A Talk on The Atonement

Understanding the power of the Atonement helped me survive our financial struggles.  This is a talk I gave that I hope will benefit others. 

When the bishop called to ask me to speak in church today, he expressed he had chosen me because he knew I felt strongly about the subject.  He told me the subject was the Atonement.  GULP!!  Wow!  But when he asked if I’d be willing, I told him I didn’t figure I could say no considering I have never spoken in this ward.  I have lived here over 10 years and I somehow managed to stay under the radar.  After I hung up the phone, it dawned on me, not only do I have to SPEAK on the Atonement on Easter Sunday which is daunting enough, but that means I have to be to church 10 minutes EARLY!  And, if you know my family, well, you know that’s a challenge in and of itself. 

The bishop is right though, the Atonement is a subject I feel very strongly about.  I feel much joy becuase of the Atonement, much hope and much peace because of our Savior's sacrifice and resurrection.  But that wasn't always the case for me. 

President Hinckley spoke at General Conference in 1999 which happened to be Easter morning. 

He said this: 

“The Resurrection of Jesus Christ …  was not an ordinary thing.  It was the greatest event in human history.  I do not hesitate to say that.”  Pres Hinckley continued to say, “These simple words - “He is not here, but is risen” – have become the most profound in all literature.”   

What a powerful testimony of our Savior.  As I said, I have not always had a strong testimony.  I grew up in the Church and the gospel always made “sense” to me.  I didn’t see how critics could say the foundation of the Church was fabricated or how Joseph Smith (or any man) possibly could have written the Book of Mormon with all the Biblical references and intertwined stories and histories.  Besides, what was there to gain on Joseph Smith’s part to create the Book of Mormon – certainly not wordly happiness, riches or a long life?  And I never understood how critics could think Satan had a part in a Church that teaches such goodness, service and hope.  So, to me the gospel just made sense and seemed right.  That was the foundation for my testimony, I guess you could call it a gut feeling and blind faith … but it was a very weak foundation. 

As our family has struggled with challenges brought upon us both by our own decisions, by decisions of others and just purely “life”, I have come to realize the Atonement is so much more than what I once understood.  

To quote President Packer: “For some reason, we think the Atonement of Christ applies only at the end of mortal life to redemption from the Fall from spiritual death.  It is much more than that.  It is an ever-present power to call upon in everyday life.  When we are racked or harrowed up or tormented by guilt or burdened with grief, He can heal us.” 

Shortly after my youngest child was born, I fought severe post partum depression.  While I was dealing with that, we were told our 2 year old had both social and speech delays and was in the bottom 2 or 3% for her age, not to mention how that affected her eating.  Other challenges arose in my life as well.  When I mentioned I don’t know how I flew under the radar for giving a talk for over 10 years, I didn’t mention that I also managed to not have a calling in our ward for the better part of 2 years.  Some might say, what a blessing to not have a calling, but for me, it was a major challenge.  I’d come to Church and feel unneeded and even unwanted.  I heard others say things like “God is mindful of me” and “helping me grow closer to Him” through this calling.  And to me, I felt like He had forgotten me and abandoned me.  My testimony really waivered as I wondered if God was mindful of me.  I felt like I was unworthy of His love and even doubted His presence in my life at all.  So to stand before you now, and testify of His love and that peace of the Atonement, I hope you hear my heart and understand that I do not come to this point easily.

In 2001 James E Faust taught of the Atonement.  He called it “Our Greatest Hope”.  He said

“Christ suffered so much pain, “indescribable anguish” and overpowering torture” for our sake.  His profound suffering in the Garden of Gethsemane, where He took upon Himself all the sins of all other mortals, caused Him to “tremble because of pain, and to bleed at every pore, and to suffer both body and spirit.” He was betrayed by Judas Iscariot and denied by Peter.  He was mocked by the chief priests and officers.  He was stripped, smitten, spat upon and scourged in the judgment hall.  He was led to Golgotha where nails were driven into His hands and feet.  He hung in agony for hours on a wooden cross.  No one could help Him.” 

He went on to say, “The basic source for the healing of the soul is the Atonement of Jesus Christ.  … The overwhelming message of the Atonement is the perfect love the Savior has for each and all of us.”

The Atonement is not just His sacrifice for our sins as I had once thought.  He suffered for our griefs, our pains, our sorrows and so that we will have mercy, forgiveness, grace and peace in our daily lives.  I am so grateful for that because I can’t make it day to day without His strength to lift and carry me in times of hardship and sins.

