Pleasing Bar of God

Reading:   Moroni 10

Both Jacob and Moroni, at the end of their records, talk of meeting us (the reader), "...before the pleasing bar of Jehova [God]."  I want to discuss this because it fascinates me and, in Moroni's case, comes to us in the last verse of the Book of Mormon.

MORONI 10:34

34    And now I bid unto all, farewell. I soon go to rest in the paradise of God, until my spirit and body shall again reunite, and I am brought forth triumphant through the air, to meet you before the pleasing bar of the great Jehovah, the Eternal Judge of both quick and dead. Amen. 

For clarity purposes here also is the statement from Jacob,

JACOB 6:13

13    Finally, I bid you farewell, until I shall meet you before the pleasing bar of God, which bar striketh the wicked with awful dread and fear. Amen. 

When we discuss any type of hearing, especially if the judgement might have personal ramifications, it is done so with trepidation and concern.  Any judgement of me, on any level, elicits an immediate defensive mode that works overtime to discover means of preservation; in-other-words, when I am accused I cannot help but search for proofs of innocence - a natural instinct.  Why do I bring this up? Well, when I think of a judgement bar, I find concern that I may not be capable of proving myself worthy of good judgement - the prospect does not seem pleasing to me.  For Jacob and Moroni the prospect of judgement was a pleasing one...how do I reconcile this?

Henry B. Eyring  (first counselor in the first presidency) gave a fantastic address titled, Where is the Pavilion in the Sunday morning session of the October, 2012, General Conference.  Eyring's talk addressed some of my concern on this point; especially his closing statement...

"If we serve with faith, humility, and a desire to do God's will, I testify that the judgment bar of the great Jehovah will be pleasing. We will see our loving Father and His Son as They see us now-with perfect clarity and with perfect love. In the sacred name of Jesus Christ, amen."

As long as I "...serve with faith, humility, and a desire to do God's will," I will certainly embrace the judgement bar as I will have nothing to fear.  I agree and though I can embrace the idea I am in no way shape or form close to the kind of men that I perceive Jacob and Moroni were [are].  So I'm still not altogether ready to call it a "pleasing bar." 

In my reading of both statements (several if not millional times), I have finally found a key to increase my desire for the looming judgement bar and to do so without whining trepidation...it's the, "...meet you..." part.  Both Jacob and Moroni say they will meet [me] at the judgement bar and if they are there, along with my Savior, and many others I admire - that would be pleasing.  I do look forward to meeting these men and if they are as excited and pleased to meet me, how could that be a bad thing?  Wait, the bad part would be if I have ignored their words; but, somehow, knowing that a guy like Moroni, a man who fought for and loved his people despite their horrendous actions and disregard for God, eases my mind.

The bar spoken of by Moroni and Jacob does not hold the ominous guillotine blade of judgement but the pleasing embrace of friends and love.  Even with the weight of mortal sin, I strongly doubt that the company at this bar could make anyone feel unwelcome or concerned.  That is pleasing!

~Kipling

During my research of the term "pleasing bar of God" I found an interesting debate on wether the word "pleasing" should in fact be "pleading."  I disagree but found the debate on both sides interesting and very educational...check it out if you'r so interested.  The Pleading Bar of God by Royal Skousen poses the argument for "pleading" and Keeping the Old Wine in Old Wineskins: The Pleasing (Not Pleading) Bar of God by John S. Welch debates Skousen.  What fun it is to learn, eh?