Any time I return to study fundamental teachings, principles, doctrine of the gospel of Jesus Christ, I feel immediate shift in my commitment to Him, my Redeemer and Savior. Such an opportunity comes as I focus upon pure doctrine and teachings that increase my understanding of his relevance in my life. That opportunity is here again by listening to, reading, taking personal note of comments from the President of the Quorum of Twelve Apostles of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Elder Russel M. Nelson, who said in a landmark address earlier this month:
“It is doctrinally incomplete to speak of the Lord’s atoning sacrifice by shortcut phrases, such as “the Atonement” or “the enabling power of the Atonement” or “applying the Atonement” or “being strengthened by the Atonement.” These expressions present a real risk of misdirecting faith by treating the event as if it had living existence and capabilities independent of our Heavenly Father and His Son, Jesus Christ.
Under the Father’s great eternal plan, it is the Savior who suffered. It is the Savior who broke the bands of death. It is the Savior who paid the price for our sins and transgressions and blots them out on condition of our repentance. It is the Savior who delivers us from physical and spiritual death.
There is no amorphous entity called “the Atonement” upon which we may call for succor, healing, forgiveness, or power. Jesus Christ is the source. Sacred terms such as Atonement and Resurrection describe what the Savior did, according to the Father’s plan, so that we may live with hope in this life and gain eternal life in the world to come. The Savior’s atoning sacrifice—the central act of all human history—is best understood and appreciated when we expressly and clearly connect it to Him.” (emphasis added) see / listen to…Drawing the Power of Jesus Christ into Our Lives
I feel additional increased commitment when I ‘immerse myself in’ counsel (as though from Christ) of those who spoke at the five sessions of that same conference weekend, for me to review over the next six months. I am not left without direction from God’s perspective when facing the challenges of these latter days! The closer I live such counsel, the more I find inner peace and can / should bring that peace to others. see…General Conference, April 2017 kdm
