Mormon Dilemma 872 Uttermost Farthing Required

General Conference, October 2001, “The Atonement Our Greatest Hope”; “The Atonement cleanses us of sin on condition of our repentance. Repentance is the condition on which mercy is extended. After all we can do to pay to the uttermost farthing and make right our wrongs, the Savior’s grace is activated in our lives through the Atonement, which purifies us and can perfect us. Christ’s Resurrection overcame death and gave us the assurance of life after death.” – James E. Faust

Isaiah 64:6; “But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.”

Luke 19:1-10; “And Jesus entered and passed through Jericho. 2 And, behold, there was a man named Zacchaeus, which was the chief among the publicans, and he was rich. 3 And he sought to see Jesus who he was; and could not for the press, because he was little of stature. 4 And he ran before, and climbed up into a sycomore tree to see him: for he was to pass that way. 5 And when Jesus came to the place, he looked up, and saw him, and said unto him, Zacchaeus, make haste, and come down; for today I must abide at thy house. 6 And he made haste, and came down, and received him joyfully. 7 And when they saw it, they all murmured, saying, That he was gone to be guest with a man that is a sinner. 8 And Zacchaeus stood, and said unto the Lord; Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor; and if I have taken anything from any man by false accusation, I restore him fourfold. 9 And Jesus said unto him, This day is salvation come to this house, forsomuch as he also is a son of Abraham. 10 For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.”

Today’s lesson from the Bible totally contradicts everything the Mormon Church has said. 

Zacchaeus’ heart for wanting to give all he had is what gained the Lord’s attention. He didn’t receive salvation because he gave the last farthing of what he had; he gained salvation because of his heart.  His works were as filthy rags and he knew this as we do today. 

Zacchaeus probably didn’t have all that great of a reputation being a tax collector and all, but the take away here is great!  He was probably disliked because he was rich, hated because he took people’s money for taxes and ignored as a man because of his stature.  

I know my daughters have that problem with height.  I’m tall so I can’t relate to their issue but they’re 5’2” on a good day and they’re always complaining people ignore them because they’re so short. This guy had everything going against him in the public eye. 

BUT! 

Jesus knew his name. The undersized grown man who climbed a tree just to catch a glimpse of the Lord was already known by God. 

Do you ever feel overlooked?  Remember, God knows what’s going on!

Your works, your last farthing, your last drop of energy to get noticed by Him can’t make up for what He did on that tree for you.  

Your clean house, your suits and ties, the impeccable spit shined shoes means nothing and isn’t what gets you into heaven. Jesus told Zacchaeus to come down from his perch and open his front door to let Jesus in. 

Are you ready to open that door?