I have studied the Atonement of Jesus Christ for several weeks now. Here are some things I have learned on the subject.
President Faust said, “... I wish to speak about the greatest event in all history. That singular event was the incomparable Atonement of our Lord and Savior, Jesus the Christ. This was the most transcendent act that has ever taken place, yet it is the most difficult to understand. My reason for wanting to learn all I can about the Atonement is partly selfish: Our salvation depends on believing in and accepting the Atonement. 1 Such acceptance requires a continual effort to understand it more fully. The Atonement advances our mortal course of learning by making it possible for our natures to become perfect. 2 All of us have sinned and need to repent to fully pay our part of the debt. When we sincerely repent, the Savior’s magnificent Atonement pays the rest of that debt.”
As used in the scriptures, to atone is to suffer the penalty for sins, thereby removing the effects of sin from the repentant sinner and allowing him or her to be reconciled to God. Jesus Christ was the only one capable of carrying out the Atonement for all mankind. Because of His Atonement, all people will be resurrected, and those who obey His gospel will receive the gift of eternal life with God.
As descendants of Adam and Eve, all people inherit the effects of the Fall. In our fallen state, we are subject to opposition and temptation. When we give in to temptation, we are alienated from God, and if we continue in sin, we experience spiritual death, being separated from His presence. We are all subject to temporal death, which is the death of the physical body.
The only way for us to be saved is for someone else to rescue us. We need someone who can satisfy the demands of justice—standing in our place to assume the burden of the Fall and to pay the price for our sins. Jesus Christ has always been the only one capable of making such a sacrifice.
From before the Creation of the earth, the Savior has been our only hope for “peace in this world, and eternal life in the world to come” (D&C 59:23).
Only He had the power to lay down His life and take it up again. From His mortal mother, Mary, He inherited the ability to die. From His immortal Father, He inherited the power to overcome death. He declared, As the Father hath life in himself; so hath he given to the Son to have life in himself” (John 5:26).
Only He could redeem us from our sins. God the Father gave Him this power. The Savior was able to receive this power and carry out the Atonement because He kept Himself free from sin: “He suffered temptations but gave no heed unto them” (D&C 20:22). Having lived a perfect, sinless life, He was free from the demands of justice. Because He had the power of redemption and because He had no debt to justice, he could pay the debt for those who repent.
Jesus’ atoning sacrifice took place in the Garden of Gethsemane and on the cross at Calvary. In Gethsemane He submitted to the will of the Father and began to take upon Himself the sins of all people. He has revealed some of what He experienced as He paid the price of our sins”
“I, God, have suffered these things for all, that they might not suffer if they would repent;
But if they would not repent they must suffer even as I;
“Which suffering caused myself, even God, the greatest of all, to tremble because of pain, and to bleed at every pore, and to suffer both body and spirit—and would that I might not drink he bitter cup, and shrink—
“Nevertheless, glory be to the Father, and I partook and finished my preparations unto the children of men” (D&C 19: 16-19)
The Savior continued to suffer for our sins when He allowed Himself to be crucified—“lifted up upon the cross and slain for the sins of the world” (1 Nephi 11:33).
On the cross, He allowed Himself to die. His body was then laid in a tomb until He was resurrected and became ‘the first fruits of them that slept” (1 Corinthians 15:20). Through His death and Resurrection, He overcame physical death for us all.
Jesus Christ redeems all people from the effects of the Fall. All people who have ever lived on the earth and who ever will live on the earth will be resurrected and brought back into the presence of God to be judged. Through the Savior’s gift of mercy and redeeming grace, we will all receive the gift of immortality and live forever in glorified, resurrected bodies.
Although we are redeemed unconditionally from the universal effects of the Fall, we are accountable for our own sins. But we can be forgiven and cleansed from the stain of sin if we “apply the atoning blood of Christ” (Mosiah 4:2). We must exercise faith in Jesus Christ, repent, be baptized for the remission of sins, and receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.
Bruce R. McConkie, “The Purifying Power of Gethsemane,” Ensign, May 1985, 9
"His rising from death on the third day crowned the Atonement. Again, in some way incomprehensible to us, the effects of his resurrection pass upon all men so that all shall rise from the grave.
As Adam brought death, so Christ brought life; as Adam is the father of mortality, so Christ is the father of immortality.
And without both, mortality and immortality, man cannot work out his salvation and ascend to those heights beyond the skies where gods and angels dwell forever in eternal glory.
Now, the atonement of Christ is the most basic and fundamental doctrine of the gospel, and it is the least understood of all our revealed truths.
Many of us have a superficial knowledge and rely upon the Lord and his goodness to see us through the trials and perils of life.
But if we are to have faith like Enoch and Elijah we must believe what they believed, know what they knew, and live as they lived.
May I invite you to join with me in gaining a sound and sure knowledge of the Atonement.
We must cast aside the philosophies of men and the wisdom of the wise and hearken to that Spirit which is given to us to guide us into all truth.
We must search the scriptures, accepting them as the mind and will and voice of the Lord and the very power of God unto salvation.
As we read, ponder, and pray, there will come into our minds a view of the three gardens of God—the Garden of Eden, the Garden of Gethsemane, and the Garden of the Empty Tomb where Jesus appeared to Mary Magdalene.
In Eden we will see all things created in a paradisiacal state—without death, without procreation, without probationary experiences.
We will come to know that such a creation, now unknown to man, was the only way to provide for the Fall.
We will then see Adam and Eve, the first man and the first woman, step down from their state of immortal and paradisiacal glory to become the first mortal flesh on earth.
Mortality, including as it does procreation and death, will enter the world. And because of transgression a probationary estate of trial and testing will begin.
Then in Gethsemane we will see the Son of God ransom man from the temporal and spiritual death that came to us because of the Fall.
And finally, before an empty tomb, we will come to know that Christ our Lord has burst the bands of death and stands forever triumphant over the grave.
Thus, Creation is father to the Fall; and by the Fall came mortality and death; and by Christ came immortality and eternal life.
If there had been no fall of Adam, by which cometh death, there could have been no atonement of Christ, by which cometh life.
