Stephen E. Robinson (wrote from a previous post). . . Moreover, according to Ephesians 2:19-22, we members of the Church are like the individual stones or bricks in the structure of the Church. Now, what exactly do stones do? What great works do they perform? Well, they are just there, they don’t really do anything! Maybe that is so . . . but they are always there! That, in fact, is what they do. They are there. They are reliable. They are steadfast; they can be counted on—they endure in the place where they have been put. That is how they serve the Master Builder. They don’t come and go; They don’t move or wander; they don’t try to check out for a rest or shift their part of the burden to their neighbors—they don’t leave a gap in the wall. Continuing. . .
Also we do good works to build the kingdom itself. In my experience it is those who are most converted to the gospel who work the hardest for the gospel’s sake. The truth is that the greatest works follow conversion—they do not precede it. Joseph Smith laid down his life, the pioneers crossed the plains, early Christians went to the lions, not so that they could become converted to the gospel but because of their conversion to the gospel. Consider the following scriptures:
1. Alma 7:24: “See that ye have afaith, hope, and charity, and then ye will always abound in good works” (emphasis added). Clearly Alma understands these abounding good works to be a result of our faith, hope, and charity. The good works of Alma himself came only after his remarkable conversion to Christ. Alma was positively wicked before until he accepted Christ and was redeemed; then he “labored without ceasing.”4 (Italics added.)
2. Ether 12:4 “Whoso believeth in God might with asurety bhope for a better world, yea, even a place at the right hand of God, which chope cometh of dfaith, maketh an eanchor to the souls of men, which would make them sure and steadfast, always abounding in fgood works, being led to gglorify God. (Italics added.) Again, note that people abound in good works after receiving their anchor of faith and hope. It is the conversion to Christ that convinces us of the need to improve and creates the desire to repent and do good works. Good works are generally the fruit of accepting the gospel covenant rather than vice versa.
3. Moroni 7:28 “For he hath answered the ends of the law, and he claimeth all those who have faith in him; and they who have faith in him will acleave unto every good thing; wherefore he badvocateth the cause of the children of men; and he dwelleth eternally in the heavens.” It is our faith in Christ and his claim upon us that compels us as Saints to seek after good. True Saints will cleave after every good thing—not so they may claim him, but because he has claimed them. (continued) ~Stephen E. Robinson, Following Christ (Salt Lake City: Deseret Book, 2019) 347-349 Dwarsligger edition
