(13) What is the Atonement?

I listened to a really good talk in Stake Conference today that got me thinking about the main message and meaning of the Atonement of Christ.  As a child I grew up with the idea that the Atonement is the payment for my sins.  As I've grown and matured I've realized that it is something much greater than that.  The Atonement, as Elder Bednar once stated, is actual power from the Lord given to those that apply the Atonement in their lives.  This enabling power is the grace of the Lord.  It is his love that he shows to us and the mercy that he offers us.  We have to constantly be asking for this "power."  It is the way that the Lord helps us overcome sin and the evils in our lives.  So many times in the scriptures does the Lord tell us "ask and ye shall receive, knock and it shall be opened unto you."  All he requires is that we ask with faith.  This is the greatest key to applying the power of the Atonement to our lives.

The Atonement is incredible.  It truly has been a blessing in my life in more ways than I can ever count.  The speaker at Stake Conference related us to a dirty truck just recently used to go off-roading in the mountains.  So easily is it dirtied and defiled and we feel as if there is no way to get it clean again.  But through the process of soaking and applying soap/cleaning agents, the truck is restored to its clean state.  It's not easy but it's doable.  The same goes for the Atonement.  As a natural man we are so prone to sin and get dirty.  We feel as if we can never become clean again.  That is a lie from the adversary.  We CAN be clean again.  All we have to do is pick out the "leaves/debris" from our "truck," "apply soap," and "rinse the truck clean."  Truly the Lord has provided the way to be purified from sins, and it truly gives me so much joy and hope more than anything to know that there is a way.  I love the Gospel.  I love the Lord.  I love the Atonement and Jesus Christ.  I know that they love and care for me in return. I have no doubt.  

(12) - Late Night Thinking

It's about 3:40 in the morning and I'm here at my laptop doing homework.  Not going to lie, I feel like my brain is about to explode but I guess that's the trade off for a good education.  Only the determined and persistent go far in life.  I am in no way saying that I'm either of those, but I like to pride myself in being a hard worker. I'm not the best, but I try.  That's one thing I've learned in life, that sometimes it doesn't matter if we do the job perfect because in reality we as humans aren't perfect.  What truly counts is when we put in a "grade-A, 100 percent effort" in all we do.  

This thought process and way of thinking truly came to me while I served my mission.  Very frequently was seen the desire for "big numbers" and "baptisms."  I learned an important lesson.  As much as numbers and outcomes reflect our effort, it isn't always that way.  Sometimes the tables just don't turn our way despite hard work and determination.  The true measure of success is how we as a person are changed with regard to our efforts.  I'm a firm believer of this and know that even when we don't "see" results doesn't mean that there aren't "results."

This is my late night thinking.  But now it's time for bed.  I've got to get up in a few hours to go to class.  The struggle is real kids.