And now, as pertaining to this perfect atonement, wrought by the shedding of the blood of God—I testify that it took place in Gethsemane and at Golgotha, and as pertaining to Jesus Christ, I testify that he is the Son of the Living God and was crucified for the sins of the world. He is our Lord, our God, and our King. This I know of myself independent of any other person.
I am one of his witnesses, and in a coming day I shall feel the nail marks in his hands and in his feet and shall wet his feet with my tears.
But I shall not know any better then than I know now that he is God’s Almighty Son, that he is our Savior and Redeemer, and that salvation comes in and through his atoning blood and in no other way."
Spencer J. Condie, “The Fall and Infinite Atonement,” Ensign, Jan 1996, 22
"The Prophet Joseph Smith taught that “the fundamental principles of our religion are the testimony of the Apostles and Prophets, concerning Jesus Christ, that He died, was buried, and rose again the third day, and ascended into heaven; and all other things which pertain to our religion are only appendages to it” (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, p. 121).
Let us briefly review the remarkably clear teachings of the Book of Mormon regarding the relationship between the fall of man and the Savior’s infinite atonement.
The Fall
Inspired Book of Mormon prophets repeatedly teach us that the Fall was a necessary and foreseen part of the great plan of happiness and that “the way [to salvation] is prepared from the fall of man” (2 Ne. 2:4; see also Mosiah 4:7). Far from being a great disappointment and disgrace to their Heavenly Father, Adam and Eve were his instruments to further the divine plan “which was prepared from the foundation of the world” (Mosiah 15:19). Indeed, Father Lehi taught his son Jacob that “if Adam [and Eve] had not transgressed [they] would not have fallen, but [they] would have remained in the garden of Eden. …
“And they would have had no children; wherefore they would have remained in a state of innocence, having no joy, for they knew no misery; doing no good, for they knew no sin” (2 Ne. 2:22–23; see also Alma 12:22–24).
The purpose of the Fall is succinctly summarized by Lehi: “Adam fell that men might be; and men are, that they might have joy” (2 Ne. 2:25). Much of this joy is found in our posterity.
The Atonement
One of the most profound and unique doctrinal contributions of the Book of Mormon is its teachings on the principle of restoration as this relates to Christ’s infinite atonement. In atoning for our sins, he made it possible for us to be restored, after the Resurrection, to the state of existence for which we are prepared.
Alma teaches us that “there is a law given, and a punishment affixed, and a repentance granted; which repentance, mercy claimeth; otherwise, justice claimeth the creature and executeth the law, and the law inflicteth the punishment” (Alma 42:22). By atoning for our sins as our Father planned, the Savior stands “betwixt” all of us sinners and the demands of justice, “having … taken upon himself [our] iniquity and [our] transgressions” (Mosiah 15:8–9). An atonement which could satisfy justice required the sacrifice of an innocent person who would vicariously suffer the punishment for the sins of others (see Alma 34:8–16). Justice demanded death, and the Redeemer died that he might become the firstfruits of the Resurrection and overcome the bonds of death. Mercy opened the way for the resurrection of all.
Spiritual restoration. To his struggling son Corianton, Alma clearly explained that “it is requisite with the justice of God that men should be judged according to their works” (Alma 41:3). Thus, after the Resurrection and Judgment some will be “raised to happiness according to [their] desires of happiness … ; and the other[s] to evil according to [their] desires of evil” (Alma 41:5). Continuing, Alma explicitly taught that “the meaning of the word restoration is to bring back again evil for evil, or carnal for carnal, or devilish for devilish—good for that which is good; righteous for that which is righteous; just for that which is just; merciful for that which is merciful” (Alma 41:13). Alma cautioned Corianton not to suppose “that ye shall be restored from sin to happiness. Behold, I say unto you, wickedness never was happiness” (Alma 41:10).
Amulek taught Zeezrom that “we shall be brought to stand before God, knowing even as we know now, and have a bright recollection of all our guilt” (Alma 11:43). Alma explained to his son Corianton that “the word restoration more fully condemneth the sinner, and justifieth him not at all” (Alma 41:15). That is the hard, wintry side of justice, judgment, and restoration.
But there is also a merciful side of restoration. Alma declared that “mercy cometh because of the atonement,” and though “justice exerciseth all his demands, … mercy claimeth all which is her own” upon conditions of true repentance. Alma then posed the provocative question: “What, do ye suppose that mercy can rob justice? I say unto you, Nay; not one whit. If so, God would cease to be God” (Alma 42:23–25\).
It is impossible for each of us to overcome the demands of justice solely through our own individual efforts. Nevertheless, we have been promised that “it is by grace that we are saved, after all we can do” (2 Ne. 25:23). Contrary to the distorted doctrine of being saved solely through grace and by predestination, the Book of Mormon teaches us that we must strive to keep the commandments and repent of our sins, and then the Savior makes up the difference.
A necessary part of “all we can do” includes participation in essential ordinances of the gospel.
Physical restoration. In writing of the Resurrection, Jacob taught the exquisite completeness of a physical restoration in which “the spirit and the body is restored to itself again, and all men become incorruptible, and immortal” (2 Ne. 9:13). Amulek also testified that in the Resurrection “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 even there shall not so much as a hair of their heads be lost; but every thing shall be restored to its perfect frame” (Alma 11:43–44; see also Alma 40:23).
Alma adds his testimony to those of Jacob and Amulek in testifying that “there is a space between death and the resurrection of the body, and a state of the soul in happiness or in misery until the time which is appointed of God that the dead shall come forth, and be reunited, both soul and body, and be brought to stand before God, and be judged according to their works” (Alma 40:21; emphasis added).
An Infinite Atonement
The Book of Mormon teaches us of an infinite atonement (see 2 Ne. 9:7; 2 Ne. 25:16; Alma 34:10, 12, 14), an atoning sacrifice by Christ that is unbounded by time, ethnicity, geography, or even kinds of sins, save for the unpardonable sin of denying the Holy Ghost (see Alma 39:6). The Resurrection includes all people “from the days of Adam down” to the end of time (Alma 40:18), those “both old and young, both bond and free, both male and female” (Alma 11:44). The Atonement is also infinite in the sense that the Savior not only overcame death and sin, but he also took upon himself “the pains and the sicknesses” and the “infirmities” of his people (Alma 7:11–12). The Atonement is infinite, too, in that because of the redemption made possible by his beloved Son, our Heavenly Father is able to forgive us “as often as [we] repent” (Mosiah 26:30–31; see also Moro. 6:8).
