The Atonement (Faith VE5)

My testimony of the atonement begins with my conversion to the church. Reading the Book of Mormon and learning about the plan of salvation taught me that none of it is possible (including the priesthood and the sealing of families together) without the atonement. I have always had a stronger testimony of the Father and the Spirit, but struggled for a long time with the Savior. I leaned on what Alma says in verse 27: “But behold, if ye will awake and arouse your faculties, even to an experiment upon my words, and exercise a particle of faith, yea, even if ye can no more than desire to believe, let this desire work in you, even until ye believe in a manner that ye can give place for a portion of my words.”

Unlike those that are moved deeply by the crucifixion, my testimony of the atonement to me is more logically based. Alma 34 is one of my favorite chapters in the Book of Mormon. Verses 8-16 describes the logic of the atonement. It is not that I don’t have feeling for Christ and what he did for us; however, I know that it was necessary. There is a phrase that many young Christians like to used: “WWJD,” or “What Would Jesus Do.” I think about what I would do if I was able to save the world, a world that I loved and created, with a perfect love. I can only strive to be as courageous, selfless, enduring, and charitable as Christ was.

It is always interesting to read the gospels of New Testament. Christ knows what must happen and why, but the apostles don’t understand. Even though the Savior tries to teach them, it probably wasn’t until the day of Pentecost when the Spirit was upon them when they realized the significance of the atonement.

“For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.” (John 3:16-17)

The Sacrament (Faith VE4)

Some of my favorite hymns are sacrament hymns. One of my favorites is “In Humility, Our Savior.” In the past month, we have sang in twice in sacrament meeting. The words are especially meaningful to read and ponder during the sacrament.

Verse 1

In humility, our Savior,
Grant thy Spirit here, we pray,
As we bless the bread and water
In thy name this holy day.
Let me not forget, O Savior,
Thou didst bleed and die for me
When thy heart was stilled and broken
On the cross at Calvary.
Verse 2

Fill our hearts with sweet forgiving;
Teach us tolerance and love.
Let our prayers find access to thee
In thy holy courts above.
Then, when we have proven worthy
Of thy sacrifice divine,
Lord, let us regain thy presence;
Let thy glory round us shine.

When we take the sacrament, we promise to take upon the name of Christ, always remember Him and keep the commandments which have been given to us. When we do this we are promised to always have His Spirit to be with us (D&C 20:75-79). In addition, we also renew the covenants we made at baptism. These include being called the Lord’s people, willing to bear one another's burdens, willing to mourn with those that mourn; comfort those that stand in need of comfort, and to stand as witnesses of God at all times and in all things, and in all places. The promises of which include that we may be redeemed of God, and be numbered with those of the first resurrection, that we may have eternal life. Or in short, serve the Lord and keep His commandments, that He may pour out His Spirit more abundantly upon us. (Mosiah 18:8-10) This just happens to also be what the sacrament prayer says.

Blessings of Prayer (Faith VE3)

Today we had a Family Home Evening and talked about Faith and Prayer. We watched “Lessons from the Lord’s Prayers” by Elder Russell M. Nelson from General Conference in April 2009.

Prayer has played an important part in my faith and testimony. Prayer and faith have helped me get through my toughest times. We have been told to pray and to pray often. I know I don’t pray often enough. Prayer can make us feel vulnerable, but that isn’t a bad thing. We just need to realize who is really in control. When we pray with sincerity and faith, we are opening up ourselves to blessings.

Back in 2007, I needed to decide on what type of dialysis I was going to do. While visiting the temple, I prayed about it and had a feeling that regardless of what I chose, it would all work out. Since that time, I have had a number of issues trying to get a working fistula, had a transplant that was rejected, and just last month, I had to get a clot removed from my arm. In the end, though, I don’t regret my decision to do hemodialysis. I think I probably would have had just as many issues with PD. It was an interesting concept, though, for me to know that Heavenly Father trusted me to make a choice between two paths each of which having no promise of being any easier than the other. It really came down to faith itself.

