Day 44- Atonement Insight

In the D&C Student Manual, I read about the heart this morning. "The heart is frequently used figuratively in the Bible. One scholar indicated that in the Bible the heart is viewed as the "innermost center" of man, and is representative of:

1. The center of bodily life and power. When the heart is strengthened, the whole man is strengthened.

2. The center of the rational and emotional nature of man. It is the seat of love and hate, the center of thought and knowledge--it understands, deliberates, reflects, estimates. It is the center of feelings and affections, experiencing joy, pain, ill will, dissatisfaction, anxiety, despair, fear, and reverence.

3. The center of moral life. Many degrees of spiritual growth are found in the heart. it is the dwelling place of either Christ or Satan; it can be hard or broken; it can be a treasure of either good or evil. The heart is the laboratory and place of issue of all that is good and evil in thoughts, words, deeds...It is the center of the entire man, the very hearth of life's impulse."

Day 43- Atonement Insight

Michael King wrote "The Book of Mormon emphasizes the life-giving power of the Atonement, not merely the agony of what Christ suffered. In the limited pages of this chapter, we will look to see the “glad tidings of great joy” (Mosiah 3:3) taught by the Book of Mormon prophets. Not only do they lift our minds with hope that we can receive a remission of our sins through the Atonement, but they also show us how to apply the atoning blood in our lives to allow His love and saving power to reach us. This leads us to “come unto Christ, and be perfected in him” (Moroni 10:32), that we may obtain a fullness of joy." The Book of Mormon is His word and he is the Word of God. Jesus Christ performed everything with exactness from eons of time. Thus, when we read and apply His Words and make them become part of us, we can be perfected in him and may have joy.

Day 42- Atonement Insight

D&C 3:10- "But remember, God is merciful; therefore, repent of that which thou has done which is contrary to the commandment which I gave you, and thou art still chosen, and art again called to the work." The scripture shows God's mercy. Joseph Smith was forgiven for allowing part of the manuscript(Book of Mormon) to leave his possession. He also grieved and suffered for his transgression. Then, he repented and never turned back to his sin and the writings never left his possession again. There are consequences for sin such as the loss of 116 pages of the Book of Mormon. Nevertheless, no unhallowed hand can stop the Lord's work from progressing. Joseph Smith was entrusted to bring forth the Book of Mormon and restore the church of Jesus Christ here on the earth. Oh, what a marvelous work and wonder!!

Day 41- Atonement Insight

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 40- Atonement Insight

President Benson explained these two ways in which the Book of Mormon is the keystone of our religion.

“The Book of Mormon is the keystone in our witness of Jesus Christ, who is Himself the cornerstone of everything we do. … Its testimony of the Master is clear, undiluted, and full of power. …

“The Book of Mormon is also the keystone of the doctrine of the Resurrection” (Ensign, Nov. 1986, pp. 5–6).

President Benson mentions that the Book of Mormon is the keystone in the witness of Jesus Christ and His atonement and resurrection. Therefore, the doctrine of the atonement and resurrection is a keystone of our religion.

Day 39- Atonement Insight

President Spencer W. Kimball (1895–1985), who gave such comprehensive teachings on repentance and forgiveness, said that personal suffering is a very important part of repentance. “One has not begun to repent until he has suffered intensely for his sins. … If a person hasn’t suffered,” he said, “he hasn’t repented." Elder Oaks stated, " Sinners who are repenting will experience some suffering, but because of their repentance and the Atonement they will not experience the full, exquisite extent of eternal torment the Savior suffered for those sins." Thus, we will suffer some as we repent, but never to the full extent of the Savior. The suffering was so great that it was an eternal torment and may be a reason for the name of infinite atonement.

Day 38- Atonement Insight

For God So Loved the World

“There is no greater evidence of the infinite power and perfection of God’s love than is declared by the Apostle John: ‘For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son’ (John 3:16). Another Apostle wrote that God ‘spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all’ (Romans 8:32). Think how it must have grieved our Heavenly Father to send His Son to endure incomprehensible suffering for our sins. That is the greatest evidence of His love for each of us!”

Dallin H. Oaks, “Love and Law,” Ensign, Nov., 2009, 26

Topics: Atonement