The Atonement Covers All Pain

Good Morning, Good Afternoon, Good Evening,

this post should take approximately five minutes to read from start to finish.

This blog is about to reach 5,000 total pageviews, most times, it feels like time has flown by so quickly.

What is your true definition and meaning of "Atonement" ? How does the Atonement covers all pain? 

This post focuses on a April 2011 General Conference talk and it is called, "The Atonement Covers All Pain" by Kent F. Richards. I would like to share with you some highlights while I was reading the talk. 

Elder Richards mentioned the following; ... I have pondered about the purpose of pain. None of us is immune from experiencing pain. I have seen people cope with it very differently. Some turn away from God in anger, and others allow their suffering to bring them closer to God. Like you, I have experienced pain myself. Pain is a gauge of the healing process. It often teaches us patience. Perhaps that is why we use the term patient in referring to the sick. 

Elder Orson F. Whitney wrote: 

“No pain that we suffer, no trial that we experience is wasted. It ministers to our education, to the development of such qualities as patience, faith, fortitude, and humility. … It is through sorrow and suffering, toil and tribulation, 

that we gain the education that we come here to acquire.”

"It is a fundamental truth that through the ATONEMENT OF
JESUS CHRIST we can be cleansed." - Richard G. Scott.

Similarly, Elder Robert D. Hales has said: 

“Pain brings you to a humility that allows you to ponder. It is an experience I am grateful to have endured. …

Much of our suffering is not necessarily our fault. Unexpected events, contradicting or disappointing circumstances, interrupting illness, and even death surround us and penetrate our mortal experience. Additionally, we may suffer afflictions because of the actions of others. 

... Opposition is part of Heavenly Father’s plan of happiness. We all encounter enough to bring us to an awareness of our Father’s love and of our need for the Savior’s help. ...

“He suffereth the pains of all men, yea, the pains of every living creature, both men, women, and children.” ... The Atonement of Jesus Christ covers all these conditions and purposes of mortality. There is another kind of pain for which we are responsible. Spiritual pain lies deep within our souls and can feel unquenchable, even as being racked with an“inexpressible horror,” as Alma described. It comes from our sinful actions and lack of repentance. ...

Perhaps His most significant work is in the ongoing labor with each of us individually to lift, to bless, to strengthen, to sustain, to guide, and to forgive us. ... Alma also prophesied that “he shall go forth, suffering pains and afflictions and temptations of every kind; and … he will take upon him the pains and the sicknesses of his people. …

As I pondered, I came to understand that during His mortal life Christ chose to experience pains and afflictions in order to understand us. Perhaps we also need to experience the depths of mortality in order to understand Him and our eternal purposes.

President Henry B. Eyring taught: 

“It will comfort us when we must wait in distress for the Savior’s promised relief that He knows, from experience, how to heal and help us. … And faith in that power will give us patience as we pray and work and wait for help. He could have known how to succor us simply by revelation, but He chose to learn by His own personal experience.”

... I made another discovery: “When the even was come, they brought unto him many … and he … healed all that were sick.” He healed all that came to Him. None were turned away.

As Elder Dallin H. Oaks has taught:

“Healing blessings come in many ways, each suited to our individual needs, as known to Him who loves us best. Sometimes a ‘healing’ cures our illness or lifts our burden. But sometimes we are ‘healed’ by being given strength or understanding or patience to bear the burdens placed upon us.”

All that will come may be “clasped in the arms of Jesus.” All souls can be healed by His power. All pain can be soothed. In Him, we can “find rest unto [our] souls.” Our mortal circumstances may not immediately change, but our pain, worry, suffering, and fear can be swallowed up in His peace and healing balm.

I have noted that children are often more naturally accepting of pain and suffering. They quietly endure with humility and meekness. ... " Our great personal challenge in mortality is to become “a saint through the atonement of Christ.” The pain you and I experience may be where this process is most measured.”

You may or may not like to read this whole talk either now or in your own time, here is the link below. 

www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2011/04/the-atonement-covers-all-pain

Stay Tuned until next time.

Have you REMEMBERED the Atonement of Jesus Christ?

Good Morning, Good Afternoon, Good Evening,

this post should take three minutes to read from start to finish.

This post is short and sweet. I would like to encourage you to think about the following questions, ask yourself the following questions and answer the following questions either now or in your own time.

~ Do you have a great understanding of the purpose for having The Atonement of Jesus Christ in your life? 

~ How has accessing to the Atonement of Jesus Christ has helped you throughout your life in the past?

