The Pump

I remember watching this old video in seminary and not really knowing what it was about other than a man that was pretty unfortunate with his choices.  Consider these questions after you have watched the video:  

Q:  How does this man’s experience show the need for self-mastery?
A:  Because he lacked self-mastery, he satisfied his immediate desire instead of preparing for the future.

Q:  How would his experience have been different if he had exercised self-mastery?
A:  If he had primed the pump before taking a drink, he would have had all the water he needed.

Q:  How is this man’s decision comparable to spiritual decisions each of us must make?
A:  Up to you, yes you have to do some thinking...  (=

"There is a man in a hot desert who sees a fountain at the top of the hill. With great effort, he climbs the hill and receives the life-giving water. What saved him?Was it the climb (his works) or the water (Grace)?"

This story, while effective in teaching the necessity of both grace and works doesn't fairly illustrate the interaction between the two or the extent to which the Savior goes to enable us. The water may be at the top of the hill, but that's not where Christ is. He comes down to the bottom and brings the water to us. That's how we can make the climb to the top--which he stills requires because He knows it will strengthen us and be for our best good. Christ is not waiting at the finish line; He is finishing our faith (see Hebrews 12:1-2). Grace is not the prize at the end of the climb. It is the enabling power throughout (see "Grace," Bible Dictionary, 697).  Resource: Adapted from Brad Wilcox's The Continuous Atonement

Some scriptures to consider:

-Ephesians 2:8: "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:"

-Alma 22:14 "And since man had fallen he could not merit anything of himself; but the sufferings and death of Christ atone for their sins, through faith and repentance, and so forth;"