Attitude of Gratitude and The Atonement

Greetings Friends!

First, let's get back to the Attitude of Gratitude, with my five list:

1. Internet Access
(I am glad for this thing called the internet, through which I can learn and read and write stories with my best friend, and keep in touch with friends from all over the world!)

2. Luna, Duncan, Mei-Mei
(I love my sweet pups. They remind me to be kind and to live in the moment. They require I reach outside of myself to offer care and love and cuddles and comfort).

3. Shelter
(I had the experience of running into a woman and her two children who are literally homeless. They live out of her van, in a rather frightening situation. I bought the kids lunch, but wish I could do more. I am so grateful to have a roof over my head and running water and all the necessities that a home supplies that we do not think about on a daily basis and often take for granted).

4. Safety
(A dear relation of a friend of mine is experiencing a high level of harassment. We're talking crazy things, like death threats, and more. I told my friend about the Aspire App that you can put on your phone, created by Robin McGraw, that will alert designated friends and authorities if you need help and are confronted with a dangerous situation. This app is used to help women get out of dangerous and abusive relationships, etc. I also clued them in on the Companion App. This app was crafted to let others know when you are walking/traveling by foot and that you've made it safely to your destination. There is a button to alert the police and one to alert other people that you don't feel safe, in case you think you are being followed. Beyond that, I pray for the girl at the center of the drama and urge that she do all within her power to protect herself and her child from those who might attempt to do her harm).

5. My Mom
(I know, you may think it is cliche, but it is true. I am grateful for all she does to make her house into a home. All of the little touches and decorations and things that signify that she is here, that this is a place that her spirit finds rest in. I am grateful for all that she does for me, a few night's ago she polished my leather tennis shoes! She is a blessing and a best friend, and home wouldn't be home without her). 

For the last two weeks, we have been reading from 2 Nephi in the Book of Mormon. I have really been struck deeply by the verses that relate to the atonement. At this week's gathering, we discussed the difference between principles and doctrine. A principle is "concentrated truth, packaged for a wide variety of circumstances". It is an enduring truth, law, or rule, that is portable to a variety of situations. If it is only true inside the context of a single story, then it is not a principle (because it is not portable, cannot be applied to your life). Years ago, I was taught by an institute of religion professor that you should always look for the principle within the program. The programs of the church may alter or change as time goes by. The programs will adapt but the principles of the gospel and the church will always remain the same. We need to make sure we don't get caught up in the program and not pay attention to the principle the program is trying to teach us. We learned that a doctrine is a fundamental belief, an unchanging truth, or an eternal law. One example of a doctrine can be found in 2 Ne 9, where it states that a person will not be held accountable for the laws and rules of the gospel that they do not know or have not learned here on earth. God will not hold us to a standard that we did not know existed. One of the sister's in class, brought up the point that her 9 year old son was worried about his salvation because he wasn't sure he believed in God or the gospel. His mom pointed out this doctrine to him, that it is okay if he doesn't know for sure what he believes at this point in his life, because he is 9 years old, but that his parents will not lead him wrong. That he is responsible to learn and keep studying and to trust that his parents will look out for him and guide him. That the Lord will not hold him accountable for the fact that he is still learning and hasn't had a strong witness of the truth yet. In short, that Heavenly Father is fair, and will judge us according to what we know (and if we do not know certain things, he will not judge us based on what we do not know).
During our directed study session, my group chose Option 1, where we were required to look at the verses in 2 Nephi 9, in the Book of Mormon, and write down aspects about the Atonement of Christ. My verses were 4-9 and I contributed that these verses had to do with the clear necessity of the atonement. We were subject to death because of the Fall of Adam. Both physical death, of the body, and spiritual death, of the soul, which is also known as separation from God. The Atonement is the necessary component to bring us back into Heavenly Father's presence. Without it, we would be subject to the Devil, and miserable like him. In verse 10, we learned that God planned a way for us to escape physical and spiritual death. In verse 13 we are shown that it is a mercy the Lord has planned for the atonement to apply to us because otherwise we would have a perfect knowledge of all our sins when we stood before God at Judgement and we would not be able to bear to be in his presence. Verses 17 and 19 talked about how God will fulfill the laws of Justice and that if we keep his commandments, we can live with him again. It also talked about the great mercy of Heavenly Father and that we will be delivered from Satan by the Atonement of Christ, because we can repent. Verse 20 talked about how significant it was that God "knows all things" and that his omnipotence was and is necessary, in order to bring to pass the "immortality and eternal life" of man. His wisdom has allowed him to plan around the ways the Devil has tried to foil the plan of salvation. His knowledge of each of us, allows Christ to succor us in our pains and sorrows and to aid us specifically in our journey back to Heavenly Father.
I was struck by the verses in the scriptures that talked about how no other nation would crucify Christ. That's such a heavy sentiment, there. No other nation in the world (and quite possibly no other world in the known universe) would have crucified the Son of God. They would have recognized him and worshiped him, instead. What does that say about the wickedness of the people at that time? How hard were their hearts? How closed were their minds? It just blows my mind to think that people could be so blind and inhuman. (Or perhaps it is all too human, and simply the darkest aspects of humanity?)
I really like the fact that we are essentially living during the time of the reunification of Israel spoken of in 2 Nephi. We are seeing with our own eyes, the various members of the tribes come into the church. It is the fulfillment of prophecy, going on right this second. (It kind of gives you chills). We are an "ensign to the nations" and it is our responsibility to share the gospel and spread the message of Christ. (Years ago, I heard something from another institute professor, Brother Monte Nyman, about the tribe of Ephraim: "We are Ephraim, We Gather" ... that phrase has stayed with me ever since it fell into my ears. I feel like those who are of the tribe of Ephraim are compelled to share the good news, to speak of the atonement and invite the world to listen). One of the men in our pathways gathering is named Adone. He is from Africa and he is a convert to the church. He expressed to us his testimony of the gospel and of the continued modern revelation that we receive from the Prophet and Apostles of the church and how it touched his heart and made him want to investigate the church (from his previous religious roots). It reminded me of my own roots, as a convert to the church. As well as the difference you can witness in your life, when you look at life before the gospel and the influence of the Holy Ghost and life after the gospel, with the principles incorporated into your daily life, echoed in your interactions.
For those of my friends who are not LDS, if you have any questions about the gospel or about the church as a whole, I invite you to ask me. I will do my best to find an answer for you, if I do not know the answer myself. I also invite you to share with me the uplifting principles that you have experienced in your own life, regardless of what religion or creed you belong to. We all have room and space to learn from each other!