Atonement

How many of us really believe in the Atonement?  We talk about it, we read about, we even have lessons on it, but it seems to me it is often skirted in Relief Society lessons, because…we just don’t understand it and that makes us afraid.

There are a lot of things I don’t understand about the Atonement, for example, I just don’t understand how it works.  But I do know, with all certainty, that it does work.  Jesus Christ really does forgive me when I beg Him to; the burden really does leave my body.  He really does take away my hurt feelings when I’ve been wronged.  I have been physically healed and mentally healed so many times, I can’t NOT believe.  In 2 Nephi, Nephi tells us that without the Atonement we would be subject to the devil and become devils ourselves.  I believe that.  I don’t want to be miserable forever; I want to be happy.  I want Jesus to fix things for me, even when I’m the one messing things up.

I have a friend who is the only active member in her family.  I keep telling her she is the Savior of her family, she just has to hang in there.  She is literally in pain over the fear she has that her family won’t be saved.  I believe that if she keeps the faith, somehow through the Atonement, she will be able to bring her family with her.  I don’t know how, but I know that God wants us to be happy.  God fixes things for those who are worthy.  How do I know when I’m worthy enough?  Because I don’t give up and I keep trying.  

I have another friend who messed up when she was young.  She made many mistakes that could have destroyed her, and possibly destroyed those who love her dearly.  It was a long road, but she became stronger through it.  The Atonement washed her clean.  The Atonement washes her clean every day as she rechooses the Savior.  Many of her former weaknesses are now strengths.  New weaknesses challenge her to exercise her agency.  Life is not over, but her journey is strengthened with her knowledge, her gratitude, her desires, her understanding, and her eternal love.

I used to think that judgment was to be feared.  Now, I believe it is really mercy we must fear.  When we know we haven’t been exact in our obedience, God’s mercy could very well forgive us.  But will we be able to forgive ourselves?

Pres. Hinckley has reminded us over and over again to be grateful.  It is because gratitude will make us more aware of God’s mercy.  Being aware of our blessings will make us careful.  As we carefully walk the path toward the Tree, we will be worthy of the mercy bestowed upon us.

Pres. Monson teaches us how to listen to the Spirit, how to act upon those feelings, and how to spread the art of mercy.  Life is difficult.  Satan is harsh.  Our spirits are weak.  But, because of the Atonement we will survive well.  We will become greater.  By choosing God, God’s victory becomes our victory.

We don’t have to understand the Atonement completely, but I would challenge you to understand it enough to believe Him who saves.  Appreciate the gifts of the Spirit that protect us.  Show gratitude for the love and the blessings that fill our hearts.  Be open to the miracles that happen every day in our lives.

Never close your heart to the Lord.  Show patience for the gifts that will come to those who wait.  God will make everything right.  And we need to be prepared to live with the mercy He will surely grant us, whether we are deserving or not.