Day 133-Atonement Insights

Love is a feeling of deep devotion, concern, and affection. The greatest example of God's love for His children is found in the infinite Atonement of Jesus Christ. Love for God and fellow men is a characteristic of disciples of Jesus Christ.

The topic of Love was discussed in Sunday School today with reference to the atonement. The definition was taken from the gospel library on lds.org. The greatest example of God's love for us is through the atonement; then, applying the atonement is the greatest way to show our love to God. As we are more obedient to His principles, we become more like Him developing more Godlike attributes of faith, hope, and charity. Faith, hope, and charity are the fountains of all righteousness.

Day 115-Atonement Insights

Romans 8:38-39

38For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,

39Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to^aseparate us from the ^blove of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

The love of God and Jesus Christ is immense that we cannot separate ourselves from it. We were all given the gift of the resurrection. The savior is granting this gift to all mankind even the betrayers, persecutors, unbelievers, and traitors. He loves all of us that He came to the suffer the most intense pain that a human can experience which even made God weep. The loves is incomprehensible indeed.

Day 76-Atonement Insights

Why Must We Love the Lord?

"Why must we love the Lord? Because as we do so, we become refined, pure, and holy. When we love the Lord, the benefits of the Atonement can wash away our earthly stain. Though our sins be as scarlet, they can become white as snow (see Isaiah 1:18), and we can become new creatures, filled with new life, new thoughts, and a renewed desire to do good continually."

Joseph B. Wirthlin, "Two Guiding Lights," Ensign, Aug. 2007, 66

Topics: Atonement

Day 33- Atonement Insight

Russell Ballard stated, "Brothers and sisters, I believe that if we could truly understand the Atonement of the Lord Jesus Christ, we would realize how precious isone son or daughter of God. I believe our Heavenly Father’s everlasting purpose for His children is generally achieved by the small and simple things we do for one another. At the heart of the English wordatonement is the word one. If all mankind understood this, there would never be anyone with whom we would not be concerned, regardless of age, race, gender, religion, or social or economic standing. We would strive to emulate the Savior and would never be unkind, indifferent, disrespectful, or insensitive to others." The quote comes from a talk written by Elder Ballard called "The Atonement and the Value of One Soul". As I read this talk, I felt the love our Heavenly Father has for each of us and the worth of one soul. The savior was a perfect example of emulating love to everyone regardless of age, race, gender, and economic status. He healed and taught the leaper, the blind man, the pharisees, the children, the samaritans, the rich men, etc... As we apply the atonement, we can embrace others with love as the Savior embraces us.

Day 19-Atonement Insight

Russell Ballard stated, "Brothers and sisters, I believe that if we could truly understand the Atonement of the Lord Jesus Christ, we would realize how precious isone son or daughter of God. I believe our Heavenly Father’s everlasting purpose for His children is generally achieved by the small and simple things we do for one another. At the heart of the English wordatonement is the word one. If all mankind understood this, there would never be anyone with whom we would not be concerned, regardless of age, race, gender, religion, or social or economic standing. We would strive to emulate the Savior and would never be unkind, indifferent, disrespectful, or insensitive to others." I really like the statement that if we truly understand the atonement, we will be more kind, sensitive, and respectful to all mankind. Nephi states in 2 Nephi 26:33, "....he inviteth them all to come unto him and partake of his goodness; and he denieth none that come unto him, black and white, bond and free, male and female; and he remembereth the heathen; and all are alike unto God, both Jew and Gentile." God loves us all the same regardless of color, gender, social class, heathen, etc... We are taught to follow in the footsteps of Jesus and love everyone.

Day 17-Atonement Insight

President Spencer Kimball stated, "Jesus saw sin but also was able to see sin as springing from deep and unmet needs on the part of the sinner. This permitted him to condemn the sin without condemning the individual. We can show forth our love for others even when we are called upon to correct them. We need to be able to look deeply enough into the lives of others to see the basic causes for their failures and short-comings." The quote gives depth on how to help people apply the atonement by showing forth love to the sinner but condemning the sin. It is interesting that most often shortcomings and failures in one's life is due to a lack of giving or receiving love. The first commandment is love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, soul, mind, and strength. The second commandment is to love our neighbors as ourself. (Mark 12:30-31)These are the greatest commandments and most sin is related these two commandments.

Day 7- Atonement Insight

Elder Ballard stated "With all that Enoch beheld, there was one thing that seemed to capture his attention above everything else. Enoch saw God look “upon the residue of the people, and He wept” (Moses 7:28). The sacred record then has Enoch asking God over and over: “How is it that thou canst weep? … How is it thou canst weep?” (Moses 7:29, 31).

The Lord answered Enoch: “Behold these thy brethren; they are the workmanship of mine own hands … ; unto thy brethren have I … also given commandment, that they should love one another, and that they should choose me, their Father; but behold, they are without affection, and they hate their own blood” (Moses 7:32–33).

Enoch saw the conditions of these latter days. He and other early prophets knew that only as we accept the Atonement in our lives and strive to live the gospel can we meet the challenges of life and find peace, joy, and happiness. Coming to understand this great gift is an individual pursuit for each child of God." As we strive to obey the Lord's apostles and prophets and embrace the atonement, we can receive happiness and peace in this life. We will increase our capacity to love and will do everything in our power to cause God to weep with tears of joy not sorrow. We will love our own blood and treat everyone with love and respect.

Day 4- Atonement Insight

2 Nephi 1:15 "But behold, the Lord hath redeemed my soul from hell; I have behold his glory, and I am encircled about eternally in the arms of his love." Lehi is prophesying and preaching to his sons before his death. I think it is interesting how a prophet of God felt like his soul was from hell and the humility he had to allow the atonement to work in his life. It makes me realize even how much more I need to apply the atonement in my life. I also know as we embrace the atonement, we can be encircled in the arms of his love and become more like God whom is a God of love. We can give and receive more love.