Tag Archives: Atonement

RS/EQ: For Christ’s Sake

Posted on by

In February, we talked about the miracle of forgiveness. One requirement for obtaining forgiveness from God for our sins is that we must forgive those who wrong us. There are times that this can be difficult or challenging; however, it is something we must do. As we begin reading this week’s lesson, we learn about an incident in President Kimball’s life where he sought to defuse a ward-wide fuse. After much counsel, prayer, and study with the two opponents, he read to them from Doctrine & Covenants 64. The verse which most touched them was verse 9, when they learned … Continue reading →

The Atonement and Forgiveness in Marriage

There will come a point in your marriage when you end up fighting with your spouse. There may be a time when your spouse does something that may hurt you deeply and may make it difficult to trust him. It is important to realize that forgiveness is essential in any marriage. When members of the church get married, we do so with eternity in mind. Can you imagine being married and holding a grudge for all eternity? Your marriage will not last that long if you decide to hold on to past feelings of hurt and anger. Even if you … Continue reading →

Primary Time: Sharing Time Theme “He Lives!”

The theme for sharing time this month is “My faith in Jesus Christ grows when I know He is my Savior and Redeemer.” This is a great theme for this month because it coincides with Easter. You should be able to reinforce this theme as you teach your children about Easter this month. This month the scripture to focus on is John 3:16. If you have older children you may want to encourage them to memorize the scripture. You should read it several times with your children and discuss the meaning of it. It is important for the children to … Continue reading →

Emphasize the Spiritual Events of Easter

Easter is one of the most important holidays. It is when we set aside time to remember and celebrate the Atonement and Resurrection of Jesus Christ. These events made it possible for us to repent. They opened the way so that we may return to live with our Heavenly Father again. The events that we remember are so important, but it can be too easy to let them be pushed aside. Children often think only of Easter in terms of the candy, Easter egg hunts and presents received. While these activities are fun, they can distract from the true meaning … Continue reading →

Gospel Doctrine: Receiving What We Give

At various points in His ministry, the Savior emphasized that we will receive that which we give. If we judge others, we will receive that self-same judgment in return. If we forgive others, we will receive the Lord’s forgiveness. If we treat others in a specific manner, thus shall we be treated. These principles are elaborated again during the Sermon on the Mount. Why would a merciful Lord exact such a just treatment? Wouldn’t it be more along the lines of grace to simply forgive us for our wicked and human thoughts and actions? The Savior first tells us that … Continue reading →

RS/EQ: The Work of Repentance

If you haven’t guessed by now, my Relief Society blogs (as well as my Gospel Doctrine ones) mirror my daily scripture study. Studying President Kimball’s lesson on the miracle of forgiveness, I found the sections covered tonight strongly related to a problem I had struggled with only a few minutes before. While I am guilty of no major, confession-requiring, temple-preventing sins, I have several nasty little habits that I know I need to change. I suppose we all do. I also carry a strong sense of responsibility as to what I teach my children. This particular habit, which I have … Continue reading →

RS/EQ: Hope and Repentance

The Relief Society and Elder’s Quorum lesson this week bears the same name as the title of one of my favorite books – The Miracle of Forgiveness (by, who else? President Kimball!). I am really looking forward to studying and hearing this lesson. As I read the first segment, “From the Life of Spencer W. Kimball”, I was touched by the woman who had no hope. According to President Kimball, “hope is…the great incentive for repentance, for without it no one would make the extended effort required.” Well, it certainly cannot be argued that full and total, leaving-the-sin repentance is … Continue reading →

General Conference: “The Atonement Can Secure Your Peace and Happiness”

In “The Atonement Can Secure Your Peace and Happiness,” Elder Richard G Scott talks about the importance of centering your life on Christ, so that you can find true happiness. Elder Scott opens with the analogy of two different types of rock climbers. He speaks of the solo climbers who live on the edge and those that climb with partners using anchors and rope to ensure their safety while they climb. Elder Scott goes on to compare the solo climbers as those who go through life without guidance. Those that climb with partners are compared to people who rely on … Continue reading →

Do Latter-day Saints Need New Year’s Resolutions?

Posted on by

With a new year comes the opportunity to resolve to change and improve ourselves. Every year, I struggle with whether or not to make New Year’s resolutions. Several things deter me, not the least of which is the fact that too many of my past resolutions have fallen flat. This year, however, I struggled with whether or not Latter-day Saints need new resolutions each January. We had a wonderful lesson in church a few months back regarding the power of the atonement. Since then, I’ve pondered ways to draw on the power Christ put forth in the garden of Gethsemane … Continue reading →

General Conference: “The Atonement Can Clean, Reclaim, and Sanctify Our Lives”

In his talk “The Atonement Can Clean, Reclaim, and Sanctify Our Lives” Elder Shayne M Brown speaks about the far reaching affect of the Atonement. Elder Brown opens his talk by describing two beautiful places—an airport and a city park. He then goes on to explain that both of these places are built over sanitary landfills that had been reclaimed. Elder Brown goes on to make the comparison of this to the Atonement. He points out that many people would think that you were foolish if you went to dig up the old garbage that is buried beneath these places. … Continue reading →