2 Nephi Chapter 2

6 Wherefore, redemption cometh in and through the Holy Messiah; for he is full of grace and truth.

7 Behold, he offereth himself a sacrifice for sin, to answer the ends of the law, unto all those who have a broken heart and a contrite spirit; and unto none else can the ends of the law be answered.

8 Wherefore, how great the importance to make these things known unto the inhabitants of the earth, that they may know that there is no flesh that can dwell in the presence of God, save it be through the merits, and mercy, and grace of the Holy Messiah, who layeth down his life according to the flesh, and taketh it again by the power of the Spirit, that he may bring to pass the resurrection of the dead, being the first that should rise.

I like lists. To Do lists keep me on track. Grocery lists keep me from having to return to the store unnecessarily. I've read the Book of Mormon with little boxes to check off when a chapter is read. Back in the Franklin Planner era, I had oh so many more lists to check off; financial, work, spiritual, housecleaning, projects, in that huge Monarch Brown Leather Binder.
Check. Check. Check.

If we think the way to heaven is to fulfill our spiritual checklist each day; then we will be stressed, guilt ridden, overworked, overtired, cranky, and we will fail miserably no matter how many checks that we have. Why? No amount of checks can lead us into the presence of God. We cannot do it on our own. Does that mean we're off the hook and don't need to do anything on our part? Of course not. But if we try to "do" every commandment that's ever been written or spoken over the pulpit, then we will fail. So how to we know what to do? What's the most important thing to be doing? How do we know we're on the right track without feeling guilty for the things we're not doing? Reread the verses above.

When we have a contrite heart and a broken spirit, the Holy Ghost can lead us, whisper to us, mold us into what and who we need to be. When we're on the "strait and narrow" path, our eyes are focused solely on doing God's will. That's where our heart is. That's where we find the peace and comfort that we're doing what we should be doing, even if everything isn't checked off our lists....thanks to the merits, mercy and grace of our Holy Messiah.