We had a beautiful Stake Relief Society Meeting yesterday and I felt impressed to share a few thoughts with you all. I will keep them short and sweet but they have led me to a study and reevaluation of how I use the atonement in my life. If anyone wants a study topic, this is a good one.
The sister who spoke talked about how the atonement is not only for our redemption but also holds the power of enabling. She referenced a talk by Elder Bednar several times that is worth reviewing. Here is the link.
http://www.lds.org/ensign/2012/04/the-atonement-and-the-journey-of-mortality?lang=eng
It struck me that there is not a single difficulty in our lives that we cannot and do not have the right to ask for help with. In fact, Elder Holland talks about the scripture that says, "Peace I leave with you..." John 14:27 and then says,
"I am convinced that none of us can appreciate how deeply it wounds the loving heart of the Savior of the world when he finds that his people do not feel confident in his care or secure in his hands."
I am a person that learns by stories and examples best. I loved the stories Elder Bednar shares in his talk and I hope through further study, I am able to understand better how the atonement can enable me through my every day challenges and happenings.
Sister Richmond finished with a personal example that I'm sure I cannot relate in as much detail and feeling as she did but the lesson was profound since it illustrates this principle in a present day example and it helped me relate this principle to my own life. Her husband was the mission president in Peru and then when threats were made on his life from local crime figures they were sent to open a mission in Brazil. There was a missionary who was constantly causing trouble and asking to go home and they would talk him into staying every couple of months. The final straw resulted in a church court and ultimately his excommunication. However, while he awaited the results of that court with this sister in the office, she said she typed furiously trying not to look at him because she was so angry with him and his antics. She had loved, forgiven and encouraged him through his entire mission and was finally fed up! She began to have unbidden thoughts of his childhood and the struggles he grew up with. He had suffered much in his youth. She began to feel compassion for him and understand his heart. She said she fought these feelings and tried to hang onto her anger but that finally she stopped typing and looked at him. His head hung over and his posture was that of a young man dejected, forlorn and hopeless. She walked to his side, knelt at his feet, took his hands in hers and said, I love you Elder _____. He immediately broke down in tears and she related that it was the first time anyone had ever expressed such a thing to him in his life!
She told us that her husband, the mission president then came back in and told him of the results of the meeting. As they spent that evening with him they both felt encouraged. And the next day as they dropped him off at the bus stop to go home, he had hope because his repentance had started. She said, the Lord needed a mother for that young man and she was available. Her heart was changed and she was enabled to love and serve this young man exactly the way he needed, when he needed it.
I know the Savior loves us. He wants us to use the gift he has given us to repent and heal but also to become better in countless ways by using the atonement's enabling power as well. We can utilize this great gift in all situations to help ourselves and to be instruments to help others.
Happy Sunday everyone. I hope you have a great day!
Sarah
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