Thanks as always for your thoughtful comments and willingness to share. Since our time in class is very limited, I hope these resources help you to further your study of the important concepts we covered in Hebrews.
The Throne of Grace
Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession.
For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.
Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.
Hebrews 4:14-16
Do you feel that you can “come boldly unto the throne of grace” and seek mercy? One message of the Epistle to the Hebrews is that despite our sins and weaknesses, God is approachable and His grace is attainable.
Come Follow Me for Individuals and Families
As we discussed, the act of boldly approaching the throne of grace does not come through a knowledge that we are doing everything perfectly, and are worthy to enter His presence. No one can approach the throne of grace with such confidence. Instead, this confidence comes from honest reflection of your own character and a true understanding of the nature of Jesus Christ.
How do the following stories of the Savior’s merciful character help increase your confidence that He will not turn you away?
- John 8:1–11
- John 11:1–46
- Enos 1:4–6
- Mosiah 21:5–15
- Mosiah 24:14–15
- Ether 12:23–29
- 3 Nephi 17:6–7
- Doctrine and Covenants 121:7–10
Do not let the adversary convince you that you are unworthy of the Savior’s mercy. We are all imperfect, we all need His mercy.
“Whenever the adversary cannot persuade imperfect yet striving Saints such as you to abandon your belief in a personal and loving God, he employs a vicious campaign to put as much distance as possible between you and God. The adversary knows that faith in Christ—the kind of faith that produces a steady stream of tender mercies and even mighty miracles—goes hand in hand with a personal confidence that you are striving to choose the right. For that reason he will seek access to your heart to tell you lies—lies that Heavenly Father is disappointed in you, that the Atonement is beyond your reach, that there is no point in even trying, that everyone else is better than you, that you are unworthy, and a thousand variations of that same evil theme.
“As long as you allow these voices to chisel away at your soul, you can’t approach the throne of God with real confidence. Whatever you do, whatever you pray for, whatever hopes for a miracle you may have, there will always be just enough self-doubt chipping away at your faith—not only your faith in God but also your confidence in yourself. Living the gospel in this manner is no fun, nor is it very healthy. Above all, it is completely unnecessary! The decision to change is yours—and yours alone.”
Jorg Klebingat, Approaching the Throne of God with Confidence
Remember, we all need to come to the throne of grace to seek mercy. Have confidence that Christ has both the capacity to understand our shortcomings (Hebrews 2:18, Hebrews 4:15) and the power to help us correct them (Hebrews 6:17-19).
An High Priest of Good Things to Come
As we navigate a world that seems over-saturated with pessimism and cynicism, let us follow the “high priest of good things to come” (Hebrews 9:11).
How do the following passages from Hebrews help you to cultivate optimism for the future?
“Some of you may wonder: Is there any future for me? What does a new year or a new semester, a new major or a new romance, a new job or a new home hold for me? Will I be safe? Will life be sound? Can I trust in the Lord and in the future? Or would it be better to look back, to go back, to stay in the past?
“Faith is for the future. Faith builds on the past but never longs to stay there. Faith trusts that God has great things in store for each of us and that Christ truly is the ‘high priest of good things to come'”
Jeffrey R. Holland, The Best is Yet to Be
Additional Resources
Talks from Class Today
- Jorg Klebingat, Approaching the Throne of God With Confidence
- Jeffrey R. Holland, The Best is Yet to Be
- Jeffrey R. Holland, Cast Not Away Therefore Your Confidence
Asheville Ward News 
Thank you for sharing this! I wasn’t able to attend class so it’s really nice to be able to read all this. Awesome post C:
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