I have been reading the little book Draw Near Unto Me by Robert L. Millett and Lloyd D. Newell. There is a scripture from the Doctrine & Covenants for every day of the year. My father passed away on May 23 and I have not been reading the scripture of the day ever since then. His funeral was yesterday so this morning I picked up the little book again to resume reading the entries. The entry for May 23 seemed especially appropriate for me. I hope Brother Millett and Brother Newell will not mind me including their comments here.
For those that live shall inherit the earth, and those that die shall rest from all their labors, and their works shall follow them; and they shall receive a crown in the mansions of my Father, which I have prepared for them.
--D&C 59:2
"Both ancient and modern scripture teach the importance of good works. Once individuals become true followers of the Lord Jesus Christ, they begin to embody Christlike characteristics and manifest their conversion by the way they live day by day. Good works thus become a gauge, a measuring rod, by which to assess believers' depth of devotion to God. When the scriptures say that we will be judged by our works, they do not mean we will be judged by the merits of our works but rather that our works demonstrate what we have become through the transforming powers of Christ. In the end, it will be "through the merits, and mercy, and grace of the Holy Messiah" (2 Nephi 2:8) that we are saved. Our good works are necessary, but they are not sufficient for salvation (2 Nephi 31:19; Moroni 6:4; 10:32). Rather, works of righteousness help to make us even more righteous -- they help us to become conformed to the image of our Master." -Millet and Newell
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