All May Be

Because I was a stay-at-home mom and money was tight, I gave my own children piano lessons. The more children I had, the less stellar became my teaching. My oldest two children got the best quality instruction, with things deteriorating in descending order through subsequent kids. Interestingly, however, the child who today is the best pianist is one who received the fewest (and poorest) lessons.

She was not necessarily the most gifted or suited for musicianship, but because she had the greatest interest in actually practicing and playing the piano, she now reigns supreme of my offspring on the piano. Because she chose to learn, she did.

One of the great eternal principles taught in the Book of Mormon is the principle of agency. Repeatedly that book of scripture teaches that the eternal reward we eventually reap is up to us. Phrases like "whosoever will come may come and partake of the waters of life freely" and "whosoever will may walk therein and be saved" make it clear that personal choice is key.

Other phrases, like "then shall the wicked be cast out . . . because they would not hearken unto the voice of the Lord" express the sad truth that some of God's children will actually choose not to return to Him.

These teachings underscore a larger, overarching Mormon belief: through the Atonement of Christ, all mankind may be saved. May be, not because there is a question of Christ's power to save, but because there is a question as to whom of the all will choose eternal salvation. While not all WILL BE saved, all COULD BE saved.

Play the piano or not: the choice is ours. Gain eternal salvation or not: the choice is ours.