Eternal life in the presence of the Lord
Seeking the face of God is the path of eternal life.6 Those who seek his presence will find themselves continually striving for and benefiting from the best possible situation in their circumstances. We read:
I have set the Lord always before me: because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved. (Psalm 16:8)
There is much more to this scripture than modern translations indicate. Here “before me” is one of the several words we have analyzed in this chapter relating to the presence of God. Coupled with the idiom of the right hand, the author is stating that he always acts as he believes the Lord would in his place. The accompanying promise is also richer than it might otherwise seem. The word “moved” here is translated from a Hebrew word that means to be carried away, cast out, turn out of course, fall into decay, or fall down. Here is a clearer rendition:
I circumscribe my behavior to what I believe the Lord would do in my place, and because I do all that I imagine he would, I will not be overcome, and I cannot go astray. (Psalm 16:8, Author’s Reflection)
The way of God is the way of growth, and his way is narrow.7 To turn away from the Lord is to turn away from what is the very best. Any path that leads away from God leads to decay. Turn toward the Lord’s face and enjoy his favor.8
Footnotes
- 1. Glory ye in his holy name: let the heart of them rejoice that seek the Lord. Seek the Lord and his strength, seek his face continually. Remember his marvellous works that he hath done, his wonders, and the judgments of his mouth; (1 Chronicles 16:10-12) ↩
- 2. And again I say unto you as I have said before, that as ye have come to the knowledge of the glory of God, or if ye have known of his goodness and have tasted of his love, and have received a remission of your sins, which causeth such exceedingly great joy in your souls, even so I would that ye should remember, and always retain in remembrance, the greatness of God, and your own nothingness, and his goodness and long-suffering towards you, unworthy creatures, and humble yourselves even in the depths of humility, calling on the name of the Lord daily, and standing steadfastly in the faith of that which is to come, which was spoken by the mouth of the angel. And behold, I say unto you that if ye do this ye shall always rejoice, and be filled with the love of God, and always retain a remission of your sins; and ye shall grow in the knowledge of the glory of him that created you, or in the knowledge of that which is just and true. And ye will not have a mind to injure one another, but to live peaceably, and to render to every man according to that which is his due. (Mosiah 4:11-13) ↩
- 3. And it came to pass that Orihah did walk humbly before the Lord, and did remember how great things the Lord had done for his father, and also taught his people how great things the Lord had done for their fathers. (Ether 6:30) ↩
- 4. Give thanks unto the Lord, call upon his name, make known his deeds among the people. Sing unto him, sing psalms unto him, talk ye of all his wondrous works. (1 Chronicles 16:8-9) ↩
- 5. And in nothing doth man offend God, or against none is his wrath kindled, save those who confess not his hand in all things, and obey not his commandments. (D&C 59:21) Saying to a stock, Thou art my father; and to a stone, Thou hast brought me forth: for they have turned their back unto me, and not their face: but in the time of their trouble they will say, Arise, and save us. (Jeremiah 2:27) ↩
- 6. And seek the face of the Lord always, that in patience ye may possess your souls, and ye shall have eternal life. (D&C 101:38) ↩
- 7. Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it. (Matthew 7:14) ↩
- 8. In the light of the king’s countenance is life; and his favour is as a cloud of the latter rain. (Proverbs 16:15) ↩