Dear Sisters,
While
preparing this Sunday’s lesson I came across a conference address from April
2011 by C. Scott Grow of the Seventy entitled The Miracle of the Atonement. I
felt impressed to share parts of this talk.
“Not only did He
pay the price for the sins of all men, but He also took “upon him the pains and
the sicknesses of his people.” And He took “upon him their infirmities, that
his bowels may be filled with mercy, … that he may know according to the flesh
how to succor his people according to their infirmities.”
The Savior felt
the weight of the anguish of all mankind―the anguish of sin and of sorrow.
“Surely he has borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows.”
The Lord knows us. He has felt our pain and our
sorrow, whether it is from sins we have committed or from hard times in our
lives. He knows us and knows how to help us
“There are times when each of us needs “relief from feelings of
guilt that come from mistakes and sins.” As
we repent, the Savior removes the guilt from our souls.
Through His atoning sacrifice, our sins are remitted. With the
exception of sons of perdition, the Atonement is available to everyone all the
time, no matter how large or small the sin, “on conditions of repentance.”
The Atonement is for everyone! We all sin, some small, some
large. The Atonement is for all our sins and ills. We must learn to use the atonement in our
lives. Not just for the things we see as the “large sins”, but for the small
every day sins. The atonement was meant to be used on a daily bases to help us
develop the habits that will help us progress and get rid of the ones that
don’t.
“The Savior offers healing to those who are suffering from sin.
“Will ye not now return unto me, and repent of your sins, and be converted,
that I may heal you?”
The Savior wants to heal us! He is almost begging us to return
to Him so he can heal us. Don’t let His sacrifice go to waste. Start applying
the atonement in your life.
“Jesus Christ is the Great Healer of our souls. With the
exception of sins of perdition, there is no sin or transgression, pain or
sorrow, which is outside of the healing power of His Atonement.
As you consider your own life, are there things that you need to
change? Have you made mistakes that still need to be corrected? If you are
suffering from feelings of guilt or remorse, bitterness or anger, or loss of
faith, I invite you to seek relief. Repent and forsake your sins. Then, in
prayer, ask God for forgiveness. Seek forgiveness from those you have wronged.
Forgive those who have wronged you. Forgive yourself.”
Sisters, I echo Brother Grow’s plead. Consider what in your life
needs changed, repent and forsake your sins, big or small. Ask for forgiveness
and forgive yourself. Let the Lord help you move past those habits that are
holding you back. I know this is harder to do then what these printed words
make it sound. But with the Lords help and the support of loving family,
friends, and ward family members, we can all continue on the right path
together.
Love,
Sister Heather Olsen.
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