The Miracle of Forgiveness
The Lord himself revealed to Alma that “as often as my people repent will I forgive them their trespasses against me.
“And ye shall also forgive one another your trespasses; for verily I say unto you, he that forgiveth not his neighbor’s trespasses when he says that he repents, the same hath brought himself under condemnation” (Mosiah 26:30–31).
Does this mean that I am expected to forgive my neighbor whose dog dug up my garden? Yes! Is an injured wife required to forgive her unfaithful husband? Yes! Are parents required to forgive their prodigal child who has besmirched their good family name? Yes! Are children required to forgive abusive parents? Yes! Must I really forgive a business associate who bilks me out of my pension? Yes!
But where do we acquire the spiritual and emotional strength to forgive those who have offended us and sinned against us? Mormon provides the prescription: “Pray unto the Father with all the energy of heart, that ye may be filled with this love … ; that when [Christ] shall appear we shall be like him … ; that we may be purified even as he is pure” (Moro. 7:48).
The goal of the great plan of happiness is to become like Christ so that we may someday dwell in his presence and in the presence of our Heavenly Father. An unforgiving and vengeful heart is unholy, as is the heart of an adulterer or someone addicted to pornography. Any inability we might have to forgive others becomes a barrier between us and the Savior. If we are to become like him, we must freely forgive others as he has forgiven us (see 3 Ne. 13:11; D&C 64:10).
From Precept to Practice
It is, of course, always easier to speak of Christlike attributes in the abstract than to practice them in the heat of battle, but if we are to become like Christ, we must learn to forgive as he forgave.
Our Savior, at the close of his brief ministry among the Nephites, posed the following soul-searching question: “What manner of men ought ye to be? Verily I say unto you, even as I am” (3 Ne. 27:27). And what manner of Son was he? Abinadi foresaw that Christ would suffer but not yield to temptation. He would “be mocked, and scourged, and cast out, and disowned by his people” (Mosiah 15:5). He would be “crucified, and slain, the flesh becoming subject even unto death, the will of the Son being swallowed up in the will of the Father” (Mosiah 15:7).
When our will is swallowed up in the will of the Father and of the Son, then we are truly reconciled unto them. We will then be full partakers of the Savior’s atonement and experience the greatest miracle of all—the miracle of forgiveness.
Sunday, October 11, 2009
Thoughts and Impressions on Mosiah 4
These verses are great in explaining the atonement of Jesus Christ. The people felt their own inadequacy. They knew they needed to take part in the atonement. They had felt the spirit prick their hearts. They humbled themselves before the Lord. We need to do the same. We at times feel our own inadequacy. We need to humble ourselves before the Lord. We need to have the spirit in our own heart. It is through the Atonement of Jesus Christ that we are able to return to our Heavenly Father. The Atonement was prepared from the foundation of the world.
King Benjamin taught how his people and everyone can receive the Atonement. We should put our trust in the Lord. We should diligently follow the commandments of the Lord. We should continue in faith through out our lives. This is how we can receive the Atonement in our lives.
We need to believe in Heavenly Father. We need to believe that through Him all things are possible. We need to believe that He has all wisdom. We need to believe that we need to repent and forsake our sins. We need to humble ourselves before Heavenly Father. We need to pray for forgiveness with all sincerity of heart. If we stay humble before Heavenly Father, by calling on Him daily, and standing steadfast in the faith; we can always have happiness and feel the love of Heavenly Father with us all ways.
I find it interesting that after King Benjamin taught his people about the Atonement of Jesus Christ he then taught the people to teach their children and to take care of the poor. It is a smooth transition from the three subjects. As we have the Atonement in our lives we will want to teach our children the same truths. Parents have a responsibility to teach their children. Also when we move beyond our family we are instructed to serve others who are in need. In the ministry of the Savior where was he found? He was found with the children and with the poor. As we follow Him shouldn’t we do like wise?
King Benjamin taught how his people and everyone can receive the Atonement. We should put our trust in the Lord. We should diligently follow the commandments of the Lord. We should continue in faith through out our lives. This is how we can receive the Atonement in our lives.
We need to believe in Heavenly Father. We need to believe that through Him all things are possible. We need to believe that He has all wisdom. We need to believe that we need to repent and forsake our sins. We need to humble ourselves before Heavenly Father. We need to pray for forgiveness with all sincerity of heart. If we stay humble before Heavenly Father, by calling on Him daily, and standing steadfast in the faith; we can always have happiness and feel the love of Heavenly Father with us all ways.
I find it interesting that after King Benjamin taught his people about the Atonement of Jesus Christ he then taught the people to teach their children and to take care of the poor. It is a smooth transition from the three subjects. As we have the Atonement in our lives we will want to teach our children the same truths. Parents have a responsibility to teach their children. Also when we move beyond our family we are instructed to serve others who are in need. In the ministry of the Savior where was he found? He was found with the children and with the poor. As we follow Him shouldn’t we do like wise?
Sunday, October 4, 2009
How am I doing?
The past few weeks I have been posting some of what I am learning during my scripture and gospel topic study. I thought it might be time do a little bit of an update on me. First I hope anyone who reads my study posts enjoyes them. I am just sharing meaningful things and if I am the only one getting anything out of them that is ok. But if anyone who reads them gets to thinking or gets anything meaningful out of them as well that is a bonus.
My scripture study has been like a roller coaster, up and down. We had a great talk on sripture study in church a few weeks ago. That really helped me decide to take an active stand in improving my scripture study. I can really tell a difference in the past few weeks. It has really given me strength in our everyday struggles. I have felt the spirit more aboundantly on a daily basises. I highly recommend it to anyone else who could use the spirit and strength in their lives.
School/Work seems to be going well. We had some rough patches with behaviors but everyone seems to be setteling in. I have two students that in the past have had behavior issues. They are both, I have been told, doing a lot better this year. Again I have been told that I am doing a good job with them. Whether it is my efforts or the kids growing a little more mature I don't know. It can seem like a really struggle to reach my kids. So it can be hard to tell what is getting through to them. So I try to take it one day at a time and keep in mind there needs. I pray that I can be inspired in reaching my kids and giving them what they need.
