The Amazing Atonement
My whole life, I've heard so much about the Atonement, how it's as deep as it is wide, how infinite it is, how amazing, etc. I've thought, it really is amazing, because it can turn someone with so many problems into, say, a prophet (i.e., Alma.) I viewed it amazing for those with serious issues; not amazing for me. Except - it was always said that we all need the Atonement equally. While I still don't fully understand it (and probably won't in my lifetime,) my paradigm has shifted over the last week.
It began with a seminary lesson in which I was taught that sins are all pretty much equally bad. Now, there are some major sins, but someone that commits some of those may commit less of the lesser sins. While I don't do any of the major sins we listed in class, I certainly am guilty of a plethora of smaller ones.
A few days later (yesterday,) I had a Sunday School lesson on the Atonement. My teachers said that if we are on the right track, we should be constantly repenting. I realized that in this way, I need that Atonement as much as anyone else. We are so far from perfect that it takes constant repenting for more than a lifetime in order to achieve that pinnacle.
That night, I went to a mission prep class at the home of a friend. Again, the lesson was on the Atonement. And obviously, I needed a nudge.
The teacher related a story of a fireside he attended at the MTC. As part of it, the speaker (the MTC president) entertained a question. In the audience of bishops, stake presidents and other leaders of local congregations, a man raised his hand and asked what they could do that would best prepare young men to serve missions. The answer was to get them to experience the Atonement. "Do this," he said, "and you won't be able to hold them back from serving missions."
Our teacher then shared with us last night the story of the sons of Mosiah, how after their repentance they begged their father to let them go preach to the Lamanites.
Often I get excited to serve a mission. But because my desire is not that of the sons of Mosiah, I know I have work to do. And I know what that work is - experiencing the Atonement. The Atonement is for everyone: for me, for you, for the prophets and apostles of the church. Because we are imperfect, because we sin, because we are human, we need the Atonement of Jesus Christ in our lives.
It began with a seminary lesson in which I was taught that sins are all pretty much equally bad. Now, there are some major sins, but someone that commits some of those may commit less of the lesser sins. While I don't do any of the major sins we listed in class, I certainly am guilty of a plethora of smaller ones.
A few days later (yesterday,) I had a Sunday School lesson on the Atonement. My teachers said that if we are on the right track, we should be constantly repenting. I realized that in this way, I need that Atonement as much as anyone else. We are so far from perfect that it takes constant repenting for more than a lifetime in order to achieve that pinnacle.
That night, I went to a mission prep class at the home of a friend. Again, the lesson was on the Atonement. And obviously, I needed a nudge.
The teacher related a story of a fireside he attended at the MTC. As part of it, the speaker (the MTC president) entertained a question. In the audience of bishops, stake presidents and other leaders of local congregations, a man raised his hand and asked what they could do that would best prepare young men to serve missions. The answer was to get them to experience the Atonement. "Do this," he said, "and you won't be able to hold them back from serving missions."
Our teacher then shared with us last night the story of the sons of Mosiah, how after their repentance they begged their father to let them go preach to the Lamanites.
Often I get excited to serve a mission. But because my desire is not that of the sons of Mosiah, I know I have work to do. And I know what that work is - experiencing the Atonement. The Atonement is for everyone: for me, for you, for the prophets and apostles of the church. Because we are imperfect, because we sin, because we are human, we need the Atonement of Jesus Christ in our lives.
posted by short_swiss_man at 5:11 PM
1 Comments:
That was a really powerful thing to analyze and I have found myself if much the same boat. I suppose I didn't think the atonement was for me, and that Christ couldn't possibly care enough about ME for me to take advantage of it. I had a few difficult experiences that changed my paradigm dramatically, and it's amazing how it's blessed my life to "Experience the Atonement" as you said. It's such a miracle!
You're awesome Nic!
Post a Comment
<< Home