I have used this scripture before, but I feel it is appropriate to use it again. In Alma 7:11-12 it states that He toke upon Him the pains and the sicknesses of His people so He may know how to succor His people according to their infirmities. Again, the word "succor" more or less means to run to the aid, but how can He do that if the only thing His Atonement entailed was His death on the cross at Calvary. Let me tell you. I would like to begin by saying this, everything Jesus Christ did during His entire life and ministry was for the purpose of being able to "succor" us. He performed miracles, taught true doctrine and served the least of the people yet others still spat on Him and laughed at Him as He took His cross on His own back to the place of martyrdom. He knows what it feels like to be alone as He states, "My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?" (Matthew 27:46) while on the cross. I asked the individual I previously mentioned above if they knew what the Garden of Gethsemane was and what had happened there. They told me they didn't know. I feel like this is a very important part of what the Atonement is, so I am going to explain it. In Luke 22:41-44 we read that it is here that Christ actually took upon Him the pains and sicknesses of the world. It talks about how Christ's agony was so great that He bled from His pores. I cannot imagine the amount of pain and anguish one must go through to bleed from their pores, but I can imagine it is more painful than anything you or I have experienced. Even if I may not have mentioned it on here, Christ has been through every negative thing you will go through in this life for the sole purpose of being able to "succor" you. That is charity for sure if you ask me! I love my Savior very much and cannot thank Him enough for all that He has done for me. Of this I testify in His sacred name, even Jesus Christ. Amen.
Showing posts with label Atonement. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Atonement. Show all posts
Saturday, August 3, 2013
Power to Heal
Today, I hope to help you understand what the Atonement of Jesus Christ really means. Just the other day, I had someone tell me, "Well, I am so very grateful that Jesus died for me and I am forever in debt to Him for it, but that is nothing like being raped or losing a loved one, so how could He possibly be able to help me get through this?" I didn't realize that people actually thought that. In this post, I hope to have the Spirit help me teach you that ALL things that are unfair in life can be healed and made right through the Atonement of Christ.
I have used this scripture before, but I feel it is appropriate to use it again. In Alma 7:11-12 it states that He toke upon Him the pains and the sicknesses of His people so He may know how to succor His people according to their infirmities. Again, the word "succor" more or less means to run to the aid, but how can He do that if the only thing His Atonement entailed was His death on the cross at Calvary. Let me tell you. I would like to begin by saying this, everything Jesus Christ did during His entire life and ministry was for the purpose of being able to "succor" us. He performed miracles, taught true doctrine and served the least of the people yet others still spat on Him and laughed at Him as He took His cross on His own back to the place of martyrdom. He knows what it feels like to be alone as He states, "My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?" (Matthew 27:46) while on the cross. I asked the individual I previously mentioned above if they knew what the Garden of Gethsemane was and what had happened there. They told me they didn't know. I feel like this is a very important part of what the Atonement is, so I am going to explain it. In Luke 22:41-44 we read that it is here that Christ actually took upon Him the pains and sicknesses of the world. It talks about how Christ's agony was so great that He bled from His pores. I cannot imagine the amount of pain and anguish one must go through to bleed from their pores, but I can imagine it is more painful than anything you or I have experienced. Even if I may not have mentioned it on here, Christ has been through every negative thing you will go through in this life for the sole purpose of being able to "succor" you. That is charity for sure if you ask me! I love my Savior very much and cannot thank Him enough for all that He has done for me. Of this I testify in His sacred name, even Jesus Christ. Amen.
I have used this scripture before, but I feel it is appropriate to use it again. In Alma 7:11-12 it states that He toke upon Him the pains and the sicknesses of His people so He may know how to succor His people according to their infirmities. Again, the word "succor" more or less means to run to the aid, but how can He do that if the only thing His Atonement entailed was His death on the cross at Calvary. Let me tell you. I would like to begin by saying this, everything Jesus Christ did during His entire life and ministry was for the purpose of being able to "succor" us. He performed miracles, taught true doctrine and served the least of the people yet others still spat on Him and laughed at Him as He took His cross on His own back to the place of martyrdom. He knows what it feels like to be alone as He states, "My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?" (Matthew 27:46) while on the cross. I asked the individual I previously mentioned above if they knew what the Garden of Gethsemane was and what had happened there. They told me they didn't know. I feel like this is a very important part of what the Atonement is, so I am going to explain it. In Luke 22:41-44 we read that it is here that Christ actually took upon Him the pains and sicknesses of the world. It talks about how Christ's agony was so great that He bled from His pores. I cannot imagine the amount of pain and anguish one must go through to bleed from their pores, but I can imagine it is more painful than anything you or I have experienced. Even if I may not have mentioned it on here, Christ has been through every negative thing you will go through in this life for the sole purpose of being able to "succor" you. That is charity for sure if you ask me! I love my Savior very much and cannot thank Him enough for all that He has done for me. Of this I testify in His sacred name, even Jesus Christ. Amen.
