Atonement

My Personal position on the atonement is this: I know that without Christ I am nothing. Through the atonement of Christ I am enabled to accomplish things that I would otherwise not have the capability to do. When I put my trust in the Lord it opens the door for blessings.  It is through him we have all the tools we need to endure all trials and tests in this life and it is through His atoning power we eventually gain eternal life. Knowing this means that I rely on him, when life gets heavy I can turn to the Lord. By exercising faith in him I receive great blessings of assurance and strength.  I am committed to praying in his name knowing it is through his atoning power that mercy and grace is administered to me.  The more I learn to rely upon the Savior the more I can be a tool for good in his hands. As he delivers peace and strength to me in my trials I am enabled to help deliver this same peace and strength to others in their trials as he directs me.  

Supporting Quotes:

1.      Pres. Dieter F. Uchtdorf – April 2015 General Conference “The Gift of Grace” https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2015/04/the-gift-of-grace?lang=eng – “Throughout our lives, God’s grace bestows temporal blessings and spiritual gifts that magnify our abilities and enrich our lives. His grace refines us. His grace helps us become our best selves.”

2.      Pres. Henry B. Eyring – April 2012 General Conference “Mountains to Climb” https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2012/04/mountains-to-climb?lang=eng “If we have faith in Jesus Christ, the hardest as well as the easiest times in life can be a blessing. In all conditions, we can choose the right with the guidance of the Spirit. We have the gospel of Jesus Christ to shape and guide our lives if we choose it. And with prophets revealing to us our place in the plan of salvation, we can live with perfect hope and a feeling of peace. We never need to feel that we are alone or unloved in the Lord’s service because we never are. We can feel the love of God. The Savior has promised angels on our left and our right to bear us up. And He always keeps His word.”

3.      Pres. Thomas S. Monson – October 2014 General Conference “Ponder the Path of Thy Feet” https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2014/10/ponder-the-path-of-thy-feet?lang=eng “He did not send us here without direction and guidance. Rather, He has given us the tools we need, and will assist us as we seek His help to do all in our power to endure to the end and gain eternal life.” 

4.      Elder Jeffrey R. Holland – October 2013 General Conference “Like A Broken Vessel” https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2013/10/like-a-broken-vessel?lang=eng “I testify that that which was sown in corruption will one day be raised in incorruption and that which was sown in weakness will ultimately be raised in power.  I bear witness of that day when loved ones whom we knew to have disabilities in mortality will stand before us glorified and grand, breathtakingly perfect in body and mind. What a thrilling moment that will be! I do not know whether we will be happier for ourselves that we have witnessed such a miracle or happier for them that they are fully perfect and finally “free at last.” 12 Until that hour when Christ’s consummate gift is evident to us all, may we live by faith, hold fast to hope, and show “compassion one of another.”

5.      Elder Jeffrey R. Holland – October 2013 General Conference “Like A Broken Vessel” https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2013/10/like-a-broken-vessel?lang=eng “Of greatest assurance in God’s plan is that a Savior was promised, a Redeemer, who through our faith in Him would lift us triumphantly over those tests and trials, even though the cost to do so would be unfathomable for both the Father who sent Him and the Son who came. It is only an appreciation of this divine love that will make our own lesser suffering first bearable, then understandable, and finally redemptive.”

6.      Elder Richard G. Scott – October 2014 General Conference “Make the Exercise of Faith Your First Priority” https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2014/10/make-the-exercise-of-faith-your-first-priority?lang=eng “We knew we would face the evils of the adversary.  Sometimes we may feel more aware of the negative things of mortality than we are of the positive… Despite all the negative challenges we have in life, we must take the time to actively exercise faith our faith.  Such exercise invites the positive, faith-filled power of the Atonement of Jesus Christ into our lives.”

7.      Elder Richard G. Scott – October 2014 General Conference “Make the Exercise of Faith Your First Priority” https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2014/10/make-the-exercise-of-faith-your-first-priority?lang=eng “The temple is one of the best places to come to understand the power of the Atonement of Jesus Christ. Seek Him there. “…These four tools are fundamental habits for securing your life in the power of the Atonement of Jesus Christ. Remember our Savior is the Prince of Peace. Peace in this mortal life comes from His atoning sacrifice. When we are consistently praying morning and night, studying our scriptures daily, having weekly family home evening, and attending the temple regularly, we are actively responding to His invitation to “come unto Him.”

8.      Elder David A. Bednar – April 2015 General Conference “Therefore They Hushed Their Fears” https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2015/04/therefore-they-hushed-their-fears?lang=eng “The peace Christ gives allows us to view mortality through the precious perspective of eternity and supplies a spiritual settledness (see Colossians 1:23) that helps us maintain a consistent focus on our heavenly destination. Thus, we can be blessed to hush our fears because His doctrine provides purpose and direction in all aspects of our lives. His ordinances and covenants fortify and comfort in times both good and bad. And His priesthood authority gives assurance that the things that matter most can endure both in time and in eternity.”

9.      Elder David A. Bednar – April 2015 General Conference “Therefore They Hushed Their Fears” https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2015/04/therefore-they-hushed-their-fears?lang=eng “Correct knowledge of and faith in the Lord empower us to hush our fears because Jesus Christ is the only source of enduring peace. He declared, “Learn of me, and listen to my words; walk in the meekness of my Spirit, and you shall have peace in me” (D&C 19:23).”

10.  Elder Quentin L. Cook – October 2013 General Conference “Lamentations of Jeramiah: Beware of Bondage” https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2013/10/lamentations-of-jeremiah-beware-of-bondage?lang=eng Our challenge is to avoid bondage of any kind, help the Lord gather His elect, and sacrifice for the rising generation. We must always remember that we do not save ourselves. We are liberated by the love, grace, and atoning sacrifice of the Savior. When Lehi’s family fled, they were led by the Lord’s light. If we are true to His light, follow His commandments, and rely on His merits, we will avoid spiritual, physical, and intellectual bondage as well as the lamentation of wandering in our own wilderness, for He is mighty to save.”

11.  Elder Christofferson – October 2014 General Conference “Free Forever to Act for Themselves” https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2014/10/free-forever-to-act-for-themselves?lang=eng “We do not need to achieve some minimum level of capacity or goodness before God will help—divine aid can be ours every hour of every day, no matter where we are in the path of obedience.” But he reminds us we must “take responsibility and go to work so that there is something for God to help us with.”