How does our understanding of “grace” combat our perfectionism, shame, depression, or anxiety? BYU Studies explains.
There is a recurring thought in my mind: “I am not the person I wish I were. I do not have the capacity to be that person.” Many overly occupied, ambitious, and earnest people might feel similarly inadequate. Perhaps a deeper look into the concept of grace could help us fight those perfectionistic or anxious self-doubts.
In his article “Building Bridges of Understanding,” Elder M. Russell Ballard clarifies that grace requires “a complete dependence on Christ.” He says, “No matter how hard we work, no matter how much we obey, no matter how many good things we do in this life, it would not be enough were it not for Jesus Christ and His loving grace.” That teaching directly opposes a common, often subconscious belief that our best, obedient works grant us salvation and grace—a notion termed legalism.
Photo by Anna Eastmond
In the article, “Grace, Legalism, and Mental Health among the Latter-day Saints,” published by BYU Studies Quarterly in 2020, Professors Daniel K. Judd and W. Justin Dyer explore how people’s legalism beliefs relate to their personal experiences with God’s grace and their mental health. Their study asked a sample of 635 Brigham Young University students about their experiences with grace. The students chose from “strongly agree” to “strongly disagree” on statements measuring legalism like “My behavior does not matter since I’ve been forgiven” and “I must work hard to experience God’s grace and forgiveness”; and on statements measuring experiences with grace like “God is in the process of making me more like Jesus” and “Because of grace bestowed on me, I am able to forgive others.”
Professors Judd and Dyer conclude that “higher scores on experiencing grace were consistently linked to lower levels of depression, anxiety, negative perfectionism, scrupulosity, and shame.” In contrast, students who expressed higher legalism beliefs agreed less with statements about experiencing grace and reported poorer mental health. In other words, those who understand and accept God’s grace are likely to be happier, calmer, and kinder to themselves.
True comprehension of his grace can change our perspectives, minds, and lives.
To begin a deep study of grace, read Professor Judd and Professor Dyer’s full article “Grace, Legalism, and Mental Health among the Latter-day Saints.” Supplement that reading with Elder M. Russell Ballard’s talk “Building Bridges of Understanding” to understand why the Church emphasizes both grace and works.
Source: Ensign and BYU Studies Quarterly
—Anna Eastmond, Latter-day Saint Insights
FEATURE IMAGE BY CHRIS LIU
Find more insights:
Check out “The Gift of Grace” by President Dieter F. Uchtdorf to enrich your personal study of grace.
See also the Latter-day Saint Insights article “The Ubiquity of God’s Grace” by Josh Stevenson for an additional perspective on how God mercifully delivers us.