Personal Online Journal

Sunday, June 13, 2010

Mercy Claimeth All Which Is Her Own

By Jonathon Linton (View Full Image)

I saw this painting in the General Conference Center a couple of weeks ago. Then twice the next week I remembered it.

Alma 42:24 "For behold, justice exerciseth all his demands, and also mercy claimeth all which is her own; and thus, none but the truly penitent are saved."

Update Dec 29, 2012
I saw Les Miserable this week.  My mind went to this picture this morning.


There is such a paradox between justice and mercy.  Yet they are balanced in God's plan.  Both Les Miserable and the scriptures show that the existence of justice makes necessary the existence of mercy and forgiveness.

"And men are instructed sufficiently that they know good from evil. And the law is given unto men. And by the law no flesh is justified; or, by the law men are cut off. Yea, by the temporal law they were cut off; and also, by the spiritual law they perish from that which is good, and become miserable forever.
 Wherefore, redemption cometh in and through the Holy Messiah; for he is full of grace and truth.
 Behold, he offereth himself a sacrifice for sin, to answer the ends of the law, unto all those who have a broken heart and a contrite spirit; and unto none else can the ends of the law be answered" 2 Nephi 2:5-7

"if ye shall say there is no law, ye shall also say there is no sin. If ye shall say there is no sin, ye shall also say there is no righteousness. And if there be no righteousness there be no happiness. And if there be no righteousness nor happiness there be no punishment nor misery." 2 Nephi 2:13

3 comments:

Dandi said...

It's a beautiful painting. Thanks for sharing it.

Stephanie said...

I love this one as well, but I could tell it really spoke to you.

Richard Alger said...

As I read the scripture, I got caught up on the phrase "all which is her own". Why use the verb is? The noun all is singular which makes the use of is to be proper.

In addition, the truly penitent are of Zion, of one heart and one mind. They are One or are becoming One with God. So the usage of the verb is really is accurate.