Lesson for December 4, 2016

Lesson for December 4, 2016 Today our lesson was given by Andrea Gerber of the Relief Society presidency. She taught us about Enabling Power of The Atonement. We know about the redeeming power of the Atonement, but not about the enabling power. We understand that the Atonement is for sinners, but it is also for members and saints. Andrea read from the Lorenzo Snow manual about how Latter-day Saints are entitled to the power of the Atonement and supernatural aid when we can not do what we need to do. When we have the assistance of the Almighty when we need saving on a daily basis. If we try to do everything on our own, we will fail We need to take advantage of the grace of God, which Pres. Snow calls spiritual aid. We can receive strength and assistance beyond our strength. Elder Bednar said his wife had morning sickness all pregnancy with every one and yet she was given extra strength to survive and bring those children into the world. He said it was like the pioneers who had to rely on the Lord many, many times. Andrea said when she had to go to visit an inactive sister, she was scared. She prayed that she would be able to communicate her love to this sister. It went so well and she felt She learned that the Lord can make her the right person. Emily Campbell said she feels like she was carried and lifted during the hard times while her children were so sick and she was faced with so many troubles. Dorothy Francis said her son was blessed during a calling so his time would expand and it was. Sister Freytag said when she was called to be Young Women president, she felt overwhelmed. But so many people came forward and helped her. She was given extra strength. We often feel inadequate, but we do things beyond our strength and ability. The Lord works with us and brings us up to speed. Sometimes He can take our pain or our grief for a time so we can rest. Gerald Lund said we are like a powerhouse on a river that relies on the river to generate the power that flows out of the powerhouse. An effort in our lives to remove the blockades to the river that goes through our personal powerhouse can result in the river moving freely through our powerhouse. We do not have to crank the generators by hand if we allow the Spirit of the Lord to flow through us. We can ask what to pray for. Once we are one with God we won’t ask anything. How do we get this help? We have to ask for it. Remember the scripture about submitting cheerfully and gain power. We have to go to work and do what we are supposed to do and then pray for help and the Lord can make up deficits. We need to be humble enough to ask for help and acknowledge we need the help of the Lord. We need to believe that God will help. All blessings are predicated on the law, but if you don’t study the scriptures, you don’t know what blessings you are entitled to. Some things that open the river channel are obedience and commitment to gospel principles. When we understand the enabling power of the Atonement, we will know that through faith in the Atonement of Christ we can do all things and be healed of all things. Elder Holland talked about the scripture to not let our hearts be troubled and not be afraid. It must wound God to have us not trust in Him, so learn more and take Heavenly Father at His word.