My braille class is coming along. It is hard to believe that midterms are coming up. It is a hard but interesting class. Braille is like learning a new language. There are so many rules we are learning and contractions that is getting a bit over whelming. Everything is based on a cell of 6 dots in two parralel standing lines. Dots 1,2,and 3 are on the left line and dots 4,5, and 6 are on the right line. Dots 1 and 4 are at the top of their lines. Each combination of dots have meaning. Putting combinations of cells together have meaning.
Lets take the letter e for an example. The letter e is represented with dot 1 and dot 5. So writing out say apple you would do dot 1 and 5 for the letter e. The letter e also stands for the number 5. When righting numbers you have to proceed with a number sign which is dots 3,4,5,and 6. So to write the number 5 I would do dots 3,4,5,and 6 then dots 1 and 5. We also have one-cell whole word contractions. So in a sentance if the letter e is by itself it stands for the word every. We also have initial letter contractions. This is wen dot 5 perceeds a letter. For dot 5 and then dot 1 and 5 for e means ever. There are rules to use initial letter contractions in words to shorten them. Then you add in short form words, punctuation, capitalization and you can see how much there is to learn and remember. There is a lot of things still to learn. We are only up to chapter 4 in our book.
I am still the assistant ward clerk over finance in the ward. I am trying to keep up with it and everything it intails. It has been a struggle at times learning what to do. It has not been by favorite calling. But I serve the best I can. That is all any of us can say.
Well I will close this update. Hope if you are reading it you are doing well. I hope you get something positive out of it.
My scripture study has been like a roller coaster, up and down. We had a great talk on sripture study in church a few weeks ago. That really helped me decide to take an active stand in improving my scripture study. I can really tell a difference in the past few weeks. It has really given me strength in our everyday struggles. I have felt the spirit more aboundantly on a daily basises. I highly recommend it to anyone else who could use the spirit and strength in their lives.
School/Work seems to be going well. We had some rough patches with behaviors but everyone seems to be setteling in. I have two students that in the past have had behavior issues. They are both, I have been told, doing a lot better this year. Again I have been told that I am doing a good job with them. Whether it is my efforts or the kids growing a little more mature I don't know. It can seem like a really struggle to reach my kids. So it can be hard to tell what is getting through to them. So I try to take it one day at a time and keep in mind there needs. I pray that I can be inspired in reaching my kids and giving them what they need.
My braille class is coming along. It is hard to believe that midterms are coming up. It is a hard but interesting class. Braille is like learning a new language. There are so many rules we are learning and contractions that is getting a bit over whelming. Everything is based on a cell of 6 dots in two parralel standing lines. Dots 1,2,and 3 are on the left line and dots 4,5, and 6 are on the right line. Dots 1 and 4 are at the top of their lines. Each combination of dots have meaning. Putting combinations of cells together have meaning.
Lets take the letter e for an example. The letter e is represented with dot 1 and dot 5. So writing out say apple you would do dot 1 and 5 for the letter e. The letter e also stands for the number 5. When righting numbers you have to proceed with a number sign which is dots 3,4,5,and 6. So to write the number 5 I would do dots 3,4,5,and 6 then dots 1 and 5. We also have one-cell whole word contractions. So in a sentance if the letter e is by itself it stands for the word every. We also have initial letter contractions. This is wen dot 5 perceeds a letter. For dot 5 and then dot 1 and 5 for e means ever. There are rules to use initial letter contractions in words to shorten them. Then you add in short form words, punctuation, capitalization and you can see how much there is to learn and remember. There is a lot of things still to learn. We are only up to chapter 4 in our book.
I am still the assistant ward clerk over finance in the ward. I am trying to keep up with it and everything it intails. It has been a struggle at times learning what to do. It has not been by favorite calling. But I serve the best I can. That is all any of us can say.
Well I will close this update. Hope if you are reading it you are doing well. I hope you get something positive out of it.
Thoughts and impressions during scripture reading
Mosiah Chapter 3:1-19
These verses are all about the Atonement of the Savior. King Benjamin is teaching his people things he learned from an angle. The angle visits him in answer to his prayers. Once again, it is proving that Heavenly Father will answer prayers. He is commanded to teach the people the words of the angel. He learns a little bit about the life of the Savior. He learns that the Savior will come down from heaven. He learns the Savior will come and do miracles. He learns that the Savior will be subjected to temptations. He learns that the Savior will suffer for mankind. He learns the Savior will bring salvation unto those with faith in Him. He learns that the Savior will rise the third day. He learns the Savior will judge the world in righteous judgment. He learns that the Savior atoneth for those who sinneth in ignorance. He learns that those who rebel against God will not be saved except through repentance and faith in Jesus Christ. He learns men must become as little children, submissive, meek, humble, patient, full of love, willing to submit to all things which the Lord seeth fit to inflict upon him, even as a child doth submit to his father
and believe that salvation cometh through the blood of Jesus Christ.
So what about us in our day? The things King Benjamin taught his people still apply to us today. Nothing has changed in regards to these truths. It gives us comfort to know that Heavenly Father is mindful of his children in all dispensations. That there is a plan that was began before the world was created in order to help us return home to Him. The Savior lived and died and lives again to be our example and to give us the way back. We may struggle from time to time in this life whether it is physically, spiritually, emotionally, or psychologically but Jesus Christ can lift us no mater what the circumstance. He knows exactly how we feel and how to help us overcome. It can be hard at times with the distractions of the world and the Adversary. However we have to do all we can and He will do the rest. We have to be submissive, meek, humble, patient, full of love, willing to submit to all things that may come our way. We need to believe and trust in Jesus Christ. When we do these things we can have the Atonement in our lives. For if the Lord is with us, how can we fail?
These verses are all about the Atonement of the Savior. King Benjamin is teaching his people things he learned from an angle. The angle visits him in answer to his prayers. Once again, it is proving that Heavenly Father will answer prayers. He is commanded to teach the people the words of the angel. He learns a little bit about the life of the Savior. He learns that the Savior will come down from heaven. He learns the Savior will come and do miracles. He learns that the Savior will be subjected to temptations. He learns that the Savior will suffer for mankind. He learns the Savior will bring salvation unto those with faith in Him. He learns that the Savior will rise the third day. He learns the Savior will judge the world in righteous judgment. He learns that the Savior atoneth for those who sinneth in ignorance. He learns that those who rebel against God will not be saved except through repentance and faith in Jesus Christ. He learns men must become as little children, submissive, meek, humble, patient, full of love, willing to submit to all things which the Lord seeth fit to inflict upon him, even as a child doth submit to his father
and believe that salvation cometh through the blood of Jesus Christ.
