Day 96-Atonement Insights

Hugh Nibley states, "Atonement is both individual and collective. That is what Zion is—"of one heart and one mind" (Moses 7:18), not only one with each other but with the Lord. So in 3 Nephi 11, after the Lord had contact with every member of the multitude personally, "one by one" (3 Nephi 11:14-15), "when they had all gone forth and had witnessed for themselves, they did cry out with one accord, saying: Hosannah! Blessed be the name of the Most High God! And they did fall down at the feet of Jesus, and did worship him" (3 Nephi 11:16-17). That was a true at-one-ment. Now, the law of consecration is expressly designed "for the establishment of Zion," where "they were of one heart and one mind, and dwelt in righteousness; and there was no poor among them" (Moses 7:18). For that we must consecrate everything we have to the whole, losing nothing, for we are all one. To consecrate means to set apart, sanctify, and relinquish our own personal interest in the manner designated in the Doctrine and Covenants. It is the final decisive law and covenant by which we formally accept the Atonement and merit a share in it."

Hugh Nibley has some valid opinions about the atonement and consecration. The final covenant we make is the law of consecration. It is not only sharing our talents and time but our treasures and riches. I thought about how I live the law of consecration to an extent on my mission and within my family unit. However, I think it is hard enough to loan family members money let alone members of my ward. In order to live the law of consecration to the fullest, we will not have poor amongst us.

Day 95-Atonement Insights

Believing in the Atonement

"The most important thing we can do in preparing individuals to receive the full blessings of the Atonement is to understand it and to believe in it ourselves. By understanding and believing in the Atonement personally, you and I can teach and testify of the Atonement with greater gratitude, greater love, and greater power."

Neal A. Maxwell, "Testifying of the Great and Glorious Atonement," Ensign, Oct. 2001, 10

Day 94-Atonement Insights

Elder Cecil Samuelson states, "His Atonement does indeed cover the world and all people from the beginning to the end. Let us not forget, however, that in its comprehensiveness and completeness it is also intensely personal and uniquely crafted to fit perfectly and address perfectly each of our own individual circumstances. The Father and the Son know each of us better than we know ourselves and have prepared an Atonement for us that is fully congruent with our needs, challenges, and possibilities."

http://lds.org/liahona/2009/04/what-does-the-atonement-mean-to-you?lang=eng&query=atonement

I really appreciated how he mentioned the Atonement is individually crafted for each one of us. He knows our needs and challenges and the Atonement was prepared for us in the preexistence. The plan allows us to return and life with God and his Son for time and all eternity if we finish our work here on the earth.

Day 93-Atonement Insights

Boyd K. Packer, President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, stated "nowhere are the generosity and the kindness and mercy of God more manifest than in repentance. Do you understand the consummate cleansing power of the Atonement made by the Son of God, our Savior, our Redeemer? He said, “I, God, have suffered these things for all, that they might not suffer if they would repent.” In that supernal act of love, the Savior paid the penalties for our sins so that we might not have to pay.For those who truly desire it, there is a way back. Repentance is like unto a detergent. Even ground-in stains of sin will come out."

Day 92-Atonement Insights

Elder Christofferson

Elder D. Todd Christofferson addressed our need to accept and even seek correction, saying, “Correction is vital if we would conform our lives ‘unto a perfect man, [that is], unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ.’ Paul said of divine correction or chastening, ‘For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth.’ Though it is often difficult to endure, truly, we ought to rejoice that God considers us worth the time and trouble to correct.”

At times, we are chastened to repentance. The Lord loves each one of children and allows us to suffer pain for a season. This refining and molding process provides a way to inherit the kingdom if we are humble enough to permit the atonement to work in our lives.

Day 91-Atonement Insights

"Desires dictate our priorities; priorities shape our choices; and choices determine our actions. The desires we act on determine our changing, our achieving, and our becoming." - Dallin H. Oaks

The quote from conference reminded me of the importance of having our desires aligned with God's and through the atonement of Jesus Christ we can expereince the fruits of changing, achieving, and becoming.

Day 90-Atonement Insights

The Parable of The Creditor and the Two Debtors

Luke 7:41-43

The parable teaches the relationship between love, forgiveness, and service. Pharisee Simon was having Jesus over for dinner, and the sinner woman barged in need of forgiveness. She immediately washed Jesus's feet, which was a sign of hospatality. She was forgiven through her actions. Repentance isn't only through word, but also through our actions. Simon was scandalized that Jesus, a rabbi, would allow a sinful woman to touch Him. According to Pharisaical law, her touch made him unclean. Simon was a bit self-righteous, judged on outward appearances, and never offered to wash the feet of Jesus. Jesus was able to teach Simon and the woman about to those who love less, less is forgiven.