 |
| We should all be so serious about getting into the scriptures...LOL! |
A Go-do
by Chris Broadbent
The experience that has most recently changed and enhanced
my understanding of the Atonement was instigated by a talk from Elder Bednar.
He indicated that something he commonly does when he visits the various Stakes
and Districts is to hold a Q&A session with the youth. Almost invariably,
someone will ask him a question about the power of the Atonement. His response
is to call up the youth, hand him or her one of his business cards, and offer
the youth a great opportunity. Elder Bednar invites the youth to search through
the Book of Mormon and find every instance of the power in the Atonement in
someone’s life – look for phrases such as “in the strength of the Lord, we…” or
“the Lord strengthened me that I…” He says not to use a search feature, but to
read the whole book searching for instances of the power of the Atonement in
people’s lives and keep track of them. Upon completion of the read-through, the
youth is to write a page on what the Atonement means and send it in to Elder
Bednar, who would review it, offer comment, and, if appropriate, provide
suggestions of other things to consider. What an opportunity that would be!
I came to realize that the biggest chunk of learning would
not come from Elder Bednar’s feedback, but from the sincere study of the
scriptures and through the ministrations of the Spirit. Well, what was stopping
me from partaking? Fortunately, nothing. This is the exercise which I undertook.
(It turns out my method for keeping track of things was flawed, so I am going
through again extracting and compiling, but I still gained much from the
exercise.) The power of the Atonement to bless and lift our lives is boundless.
It is all-encompassing and limitless. I do not even begin to comprehend it
fully, but I would like to share with you four aspects of the power of the
Atonement I have seen in my life: 1) cleansing, 2) healing, 3) transforming,
and 4) sustaining and enabling.
The Cleansing Power
of the Atonement
This is perhaps the most discussed aspect of the Atonement.
Nevertheless, it is real. Through the power of the Atonement, our sins can be
scrubbed out of us. The cleansing and purifying presence of the Holy Ghost is a
marvelous and wondrous feeling. The joy and happiness that attend the cleansing
are such that I wish they would never end.
In a very real, palpable way, our sins taint, stain, and
sully our souls. In a very real, palpable, and joyous way, Christ’s Atonement
is the best and only soul-detergent.
(Scriptures to consider for your own personal study include
Isaiah 53:11-12; Matthew 26:27-28; Mosiah 3:11, 16, 19; Jeremiah 33:8; 1 John
1:4-10; Alma 5:21, 27; Mormon 9:6; Moroni 6:3-4, and 3 Nephi 27:20)
The Healing Power of
the Atonement
Whether because of our own decisions, the decisions of
others, or just because of the nature of life, each of us feels pain. Pain of
body, mind, spirit, or heart – each can be excruciating. I cannot consider
myself to have suffered in the way that so many people I know and love have
suffered. But, I have been healed in a way that everyone can be. The Atonement
is not meant to merely pay the price of sins but leave us wallowing in the
misery that accompanies them. We all learn that wickedness never was happiness
and that true happiness lies in obedience to Heavenly Father’s plan. In between
those two is the power of the Atonement to lift us from the vale of misery and
set us upon the heights of the mountain of the Lord. The power of the Atonement
can lift us from the oppressive consequences of sin (whether they are ours or
not) and heal us, make our heart, mind, spirit, or body whole. I know that at
some point, according to the will of the Lord, each who seeks will receive the
healing balm of the Savior’s Atonement to remove pain and suffering. And how
sweet it is!
(Scriptures to consider for your own personal study include
Isaiah 57:17-21; 2 Nephi 25:13; 3 Nephi 25:2; 2 Nephi 16:10 (Isaiah 6:10); and
Doctrine and Covenants 112:13)
The Transforming
Power of the Atonement
The scriptures are replete with examples of individuals and
peoples who have miraculous and awe-inspiring changes wrought on them such that
they turn from a life of rebellion (or apathy) to a life of devotion. I know
that that same power of the Atonement can and does work in my own life to
change me from who I was into who I need and want to be. Sometimes the changes
are slow, small, and almost imperceptible. Sometimes the changes are more
abrupt, but the power of the Atonement is there, extended to each of us, ready
for the asking to lift, change, and transform those parts of us that need to
become more like the Savior. Through the power of the Atonement, we can put off
the natural man and become saints.
(Scriptures to consider for your own personal study include
2 Nephi 3:13, 21; Ether 12:27; Bible Dictionary: Grace; John 1:12; Doctrine and
Covenants 11:30; Doctrine and Covenants 39:4; Alma 36; 13, 14, 17, 18, 23, 24;
Mosiah 5:2-3; and 3 Nephi 6:14 in conjunction with 3 Nephi 9:20)
The Sustaining and
Enabling Power of the Atonement
I have learned that, like Moses said, man is nothing; I of
myself am weak and powerless to accomplish the work Heavenly Father has sent me
to Earth to complete. I have also learned that the Savior is eager to extend
the power of the Atonement into my life to increase my capacity, give me
strength, bear me up, and to help me continue on when I would otherwise be
unable to. I have seen the power of the atonement work in my life to enable me
to have more patience, more charity, or more desire to serve. I have felt the
sustaining power of the Atonement when I am asked to serve, but do not think I
have the strength. I know that the Lord will support and strengthen me as I try
to serve Him and be an instrument in His hands.
(Scriptures to consider for your own personal study include
1 Nephi 5:8 in conjunction with 1 Nephi 3:7 and 1 Nephi 17:3; 1 Nephi 7:17; 2
Nephi 1:10; Philippians 4:13; Alma 17:3, 4, 17, 29, 36)
Ask, and it shall be
given you
God is eager to fill our lives with the power of the
Atonement, but He will not do so unbidden or against our will. We must ask and
seek and desire to have the Atonement work in us to cleanse, heal, transform,
and enable. He is full of love and so very willing to help. We need but ask.
And hope. And trust. And, sometimes, have patience. He will apply the power of the
Atonement in our lives for our best good and for our eternal gain.
Photo Attribution: Peter Griffin
No comments:
Post a Comment
What do you think?