So what about us in our day? The things King Benjamin taught his people still apply to us today. Nothing has changed in regards to these truths. It gives us comfort to know that Heavenly Father is mindful of his children in all dispensations. That there is a plan that was began before the world was created in order to help us return home to Him. The Savior lived and died and lives again to be our example and to give us the way back. We may struggle from time to time in this life whether it is physically, spiritually, emotionally, or psychologically but Jesus Christ can lift us no mater what the circumstance. He knows exactly how we feel and how to help us overcome. It can be hard at times with the distractions of the world and the Adversary. However we have to do all we can and He will do the rest. We have to be submissive, meek, humble, patient, full of love, willing to submit to all things that may come our way. We need to believe and trust in Jesus Christ. When we do these things we can have the Atonement in our lives. For if the Lord is with us, how can we fail?
Sunday, September 27, 2009
Forgiveness
I started this week studying the atonement. However it soon moved over to the principle of the atonment: forgiveness. So this is some of things I learned about forgiveness.
Forgiveness
The following is from the lds.org gospel topic page on forgiveness.
To forgive is a divine attribute. It is to pardon or excuse someone from blame for an offense or misdeed. The scriptures refer to forgiveness in two ways. The Lord commands us to repent of our sins and seek His forgiveness. He also commands us to forgive those who offend or hurt us.
Seeking Forgiveness from the Lord
Sin is a heavy burden. It brings the tenseness of guilt and the anguish of Knowing that we have acted against the will of our Father in Heaven. It brings lingering remorse as we realize that because of our actions, we may have hurt others and prevented ourselves from receiving blessings our Father has been ready to give us.
Because of the Atonement of Jesus Christ, we can receive forgiveness for our sins through sincere and complete repentance. Sinfulness brings suffering and pain, but the Lord’s forgiveness brings relief, comfort, and joy. The Lord has promised:
“Behold, he who has repented of his sins, the same is forgiven, and I, the Lord, remember them no more’ (D&C 58:42)
We can experience this miracle, whether we need to repent of serious sins or day-to-day weaknesses. Just as the Savior pleaded with people anciently, He pleads with us today:
“Will ye not now return unto me, and repent of your sins, and be converted, that I may heal you?
“Yea, verily I say unto you, if ye will come unto me ye shall have eternal life. Behold, mine are of mercy is extended towards you, and whosoever will come, him will I receive; and blessed are those who come unto me” (3 Nephi 9:13-14).
Forgiving Others
In addition to seeking forgiveness for our own sins, we must be willing to forgive others. The Lord said: “Ye ought to forgive one another; for he that forgiveth not his brother his trespasses standeth condemned before the Lord; for there remaineth in him the greater sin, I, the Lord, will forgive whom I will forgive, but of you it is required to forgive all men” (D&C 64:9-10).
In the everyday circumstances of life, we will surely be wronged by other people—sometimes innocently and sometimes intentionally. It is easy to become bitter or angry or vengeful in such situations, but this is not the Lord’s way. The Savior counseled, “Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you” (Matthew 5:44). He set the perfect example of forgiveness when He was on the cross. Referring to the Roman soldiers who had crucified Him, He prayed, “Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do” (Luke 23:34).
We should pray for strength to forgive those who have wronged us, and we should abandon feelings of anger, bitterness, or revenge. We should also look for the good in others rather than focusing on their faults and magnifying their weaknesses. God will be the judge of others’ harmful actions.
[Might I add here that we need to include ourselves in the Lord’s commandment to forgive all men. We are sometimes hardest on ourselves. If the Lord is willing to forgive us why do we sometimes find it hard to forgive ourselves?]
Elder David E. Sorensen, “Forgiveness Will Change Bitterness to Love,” Ensign, May 2003, 10
The Savior said, “Agree with thine adversary quickly, whiles thou art in the way with him,” thus commanding us to resolve our differences early on, lest the passions of the moment escalate into physical or emotional cruelty, and we fall captive to our anger.
Nowhere does this principle apply more than in our families. [E]ach of us on earth, living under the stress and strain of this telestial climate, will have reason—real or perceived—to take offense. How will we react? Will we take offense? Will we find fault? We let the passions of the moment overcome us?
President Brigham Young once compared being offended to a poisonous snakebite. He said that “there are two courses of action to follow when one is bitten by a rattlesnake. One may, in anger, fear, or vengefulness, pursue the creature and kill it. Or he may make full haste to get the venom out of his system.” He said, “If we pursue the latter course we will likely survive, but if we attempt to follow the former, we may not be around long enough to finish it.”
Now let me take a moment here to note hat we must take care in our families not to cause spiritual or emotional snakebites in the first place! Let us not hurt the ones we love most by selfish criticism! In our families, small arguments and petty criticisms, if allowed to go unchecked, can poison relationships and escalate into estrangements, even abuse and divorce. [W]e must … eliminate ridicule, do away with criticism, and remove resentment and anger. We cannot afford to let such dangerous passions ruminate—not even one day.
I would like to make it clear that forgiveness of sins should not be confused with tolerating evil. Forgiveness does not require us to accept or tolerate evil. It does not require us to ignore the wrong that we see in the world around us or in our own lives. But as we fight against sin, we must not allow hatred or anger to control our thoughts or actions.
This is not to say that forgiveness is easy. When someone has hurt us or those we care about, that pain can almost be overwhelming. It can be very difficult to forgive someone the harm they’ve done us, but when we do, we open ourselves up to a better future. No longer does someone else’s wrongdoing control our course when we forgive others, it frees us to choose how we will live our own lives. Forgiveness means that problems of the past no longer dictate our destinies, and we can focus on the future with God’s love in our hearts.
