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TheDiscipleMD

Recently I read a quote from Hugh Nibley who once said:

“Who is righteous? Anyone who is repenting. No matter how bad he has been if he is repenting, he is a righteous man.  There is hope for him.”

When I read the above quote, I sat back in my airplane seat and pondered those words.  And although my physical world, at that moment, was filled with the sounds of humming engines, blowing air, and endless passenger noise, my head seemed to clear itself and process what an outstanding statement Mr Nibley was making.  I guess his statement penetrated my soul because I see myself  as that ‘fallen man’ who is forever coming up short, but who at least desires to be better. And that perhaps my desire of being the kind of man I should and want to be, should give me great hope.

I believe in the writing of the prophets who tell us that we all fall short of the glory of God.  (Romans 3:23) Yet, the glory of the ‘good news’, or the gospel, is that through Jesus Christ, the Savior of the world, repenting is the gift by which I can find hope in deliverance. I don’t know if I am a ‘righteous’ man, per say, but, like many of you, I do recognize the error of my ways, and I want and try to be a better man from day-to-day.

There is hope for all of us, no matter the life we have lived, if we will truly be a penitent person who humbly strives to overcome our faults and sinful behavior.  This knowledge brings with it…” exceeding joy…Behold, this is joy which none receiveth save it be the truly penitent and humble seeker of happiness.” (Alma 27:18)