Friday, July 19, 2013
Opposition and the Atonement
Why do I have to experience bad days? Why do bad things happen to good people? Why can't life be easy? How come life is so unfair? Why cant I ever get a break? These are all questions I have asked myself along with many others. The answer I might suggest is opposition, and the solution is the Atonement of Jesus Christ. Now let me explain using two scriptures, in the Book of Mormon, that have helped me to understand this principle.
The first states, "For it must needs be, that there is an opposition in all things. If not so, my firstborn in the wilderness, righteousness could not be brought to pass, neither wickedness, neither holiness nor misery, neither good nor bad. Wherefore, all things must needs be a compound in one;" (2 Nephi 2:11.) If every day was happy and perfect then that would be "normal." There would be no pleasure behind happiness because there is no reason for there to be. It would just be what we expect, with nothing special about it. How lame would that be! In order to really have a good day, sometimes we are going to have bad days. In order to really appreciate our health we need to experience sickness. There must be opposition so we can understand the difference.
The second states, "And he shall go forth, suffering pains and afflictions and temptations of every kind... He will take upon him the pains and the sicknesses of his people... He will take upon him their infirmities, that his bowels may be filled with mercy, according to the flesh, that he may know according to the flesh how to succor his people according to their infirmities." (Alma 7:11-12.) The word "succor" more or less means to run to the aid. So, this scripture is telling us that Christ not only suffered to redeem us from our sins, but He suffered so that He could be there for us as we go through the hard times in life. He did it so that He could run to our aid when we are struggling. He did it because He loves us and wants us to find happiness in life.
I know that my Father in Heaven knows and loves me and will not let me go through anything that I can't handle, at least not on my own. In a time of need my Savior is there waiting and ready to help me along as I feel I can't go any further. So, when you are going through a hard time, just remember, someone has been there before and is ready to help you through it. "All that seems unfair in life can be made right through the Atonement of Jesus Christ..." (The Plan of Salvation.) I testify of this in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
The first states, "For it must needs be, that there is an opposition in all things. If not so, my firstborn in the wilderness, righteousness could not be brought to pass, neither wickedness, neither holiness nor misery, neither good nor bad. Wherefore, all things must needs be a compound in one;" (2 Nephi 2:11.) If every day was happy and perfect then that would be "normal." There would be no pleasure behind happiness because there is no reason for there to be. It would just be what we expect, with nothing special about it. How lame would that be! In order to really have a good day, sometimes we are going to have bad days. In order to really appreciate our health we need to experience sickness. There must be opposition so we can understand the difference.
The second states, "And he shall go forth, suffering pains and afflictions and temptations of every kind... He will take upon him the pains and the sicknesses of his people... He will take upon him their infirmities, that his bowels may be filled with mercy, according to the flesh, that he may know according to the flesh how to succor his people according to their infirmities." (Alma 7:11-12.) The word "succor" more or less means to run to the aid. So, this scripture is telling us that Christ not only suffered to redeem us from our sins, but He suffered so that He could be there for us as we go through the hard times in life. He did it so that He could run to our aid when we are struggling. He did it because He loves us and wants us to find happiness in life.
I know that my Father in Heaven knows and loves me and will not let me go through anything that I can't handle, at least not on my own. In a time of need my Savior is there waiting and ready to help me along as I feel I can't go any further. So, when you are going through a hard time, just remember, someone has been there before and is ready to help you through it. "All that seems unfair in life can be made right through the Atonement of Jesus Christ..." (The Plan of Salvation.) I testify of this in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
Thursday, October 25, 2012
"Five Scriptures That Will Help You Get through Almost Anything"
I cam across an article called, "Five Scriptures That Will Help You Get through Almost Anything." It is an awesome article that shares with us how to get though hard times, like it says in the title.
One of the greatest questions in all of life is, Why do bad things happen, even to good people? Thanks to the scriptures we can answer that question. The first scripture, 1 Nephi 11:17, tells us we don’t have all the answers to explain all the tragedies in the world. "However, we know, we are sure, that God loves His children." So, instead of thinking, "Why did this happen to me?" think, “Well, I know God loves me; I know that. So what can I learn from this experience?”
