Lord 'waits to be gracious, and loves to be merciful'
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"The specialty of the Father is mercy," said Elder Marion D. Hanks of the Seventy in his October 1981 general conference address.
"To His people in Isaiah's time, He gave stern counsel and warning. They were, He said, `A rebellious people, lying children, children that will not hear the law of the Lord:" `Which say to the seers, See not; and to the prophets, Prophesy not unto us right things, speak unto us smooth things, prophesy deceits.' (Isa. 30:9-10.)
"He spoke of their perverseness, their iniquity, their rejection of Him and their reliance upon temporal power. Notwithstanding all this, the holy record then announces: `And therefore will the Lord wait, that he may be gracious unto you, and therefore will he be exalted, that he may have mercy upon you.' " (Isa. 30:18.)
Elder Hanks said, "He waits to be gracious! He loves to be merciful! The prophets call Him `the Father of mercies.' (2 Cor. 1:3.) They speak of His `abundant mercy,' (1 Pet. 1:3), and declare that `whosoever repenteth and hardeneth not his heart, he shall have claim on mercy.' (Alma 12:34.) They declare His `wisdom . . . mercy, and grace.' (2 Ne. 9:8.) And crowning of all this is the testimony that our Father `delighteth in mercy.' (Micah 7:18.)"
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(ADDITIONAL INFORMATION)
Articles on this page may be used in conjunction with the Gospel Doctrine course of study.
Information compiled by Gerry Avant
Sources: Jesus the Christ, by Elder James E. Talmage; Great Are the Words of Isaiah, by Monte S. Nyman; and October 1981 general conference report.
