It's Never Too Late to Come to Christ

In Matthew 20 Jesus gives the parable of the laborers. Early in the morning, a man hired laborers to work for a penny in his vineyard. He also went into the city and hired more laborers on the third, sixth, and ninth hours offering them each a penny. At about the eleventh hour, he hired some more men. When it came time to pay, the Lord of the vineyard had those who were hired last be paid first and they were given a penny. The first men that were hired complained that it wasn't fair. They worked for much longer than those hired on the eleventh hour. The Lord of the vineyard explained that they had agreed on the wages before they were hired. 

Elder Holland gives a great explanation for this parable. He likens it to those who have lived the gospel their whole lives compared to those who learn and accept the gospel later in life. We all have access to the blessings of the gospel no matter how late in life we learn about it and start living it. Some may have the gospel and leave it for a time and then come back. Just like the parable of the prodigal son, we are grateful and happy when people choose to come back to the gospel.

I love this quote from Elder Holland,"However late you think you are, however many chances you think you have missed, however many mistakes you feel you have made or talents you think you don’t have, or however far from home and family and God you feel you have traveled, I testify that you have not traveled beyond the reach of divine love. It is not possible for you to sink lower than the infinite light of Christ’s Atonement shines." 

There is nothing like hearing this doctrine straight from the lips of a living prophet. You can watch it here: 

https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2012/04/the-laborers-in-the-vineyard?lang=eng

Some people think the Atonement applies to other people but not themselves. One bishop I know said that some members who have come to him to confess a sin feel the Atonement won't work for them because they knew better. This is a lie that Satan perpetrates on us. He tempts us and wants us to make mistakes, telling us all along that it really won't matter. Then if we succumb to the temptations, he tells us we are worthless and that there is no hope for us. 

There is always hope for those who believe in the Savior and believe His teachings. It is important to believe Him and well as believe in Him. 

I found an amazing poem this week that opened my eyes to some of the ways we fail to come unto Christ. Here is the poem presented by its creator.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gIQFLbvuWXc

We need Christ in our life and when we make Him the focus, we can achieve and become more than we ever could on our own.