The next scripture, Moses 7:26–33, tells us that sometimes our trials are a direct result of someone using their agency to do evil. "Everyone on earth has agency, and sometimes those who misuse it have an impact on many innocent people." He asks a great question that really changes my perspective of tragedies. "Sometimes we see things on the news and ask, 'How could God allow this to happen?' Could it be that one day we’ll discover that God prevented much more than He allowed?"
Scripture three, Alma 14:10–13, tells us not to let a tragedy define how we live. "You still have your own mission. Like Alma and Amulek, perhaps you were spared because your work is not finished!...Needless to say, Alma and Amulek witnessed an awful scene. I wonder if they were ever able to forget what they saw. How did they survive?"
Scripture four, Alma 7:11–12, answers that question. "The words “sin” or “sins” do not appear anywhere in those two verses." However, it does say that, "Jesus took upon him: pains, afflictions, temptations, sicknesses, and infirmities." So, let the atonement help you through your personal tragedies.
The last scripture, D&C 101:32–36, tells us that we might never get our questions answered in this life, but one day the Lord will return and answer all of our questions.
The Ultimate answer is not that the scriptures can get us through hard times, it is that Jesus Christ can get us through them. He is the only one who will help us get through everything. And with Jesus we can get rid of the "almost" in the title.
"We know that God loves His children. We know that part of His plan is to allow evil to exist in the world. We know that if we’re still alive, we have a work to accomplish. We know that the Savior suffered not only for our sins, but also for our pains and afflictions, and we know that one day He will conquer the evil one, answer all our questions, and bless us with a fullness of joy."
One of the greatest questions in all of life is, Why do bad things happen, even to good people? Thanks to the scriptures we can answer that question. The first scripture, 1 Nephi 11:17, tells us we don’t have all the answers to explain all the tragedies in the world. "However, we know, we are sure, that God loves His children." So, instead of thinking, "Why did this happen to me?" think, “Well, I know God loves me; I know that. So what can I learn from this experience?”
The next scripture, Moses 7:26–33, tells us that sometimes our trials are a direct result of someone using their agency to do evil. "Everyone on earth has agency, and sometimes those who misuse it have an impact on many innocent people." He asks a great question that really changes my perspective of tragedies. "Sometimes we see things on the news and ask, 'How could God allow this to happen?' Could it be that one day we’ll discover that God prevented much more than He allowed?"
Scripture three, Alma 14:10–13, tells us not to let a tragedy define how we live. "You still have your own mission. Like Alma and Amulek, perhaps you were spared because your work is not finished!...Needless to say, Alma and Amulek witnessed an awful scene. I wonder if they were ever able to forget what they saw. How did they survive?"
Scripture four, Alma 7:11–12, answers that question. "The words “sin” or “sins” do not appear anywhere in those two verses." However, it does say that, "Jesus took upon him: pains, afflictions, temptations, sicknesses, and infirmities." So, let the atonement help you through your personal tragedies.
The last scripture, D&C 101:32–36, tells us that we might never get our questions answered in this life, but one day the Lord will return and answer all of our questions.
The Ultimate answer is not that the scriptures can get us through hard times, it is that Jesus Christ can get us through them. He is the only one who will help us get through everything. And with Jesus we can get rid of the "almost" in the title.
"We know that God loves His children. We know that part of His plan is to allow evil to exist in the world. We know that if we’re still alive, we have a work to accomplish. We know that the Savior suffered not only for our sins, but also for our pains and afflictions, and we know that one day He will conquer the evil one, answer all our questions, and bless us with a fullness of joy."
Sunday, April 8, 2012
Resurrection
Why do we celebrate Easter? Easter to me is a time where I can remember the sacrifice that Jesus Christ did for me and especially His resurrection. Even though I try to remember Christ in all that I do and live my life in a way that shows I love Him, this time of year is especially special. We celebrate Easter to remember Christ's resurrection. Christ did die for us and suffer all of our pains so we could all be saved and now He lives. He conquered death so that we could all be saved from physical death.
When our prophet, Gordon B Hinckley, was asked why in all of our buildings and elsewhere do we not have any crosses to denote our belief in Christ, he replied, "The cross is the symbol of the dying Christ, while our message is a declaration of the living Christ.” He was then asked, “If you do not use the cross, what is the symbol of your religion?” He then replied "The lives of our people must become the only meaningful expression of our faith and, in fact, therefore, the symbol of our worship." (Apr. 1990 New Era, The Symbol of Christ.) I truly believe that the perfect symbol of faith in Christ is by the way you live your life. It is one thing to claim belief in Christ and another thing to live it.
