Righteousness - what does that really mean, anyways?

FIRST OF ALL - some Bearrie BISNUS!

We have a Bearrie getting married this week!!! YEAH BOY!  Ol' Ceviche himself, tying the knot!  

All I have to say about that is - "A bird in the hand is better than two in the bush!" Right?!  

Oh man... I am pumped!  Get ready to dance your brains out in Jackson Hole!  By they way, we should start coordinating rides and what not... Zach, be sure to let us know where we are needed!  Give us some assignments - we are willing!

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With the passing of my father-in-law I have been thinking a lot on the question of "What is next?"  

What comes after this life?  What can we expect after we die?

I was reminded of a scripture that I was directed to when my Grandma Hofman died:

ALMA 40:12
And then shall it come to pass, that the spirits of those who are righteous are received into a state of happiness, which is called paradise, a state of rest, a state of peace, where they shall rest from all their troubles and from all care, and sorrow.

Obviously the big word here is RIGHTEOUS.  What does that mean, really?

So, I did what I do whenever I have a question - I Googled it.  I searched "What does righteous really mean LDS".  There were a few results; I clicked on the Encyclopedia of Mormonism (apparently it is in the BYU library... I had no idea of its existence before this search... isn't Google cool?  Thanks Franklin, for making Google.)

Here is what the Encyclopedia of Mormonism had to say on the matter:

Righteousness is ultimately synonymous with holiness or godliness. Christ himself is known as "the Righteous" (Moses 7:45, 47) and as "the Son of Righteousness" (3 Ne. 25:2). His "ways are righteousness forever" (2 Ne. 1:19).

The state of righteousness is available to mankind through the redemption of Christ as one is born of God: "Marvel not that all mankind, yea, men and women…must be born again; yea, born of God, changed from their carnal and fallen state, to a state of righteousness, being redeemed of God, becoming his sons and daughters" (Mosiah 27:25).

The terms "righteous" and "righteousness" also apply to mortals who, though beset with weaknesses and frailties, are seeking to come unto Christ. In this sense, righteousness is not synonymous with perfection. It is a condition in which a person is moving toward the Lord, yearning for godliness, continuously repenting of sins, and striving honestly to know and love God and to follow the principles and ordinances of the gospel. Saints of God are urged to do "the works of righteousness" (D&C 59:23) and to "bring to pass much righteousness" (D&C 58:27).

Here is the link for anyone who wants to read the whole article (I really recommend it) - http://eom.byu.edu/index.php/Righteousness

So, now my question was "Do I consider myself righteous?"

This question, I didn't Google.  I just thought about it a little. 

And so far, I have come to the conclusion, that, I think most people are trying to be righteous.  I think most people WANT to be good... they WANT to be the best version of themselves that they can.  I think most people "strive for godliness"... maybe they don't call it "godliness", but we are all trying to get better, right?  And therefore, I believe that the number of people that end up in the "righteous/state of happiness" crowd after this life, is larger than we tend to think.  I know that God's ultimate talent is "seeing the good in us".  He sees good in us even when we may not see it ourselves.  He loves us.  He will do ANYTHING for us.

Alone, I fall short of righteousness... WAY short.  It's not even funny to think about.  But I KNOW that with the Savior, I can make it.  I can clear that mark.  I will keep trying.  I will keep doing my best.  And I will keep repenting when I need to.

I love you all... my righteous brothers.