"And if it so be that the children of men keep the commandments" (1 Nephi 17:3)

In 1 Nephi 17 there is a verse which at first may seem repetitive or redundant. Verse three says, in part, "And if it so be that the children of men keep the commandments of God he doth nourish them, and strengthen them, and provide means whereby they can accomplish the thing which he has commanded them". It seems unusual and circular for this verse to state that if we keep the commandments God will nourish us, strengthen us, and provide a way for us to keep the commandments. Was keeping the commandments not the requirement at the beginning of the verse which would allow us to receive these blessings? If we are already following the commandments and being obedient, why is the promised blessing for such faithfulness an increased capacity to continue doing so? Is this not a redundant promise?

One of the beautiful aspects of the scriptures is that sooner or later we will each find a verse that makes us step back and ponder what we are being taught in a particular passage. Surely there can be no greater opportunity to "feast upon the words of Christ" than when we are trying to resolve the dissonance of confusion we will occasionally experience.

Obedience to the commandments of God is the first and greatest demonstration of our love for Him. Each commandment is a new opportunity to place the things of this world on the altar of sacrifice in order that we may "Love Him, who first loved us". However, due to our fallen nature, you and I will never be able to offer even the smallest portion of the dedication or commitment required of us. The Savior in his infinite goodness is aware of this and paid the ultimate price to compensate for it. If you and I fail to recognize the reality of our own inadequacy then we choose to deceive ourselves and spend our time hopelessly striving for an unattainable goal.

Nephi first teaches the vitality of obeying the commandments of God. Our genuine best efforts are absolutely crucial to our own spiritual development. However, after all we can offer through our own power, after we have toiled, sweated, and wept, we will not be able to amount to even the smallest measure of the divine standard expected of us. It is simply impossible. What then are we to do? The answer is given in the seemingly redundant conclusion to Nephi's verse:

"and provide means whereby they can accomplish the thing which he has commanded them."

This verse really has nothing to do with you or me. Rather, it is about the Savior. It is about his ability to provide a way in which we can accomplish whatever it is he expects of us and his capacity to, somehow and in some way, make our efforts sufficient. This verse is not describing a circle but rather a sphere spiraling eternally upward only through the aid of our Master and King.

There is a word for the principle I am describing which is not used as commonly in our church as perhaps it should be. The word is "grace." I testify of the power this principle of grace carries with it and the Lamb of God who makes the lofty longings of man reality. Our Savior has promised he will take our offerings of small fishes and water and turn them into the largest of feasts and richest of wine. He will provide a way for our personal effort to become enabling, ennobling, and ultimately exalting, but only through the infinite power of His grace. Indeed, the price for such a supernal gift has already been paid as a God subjected Himself to the agony which would allow him to overcome our imperfections. I testify of the reality of that sacrifice and the power available to each of us if we will only lay claim to it. That each of us will allow the Lord Jesus Christ to apply His grace in our own life is my prayer.

In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.