Along My Journey

Lately, I have been putting a lot of thought and study into the atonement. I have learned so much and it really does help me to love and appreciate all that has been given to me in life. Before I started my journey through the atonement, I understood the atonement to be Christ taking on our sins in order for us to be able to repent and return to our Heavenly Father. However, the Bible Dictionary defines atonement as the “reconciliation of man to God…the purpose is to correct or overcome the consequence of sin.”

I never really thought of it as a reconciliation process…I always thought of the atonement as a way for us to receive forgiveness. Through Christ’s atonement, we are able to be become “at one” with God again! That is absolutely amazing to me.

I have always known that Christ took on our sins and that even when we suffer now, he has felt the same feelings that we feel. Monday night, I went to the hospital to see my old seminary teachers mom, who does not have much longer in this life. My teacher needed to do some things, so I volunteered to stay at the hospital with her mom until she was able to return. When she was gone, the nurses had to come in and do some stuff to her poor mother. When I saw them and I saw how much pain she was in, I could not help but to feel her pain. I barely knew this precious woman, but I felt her pain. It hurt me so much to see her in such a condition and I cried. I cried because I could feel her pain and distress. After I left, I started to think about how I felt when I was hurting with her. Christ hurts with us too! I can not imagine having to feel the pain of everyone, but he freely took upon him that. I can not even say how grateful I am for the tender mercies of our Savior. I have had some eye-opening experiences and would not trade them for any thing.

My experiences have built my testimony and my studying of the atonement has really been a blessing to my testimony.

I know that the Gospel of Jesus Christ is real and it is true. I could not deny what I know…ever. I have been blessed with a wonderful family who love and support me. I know that Pres Monson is a prophet of God…I know, that without doubt, that Jesus Christ took on the sins of the world and died that we may all live. I know that he rose triumphantly from a tomb. I pray that I will be worthy to be in his presence. I love the gospel and it makes waking up in the mornings so much easier because it gives me something to live for. I know Heavenly Father knows my name and yours and he loves us with a perfect love. I bear this my testimony in my older brothers precious name, Jesus Christ…Amen