For me, and for Angela, and anyone else who worries

     I have been so sore and tired since moving to our house in Ohio that I haven't even considered writing a blog. But conversations with my daughters and husband and thoughts and scriptures have impressed me to comment on our individual accountability. In the book of Ether (Book of Mormon section), Chapter 12, Moroni inserts some comments about faith and a  conversation he had with the Lord. He worries about how his writings as well as those of other prophets will be received in the latter days. He feels they were not made "mighty in writing" to enable the Spirit to work through their words to inspire those who read. The Lord patiently explains that men's weaknesses are placed in them purposely to cause them to be humble, knowing that's the only way they will listen, have faith to repent and improve. Then they talk about charity, which is the love the Lord has for us and wants us to develop toward each other. Then Moroni, still concerned about people in the latter days, prays that the Lord will give them grace so they will have this charity.  Then the Lord says,
If they have not charity it mattereth not unto thee, thou hast been faithful; wherefore, thy garments shall be made clean. And because thou hast seen thy weakness thou shalt be made strong, even unto the sitting down in the place which I have prepared in the mansions of my Father.
This is good news for Moroni so he goes on to say, for the benefit of those reading his words:
And now I, Moroni, bid farewell unto the Gentiles, yea, and also unto my brethren whom I love, until we shall meet before the judgment-seat of Christ, where all men shall know that my garments are not spotted with your blood.
     This conversation between the Lord and a prophet is clear and can be helpful to those who are striving to live as He would have them live but are surrounded by those who may not be making that same effort. When I combine this excerpt with what I learned in the temple in Nauvoo about everyone having a responsibility to assist in the work of the Lord but each individual needing to do only their small part and that is enough, what results is:
1- We each need to be willing to perform and seek to know what our small part is although it also includes our own willingness and ideas "for it is not meet that I should command in all things". So if we are doing everything, or mostly everything, He has already told us about- praying, reading scriptures, holding a temple recommend, serving others, etc.- then we are doing our small part.
2- We need to call others to repentance- not in any self-righteous way condemning others and holding ourselves up as a perfect example. Just be willing to share the "good news" that Jesus has atoned for us and all we need to do is show our gratitude and love for Him by telling others about it and obeying Him. Whether they listen or not is up to them.
3- Beyond that, it is not our responsibility! If a child or spouse or friend does not live up to their covenants or responsibilities, our garments are not spotted by their blood- we are not accountable for their choices. We love them, just as Moroni loved even his rebellious people. We continue to try to share our testimony and be an example. But there is no point in or need to fret over someone else's choices. If they neglect a calling or don't go to church or seminary when we have offered them a ride or don't live the commandments and we have at least once reminded them, that's it..... We have done our small part and the rest is up to them.
     This is how we enter the Lord's rest. We don't have to agonize over the weaknesses or faults or rebelliousness of even those we are closest to. We can love them but we can't change them. That is okay.