In a recent article, Jeff Mulitalo wrote, “[P]atience is the highest Christlike attribute we can seek because it determines the extent to which we can tolerate the path to substantive progress.”1 Our Savior is the perfect example, and we see His and our Father’s example of patience in every aspect of the plan of salvation.
The plan of salvation has many names.2 “The Great Plan of Patience” is not one of them. But as we consider the aspects of this great plan, every part is imbued, or “sidled,”3 with patience.
The Plan of Salvation
In a prior post, “The Plan of Salvation,” I discussed what I believe to be some of the most vital elements of the plan. I won’t address all of them here, but this is a quick summary: we are children of heavenly parents; our Heavenly Father gave us our agency; God created the earth where we can have a mortal existence; as a result of the fall, we were separated from God; God provided Jesus Christ as our savior, who performed the atonement; we receive our Savior’s grace as we exercise faith in him, repent, come unto Christ, are baptized in the name of Jesus Christ, receive the Holy Ghost, and endure to the end; because of the resurrection of Jesus Christ, we will all be resurrected and brought back into the presence of God; we will each inherit a kingdom of glory (“with exceptions too limited to consider here.”)4
Patience and the fall
When God placed Adam and Eve in the garden, He told them, “Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat, But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it, nevertheless, thou mayest choose for thyself, for it is given unto thee; but, remember that I forbid it, for in the day thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die.”5
We know that Adam and Eve did, in fact, eat the fruit of the tree of knowledge of good and evil. And what happened then?
Did they die?
Well, yes, and no. Eventually, they did die, but Adam lived nine hundred and thirty years before dying.6 Lehi taught about this extreme patience that was shown by our merciful Heavenly Father:
“[T]he days of the children of men were prolonged, according to the will of God, that they might repent while in the flesh; wherefore, their state became a state of probation, and their time was lengthened, according to the commandments which the Lord God gave unto the children of men. For he gave commandment that all men must repent.”7
The proof that patience runs through and supports the entirety of the plan of salvation is found in that truth: God gave us time to repent. He allowed Adam and Eve to live long, fruitful lives after partaking of the fruit, even though he told them they would “surely die.” He gave them time. Isn’t that the essence of patience? Time?
Patience is all about time
Patience and time are interrelated and depend upon each other. For example:
“Having patience is often difficult yet utterly indispensable for accomplishing great works. It defends us against foolish, impulsive behavior, gives us time to consider our options carefully, plan appropriately, and execute effectively.”8
“[Recognize your triggers that cause impatience]: being put on hold for a long time; getting stuck in a long line; struggling to figure out a computer problem; facing an extended wait at the doctor’s office; having to listen to someone take what seems to be an interminably long time to explain something simple.”9
Perhaps one of the more remarkable scholarly articles I’ve read on patience mirrors gospel principles, although stating them in a secular way:
“Patience may be the most important attribute you need to possess to make meaningful changes in your life because change is hard and slow. Without patience, you won’t devote the time and energy necessary to allow those changes to emerge. The ‘power of patience’ can be described as ‘the propensity to wait calmly in the face of frustration or adversity.'”10
Patience is being willing to wait. Patience is all about time. As we consider the fall in the context of the plan of salvation, we see that God gave us time. This is an example of His patience forming the scaffolding for the entirety of the plan of salvation.
Patience and the atonement of Jesus Christ
As we review the teachings of Jesus Christ, we see that patience is a constant companion to his mercy and grace. In a remarkable statement, the Lord says, “[A]s often as my people repent will I forgive them their trespasses against me.”11
As often? As in, always? Will he forgive us over and over, as often as we repent? If we believe Him, then yes, as often as we repent. God gave us time, and that time allows us to make mistakes and repent. He is tremendously patient with us.
In perhaps one of the most-used or most frequently quoted scriptures, the prophet Moroni exhorts us to read, ponder and pray.12 But we often overlook what he wants us to ponder: “how merciful the Lord hath been unto the children of men, from the creation of Adam even down until the time that ye shall receive these things.”13
As we study the scriptures, we learn the history of the human family. God has been merciful with us from the very beginning. As individuals, and as a people, we make mistakes, and we repeat mistakes, and God continues to give us time to repent.
Patience and the plan of salvation
Our Father in Heaven created the great plan of salvation, and His patience with us is imbued in every aspect of that plan. Our Savior is the perfect example. He performed the atonement, bringing to pass the mercy and grace of the Father. But he also set the perfect example for us.14 And so we speak of “Christlike attributes,” or those qualities that were shown to us by Him in His perfect life. His patience is one of those great attributes.
We can also see the perfect example in the plan itself. Our Father in Heaven shows great patience in His willingness to give us time. Although I am unaware of any scripture or church authority using the word “patience” in reference to the plan of salvation, I believe we certainly could exclaim, with Jacob, “O how great the plan of our God,”15 oh how great His plan of patience!
References
- Jeff Mulitalo, “Let Patience Have Her Perfect Work,” https://discoverfaithinchrist.com/patience/. ↩︎
- See, for example, Boyd K. Packer, “The Great Plan of Happiness,” https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/manual/teaching-seminary-preservice-readings-religion-370-471-and-475/the-great-plan-of-happiness?lang=eng&id=p28-p42#p28. ↩︎
- See Mulitalo, “Patience . . . ‘sidles’ other virtues that help us make real progress, discover meaning, or experience joy.” ↩︎
- Dallin H. Oaks, “Kingdoms of Glory,” October 2023, https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2023/10/17oaks?lang=eng. ↩︎
- Moses 3:16-17. ↩︎
- Genesis 5:5. ↩︎
- 2 Nephi 2:21. ↩︎
- Alex Lickerman M.D., “How To Be Patient,” Psychology Today Website, March 24, 2014, https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/happiness-in-this-world/201403/how-to-be-patient. ↩︎
- Toni Bernhard J.D., “Impatient? Why and How to Practice Patience,” Psychology Today Website, May 20, 2013, https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/turning-straw-into-gold/201305/impatient-why-and-how-to-practice-patience. ↩︎
- Jim Taylor Ph.D., “The Power of Patience for Positive Life Change,” Psychology Today Website, June 12, 2023, https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/the-power-of-prime/202306/the-power-of-patience-for-positive-life-change. ↩︎
- Mosiah 26:30. ↩︎
- Moroni 10:3-4. ↩︎
- Moroni 10:3. ↩︎
- See 2 Nephi 31:9, 16. ↩︎
- 2 Nephi 9:13. ↩︎
