Lesson for December 27, 2015

Lesson for December 27, 2015 Today our lesson was given by Maggie Kopp on the Atonement using two Conference talks: “Strengthened by the Atonement of Jesus Christ” by Elder Oaks and “He in Whom We Have Trusted” by Elder Haynie . She wanted to talk about the Christmas story and beyond. Alma 7:10-12 about the birth of Christ and His life as he takes upon him the pains and sicknesses of His people and death so he knows how to succor us. Elder Haynie told the story of when he was a child and they dug a hole in the field. They made it into a swimming hole and he was covered with mud. His grandmother would not let him in until he was hosed off from all the mud. It was warm in his house and he got dry, clean clothes. This story symbolizes how we get dirty from our sins and then repent and take advantage of the Atonement. No unclean thing can enter into the kingdom except those who have washed themselves in Christ’s blood. 3 Nephi 27:19 Elder Haynie talked about Alma 34:15-16 and how all who believe on Christ’s name will be able to take advantage of the Atonement and bring about the great and eternal plan of redemption. We strive to do good, but when we fall over and over again, we have a way back through our faith in the Atonement. We can make progress. Exercising faith was a point Elder Oaks emphasized. He said that the Atonement can help to bind up our wounds of physical illness, emotional wounds, disappointments, etc. Mortality can be unpleasant and tough. We can use the Atonement for all kinds of problems. Even death can be not as difficult to handle if we have an eternal perspective. As women we might wonder how Christ could understand us with our female problems, but somehow He does. Elder Oaks said Christ will succor His people in all things because he descended below all things, so he knows how to lift us and give us the strength to endure in all things—if we just ask. Heavenly Father will lift us. We need to stay positive and remember to ask. He can change our attitudes about things even if He doesn’t change our circumstances. He can take the pain and bitterness from us. We need to work with Him. We need to believe in the scriptures and exercise faith and invite the power of the Atonement into our lives and accept His will. Trusting God can give us peace and knowing that at some point He will make it right. Repentance helps us feel that something is happening. You get something back and you can go somewhere. Experiencing forgiveness is real and can feel concrete and real. The challenge is that if you are experiencing something where you need to ask, feel gratitude for the Atonement, and ask for forgiveness. Christ knows who we are and what we need and he will be there for us.