~ Is it necessary for each of us to have access to the Atonement of Jesus Christ throughout our lives? YES, it is.
~ Can the Atonement of Jesus Christ helps us to feel joy and peace sometime after seeking forgiveness from the past mistakes? YES, it can.

~ Can the Atonement of Jesus Christ helps us to overcome the consequences of past mistakes? YES, it can.
~ Can the Atonement of Jesus Christ helps us to endure our trials, sicknesses and pain? YES, it can.

~ Can the Atonement of Jesus Christ heals every individuals' broken hearts? YES, it can.

Often times sometime after I sought forgiveness from my past mistakes that I have done, I have felt joy and peace. I am forever grateful that the Atonement of Jesus Christ because it has helped me to overcome the consequences of my past mistakes, helped me to overcome my personal trials, overcome the pains that I have felt in the past, helped me to overcome the sicknesses that i have experienced in the past and so forth. 

Sometimes in our lives; we can appreciate the mistake or mistakes that has happened in the past. It might help us to build confidence that we would do our best to avoid doing the same mistake or mistakes again. 

If you feel UNclean, UNloved, UNhappy, UNworthy,
UNwhole, REMEMBER all that is unfair about life
can be made right through the ATONEMENT of
 Jesus Christ." - Timothy J. Dyckes.

~ Have you ever felt unclean, and have forgotten the Atonement of Jesus Christ? It certainly happens at times. 

~ Have you ever felt unloved, and have forgotten the Atonement of Jesus Christ? It certainly happens at times.

~ Have you ever felt unhappy, and have forgotten the Atonement of Jesus Christ? It certainly happens at times.

~ Have you ever felt unworthy, and have forgotten the Atonement of Jesus Christ? It certainly happens at times.

~ Have you ever felt unwhole, and have forgotten the Atonement of Jesus Christ? It certainly happens at times.

If you have forgotten about the Atonement of Jesus Christ in the past; do not feel bad about it, it is okay because I know it certainly happen by Satan's bad influences against your righteous choices especially if you have became less active and inactive of the Church. Do your best to help yourself to get back on the right track to remember the Atonement of Jesus Christ. 

If you did not know anything about the Atonement of Jesus Christ in the past; do not feel bad about it, it is okay because I would like to encourage you to do your best to make an effort to do some research about what is the Atonement of Jesus Christ, about what ways can you have access to the Atonement of Jesus Christ and do your best to remember the Atonement of Jesus Christ from this present time to rest of your life (if not rest of your life, but at least in the near future to in the future). 

Stay Tuned until next time.

Your Four Minutes

Good Morning, Good Afternoon, Good Evening,

this post should take five minutes to read from start to finish.

This post is focuses on April 2014 General Conference talk and it is called "Your Four Minutes" by Bishop Gary E. Stevenson. I would love to share with you some highlights while I was reading the talk. 

Bishop Stevenson mentioned the following; 

"... Now, consider how your pathway to eternal life ...  You are an eternal being. Before you were born, you existed as a spirit. In the presence of a loving Heavenly Father, you trained and prepared to come to earth for a brief moment and, well, perform. 

This life is your four minutes. While you are here, your actions will determine whether you win the prize of eternal life. The prophet Amulek described, “This life is the time … to prepare to meet God; yea, behold the day of this life is the day … to perform [your] labors.”In a sense, your four minutes have already begun. The clock is ticking. 

The words of the Apostle Paul seem so fitting: to run the race, that you may obtain the prize. In the same way that certain steps are essential in the very brief performance of an Olympic athlete - jumps or maneuvers for ice skaters and snowboarders, negotiating the turns of a bobsled run, or carving through the gates of a downhill slalom course - so it is in our lives, where certain things are absolutely essential checkpoints which move us through our spiritual performance on earth. 

These spiritual markers are the essential God-given ordinances of the gospel: baptism, receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost, priesthood ordinations, temple ordinances, and partaking of the sacrament each week. “In the[se] ordinances … , the power of godliness is manifest.” ...

I urge you to ponder, “What do I need to do next to ensure my medal?” Perhaps during this conference, the Spirit has whispered to you what that may be: to prepare more thoughtfully for an ordinance in your future or to receive an ordinance that you should have received a long time ago. Whatever it may be, do it now. Don’t wait. Your four minutes will pass quickly, and you’ll have eternity to think about what you did in this life.

"The miracle of the Atonement can make up for imperfections
in our performance." - Gary E. Stevenson.

Self-discipline is needed. Daily prayer, scripture study, and church attendance must be the foundation of your training. A consistent pattern of obeying the commandments, keeping the covenants you have made, and following the Lord’s standard found in For the Strength of Youth is required.

