At- one- ment

I love the concept of the atonement, because it is a concept of forgiveness, second chances, and most of all hope for a better future. First of all, let me clarify what exactly I'm talking about when I say "atonement". The atonement refers to the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus Christ, and most especially the promise of our own resurrection if we follow in His footsteps. Without the atonement, everyone would be lost and alone, with a dim and foreboding future to look forward to. But with the Atonement, we know that even when we make mistakes, not all is lost, This is so reassuring to me because as mortals, we all make our fair share of mistakes. It is so refreshing to know that despite our earthly flaws we can still strive for and look forward to eternal salvation.

"          His mercy endureth forever, and His hand is stretched out still. His is the pure love of Christ, the charity that never faileth, that compassion which endures even when all other strength disappears.” Jeffrey R. Holland, "Prophets in the Land again", Conference 2006

"    Lucifer will encourage you to continue to relive the details of past mistakes, knowing that such thoughts can hamper your progress. Thus he attempts to tie strings to the mind and body so that he can manipulate you like a puppet to discourage personal achievement.” Richard G. Scott, "the Atonement can secure your Peace and Happiness", Conference, October 2000

  “I have listened to possibly a thousand major transgressions; and each time after a truly repentant transgressor has left my office, I have either knelt behind the desk or bowed my head in prayer and said, ‘Lord, forgive him or her, I pray thee. If not, blot my name also out of thy book.’ “Though their sins be as scarlet, they may become white as the driven snow (see Isa. 1:18), and the Lord has promised he would remember their sins no more (see D&C 58:42).” Vaughn J. Featherstone, Ensign, Nov. 1980

 

    “Unless we believe in repentance and restoration, unless we believe there can be a way back from our mistakes–whether those sins be sexual or social or civil or academic, whether they be great or small–unless we believe we can start over on solid ground with our past put behind us and genuine hope for the future–in short, if we cannot believe in the compassion of Christ and His redemptive love, then I think we in our own way are as hopeless as Macbeth and our view of life just as depressing. We do become shadows, feeble players on a perverse stage, in a tale told by an idiot. And unfortunately, in such a burdened state, we are the idiots.” Jeffrey R. Holland, A Robe, a Ring, and a Fatted Calf, BYUDA 1/84

"All the prophets have promised that both are ahead. One day he will honor the Mount of Olives again. This time he will descend in triumph. When his foot touches it, the mount itself shall separate, be shaken, and an earthquake will follow. The earth will be purged and cleansed and will eventually shine with celestial light. We are promised we may share in those culminations to descend with him or to ascend to meet him. And either of those is glorious.” Truman G. Madson, The Olive Press, BYU Devotional Address, 5/82

     “In its sweep and scope, atonement takes on the aspect of one of the grand constants in nature—omnipresent, unalterable, such as gravity or the speed of light. Like them it is always there, easily ignored, hard to explain, and hard to believe in without an explanation. Also, we are constantly exposed to its effects whether we are aware of them or not.” Hugh Nibley, Approaching Zion, near end of final chapter

  “The tree of life… is the love of God. The love of God for His children is most profoundly expressed in His gift of Jesus as our Redeemer: ‘God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son’. To partake of the love of god is to partake of Jesus’ Atonement and the emancipations and joys which it can bring.” Neal A. Maxwell, Lessons from Laman and Lemuel, Conference, October 1999

      We, like Adam and Eve, must make the best of our circumstances. We need not apologize for the typical untidiness of those circumstances. It is their very lone and dreary nature that allows them to shape us as they do. Perhaps we can only appreciate and comprehend the gift of eternal life after we do all we can do. Until we are prepared in what may look like very imperfect ways to receive them, we are not ready for the gifts that perfect our nature.” Bruce C. Hafen, Beauty for Ashes, Ensign 4/90

  “Peace is the fruit of righteousness. It cannot be bought with money, and cannot be traded nor bartered. It must be earned. The wealthy often spend much of their gains in a bid for peace, only to find that it is not for sale. But the poorest as well as the richest may have it in abundance if the total price is paid. Those who abide the laws and live the Christ-like life may have peace and other kindred blessings, principal among which are exaltation and eternal life. They include also blessings for this life.” Spencer W. Kimball, The Miracle of Forgiveness, p. 363-4

       Life is hard, but life is simple. Get on the path and never, ever give up. You never give up. You just keep on going. You don’t quit, and you will make it. There is only one way to happiness and fulfillment. Jesus Christ is the Way. Every other way, any other way, whatever other way is madness.” Lawrence E. Corbridge, The Way, LDS General Conference, October 2008