Day #3: He Paid the Price

This week I heard an incredible true story of Christlike love. 

*Note: Names have been changed (or made up).

There was an apartment of 3 young women who were attending school at Brigham Young University.  All three were returned LDS missionaries.  They were great friends.  Since returning home from their missions, Jane and Rochelle had been actively attending Church and enjoying all the blessings of the gospel.  Rochelle had been dating a young man, Joey, who had become great friends with her two other roommates.  Cassidy on the other hand, was struggling.  Despite the counsel of the Prophet, she wanted to get a tattoo.  When her roommates would discuss it with her, Cassidy would respond, "Well ya, but I've just always wanted a Tattoo."

Rochelle and Joey sat her down one night to talk.  Again, they pointed out that the Lord has asked us to treat our bodies like a temple; to avoid defiling them in away way-including stamping them with permanent ink.  They expressed their love for Cassidy and told her that regardless of her decisions, they would continue to love her.  They warned her of the consequences of getting a tattoo.  Of course she could still obtain salvation.  She would not be denied the blessings attending church, a temple marriage, a happy family, or a good education.  Getting a tattoo would not jeopardize her mortal experiences.  She could still live a happy and joyful life with a tattoo.  But her resolve to listen to the warnings of the prophets, and veer off the path of the Lord would place her in a vulnerable position. 

They explained their thoughts and feelings to her, but Joey and Rochelle knew that Cassidy had her agency.  She could do what she wanted with her body.

Their efforts did not effect her decision.  Cassidy went ahead and got the tattoo.  Joey and Rochelle again reached out to Cassidy.  Then Jane, a poor school teacher, took out her check book, signed her name, and handed the blank check over to Cassidy. 

"If you ever regret your decision and want your tattoo removed-it's on me. 

Whatever the price, I'll pay for it."

This is exactly what our Savior would do.  When we make a mistake, and are covered with the stains of sin, the Savior steps in.  He has already paid the price.  Even in the moment where we willfully chose to sin and turn from God, Christ says,

"If you ever regret your decision, and want it to be removed-it's on me. 

Whatever the price, I've already paid for it."

The Savior has paid for my sins.  This Christmas season is a time for me to reflect on His Sacrifice for me in the garden of Gethsemane.  In that sacred holy hour when He prayed to the Father in my behalf, He paid my price.  I'm forever indebted to him.