Perhaps you’re aware of things in your life that are threatening to slow or stop your spiritual progress.  If so, follow this scriptural counsel: “Let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us.” 

It is not yet too late to repent. But it soon may be, because no one really knows when your four minutes will be over. 

Now, you may be thinking to yourself, "I already blew it. My four minutes are already a disaster. I may as well give up." If so, stop thinking that, and never think it again. The miracle of the Atonement can make up for imperfections in our performance. 

As Elder Jeffrey R. Holland has taught: “To those of you … who may still be hanging back, …" "… It is never too late so long as the Master … says there is time. … Don’t delay." Remember, you are not alone. The Savior has promised that He will not leave you comfortless.11 You also have family, friends, and leaders who are cheering you on.

... Recently, Elder David A. Bednar described a simple way to conduct a family assessment to mark progress on the covenant path by essential ordinances. All that is needed is a piece of paper with two columns: “name” and “plan for next or needful ordinance.” ... Everyone on the list needed the sacrament ordinance. 

... in fulfilling our role to help each member of our family along the covenant path, with an action plan for each of them. Perhaps this is an idea for you which will lead to family discussions, family home evening lessons, preparation, and even invitations for essential ordinances in your family. ... With that in mind, is there someone who needs your encouragement? a family member? a friend? a classmate or fellow quorum member? How can you help them with their four minutes?

Dear friends, you are in the midst of an exhilarating journey. In some ways, you are racing down the half-pipe or sled track, and it can be challenging to perform each element or navigate each turn along the way. But remember, you’ve prepared for this for millennia. This is your moment to perform. This is your four minutes! The time is now! I express my utmost confidence in your abilities. You have the Savior of the world on your side. If you seek His help and follow His directions, how can you fail? ..." 

I encourage you to read the whole talk in your own time. Here's the link to the talk.

www.lds.org/general-conference/2014/04/your-four-minutes

Stay Tuned until next time.

The Supernal Gift of the Atonement ~ Part Two

Good Morning, Good Afternoon, Good Evening,

this post should take three to five minutes to read from start to finish.

This post focuses on October 1988 General Conference talk and it is called, "The Supernal Gift of the Atonement" by James E. Faust. This post is part two and I would like to share with you some highlights while I was reading the talk.

Elder Faust mentioned the following;

... “What was it that suddenly changed these disciples to confident, fearless, heroic preachers of the gospel of Jesus Christ? It was the revelation that Christ had risen from the grave. His promises had been kept, his Messianic mission fulfilled. ... The gloom of death had been banished by the glorious light of the presence of their Risen, Glorified Lord and Savior.’

“On the evidence of these unprejudiced, unexpectant, incredulous witnesses, faith in the resurrection has its impregnable foundation.” Like the Apostles of old, this knowledge and belief should transform all of us to be confident, settled, unafraid, and at peace in our lives as followers of the divine Christ. It should help us carry all burdens, bear any sorrows, and also fully savor all joys and happiness that can be found in this life. ...

They sought to savor those precious moments and feelings.

The vacating of the tomb transcended all other events in the history of the world, for it attested that Jesus had not died, but that death itself had been overcome.

As I have traveled over much of the earth, I have been saddened over and over again by the legions of crippled, maimed, deformed, suffering, and diminished people almost everywhere. What parent of a special child has not agonized over the future and well-being of that child? Through the individual resurrection of each of us, there is great hope for all.

"The Savior's atonement leaves no traces, no
tracks. What it fixes is fixed. The Savior's
atonement heals and what it heals
stays healed." - Boyd K. Packer.

Amulek, in the Book of Mormon, promises that following the temporal death, “the spirit and the body shall be reunited again in its perfect form; both limb and joint shall be restored to its proper frame, … and we shall be brought to stand before God, … and have a bright recollection of all our guilt.” 

The Prophet Joseph Smith stated, “I can taste the principles of eternal life, and so can you. … I know that when I tell you these words of eternal life …, you taste them, and I know that you believe them.” So it is that the humblest and newest believer, the child, youth, or adult can come to have a personal conviction of the truth of eternal life.

... “He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son.” “And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.” 

It is not necessary for anyone to depend continually upon the testimony of another regarding the mediation, atonement, and resurrection of Christ as our Redeemer and Savior. Each can savor the sweetness of the truths of the gospel by obedience to the principles, ordinances, and covenants.

One can still go to the Garden of Gethsemane, but the Lord Jesus cannot be found there, nor is He in the Garden Tomb. ... He must be found in one’s heart. But He left us the great Comforter forever and the everlasting power of the priesthood. ...