Faith at Home (Faith VE2)

Today is the day we focus on mothers. That means it is the perfect time to do my next Value Experience for Faith. The assignment is to discuss the qualities a woman needs to teach children to have faith and to base their decisions on gospel truths, and to discuss how these principles help you in your life today and help you prepare to be a mother.

According to the Family Proclamation:
“Parents have sacred duty to rear their children in love and righteousness, to provide for their physical and spiritual needs, to teach them to love and serve one another, to observe the commandments of God and to be law-abiding citizens wherever they live. …Successful marriages and families are established and maintained on principles of faith, prayer, repentance, forgiveness, respect, love, compassion, work, and wholesome recreational activities.”

There were also a number of talks at Conference in April about Parenting. The focus is primarily on teaching gospel truths in the home in defense against adversity.


L. Tom Perry taught, “Teaching in the home is becoming increasingly important in today’s world, where the influence of the adversary is so widespread and he is attacking, attempting to erode and destroy the very foundation of our society, even the family. Parents must resolve that teaching in the home is a most sacred and important responsibility. While other institutions, such as church and school, can assist parents to “train up a child in the way he [or she] should go” (Proverbs 22:6), ultimately this responsibility rests with parents. According to the great plan of happiness, it is parents who are entrusted with the care and development of our Heavenly Father’s children. Our families are an integral part of His work and glory—“to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man” (Moses 1:39). On God’s eternal stage, it is usually intended that parents act as the central cast members in their children’s lives. Fortunately, there are understudies involved in the production who may step in when parents can’t. It, however, is parents who have been commanded by the Lord to bring up their children in light and truth (see D&C 93:40).” (Mothers Teaching Children in the Home, April 2010 Conference)

I think about the struggles that I have gone through and hope I can be a strength for my children. I am grateful for the gospel and hope that my children will have testimonies early on in their lives. I can’t yet imagine the trials they will have to go through as the later-days wind down. It gives me more of a reason to be diligent and keep my testimony strong.

David A. Bednar taught, “Spiritual warnings should lead to increasingly vigilant watching…This early warning system applies to children of all ages and contains three basic components: (1) reading and talking about the Book of Mormon with your children, (2) bearing testimony of gospel truths spontaneously with your children, and (3) inviting children as gospel learners to act and not merely be acted upon. Parents who do these things faithfully will be blessed to recognize early signals of spiritual growth in or challenges with their children and be better prepared to receive inspiration to strengthen and help those children.” (Watching with All Perseverance, April 2010 Conference)

What is Faith? (Faith VE1)

Alma talks of faith as a seed. As this seed is planted, it begins to grow. When I joined the church, I tested my faith just as in Alma 32 and found that my understanding grew. I have also been through many trials in my life, and they have tested my faith. Ether 12:6 is one of my favorite scriptures and has helped me through tough times.

Elder Kevin W. Pearson taught, “Desire is a particle of faith that develops within us as we experience divine truth. It is like spiritual photosynthesis. The influence of the Holy Ghost, acting on the Light of Christ within every human being, produces the spiritual equivalent of a chemical reaction—a stirring, a change of heart, or a desire to know. Hope develops as particles of faith become molecules and as simple efforts to live true principles occur. (Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, April 2009 General Conference)

Today in Relief Society, we talked about Faith. After breaking into groups, my group discussed 1 Nephi 13-17 when Nephi is asked to build a ship. The question was asked “What was the reward for obedience? And how does that apply to us and missionary work?” My response was that in verse 13, Nephi is told by the Lord, “And I will also be your light in the wilderness; and I will prepare the way before you, if it so be that ye shall keep my commandments; wherefore, inasmuch as ye shall keep my commandments ye shall be led towards the promised land; and ye shall know that it is by me that ye are led.” This can apply to us because as we are obedient and faithful, we too gain a testimony.

Elder Kevin W. Pearson also taught, “As patterns of obedience develop, the specific blessings associated with obedience are realized and belief emerges. Desire, hope, and belief are forms of faith, but faith as a principle of power comes from a consistent pattern of obedient behavior and attitudes. Personal righteousness is a choice. Faith is a gift from God, and one possessed of it can receive enormous spiritual power.” (Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, April 2009 General Conference)