A few years ago, I came to a realization of what the atonement is. I have always believed Christ died for our sins. But it wasn’t until in recent years, as an adult, that I came to understand that the atonement is not limited to our sins. It encompasses so much more. These words from Cecil Samuelson, of the Seventy, state this much better than I:
“The word Atonement ‘describes the setting ‘at one’ of those who have been estranged, and denotes the reconciliation of man to God. Sin is the cause of the estrangement, and therefore the purpose of atonement is to correct or overcome the consequences of sin.’ I believe it is also possible to become estranged from God for many reasons other than overt sin.”
The atonement is intended to encompass all of this. We can become estranged from the Lord in many ways and for many reasons: the trials we endure in this life, the physical ailments that afflict our bodies, the sorrows we suffer through no misdeed or intent of our own, a lack of faith in specific gospel principles…any of these can cause a separation of sorts from Heavenly Father. And Christ suffered for these feelings as well as the actual sinful acts we commit.
This has been a great comfort to me, not only now as I travel this road to single motherhood, but in the past when my son died and also in other instances when I feel deep despair and sorrow at circumstances in my life. It helps me to let go…to not let those feelings control me and my actions. Not that I immediately succeed…I don’t. But I also don’t give up.
It is a moot point to discuss the Atonement without also discussing repentance, as the atonement is what makes repentance possible.
Repentance is the English translation of a Greek word meaning: “denotes a change of mind, i.e., a fresh view about God, about oneself, and about the world” (Bible Dictionary, “Repentance,” 760).
I have not ever seen repentance defined this way…but I like it, as I have always thought of Easter as a time of new beginnings, of making a fresh start, a renewal of sorts. And the wonderful thing is we have the opportunity to make this fresh start and renewal each and every week via the sacrament.
And finally, the hope of resurrection is the reason repentance is so important. Our ultimate goal is to return to Heavenly Father and live with him. That would not be possible without the atonement, without repentance, and without the joining of the body and spirit through the resurrection.
John 11:25-26
Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die.
It is my ultimate goal to not only be happy in this life, but to ensure my eternal happiness and progression in the next. That will only happen as I make the atonement and repentance a part of my daily life. As I (we) continue in this oftentimes painful journey, it will be helpful to us to remember that Christ has felt and experienced all that we have, do and will experience…and that should give us great comfort.
This is one of my favorite things about spring…outside of our side door, just across from our carport, we have several rose bushes. I did not plant them, but they bloom every year. They are beautiful reminders of the new beginning of spring and of Easter. I took this picture (and several others) over Easter weekend.
May we each find joy in the simple things that we encounter each day, and may we find that we are indeed individuals worthy of the love that is waiting for us.
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