I testify that, through righteousness, this priesthood power and these supernal gifts of the Atonement and the Mediation can operate in our lives. Ultimately each of us must come to know these great spiritual truths by following the counsel of Jesus, “If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself.”

In conclusion, I wish to make a humble declaration and affirmation that Jesus is the Christ, our Redeemer, and the Savior of the world. I do this with all the solemnity of my soul. ... I pray that our Savior will heal our souls, dry our tears, and create in each of us a pure heart. I also pray that we may find shelter in the shadows of His outstretched arms and that He will be merciful and forgiving concerning our weaknesses. ..."

If you would like to read this whole talk now or in your own time, here's the link below. 

www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/1988/10/the-supernal-gift-of-the-atonement

Stay Tuned until next time.

The Supernal Gift of the Atonement ~ Part One

Good Morning, Good Afternoon, Good Evening,

this post should take five minutes to read from start to finish.

This post focuses on October 1988 General Conference talk and it is called, "The Supernal Gift of the Atonement" by James E. Faust. This post is part one and I would like to share with you some highlights while I was reading the talk.

Elder Faust mentioned the following; 

"Through the Atonement and those singular events surrounding it, all of the terrible individual and collective sins of all mankind were taken upon the Lord’s shoulders. The marvelous result of this great suffering was that He was able to redeem from physical death the believers and the obedient as well as the unbelieving and disobedient. Every person ever born or yet to be born is the beneficiary of both the mediation and the atonement of the Savior.

The act of the Atonement is, in its simplest terms, a reconciliation of man with his God. The word atonement means to be at one. “It is literally at-one-ment.” ... Adam and Eve, having chosen to leave their state of innocence, were banished from the presence of God. ... It is a spiritual death because Adam and Eve were separated from the presence of God and given agency “to act for themselves and not to be acted upon.” 

... However, the posterity of Adam and Eve were innocent of the original sin because they had no part in it. It was therefore unfair for all of humanity to suffer eternally for the transgressions of our first parents, Adam and Eve. ... Because of the transcendent act of the Atonement, it is possible for every soul to obtain forgiveness of sins, to have them washed away and be forgotten. 

This forgiveness comes about, however, on condition of repentance and personal righteousness. There is a distinction between immortality, or eternal existence, and eternal life, which is to have a place in the presence of God. Through the grace of Jesus Christ, immortality comes to all men, just or unjust, righteous or wicked. However, eternal life is “the greatest of all the gifts of God.” ...

"There is no sin or transgression, pain or sorrow, which is outside
of the healing power of His Atonement." - C. Scott Grow.

President Joseph Fielding Smith explains, 

“This distinction between eternal life, as received by the faithful, and immortality, obtained by both the faithful and unfaithful, is shown in the words of the Lord to Moses: ‘For behold, this is my work and my glory to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man.’ ...

 It explains that the Lord is giving to the vast majority of men, those who will not be obedient, the blessing of immortality; and to those who will serve him, the blessing of eternal life.” 

It has been almost two thousand years since the wondrous occasion when death was conquered. We still do not know how the Savior was able to take upon Himself and bear our transgressions, our foolishness, our grief, our sorrows, and our burdens. It was indefinable and unfathomable. It was almost unbearable. ...

Even though, as a man or a woman, we are born, live a brief moment, and then die, through the atonement of Jesus Christ we will all live after death. Through the Mediation and Atonement we will be resurrected ourselves without going through any part of the atoning agony that the Son of God went through.

The testimonies of those faithful followers who saw, heard, and touched the resurrected Lord stand uncontroverted to this day. After the crucifixion, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome had bought sweet spices to anoint his body. 

But the devoted women were concerned as to who would roll away the great stone in front of the sepulchre. When they arrived, they found that the stone had been rolled away. A great earthquake had intervened, and an angel had rolled back the stone from the door and sat upon it, causing the keepers to shake with fear and become as dead men. 

The angel instructed the women to tell the disciples quickly of the Lord’s resurrection, assuring them that “he goeth before you into Galilee; there shall ye see him.” As they went to tell the disciples, “Jesus met them, saying, All hail. And they came and held him by the feet, and worshipped him.” 

During the forty days that the Savior spent with the Apostles and others, they heard and saw many unspeakable things. This special ministry changed the Apostles from an uncertain, confused, divided, and weak group into powerful witnesses of the Lord. ... 

Perhaps the Apostles should not be unduly criticized for not believing that Jesus, having been crucified and buried in a tomb, had come back to earth as a glorified being. In all human experience, this had never happened before. It was completely unprecedented. ... They all died again. Jesus, however, became a resurrected being. He would never die again. .."

Stay Tuned until next time.