Day 9-Atonement Insight

As I sang "Upon the Cross of Calvary", I was in awe with the words. The whole song teaches basic principles of the atonement. It teaches the Lord atoned for ours sins and all people will be resurrected. He conquered death and allows us to have eternal life if we can conquer our sinful nature and become one with Christ.

1. Upon the cross of Calvary
They crucified our Lord
And sealed with blood the sacrifice
That sanctified his word.

2. Upon the cross he meekly died
For all mankind to see
That death unlocks the passageway
Into eternity.

3. Upon the cross our Savior died,
But, dying, brought new birth
Through resurrection’s miracle
To all the sons of earth.

Day 8- Atonement Insight

Stephen Robinson stated, "I have learned there are many that believe Jesus is the Son of God and that he is the Savior of the World, but that he cannot save them. They believe in his identity, but not in his power to cleanse and to purify and to save. To have faith in his identity is only half the process. To have faith in his ability, in his power to cleanse and to save, that is the other half." We must believe Christ when he says in Isaiah 1:18, "though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool." Christ does wash away our sins through his blood, and they can become as white as snow if we have faith in him. We can be cleansed and pure again.

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 6- Atonement Insight

3 Nephi 25:6 "And he shall turn the heart of the fathers to the children, and the heart of the children to their fathers, lest I come and smite the earth with a curse." The scripture is quoted in the bible, book of mormon, and twice in the doctrine in covenants. It is referring to the salvation of the dead, genealogy, and temple work. These events are only possible through the atonement of Jesus Christ. Families may be united and sealed through sacred temple ordinances made possible through the power of the atonement. As the dead accept the gospel of Jesus Christ, they may receive the blessings of the everlasting atonement.

Day 5- Atonement Insight

As we apply the atonement on a daily basis, we will be more excited to do God's will and may feel similar to those who were being baptized in the waters of Mormon. Mosiah 18:8-9 "And it came to pass that he said unto them: Behold, here are the waters of Mormon (for thus were they called) and now, as you are desirous to come into the fold of God, and to be called his people and are willing to bear one another's burdens, that they me be light. Yea, and are willing to mourn with those that mourn; yea, and comfort those that stand in need of comfort, and to stand as witnesses of God at all times and in all things, and in all places that ye may be in, even until death that they may be redeemed of God; and be numbered with those of the first resurrection, that you may have eternal life." These baptismal covenants made at the waters of Mormon are beautiful. They were willing to stands as witnesses of him at all times in thought, word, and deed. If they adhere to the covenants, they will receive the blessings of being numbered in the first resurrection and receive eternal life. The entire covenant has reference to Jesus Christ and his everlasting atonement; through him, of him, and by him, we may receive these infinite blessings.

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.

Day 3- Atonement Insight

Hugh Nibley mentioned, "when the scriptures speak of atonement, it is always re-conciliation, re-demption, re-surrection, re-lease, salvation, and so on. All refer to a return to a former state." The former state is setting "at one" with God. Sin causes estrangement from God, and we can return to the former state as we repent and obey gospel principles and doctrines. Romans 6:23 "For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord." Eternal life is made possible only through the atonement of Jesus Christ. We can choose spiritual death or eternal life if we partake of the great and everlasting atonement.