Elder Cecil O. Samuelson Jr., “Words of Jesus: Forgiveness,” Ensign, Feb 2003, 48
President Spencer W. Kimball observed peace and the Savior’s doctrine of forgiveness are inseparably connected: “The essence … of forgiveness is that it brings peace to the previously anxious, restless, frustrated, perhaps tormented soul.”
We must look to the Savior, not the wisdom of the world, for peace and forgiveness.
Those who wish to consider themselves as disciples of the Master must understand that we owe a great debt to our Heavenly King for the many gifts we have received from Him. This understanding unlocks the door to the gifts or repentance and our own forgiveness. The retention of these gifts depends upon our faithful forgiveness of those who have offended us. The Savior said, “Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy” (Matt. 5:7) and, “With what judgment ye judge, e shall be judged” (Matt. 7:2).
Forgiving others, however, does not necessarily mean that we would endorse or approve of the behavior or transgression. In fact, there are many actions and attitudes that deserve clear condemnation. But even in these we must completely forgive the offender. “Forgive, and ye shall be forgiven” (Luke 6:37).
The Savior was very clear that, conditioned on repentance, all of our sins can be forgiven through His sacred and atoning sacrifice except for what He called “blasphemy against the Holy Ghost” (Matt. 12:31). The Prophet Joseph Smith taught on this subject: “Jesus will save all except the sons of perdition. What must a man do to commit the unpardonable sin? He must receive the Holy Ghost, have the heavens opened unto him, and know God, and then sin against Him.
Thus, the clear assurance of the Redeemer is that “all sins shall be forgiven” (Mark 3:28) when we repent, for the Savior’s mission was to preach repentance.
The Savior taught His disciples on two separate occasions that they were to pray for forgiveness of sins or debts to God. We are also to demonstrate the sincerity of our prayers by forgiving those who have sinned against us.
In all our forgiving and seeking forgiveness, we must recognize that, despite whatever restitution we may be capable of providing or receiving, our efforts and those of others are woefully insufficient to meet the demands of eternal justice. How, then, is true forgiveness possible? Paul, speaking to the Ephesians, wrote that it is in Christ that we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace” (Eph. 1:7).
The blessings that flow from the gift of forgiveness are many. Chief among them is peace. It is the Savior’s desire that we each feel His peace. He said: “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you. …let no your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid” (John 14:27). The forgiveness we offer to others and forgiveness we receive from Jesus Christ lead us to him and along the path to eternal life.
Forgiveness
The following is from the lds.org gospel topic page on forgiveness.
To forgive is a divine attribute. It is to pardon or excuse someone from blame for an offense or misdeed. The scriptures refer to forgiveness in two ways. The Lord commands us to repent of our sins and seek His forgiveness. He also commands us to forgive those who offend or hurt us.
Seeking Forgiveness from the Lord
Sin is a heavy burden. It brings the tenseness of guilt and the anguish of Knowing that we have acted against the will of our Father in Heaven. It brings lingering remorse as we realize that because of our actions, we may have hurt others and prevented ourselves from receiving blessings our Father has been ready to give us.
Because of the Atonement of Jesus Christ, we can receive forgiveness for our sins through sincere and complete repentance. Sinfulness brings suffering and pain, but the Lord’s forgiveness brings relief, comfort, and joy. The Lord has promised:
“Behold, he who has repented of his sins, the same is forgiven, and I, the Lord, remember them no more’ (D&C 58:42)
We can experience this miracle, whether we need to repent of serious sins or day-to-day weaknesses. Just as the Savior pleaded with people anciently, He pleads with us today:
“Will ye not now return unto me, and repent of your sins, and be converted, that I may heal you?
“Yea, verily I say unto you, if ye will come unto me ye shall have eternal life. Behold, mine are of mercy is extended towards you, and whosoever will come, him will I receive; and blessed are those who come unto me” (3 Nephi 9:13-14).
Forgiving Others
In addition to seeking forgiveness for our own sins, we must be willing to forgive others. The Lord said: “Ye ought to forgive one another; for he that forgiveth not his brother his trespasses standeth condemned before the Lord; for there remaineth in him the greater sin, I, the Lord, will forgive whom I will forgive, but of you it is required to forgive all men” (D&C 64:9-10).
In the everyday circumstances of life, we will surely be wronged by other people—sometimes innocently and sometimes intentionally. It is easy to become bitter or angry or vengeful in such situations, but this is not the Lord’s way. The Savior counseled, “Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you” (Matthew 5:44). He set the perfect example of forgiveness when He was on the cross. Referring to the Roman soldiers who had crucified Him, He prayed, “Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do” (Luke 23:34).
We should pray for strength to forgive those who have wronged us, and we should abandon feelings of anger, bitterness, or revenge. We should also look for the good in others rather than focusing on their faults and magnifying their weaknesses. God will be the judge of others’ harmful actions.
[Might I add here that we need to include ourselves in the Lord’s commandment to forgive all men. We are sometimes hardest on ourselves. If the Lord is willing to forgive us why do we sometimes find it hard to forgive ourselves?]
Elder David E. Sorensen, “Forgiveness Will Change Bitterness to Love,” Ensign, May 2003, 10
The Savior said, “Agree with thine adversary quickly, whiles thou art in the way with him,” thus commanding us to resolve our differences early on, lest the passions of the moment escalate into physical or emotional cruelty, and we fall captive to our anger.
Nowhere does this principle apply more than in our families. [E]ach of us on earth, living under the stress and strain of this telestial climate, will have reason—real or perceived—to take offense. How will we react? Will we take offense? Will we find fault? We let the passions of the moment overcome us?
President Brigham Young once compared being offended to a poisonous snakebite. He said that “there are two courses of action to follow when one is bitten by a rattlesnake. One may, in anger, fear, or vengefulness, pursue the creature and kill it. Or he may make full haste to get the venom out of his system.” He said, “If we pursue the latter course we will likely survive, but if we attempt to follow the former, we may not be around long enough to finish it.”
Now let me take a moment here to note hat we must take care in our families not to cause spiritual or emotional snakebites in the first place! Let us not hurt the ones we love most by selfish criticism! In our families, small arguments and petty criticisms, if allowed to go unchecked, can poison relationships and escalate into estrangements, even abuse and divorce. [W]e must … eliminate ridicule, do away with criticism, and remove resentment and anger. We cannot afford to let such dangerous passions ruminate—not even one day.
