Mormon 9:3-6

 3 Then will ye longer deny the Christ, or can ye behold the Lamb of God? Do ye suppose that ye shall dwell with him under a consciousness of your guilt? Do ye suppose that ye could be happy to dwell with that holy Being, when your souls are racked with a consciousness of guilt that ye have ever abused his laws?

4 Behold, I say unto you that ye would be more miserable to dwell with a holy and just God, under a consciousness of your filthiness before him, than ye would to dwell with the damned souls in hell.

5 For behold, when ye shall be brought to see your nakedness before God, and also the glory of God, and the holiness of Jesus Christ, it will kindle a flame of unquenchable fire upon you.

6 O then ye unbelieving, turn ye unto the Lord; cry mightily unto the Father in the name of Jesus, that perhaps ye may be found spotless, pure, fair, and white, having been cleansed by the blood of the Lamb, at that great and last day.


Moroni's writing here is very vivid: it is not hard to imagine the feelings he's describing. I think all of us can imagine moments where we've done something wrong and felt so ashamed that we want to run away. There's a moment in Winnie the Pooh (the story A search is organized, and Piglet nearly meets a heffalump) where Piglet feels so ashamed that he wants to run away and be a sailor. It's a playful example, but it really captures the desire we have when we feel ashamed - we want to run away, disappear, not exist in that shame.



Moroni also provides the antidote - turning to the Lord seeking forgiveness. My own experience is that I struggle to do this because I worship this false image of myself - perfect, self-sufficient, without weakness. Acknowledging the reality is disappointing. But, turning toward the Savior in repentance alwyas feels so much more real and somehow encouraging. We don't have to be stuck in ourselves, desiring to hide ourselves away in shame. God loves us; Jesus atoned for our sins; we can be healed and made ready to be with Him in joy forever.

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