Gunpoint

This week, I want to talk about one of the things I have been studying a little bit more of recently. (Stay tuned if you wanna find out about the time we got held at gunpoint.)

The Atonement. 

As Alma preaches to the people of Gideon in Alma 7, he prophecies of the coming of Christ, 'which is of more importance than... all'. As he continues, he accounts the Atonement. 

11 And he shall go forth, suffering pains and afflictions and temptations of every kind; and this that the word might be fulfilled which saith he will take upon him the pains and the sicknesses of his people.

Christ suffered pains and afflictions of every kind. This includes all of the many classes of afflictions that we experience, even if we did nothing to deserve them. He suffered for all the pains we will experience.

12 And he will take upon him death, that he may loose the bands of death which bind his people; and 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.

Christ took upon Himself death itself so that we all may be resurrected. He took upon Himself all of our sicknesses, which includes all weaknesses and imperfections of the body, mind and character as we fight to become like Christ.

13 Now the Spirit knoweth all things; nevertheless the Son of God suffereth according to the flesh that he might take upon him the sins of his people, that he might blot out their transgressions according to the power of his deliverance; and now behold, this is the testimony which is in me.

He took upon Himself all of our sins, that we may all be forgiven at the judgement seat. 

The Atonement of Christ is infinite. 

There are NO exceptions in any single part of the Atonement. Christ suffered for everyone, in all things, in every way. The Atonement is for everyone, in every moment, in every place and point in life. There is no combination of pain, affliction and circumstance that He missed. There are no holes or gaps. It is not just for some people, for some sins, when we feel sad or angry. It is for everyone, for all sins, for every emotion, for ALL. It is infinite in every way. 

Now, this is the testimony which is in me. 

I know that this plan was created and fulfilled with love. I know that Christ, my Savior, suffered for me, taking upon Him the bad that I would experience in my life that I could overcome it with His help. I know that when He suffered in the Garden, bleeding from every pore, that He saw each and every one of us as He suffered for us individually. I know that he saw us, not at our lowest, but at our highest, proudest moments and that that gave Him the strength to keep going. I know that miracle was not the Atonement itself (although it most definitely cannot be discredited) but rather the love that brought Him there. I have come to rely of His grace and this Atonement in every moment of everyday. My prayer is that you may learn to do the same, that you learn to rely on Christ. You will find a peace that the world can't offer you. 

As John 14:27 says: 

'Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled,neither let it be afraid.'  

As you come to rely on Him, you will find more comfort and more knowledge of who you really are, and who you can become. This week, I recieved a letter from my mom, who, as always, seems to have perfect timing. She shared with me the following quote and it hit home.

          Heavenly Father knows all about you. Your strengths and your weaknesses. He knows perfectly who you are. But... He also knows who you can become. And with the knowledge He has placed you here, now -- at the exact place and time in which you can do the most good with the talents and gifts He has given you! -Elder Craig C. Christensen

I leave you with the invitation to continue reading your Book of Mormon and to look for the Lord's hand in your life daily, that you may learn to rely on Him completely. 

I love you all and wish you the best :) 

Oh... and about gunpoint, it was a joke. Mostly... ;) We were walking through the park (which is known for being a tad bit dangerous) and noticed a man lingering outside his door. A little worried, but not to freaked out we walked to pass him. As we came closer, he started to hide in the doorway. That's when I noticed the pistol in his hand. Immediately, my heart felt like it was Usian Bolt, headed for Gold. He then jumped out at us and I about died. Then he laughed and I realized the gun he was holding was fake (at least I still think it was). That's when I remembered that we had seen him around before, but not yet had the chance to contact him. Needless to say, we now have an appointment to teach him and his family this week :) 

Oh and I got to kinda see the US today while we visited the X.