Day 77-Atonement Insights

The bible dictionary states "Sin is lawlessness; It is a refusal on men's part to submit to the law of God. By transgression men loses control over his own will and becomes the slave of sin, and so incurs the penalty of spiritual death, which is alienation from God. The atonement of Jesus Christ redeems all mankind from the fall of Adam and causes all to be answerable for their own manner of life. This means of atonement is provided by the Father, and is offered in the life and person of his Son, Jesus Christ. " When I read this statement about the atonement, I thought about the darkest moment of my life and how I felt a lack of control. Those moments may have been connected to transgression of sins of commission or omission. I noticed when I put the Lord first in the keep His commandments, I don't have time to be sad or have self-pity. It is the simple commandments of sincere prayer and feasting upon the scriptures that keep us on the straight and narrow or the iron rod leading to the Love of God. As we keep those simple commandments, we can cast out darkness and create a life after the manner of happiness.

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 75-Atonement Insights

Elder Christofferson stated, "Jesus demonstrated that a consecrated life is a life of service. Hours before the agony of His Atonement began, the Lord humbly washed His disciples’ feet, saying to them:

“If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another’s feet.

“For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you.

“Verily, verily, I say unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord; neither he that is sent greater than he that sent him” (John 13:14–16).

Those who quietly and thoughtfully go about doing good offer a model of consecration."

Reflections on a Consecrated Life by D. TODD CHRISTOFFERSON

Day 74-Atonement Insights

Elder Ballard stated “For those of you who have fallen prey to any kind of addiction, there is hope because God loves all of His children and because the Atonement of the Lord Jesus Christ makes all things possible,” Elder M. Russell Ballard testifies. “It begins with prayer—sincere, fervent, and constant communication with the Creator of our spirits and bodies, our Heavenly Father. . . . Ask to be filled with the power of Christ’s pure love.” I also like the video and the fishing analogy on how Satan know's our weaknesses and uses subtle lures which may lead to addictions. I also testify that through Christ's pure love we can be cleansed and freed from Satan's subtle lures.

Day 73-Atonement Insights

Alma 34: 16-18

16And thus ^amercy can satisfy the demands of ^bjustice, and encircles them in the arms of safety, while he that exercises no faith unto repentance is exposed to the whole law of the demands of ^cjustice; therefore only unto him that has faith unto repentance is brought about the great and eternal ^dplan of ^eredemption.

17Therefore may God grant unto you, my brethren, that ye may begin to exercise your ^afaith unto repentance, that ye begin to^bcall upon his holy name, that he would have mercy upon you;

18Yea, cry unto him for mercy; for he is ^amighty to save.

The eternal plan of redemption is based on faith and repentance. Faith and repentance are not possible without Jesus Christ and his infinite and eternal sacrifice. Faith and repentance require action on our part on a daily basis.

Day 72-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 71-Atonement Insights

Change of Heart

"The gospel of Jesus Christ encompasses much more than avoiding, overcoming, and being cleansed from sin and the bad influences in our lives; it also essentially entails doing good, being good, and becoming better. Repenting of our sins and seeking forgiveness are spiritually necessary, and we must always do so. But remission of sin is not the only or even the ultimate purpose of the gospel. To have our hearts changed by the Holy Spirit such that 'we have no more disposition to do evil, but to do good continually' (Mosiah 5:2), as did King Benjamin's people, is the covenant responsibility we have accepted. This mighty change is not simply the result of working harder or developing greater individual discipline. Rather, it is the consequence of a fundamental change in our desires, our motives, and our natures made possible through the Atonement of Christ the Lord. Our spiritual purpose is to overcome both sin and the desire to sin, both the taint and the tyranny of sin."

David A. Bednar, "Clean Hands and a Pure Heart," Ensign, Nov. 2007, 81-82