Shayne Bowen of the Seventy writes the following in his article, “The Atonement Can Clean, Reclaim, and Sanctify Our Lives” in Ensign (Nov. 2006):

“In Idaho Falls, Idaho, there is a beautiful airport. One of the largest in the region, this airport allows easy access to the Upper Snake River Valley. I remember as a young man returning from Chile to this very airport and greeting my family after two years of missionary service. Similar scenes have taken place thousands of times in this airport as the faithful Saints answer the call to serve. It is a very useful, integral part of the city and region.

“Near the airport is another very useful and beautiful part of the city—Freeman Park. The Snake River runs along this park for about two miles. There is a walking path that goes through the park and follows on around the river for miles.

“Freeman Park has acres and acres of green grass filled with baseball and softball diamonds, swing sets for children, picnic shelters for family reunions, beautiful lanes filled with trees and bushes for strolling sweethearts. Looking down the river from the park, one can see the majestic Idaho Falls temple, white and clean, standing on high ground. The sound of the rushing waters of the Snake River as it works its way through natural lava outcroppings makes this park very desirable. It is one of my favorite places to walk with my sweetheart, Lynette; relax; contemplate; and meditate. It is very peaceful and inspiring.

“Why do I talk about the regional airport and Freeman Park in Idaho Falls? Because they are both built on the same kind of ground; both of these beautiful, useful places used to be sanitary landfills.”

Shayne goes on to say in his article that just as he wouldn’t start digging up personal buried garbage, neither should LDS “choose to remain in sin” (please read the entire article.)

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In responding to Shayne, the apostle Paul teaches us, “What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein? Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness life” (Rom. 6:1-4).

If one remains in sin, how can that individual even be a Christian? I knew my situation was bad. I needed more than just personal sins buried (this is too mild), everything that I new about my life needed to come to an end. I am thankful for the powerful atonement of Christ—His work entirely slew and buried the old Todd Wood, my whole past way of life as a sinner. But don’t shrink back over what is dark and drastic about this description, because what follows death is complete resurrection. Now as I joyfully stroll along the greenbelt of the Snake River in Idaho Falls, I “walk in newness of life” because of His super engulfing grace. His efficacious grace, not my fear of God’s disapproval, makes it simply impossible for me to remain in the old sinful way of life.

The daily life of progressive sanctification is believing the gospel that already justified you. If you are “through [in] Jesus Christ,” then come to a verdict about your own death to sin (6:11). The “old man” (6:6) is gone (buried). A true Christian is alive, vibrating in tune with God.

When I walk along the greenbelt near the white LDS temple, I think of the temple work of Christ in Hebrews 9 that purged my “conscience from dead works to serve the living God.” As I meditate on these truths, I don’t just consider ambling down the path, I am ready to run the annual Scenic River Classic 10K on the Snake and break a new record!