Elder Quentin L Cook shared the following in 2008:  “The recent economic crisis has caused significant concern throughout the world.  Employment and financial problems are not unusual.  Many people have physical and mental health challenges.  Others deal with marital problems or wayward children.  Some have lost loved ones.  Addictions and inappropriate or harmful propensities cause heartache.  Whatever the source of the trials, they cause significant pain and suffering for individuals and those who love them.”  

Elder Cook continued and testified that “the Atonement of Jesus Christ covers all of the trials and hardships that any of us will encounter in this life.”  And that, when we are having a “hard time, we can be assured He is there and we are safe in His loving arms.” 

As most of you know, my family is not a stranger to employment and financial problems.  Just prior to Elder Cook giving the talk I just quoted from, my husband had lost his full-time job.  Because of the way we both reacted to the news, it caused major stress on our marriage and family.  It was a really tough time for me, probably some of the darkest moments of my life.  But during these challenges, for the first time in my life, I truly began to understand the power of the Atonement, the peace of forgiveness and the hope and love He offers us on a constant daily basis. 

A couple months later, the company my husband had worked for, got more funding and hired him back.  So it was a short-lived financial struggle but taught me so much about myself and my family and I began to really build my own personal testimony of this gospel and the Atonement….  All of that was a foundation to rely on when exactly one year later, the company he worked for lost their funding again and we found ourselves without our primary income again.  That was September of 2009.  My husband has worked very hard the last 20 months for the company he is a partner in, keeping it going, making it so they can pay company bills and working for the future but due to the economy, has been unable to pay himself.  He is constantly searching for ways to bring in a little extra money.  Plus he helps me with my business so we can somehow stay afloat, but it has not been easy on us or our girls.  This past 20 months without his income have tested us, tried us and it has definitely been a long, difficult experience for our whole family.  Without feeling my Savior’s loving arms wrapped around me, I couldn’t go on. 

Elder Scott taught us this past conference that “There is an imperative need for each of us to strengthen our understanding of the significance of the Atonement of Jesus Christ so that it will become an unshakable foundation upon which to build our lives.  … our understanding of   and faith in the Atonement of Jesus Christ will provide strength and capacity needed for a successful life.  It will also bring confidence in times of trial and peace in moments of turmoil.” 

Because of my challenges I have a foundation built upon my testimony of the Atonement.  And although some days it wobbles and it isn’t unshakeable like I wish it was and I lose my patience and I cry and wonder how much longer I can carry on, I am truly grateful for that foundation so that I can recognize the many blessings that have been bestowed upon our family to help us make it day to day both financially and emotionally.  And I am grateful for that foundation so that I can turn to my Savior in my time of need. 

In 2009 Elder Christofferson offered this:  “To always remember him” means that we do not live our lives in fear.  We know that challenges, disappointments and sorrows will come to each of us in different ways, but we also know that in the end, because of our divine Advocate, all things can be made to work together for our good.  It is the faith expressed so simply by President Gordon B Hinckley when he would say “Things will work out.”  

To this I’d like to add my testimony, that Christ lives again.  he suffered, bled and died for each of us and broke the bonds of death that we may return to our Father in Heaven.  He carried the cross that we might be forgiven of our sins and that our burdens, heartache, trials and hardships will be lighter.  That we might feel peace in a world of storms. 

I’d like to quote one last talk, one of my very favorite talks.  Given by President Faust in 2005 titled "Instruments in the Hands of God".  It was given to the sisters and came during that time in my life shortly after my youngest's birth when I felt I just couldn’t do it all, that I was failing and unworthy of the blessings of the gospel.  President Faust counseled, “May I suggest that you take your challenges one day at a time.  Do the best you can.  Look at everything through the lens of eternity.  If you will do this, life will take on a different perspective.”  He continued to say, “Occasionally, however, you are too hard on yourselves.  You think that if your offering is not quite perfect, it is not acceptable.  I tell you, however, that if you have done your best, which you usually do, your humble offering, whatever it may be, will be acceptable and pleasing to the Lord.” 

My challenge to you, and to myself, is that we “Always remember him”, that each of you knows that He is there for you in your times of sin, trials and hardship, and that when you do your best, which you usually do, your humble offering will be acceptable and pleasing to the Lord.  “Things will work out.”  I don’t know when or how, but “Things will work out.”  I testify of our Savior and His Atoning sacrifice and love for each of you.