The scriptures and the teachings of the church place on us a heavy burden of advice, obligations, and commandments. All these commandments seem to encompass and culminate in the statement of Matthew 5:48 “Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.”
How is this perfection to be achieved? Is it a far distant goal only to be realized in a distant heavenly future? Is it accomplished only by those who manage, through intense personal effort, to rid themselves of weaknesses and worldly desires?
