Saturday, November 21, 2015

Atonement and healing


During our weekly gathering, where we meet to discuss what we have been learning in our classes and to teach and grow together spiritually I learned something very valuable. We were discussing the following question. How does the Atonement allow you to overcome the natural Man? We had discussed this in our small group and our focus was mainly on overcoming sin. Another group also chose to discuss this topic and a quote was read to the class.

I had a never thought of the last part of the quote. "The Atonement also satisfies the debt justice owes to us by healing and compensating us for any suffering we innocently endure".
Lately I have been thinking a lot about some unpleasant and devastating experiences that happened in my childhood. My siblings an I were abused by someone who we trusted and loved. This has caused wounds that have had a very hard time healing. I find myself angry and hurt and upset that someone could devastate our lives and there be very few consequences for his actions.
This quote brought me hope and healing. I know through Christ the wounds and pain that I feel can and will be healed If have to come unto Him. He will bear my burdens. He knows and has felt the pain that I feel. He can make those parts of me whole again.
I feel inspired to be a better disciple of Jesus Christ, I want others to know and feel the healing and peace that can come only from Him. He loves us and understands all of our pain. He has felt it for every one of us. 
This inspires me to serve and to be a better missionary to those around me. I hope you take the time to read and ponder the power of the Atonement and look for ways to serve and help to relieve others burdens. 

Saturday, November 7, 2015

Endure to the end

While reading my scriptures this week I was reminded of my favorite scripture from my childhood. 2nd Nephi 31:15 And I heard a voice from the Father saying: Yea, the words of my Beloved are true and faithful. He that endureth to the end, the same shall be saved. I have never been able to articulate why I love this scripture so much. When I came upon it during my reading assignment this week  I was so happy it felt like finding an old friend. It is a scripture that has always brought me comfort.
I was discussing this scripture with my husband and expressed that I am uncertain to why I love this scripture so much and why it is so powerful to me and he told me that this scripture is one of the few times in the Book of Mormon where we actually read the direct words of Father in Heaven. I had never thought of it that way. I decided to do a little research (Google) to find  examples of hearing the voice of the Lord in the Book of Mormon and these are what I came up with.
In 2 Nephi 31, to Nephi:
2 Nephi 31:11 And the Father said: Repent ye, repent ye, and be baptized in the name of my Beloved Son.
2 Nephi 31:15 And I heard a voice from the Father, saying: Yea, the words of my Beloved are true and faithful. He that endureth to the end, the same shall be saved.
2 Nephi 31:20 Wherefore, ye must press forward with a steadfastness in Christ, having a perfect brightness of hope, and a love of God and of all men. Wherefore, if ye shall press forward, feasting upon the word of Christ, and endure to the end, behold, thus saith the Father: Ye shall have eternal life.
In Helaman 5, to the converted Lamanites:
Helaman 5:46 And it came to pass that there came a voice unto them, yea, a pleasant voice, as if it were a whisper, saying:
Helaman 5:47 Peace, peace be unto you, because of your faith in my Well Beloved, who was from the foundation of the world.
In 3 Nephi 11, to the people who remained in the land:
3 Nephi 11:6 And behold, the third time they did understand the voice which they heard; and it said unto them:
3 Nephi 11:7 Behold my Beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased, in whom I have glorified my name–hear ye him.

Each time we hear Him speak in the scriptures he is testifying of his Son, Jesus Christ. It makes me want to testify of Christ and to honor him and be an example in all that I do. To endure to the end so I can return to him someday.

I used this blogpost to get my examples:https://bookofmormonnotes.wordpress.com/tag/2-nephi-31/