is a blessing for now, and for the eternities.

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