Definitions

When I am able to sit down and really study my scriptures or a lesson or a General Conference talk, one of the things that I like to do is look up words in the dictionary to discover their meaning.  Most of the time, I already know what the word means, but often I have found that there is usually more in the definition of a word than I realized.  

For example, the lesson for Relief Society/Priesthood yesterday was from Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Joseph Fielding Smith, chapter 20: Love and Concern for all of Our Father's Children.  As I read through the lesson, in section 1, there was the following quote:

I think if all men knew and understood who they are, and were aware of the divine source from whence they came, and of the infinite potential that is part of their inheritance, they would have feelings of kindness and kinship for each other that would change their whole way of living and bring peace on earth.

We believe in the dignity and divine origin of man. Our faith is founded on the fact that God is our Father, and that we are his children, and that all men are brothers and sisters in the same eternal family.

As members of his family, we dwelt with him before the foundations of this earth were laid, and he ordained and established the plan of salvation whereby we gained the privilege of advancing and progressing as we are endeavoring to do.

I love that first paragraph! Beautiful! 

Actually, this is what my page looked like:

But the word I want to focus on is privilege.  I know what that word means.  It means that you have something that someone else doesn't, by virtue of your birth or work or efforts.  When I looked up the word, however, I discovered that it had a lot more meaning than I thought.  And, in a different way, I am sure, than Mr. Webster had in mind.

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I was intrigued by the fact that nearly all of the definitions for the word privilege contained the word immunity.  That concept in relation to the word privilege had never before entered my mind.  

From a Latter-day Saint perspective, with an understanding of the Plan of Salvation, the word immunity, in relation to privilege, makes perfect sense!

Because we know the Plan of Salvation, because we love God and keep His commandments, and, most importantly, because of the Atonement of Jesus Christ on our behalf, we can "endeavor to advance and progress" because we can repent and be forgiven and strive to do better.  This gives us an advantage, because as we take these steps, we gain immunity from the effects of physical and spiritual death.  How great is that?!!  And, that is definitely something to be enjoyed!

I am so grateful for the many resources that bless our lives and help us to find greater meaning and application to the scriptures in our lives!  It is indeed a privilege! 

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