Brad Wilcox wrote:
One of the greatest ways grace changes us is to remove our erroneous views of God and bring to our remembrance the truth we once knew so clearly. Elder Boyd K. Packer of the Quorum or the Twelve Apostles (deceased) taught, “True doctrine, understood, changes attitudes and behavior.”8
Do we believe that God is some big bully in the sky who takes delight in tormenting us and is looking for any moment when we let our guards down so He can pounce? If so, we will distance ourselves from Him. True doctrine teaches that God is a protector who has got our backs.
Do we see God the same way we see an envious coworker or micromanaging boss? If so, we will hide from Him. True doctrine teaches that God’s promises are sure and faithful, and that He is your friend.”9
Do we see our deep, dark secrets, problems, and failures as evidence that God doesn’t love us? If so we are going to feel angry and lose faith. True doctrine assures us that God understands and helps us through our problems. He knows we are learning. He knows Christ’s Atonement can mean development despite disaster. Failure is an event, not a person, and, as author Patricia T. Holland once taught, “Any failure is only temporary in the gospel of Jesus Christ. The decision to carry on in spite of disappointment turns the worst circumstance into success.”10 Seeing God as our coach rather than our critic opens the door for His grace to change us.
Do we see God as aloof and apathetic? True doctrine confirms that God’s hand is “outstretched” and His arm is “strong” (Jeremiah 21:5). He will reach out to us so long as time shall last, or the earth shall stand, or there shall be one man on the face thereof to be saved.” (Moroni 7:36). Brigham Young taught, “When you . . . see our Father, you will see a being with whom you have long been acquainted, and He will receive you into His arms, and you will be ready to fall into His embrace and kiss Him.”11 That is true doctrine. ~Brad Wilcox, Changed Through His Grace (Salt Lake City, Deseret Book, 2017), 203-05 Dwarsligger®
