What's in a word?

There are some words you hear and a specific definition comes to mind.  For me, chocolate -- pure deliciousness!  To others, chocolate could bring to mind being over weight or cavities and a visit to the dentist.  How about exercise?  I think of feeling good.  You may think of sweat and being out of breath.  There are so many words we could go over and find different meanings.  But there is one, in particular, that has been on my mind recently.


Not too long ago I was at a church meeting.  A question was brought up about how we can get the Atonement deep into the heart of others, or something along those lines.  Then we started discussing the Atonement.  It was more of a congregation/audience discussion.  The discussion leaned toward how the Atonement helps us 'wipe' away our sins.  Things were discussed on how we can teach our children to know that although they sin, they (we) can remember the Atonement and all that Jesus Christ did for them (us).  My 18 year old son even shared an experience he had with an issue in his life that, if not taken care of in it's early stage, could have become a big problem.  He shared how he knew his parents loved him and he could trust them and go to them for help.  So he related how having a close and trusting relationship with your parents is one way to help "get the Atonement deep into the hearts of others".


I was fine with the discussion and everything everyone had shared. However, something kept nagging at me in the back of my mind.  The congregation was really concentrating on how the Atonement helps the sinner be free from sin, or how it helps the sinner understand that Christ died for our sins and how if we look to Him and sincerely change our ways, we can be forgiven.  Yes, I believe that.....but I also believe the Atonement is MUCH MORE than being forgiven of our sins and yet, no one was talking about that.

Sure, we can go into the detailed definition of the Atonement.... At-one-ment....being one with God by overcoming sin through repentance.  Although that is true, it is really only PART of the definition of the Atonement.  Yes, as humans we all sin, right?  We ALL need the Atonement of Jesus Christ to repent of our sins and come unto Christ.  But, I submit to you, the Atonement is not only for the sinner.  The definition is deeper and more profound than that.  If we truly look into what the Atonement is all about, we see that Jesus Christ not only "paid the price for our sins" but He also took upon himself all our sorrows, all our worries, all our pain.

When we are feeling lonely - Christ knows what that is like.  Many times in His life, he was alone - even when surrounded by others - He was "alone"

When we are hungry, maybe even starving - Christ fasted for 40 days.  He knows what it feels like to be hungry.

Betrayed?  Yep, Christ was betrayed....remember Judas?


Pain?  I'm sure having nails hammered into your hands and feet is pain beyond measure.  He knows pain.

He knows how it feels to be spat upon, ridiculed, made fun of, taunted, rejected.  Jesus Christ experienced more in His 33 years of life than most of us will ever experience in 100 years.  And really, if you think about it, He even knows what it's like to be a "step-child" or an "adopted" child (think about that one for a moment).

Jesus Christ atoned not only for our sins, but for every aliment known to man.  He may not know what it's like to have cancer or some other modern day disease, but He knows our pain and our sorrow that will accompany it.

Toward the end of this open discussion I raised my hand.  I shared with the congregation an experience one of my older brothers had with his excommunication from the church (Mormon church) over 30 years ago and his journey back "into the fold" and his re-baptism about three years ago.  I shared how this brother is now attending the temple and is much happier in life (not free from problems or pain, but just basically happier).  My point was how it affected my children.  I explained how my husband's side of the family is basically "good Mormon's" living the gospel and how MY side of the family is almost just the opposite and I wondered how my children would receive my side of the family in comparison to my husband's side of the family.  My children only knew Uncle Mark as a guy that smoked and drank and did things that they know are against what we teach.  HOWEVER, they loved him anyway.  They didn't judge him or not like him because he lived differently than we did.  They loved their uncle regardless of how he lived.  Our children saw how the Atonement affected the life of a "sinner" they knew and loved. They truly saw the Atonement "in action" in the life of someone else.

I concluded my comment saying something like this, "Yes, the Atonement is there for us regarding sin.  But it is much more than that.  The Atonement is there for us during our trials, our sorrows and everything that we experience.  Really, the Atonement is truly the love of Christ."

Friends, if I could just leave you with this:  No matter what you experience, no matter where you are in life, no matter how down trodden you may feel, just know that you are truly NEVER ALONE. Whether you are a believer in Christ or not, He did what He did.  He bled through every pore in the Garden of Gethsemane. He died on the cross.  He did what he did because he loves you, me, all of us. You don't have to believe it, but it did happen and each of us is a recipient of that great love.  He experienced it all so HE KNOWS.  He knows what we're going through....and you are NEVER ALONE.

Love,

Debbie