Let's be honest, there are
many things we do not understand about the Atonement. But there are also many
things we can learn and understand that will change our lives. Often we avoid
the subject because we understand so little, and it makes us think about the
sins we committed that added to Christ’s agony. Instead we focus on faith,
temple, and striving to conform our lives to the attributes we see in Christ.
But we’re missing the mark, and the assistance available to us, if we sidestep
the atonement in our efforts to follow the Plan.
In a simple way I have come up with five blessings or powers of the atonement that are available to each of us. These are the HEART of the Atonement. The five powers herein discussed are:
Some
overlap rightly occurs within these principles, for they all stem from one
source; the Atonement of Jesus Christ. Remember that the Spirit is the medium
through which each of these blessings come, so we must strive to be worthy of
His presence.
What
each of us has to come to realize is that God loves each of us as his children,
regardless of our level of righteousness. He wants to bless us, but often he
can’t till we humble ourselves and plead for his help. I heard a story once of
a child who refused to do chores in her home. The parents were at a loss to get
her to contribute and do what was expected of her. Then one day they heard
through the open window a desperate cry for help from the child outside. Do you
think her parents stopped to contemplate her disobedience? Nope. They ran
outside to help their daughter. If that’s how we as earthly parents love our
children, can you imagine how our Heavenly Father loves us?
Please
understand that I am neither gospel nor scriptural scholar. I simply asked some
questions. Questions like, what blessings of the Atonement are available to us.
What power does it afford us? And how can we utilize that power to bless our
lives. Then I sought out to find answers. The answers came in scriptures, the
words of Latter Day Prophets, and talks and books by other General Authorities.
And most importantly, by the peaceful witness of the Spirit.
Nothing of what I learned is new.
But as promised by the Savior in John 14:26, the spirit sometimes teaches us by
bringing truth to our remembrance, so that the doctrine feels familiar, yet,
somehow new to us because we are receiving a witness of its truthfulness anew.
My hope is that you will study the
references provided, and study these principles in your heart—but most
importantly that you pray to know of their truthfulness. I testify that as you
do so, it will feel familiar; you will feel the peaceful witness of the spirit.
But truthfully, if you stop there, then you miss out of the purpose of the
atonement. It is one thing to receive a witness that the doctrine is true, and
another to apply it to your life. These blessings, these powers of the
Atonement are real and available to you. Christ is ever at the door, waiting
for you to let Him come in and bless your life.
To
start, please take a moment to write down what you know about the Atonement and
how it blesses your life.