I love my Savior, Jesus Christ, and cannot imagine what my life would be like without Him in it. I am so grateful for His sacrifice for me of which I could not do myself. I know that because of Him I can return again to my Heavenly Father. I am so grateful that I can serve Him and teach people all over about Him and help them to build or strengthen their relationship with Him that they may have not had before. He lives and loves us still the same. He is my Redeemer, my Savior, Lord, and King. I know that my Redeemer lives!
When our prophet, Gordon B Hinckley, was asked why in all of our buildings and elsewhere do we not have any crosses to denote our belief in Christ, he replied, "The cross is the symbol of the dying Christ, while our message is a declaration of the living Christ.” He was then asked, “If you do not use the cross, what is the symbol of your religion?” He then replied "The lives of our people must become the only meaningful expression of our faith and, in fact, therefore, the symbol of our worship." (Apr. 1990 New Era, The Symbol of Christ.) I truly believe that the perfect symbol of faith in Christ is by the way you live your life. It is one thing to claim belief in Christ and another thing to live it.
I love my Savior, Jesus Christ, and cannot imagine what my life would be like without Him in it. I am so grateful for His sacrifice for me of which I could not do myself. I know that because of Him I can return again to my Heavenly Father. I am so grateful that I can serve Him and teach people all over about Him and help them to build or strengthen their relationship with Him that they may have not had before. He lives and loves us still the same. He is my Redeemer, my Savior, Lord, and King. I know that my Redeemer lives!
Friday, April 6, 2012
Scourged and Crucified
Continuing with my Easter theme on this "Good Friday", I am brought to the Savior being scourged and crucified. Jesus Christ had the power to stop everything that happened to Him at any time he very well pleased, but He knew that this sacrifice of Himself was essential for the rest of us. I can't emphasize this enough, Christ was so selfless that He gave His life for us. He loves us so much to suffer the pains of death. His life was made short in order for us to be saved.
"He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not.
Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted.
But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed." (Isaiah 53:3-5.)
The Savior continued to suffer for our sins when He allowed Himself to be crucified. On the cross, He allowed Himself to die, and His body was then laid in a tomb. I love my Savior so very much and know that I could not make it through life without his redeeming power. I ask y'all to remember the Savior in your lives especially during this Easter season.
"He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not.
Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted.
But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed." (Isaiah 53:3-5.)
The Savior continued to suffer for our sins when He allowed Himself to be crucified. On the cross, He allowed Himself to die, and His body was then laid in a tomb. I love my Savior so very much and know that I could not make it through life without his redeeming power. I ask y'all to remember the Savior in your lives especially during this Easter season.
Thursday, April 5, 2012
Suffering in Gethsemane
How much do you appreciate Jesus Christ? Do you love Him as much as He loves you? Does your life show it? With Easter approaching, I though I would focus my next few posts on what the Savior, Jesus Christ, did for us the few days preceding His resurrection. These questions I asked are questions that I think are very important for us to think about each and every day, multiple times a day even. How we answer these questions will tell us how much we need to change in order for Christ's Atonement to have any real effect on us.
Jesus Christ atoned for our sins. To atone means 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. We know that Jesus was the only one capable of doing this and because He did so, we are able to enjoy the benefits that come from it. His sacrifice is free to all who accept him as their Savior. All he asks of us is to have faith in Him, repent and try our best to live worthy lives. We do not need to ask him to be our Savior, because He has already suffered for us; we just have to accept Him and His suffering for us. One of my favorite scriptures in the Bible describes His suffering:
"And he was withdrawn from them about a stone’s cast, and kneeled down, and prayed,
Saying, Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done.
And there appeared an angel unto him from heaven, strengthening him.
And being in an agony he prayed more earnestly: and his sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground." (Luke 22:41-44.)
Jesus Christ atoned for our sins. To atone means 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. We know that Jesus was the only one capable of doing this and because He did so, we are able to enjoy the benefits that come from it. His sacrifice is free to all who accept him as their Savior. All he asks of us is to have faith in Him, repent and try our best to live worthy lives. We do not need to ask him to be our Savior, because He has already suffered for us; we just have to accept Him and His suffering for us. One of my favorite scriptures in the Bible describes His suffering:
"And he was withdrawn from them about a stone’s cast, and kneeled down, and prayed,
Saying, Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done.
And there appeared an angel unto him from heaven, strengthening him.
And being in an agony he prayed more earnestly: and his sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground." (Luke 22:41-44.)
I know that Jesus Christ suffered in the Garden of Gethsemane for me. I know that through him and his sacrifice I can be saved for the things I do wrong. I know that if each man was the only man to walk the Earth, Christ still would have done what He did. I love my Savior so much. I ask you to ponder those questions I asked before, and if Christ is not in your life as much as you would like I invite you to change that. Let Christ change your life forever.
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