Atonement of Jesus Christ

    I recently have had the chance to be a part of a religion course and study more about the Book of Mormon. The Book of Mormon is another testament of Jesus Christ and teaches some of the eternal doctrines that help clarify our purpose here on earth and helps us more fully understand the Atonement of Jesus Christ. One of my favorite discussions we've had in class is about the Atonement of Jesus Christ. In Alma 7: 11-13 we learn about what exactly Christ did for us in the Garden of Gethsemane and how it can help us. It says,' 11 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. 12 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'

This is a different perspective that the book of mormon gives us because it teaches the variety of things he suffered and explains that He did to know what it is we each go through. I think this is something many people do not fully understand and do not take advantage over. We have a Savior who knows and had personally experiences all of our pains and afflictions. This knowledge is a privilege because of the hope and peace is can bring to our troubles minds and hearts.

 I loved the discussion in class about the infinite nature of Christ's Atonement. It covers everything we could think of and more. It is the plan A for when we mess up. It is the way back to our Heavenly Father. In class we discussed how many times, we look at ourselves as damaged because we need help from Christ but that is the exact reason for an infinite atonement. That is the why for all suffering He did. He already paid the price because He knew we were going to need it. In a conference talk given by Tad R. Callister, he says 'It is an infinite Atonement because it encompasses and circumscribes every sin and weakness, as well as every abuse or pain caused by others' (Callister). I think this is an interesting look because soemtimes we are hurt by others and still seek and need heavenly relief. This is also encompassed in the infinite atonement of Jesus Christ.

I have a special tesimony of the divinity of Jesus Christ and I am grateful that He loves all of us, but especially myself enough to suffer all these things for me. One scripture that makes me feel even more grateful is in 1 Nephi 19: 9. It says, ' And the world, because of their iniquity, shall judge him to be a thing of naught; wherefore they scourge him, and he suffereth it; and they smite him, and he suffereth it. Yea, they spit upon him, and he suffereth it, because of his loving kindness and his long-suffering towards the children of men.' He felt all and suffered all these things, and he sufferers it because He loves me. Only a pure love from our Savior would be able to do something as powerful as this. I know His love is real and changes lives. I know that only through the Book of Mormon we can understand more about this divine role of our Savior.