“A Saint Through the Atonement of Christ the Lord”
“What we need from everyone, from those of you solidly in the Church as well as those struggling to hold on, is always the same: powerful faith, faith that sustains us here and now, not just on the day of judgment or somewhere in celestial glory.”
The Light of Forgiving
I know that Jesus Christ is the light that makes forgiveness possible and that as we forgive each other and ourselves, we will feel His love and experience His light in this life and even more fully in the eternal world to come.
Be 100 Percent Responsible
Agency and responsibility are inseparably connected. You cannot avoid responsibility without also diminishing agency. Mercy and justice are also inseparable. You cannot deny the Lord’s justice without also impeding His mercy.
“Walk in Newness of Life”
So you see, the rigorous change required by the gospel of Jesus Christ is not meant to be disheartening or exhausting; it is exciting and exhilarating! The plan of salvation is the ultimate adventure.
Faith to Forgive Grievous Harms: Accepting the Atonement as Restitution
This is a very strong statement: if we refuse to forgive, there remaineth in us the greater sin. How can this be? As I hope to explain, our salvation is conditioned on forgiving others because when we refuse to forgive, what we are really saying is that we reject, or don’t quite trust, the Atonement. And it is our acceptance of the Atonement that ultimately saves us.
The Miracle of Forgiveness
I have seen some individuals who have confessed and forsaken their sins with a broken heart and a contrite spirit and yet are unable to accept the forgiveness that comes through the Atonement … They do not understand the miracle of forgiveness or the wonderful gift of grace that the Atonement is.
Repentance and Forgiveness in Marriage
Besides a sincere apology, repentance includes striving to forsake our shortcomings and weaknesses. We strive to keep our promises to do the dishes. We focus on not being grumpy and not snapping at our spouse. We endeavor to become better listeners and less judgmental. As we continually repent, we constantly try to improve ourselves.
Repentance: The Key to Eternal Progression
To recognize sin we must not rely on the world but rely on our living prophet, President Hinckley; the scriptures; and our ecclesiastical leaders to show us the way.
Reconciliation
Reconciliation with God is at the core of the gospel. Reconciliation is, after all, the object of the Atonement wrought by the Son of God.
“Seventy Times Seven”
Forgiveness is a hard commandment, but with the help of the Savior's Atonement, we can gain it for ourselves and give it to others.
On Measuring Flour and Forgiveness
Do we miserly measure out the flour of forgiveness, or give it freely? We must forgive in order to be forgiven—knowing that God will take care of justice.
The Human Soul’s Quest for God
Rabbi Harold S. Kushner describes gifts of faith cultivated on the human soul's quest for God. Inspiration and guidance come to those who follow Him.
A Robe, a Ring, and a Fatted Calf
Without ever minimizing the seriousness of some of our mistakes, I want to give to you today the message that we can be washed and pronounced clean if we will but honor the Lamb of God.
