Day 37- Atonement Insight

Elder Scott wrote "I testify that I know victims of serious abuse who have successfully made the difficult journey to full healing through the power of the Atonement. After her own concerns were resolved by her faith in the healing power of the Atonement, one young woman who had been severely abused by her father requested another interview with me. She returned with an older couple. I could sense that she loved the two very deeply. Her face radiated happiness. She began, “Elder Scott, this is my father. I love him. He’s concerned about some things that happened in my early childhood. They are no longer a problem for me. Could you help him?” What a powerful confirmation of the Savior’s capacity to heal! She no longer suffered from the consequences of abuse, because she had adequate understanding of His Atonement, sufficient faith, and was obedient to His law. As you conscientiously study the Atonement and exercise your faith that Jesus Christ has the power to heal, you can receive the same blessed relief. During your journey of recovery, accept His invitation to let Him share your burden until you have sufficient time and strength to be healed." The talk was called "To Heal the Shattered Consequence of Abuse". I am amazed how both victims and perpetrators recover from abuse through the atonement of Jesus Christ and was amazed. I visit with students who have been abused occasionally in the public schools, and I wish that I could discuss the healing power of the atonement. As one understands the atonement, they realize the abuser has deep unmet needs with low regard for self and may cause the victim to feel the same. Yes, it is a warped form of projection. Nevertheless, the atonement can heal both abuser and victim through faith, repentance, and obedience in the Lord Jesus Christ.

Day 37- Atonement Insight

John 15:13-14 "Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you." The greatest act of love is the atonement of Jesus Christ. There is no man who performed a greater sacrifice for His friends. We are His friends if we do what he commands and hearken also to the voice of the prophet. D&C 1: 38 states, "my word shall not pass away, but shall all be fulfilled, whether by mine own voice or by the voice of my servants, it is the same." Servants is referring to the prophets and apostles, and their voice is aligned with the Lord's will. As I was listening in Sunday School today, I was contemplating the special witness of the prophets and apostles. I concluded that prophets and apostles may be a special witness because they have seen Jesus Christ. Then, I felt an overwhelming desire to follow their counsel with exactness.

Day 36- Atonement Insight

D&C 39: 4-6 "But to as many as received me, gave I power to become my^asons(and daughters); and even so will I give unto as many as will receive me, power to become my sons and daughters.

And verily, verily, I say unto you, he that receiveth my gospel^areceiveth me; and he that ^breceiveth not my gospel receiveth not me.

And this is my ^agospel—repentance and baptism by water, and then cometh the ^bbaptism of fire and the Holy Ghost, even the Comforter, which showeth all things, and ^cteacheth the peaceable things of the kingdom."

We may receive the attributes and power of Christ by keeping all commandments of His gospel. We may be made perfect through the His perfect atonement.

Day 35- Atonement Insight

Elder Spencer Condie said, "The impact of the Atonement is felt each time one of our Father’s children experiences the miracle of forgiveness... When Elder Spencer W. Kimball of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles wrote he could have entitled his book for it is through Christ’s atonement that forgiveness is wrought."

Day 34- Atonement Insight

President Spencer Kimball state, "Jesus saw sin as wrong 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." I think part of the atonement is realizing that every human sins, and we all need help from the Lord with no exemptions. This knowledge allows us to condemn the sin but not the sinner, and more importantly to show greater love and kindness to the sinner and inviting them to return to the fold.

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 32- Atonement Insight

Boyd K. Packer stated, "True doctrine, understood, changes attitudes and behavior. The study of the doctrines of the gospel will improve behavior quicker than a study of behavior will improve behavior. Preoccupation with unworthy behavior can lead to unworthy behavior. That is why we stress so forcefully the study of the doctrines of the gospel." As we lift our mind to higher grounds, we can become one is His word as we apply true doctrine to our lives. Furthermore, glimpsing into the eternities and embracing our Savior's love, we can overcome any challenges, obstacles, or trials through the Atonement of Jesus Christ.