Scriptural Amputation

In my Institute class last week, we read Mark 9:43-48, which talks about "if thy hand offend thee, cut it off". We discussed the meaning of those verses and determined quite quickly (especially after reading the Joseph Smith Translation in the appendix) that Christ isn't telling us to literally cut off our hand. Instead, He tells us to evaluate the people around us and see if there needs to be improvement.

In the last month or so, I've been trying to accomplish this type of evaluation for my life. Now, don't worry. Anyone who reads this is in no danger of being cut from my life! However, there are a few places I could improve in. It finally hit me like a ton of bricks that the time to "cut off my hand" is now. If I don't make an effort to "cut off my hand", I will not be happy with the path I'll walk down.

I know this process won't be easy at all. It's going to take a while to adjust to the changes, but I'll be better off in the eternal spectrum. If nothing else, this process will teach me to rely on the Lord that much more. There is no way I can do this without the Lord's help and guidance. It is He who helped me recognize which hand needs to be cut off in the first place.

So, wish me luck as I start work on my "amputation"; any and all prayers are welcome!