Galatians 6

The church is not a place for the perfect person, but is a place where those who struggle with the challenges of life meet to learn the blessings of repentance, to feel the support and acceptance of each other. It should be a place where those who have fallen feel comfortable and loved until they are more on equal footing with their brethren and sisters. If we all recognized that we fall short, that we can only be successful as we rely on the Lord, we would not look down on anyone, period. When someone who is not keeping their covenants, or who has been inactive comes back to church, it is natural for them to feel uncomfortable and sense a difference between themselves and those who are more active. But if those who are active will be accepting and loving, and treat them as equals, that feeling will have a much better chance of quickly changing into a desire to live on a a little higher level. The purpose of the church is to administer the ordinances and to take of each other. If we're not blessing each other's lives, we are using the church for our own selfish purposes. We should never assume we are better. As Paul says, "For if a man thinketh himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceiveth himself."

According to Elder McConkie, the Galatians are not trying to keep the whole law of Moses, but keeping the law of circumcision to avoid persecution. He tells them that this is hindering them spiritually and they should be willing to bear the persecution. He points to the marks on his body from the beatings, whippings and stonings he has endured as his witness of the atonement.