I would like to make it clear that forgiveness of sins should not be confused with tolerating evil. Forgiveness does not require us to accept or tolerate evil. It does not require us to ignore the wrong that we see in the world around us or in our own lives. But as we fight against sin, we must not allow hatred or anger to control our thoughts or actions.
This is not to say that forgiveness is easy. When someone has hurt us or those we care about, that pain can almost be overwhelming. It can be very difficult to forgive someone the harm they’ve done us, but when we do, we open ourselves up to a better future. No longer does someone else’s wrongdoing control our course when we forgive others, it frees us to choose how we will live our own lives. Forgiveness means that problems of the past no longer dictate our destinies, and we can focus on the future with God’s love in our hearts.
Elder Cecil O. Samuelson Jr., “Words of Jesus: Forgiveness,” Ensign, Feb 2003, 48
President Spencer W. Kimball observed peace and the Savior’s doctrine of forgiveness are inseparably connected: “The essence … of forgiveness is that it brings peace to the previously anxious, restless, frustrated, perhaps tormented soul.”
We must look to the Savior, not the wisdom of the world, for peace and forgiveness.
Those who wish to consider themselves as disciples of the Master must understand that we owe a great debt to our Heavenly King for the many gifts we have received from Him. This understanding unlocks the door to the gifts or repentance and our own forgiveness. The retention of these gifts depends upon our faithful forgiveness of those who have offended us. The Savior said, “Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy” (Matt. 5:7) and, “With what judgment ye judge, e shall be judged” (Matt. 7:2).
Forgiving others, however, does not necessarily mean that we would endorse or approve of the behavior or transgression. In fact, there are many actions and attitudes that deserve clear condemnation. But even in these we must completely forgive the offender. “Forgive, and ye shall be forgiven” (Luke 6:37).
The Savior was very clear that, conditioned on repentance, all of our sins can be forgiven through His sacred and atoning sacrifice except for what He called “blasphemy against the Holy Ghost” (Matt. 12:31). The Prophet Joseph Smith taught on this subject: “Jesus will save all except the sons of perdition. What must a man do to commit the unpardonable sin? He must receive the Holy Ghost, have the heavens opened unto him, and know God, and then sin against Him.
Thus, the clear assurance of the Redeemer is that “all sins shall be forgiven” (Mark 3:28) when we repent, for the Savior’s mission was to preach repentance.
The Savior taught His disciples on two separate occasions that they were to pray for forgiveness of sins or debts to God. We are also to demonstrate the sincerity of our prayers by forgiving those who have sinned against us.
In all our forgiving and seeking forgiveness, we must recognize that, despite whatever restitution we may be capable of providing or receiving, our efforts and those of others are woefully insufficient to meet the demands of eternal justice. How, then, is true forgiveness possible? Paul, speaking to the Ephesians, wrote that it is in Christ that we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace” (Eph. 1:7).
The blessings that flow from the gift of forgiveness are many. Chief among them is peace. It is the Savior’s desire that we each feel His peace. He said: “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you. …let no your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid” (John 14:27). The forgiveness we offer to others and forgiveness we receive from Jesus Christ lead us to him and along the path to eternal life.
Saturday, September 19, 2009
thoughts and impression during scripture studying Mosiah chapt. 1
Mosiah
Chapter 1:1-8 King Benjamin teaches his three sons.
King Benjamin taught his sons spiritual things from the scriptures and an education for life. I find it interesting that Mormon took some time in explaining that King Benjamin taught his sons. Education is important. We will not be saved in ignorance. If a person dies with out hearing the gospel, they will be taught in the spirit world. Our learning and education must be life long pursuit. Church leaders have always taught the value of an education both temporally and spiritually.
Parents have a duty to be like King Benjamin and educate their children. Even at an early age children can begin learning from the scriptures. I remember learning scripture stories when I was very young. I don’t know how many sets of tapes and simple scripture story books we went through as a kid. A favorite game in the car was “name that prophet”. A description of a prophet’s life and example would bit by bit come out until some one else playing could tell who the prophet’s was.
Kids can also share in reading from the scriptures. They can read with parents by repeating phrases one at a time that is read out loud. This way they can read verses from the scriptures. For parents to teach children the scriptures need to be reading and learning as well. You can’t teach what you don’t know. Parents also need to be aware when a teaching moment comes around. They will not always be planned for. Parents need to be confident in sharing their testimonies with their children. This comes through words and actions. Again testimonies can be shared in the quiet and teachable moments.
Chapter 1: 13-14 highly favored people
King Benjamin tells Mosiah that the people are highly favored of the Lord. The Lord has through his power preserved them from enemies because of their righteousness. If he had not extended his arm to preserve the people they would have fallen. He also gives a warning. If the people turn to wickedness, then they are on their own. This seems to be a reoccurring them through out the Book of Mormon. If you are righteous you will be preserved if you are wicked will fall.
The same is true for us. We are a highly favored people. We have been told that we are a chosen generation. It is interesting to note that the word used is preserve. King Benjamin does not say save. We will still have trials and struggles. They will not be taken away from us. But we can be carried through the trials and struggles if we stay true to the Lord and his gospel. I am reminded of the canning process. To preserve the food in the jars, they first have to go through a lot of heat and pressure. Only when they have gone through what is required are they preserved. The same is true for us. When we are going through our heat and pressure the Lord will extended his arm and preserve us if we stay true and faithful.
The question then is: How do we stay true and faithful? It is rather simple but many times we lose focus and try to make it hard. Any primary child can tell us the answer: read the scriptures, pray and fast, attend church meetings, serve others, and share your testimony. We could probably think of more things we could do. We need to do the basics daily in our lives. Everything we need to do is taught in primary. Simple things that we can make complicated in our lives. We need to take stock of our lives from time to time. Really take a good honest look of our lives and take steps to do these things. It is interesting that when taught the gospel the convert’s first commitments are to read the Book of Mormon, pray to Heavenly Father, and attend church. Everything else is built upon that foundation. The same is true in our lives as well. Everything else is built on this foundation. If we are keeping the foundation strong, then we will not fall but be preserved by the arm of the Lord.
Chapter 1:1-8 King Benjamin teaches his three sons.
