The Atonement

My happiness and peace

seemed forever gone,

leaving only regret—

until I saw the blackened earth.

One bad decision and a forest

was destroyed—

or would have been

except for the saving grace

and promise of new life

evidenced in small green shoots

pushing through the ashes.

By Lisa Jan South

I love this poem! I think it describes something each of us experience in life. We make choices that we may regret or decisions in which we feel that our "forest" has been destroyed. That our life is "blackened" and there is no hope. "Happiness and peace are forever gone." We feel there is nothing that can fix or solve our mistakes. There is however, someone and something that can! Jesus Christ and his atonement. Our Savior Jesus Christ can heal any wound, lift any burden and strengthen any weak or discouraged soul. The atonement he provided for each of us is infinite and eternal! When we have faith, hope and rely on the Savior's atonement we are able to see the "green shoots" sprout forth in our lives. When we apply the atonement in our lives and repent, we are once again filled with happiness and joy! The prophet Alma, from the Book of Mormon, describes it best I believe:

    "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.
     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.

     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."

    It's my testimony that the cleansing affect of Christ's atonement is real! That it is available to EVERYONE! I love my Savior and all the He did, not only for me, but for YOU personally as well! I Love You :)

NEVER GIVE UP!

    Sometimes in our lives we hit brick walls. We feel we have no where to go and there is no solution. We feel discouraged, disappointed and often times forgotten. At these points in our lives the decisions we make are crucial! You can either choose to rise up and get around, over, under or through these brick walls and moments in your lives or lay down and give up on what you've worked for your entire life.

    "Brick walls are there for a reason. The brick walls are not there to keep us out. The brick walls are there to show how badly we want something, because the brick walls are there to stop the people who don't want something badly enough. They are there to keep out the other people. Brick walls let us show our dedication." -Randy Pausch

    When we make the decision to get past these brick walls, Jesus Christ is there to give us the extra strength and support we need to accomplish just that. The power in the Atonement of Jesus Christ is endless! Christ desires to help and assist us in our lives. He didn't say this life would be easy, but that it would all be worth it. When we call upon the Lord for help, he is waiting there with helping hands to assist you in your journey!

    I pray all who read this will be strong and take courage and do as the prophet Nephi, from the Book of Mormon, recommends:

    "Wherefore, ye must press forward with a steadfastness in Christ, having a perfect brightness of hope, and a love of God and of all men. Wherefore, if ye shall press forward, feasting upon the word of Christ, and endure to the end, behold, thus saith the Father: Ye shall have eternal life.