King Benjamin taught his sons spiritual things from the scriptures and an education for life. I find it interesting that Mormon took some time in explaining that King Benjamin taught his sons. Education is important. We will not be saved in ignorance. If a person dies with out hearing the gospel, they will be taught in the spirit world. Our learning and education must be life long pursuit. Church leaders have always taught the value of an education both temporally and spiritually.
Parents have a duty to be like King Benjamin and educate their children. Even at an early age children can begin learning from the scriptures. I remember learning scripture stories when I was very young. I don’t know how many sets of tapes and simple scripture story books we went through as a kid. A favorite game in the car was “name that prophet”. A description of a prophet’s life and example would bit by bit come out until some one else playing could tell who the prophet’s was.
Kids can also share in reading from the scriptures. They can read with parents by repeating phrases one at a time that is read out loud. This way they can read verses from the scriptures. For parents to teach children the scriptures need to be reading and learning as well. You can’t teach what you don’t know. Parents also need to be aware when a teaching moment comes around. They will not always be planned for. Parents need to be confident in sharing their testimonies with their children. This comes through words and actions. Again testimonies can be shared in the quiet and teachable moments.
Chapter 1: 13-14 highly favored people
King Benjamin tells Mosiah that the people are highly favored of the Lord. The Lord has through his power preserved them from enemies because of their righteousness. If he had not extended his arm to preserve the people they would have fallen. He also gives a warning. If the people turn to wickedness, then they are on their own. This seems to be a reoccurring them through out the Book of Mormon. If you are righteous you will be preserved if you are wicked will fall.
The same is true for us. We are a highly favored people. We have been told that we are a chosen generation. It is interesting to note that the word used is preserve. King Benjamin does not say save. We will still have trials and struggles. They will not be taken away from us. But we can be carried through the trials and struggles if we stay true to the Lord and his gospel. I am reminded of the canning process. To preserve the food in the jars, they first have to go through a lot of heat and pressure. Only when they have gone through what is required are they preserved. The same is true for us. When we are going through our heat and pressure the Lord will extended his arm and preserve us if we stay true and faithful.
The question then is: How do we stay true and faithful? It is rather simple but many times we lose focus and try to make it hard. Any primary child can tell us the answer: read the scriptures, pray and fast, attend church meetings, serve others, and share your testimony. We could probably think of more things we could do. We need to do the basics daily in our lives. Everything we need to do is taught in primary. Simple things that we can make complicated in our lives. We need to take stock of our lives from time to time. Really take a good honest look of our lives and take steps to do these things. It is interesting that when taught the gospel the convert’s first commitments are to read the Book of Mormon, pray to Heavenly Father, and attend church. Everything else is built upon that foundation. The same is true in our lives as well. Everything else is built on this foundation. If we are keeping the foundation strong, then we will not fall but be preserved by the arm of the Lord.
Friday, September 18, 2009
thoughts and impressions during scripture study of Enos
Enos 1:2-4 “And my soul hungered; ….”
When is the last time your soul hungered? Was it during a hard trial or maybe contemplating the word? Our soul needs to be feed nutritious things all the time like our body does. Not once in a while. We can see the affects an unhealthy diet has on a body. Why is it some times hard to see the affects an “unhealthy diet” has on our soul? We need to stop and see the affects our lives an actions has on our soul. Are we giving my/our soul an unhealthy spiritual diet? That is a question we need to ask from time to time. We need to have good thoughts, actions, and feelings in our mind and lives. A healthy spiritual diet can make all the difference. It can even roll over into our mental health as well.
Enos gave us all a great example he listened to the word, he pondered their meaning, he prayed until he got personal revelations, and he started the cycle over again. We need to make this a habit. When we hear the gospel taught it can touch us if we are listening. It can give us what we need in our lives right now. As we feel the spirit prick our hearts we need to take note. We need to take the time to ponder it out in our minds. Then we need to pray about what we pondered and keep at it until we receive our own personal revelation. Then we should act on that revelation in our daily lives.
This process was a struggle for Enos. We can expect nothing less. Like exercising our bodies, it is hard work to exercise our mind and soul. But look at the rewards. Enos grew in his faith in the Lord. He was forgiven. He gained love for his people and their enemies. He received blessings and promises. He was a changed man in the Lord. It can happen to us. We can have our own experiences similar to Enos. It will take time. We are not given the time frame of Enos’ struggle. Did he do it all in a day, a week, a month, a year, or years? I think it was years. He would have received answers in the Lords time not ours. He may have received some answers in a timely manner, but I don’t think he stopped there. This is a life long process that will serve us well if we make it a habit and a priority in our lives.
When is the last time your soul hungered? Was it during a hard trial or maybe contemplating the word? Our soul needs to be feed nutritious things all the time like our body does. Not once in a while. We can see the affects an unhealthy diet has on a body. Why is it some times hard to see the affects an “unhealthy diet” has on our soul? We need to stop and see the affects our lives an actions has on our soul. Are we giving my/our soul an unhealthy spiritual diet? That is a question we need to ask from time to time. We need to have good thoughts, actions, and feelings in our mind and lives. A healthy spiritual diet can make all the difference. It can even roll over into our mental health as well.
Enos gave us all a great example he listened to the word, he pondered their meaning, he prayed until he got personal revelations, and he started the cycle over again. We need to make this a habit. When we hear the gospel taught it can touch us if we are listening. It can give us what we need in our lives right now. As we feel the spirit prick our hearts we need to take note. We need to take the time to ponder it out in our minds. Then we need to pray about what we pondered and keep at it until we receive our own personal revelation. Then we should act on that revelation in our daily lives.
This process was a struggle for Enos. We can expect nothing less. Like exercising our bodies, it is hard work to exercise our mind and soul. But look at the rewards. Enos grew in his faith in the Lord. He was forgiven. He gained love for his people and their enemies. He received blessings and promises. He was a changed man in the Lord. It can happen to us. We can have our own experiences similar to Enos. It will take time. We are not given the time frame of Enos’ struggle. Did he do it all in a day, a week, a month, a year, or years? I think it was years. He would have received answers in the Lords time not ours. He may have received some answers in a timely manner, but I don’t think he stopped there. This is a life long process that will serve us well if we make it a habit and a priority in our lives.
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