I have been thinking a lot about the Atonement of Jesus Christ[1] lately. I don’t pretend to be an “expert” in the Atonement, but I will share some thoughts about what the Atonement has meant for me. As usual, if this is helpful for you, please use it however you see fit. If it’s NOT helpful for you, please set it aside; perhaps something else in this blog WILL be helpful for you.
I am reading Elder Dallin H. Oaks’[2] book The Lord’s Way[3]. In pages 222-224, Elder Oaks teaches about suffering as it relates to repentance. I thought of the suffering I have and am experiencing as a result of grief and mourning from Ashton’s death. Quoting from the book, “…this suffering has a different purpose than punishment or payment. Its purpose is change. The fruits of the [mourner’s] personal suffering are the broken heart and contrite spirit described in the scriptures…The broken heart and contrite spirit…introduce the [mourner] to the change necessary to conform his life to the pattern prescribed by his Redeemer.” If you find this approach helpful, I suggest reading this section of Elder Oaks’ book.
While the suffering I have experienced through grief has been more painful than I can express, I hope that it has helped – and will continue to help – change my heart so that it is more open and receptive to God’s influence and to the needs of others who are also suffering.
Faye’s recent blog post[4] is about our grandchildren’s church program that we attended last week. I’d like to share two things that touched me during that program.
First, our 4-year-old granddaughter, Clara’s, story about how she put band aids on Jesus’ “owies.” The photo from Faye’s post is the wallpaper on my phone. Truly, “out of the mouth of babes”[5] is how I am often taught. The simplicity and pureness of that act just melts this grandfather’s heart.
Second, one of the songs in the program was “I Know That the Savior Loves Me.”[6] Here are the lyrics:
A long time ago in a beautiful place,
Children were gathered ‘round Jesus.
He blessed and taught as they felt of His love.
Each saw the tears on His face.
The love that He felt for His little ones
I know He feels for me.
I did not touch Him or sit on His knee,
Yes, Jesus is real to me.
Chorus:
I know He lives!
I will follow faithfully.
My heart I give to Him.
I know that my Savior loves me.
This children’s song is referring to when the Savior appeared to His people in the American continent, shortly after His resurrection. He invited them to come forward one-by-one and feel with their hands the wounds of the sword in His side and of the nails in His hands and feet.[7] This was a multitude of 2,500 men, women and children. Later that day, He invited the multitude to bring forth all those “who were afflicted in any manner” and He healed them, one-by-one. He told them, “…I have compassion upon you. My bowels are filled with mercy.” He then invited them to bring their children to Him. As they surrounded Him, He knelt and prayed to the Father, using words too marvelous to be written. He then said, “Blessed are ye because of your faith. And now behold, my joy is full.” He then wept, blessed each child one-by-one, prayed unto the Father for them, and wept again. Angels then descended from heaven to minister unto the children as fire surrounded the children.[8]
What exactly Jesus said when he prayed for them, what exactly the angels did as they ministered unto the children, and what exactly the fire looked like – I don’t know – but it must have been an experience beyond any mortal’s ability to describe or express. I like to picture myself being present and eyewitness to these glorious events. I like to picture myself taking Ashton forward – in the broken and delusional state of mind[9] that tormented him the last several months of his life – to be healed by Jesus. What joy this thought brings to this father’s broken heart! What comfort it brings me to know that that is exactly what has happened as Ashton is in Jesus’ loving and understanding presence even as I write this post – healed in every whit from those delusional afflictions he suffered in mortality.
As I recently read these passages of scripture, I said aloud to myself, “I choose to believe that!”[10] When an interviewer asked President Gordon B. Hinckley if he really believed, he promptly responded, “Yes, sir. That’s the miracle of it!”[11] What a concise response! I agree wholeheartedly as I express my belief in these passages: Of course I believe it! Isn’t miraculous?!
Religion has been called “opium of the people.”[12] I have never used opium, but I have seen the beneficial effect of one of opium’s derivatives, morphine, in relieving pain and suffering in my own patients. Faye recently had sinus surgery. I stood by her side in the post-operative area and helplessly watched the facial grimace from pain melt away when the nurse gave her some intravenous morphine. It was a relief for me to know we are blessed to have medications that can so quickly relieve the suffering of someone I love dearly. For me, the differences between opium (or morphine) and my spiritual beliefs is that a) the drugs only have a temporary effect and b) the drugs can become addicting. In contrast, my spiritual beliefs have brought me lasting peace and comfort. Used as God intended, religion can have a profound, lasting, positive change on the individual, who can then allow God to work through him to bless society.
I thank God, the Eternal Father, for the Atonement of His Son, Jesus Christ![13] What peace and comfort these bedrock beliefs have brought to me in the midst of my pain and suffering. I pray that this suffering and broken heart will lead to lasting change that God would want to see occur in my life.
Written by Carter
[1] Bible Dictionary and The Guide to the Scriptures
[2] https://www.lds.org/church/leader/dallin-h-oaks?lang=eng
[6] “I Know That My Savior Loves Me” (It’s especially touching for me to see the painting of a child looking up at Jesus just after the song in this reference.)
[9] Ashton’s Mental Health Journey, Part 3 of 4
[10] “Choose to Believe” by Elder L. Whitney Clayton
[11] “60 Minutes’ Mike Wallace & President Gordon B. Hinckley,” YouTube video
[12] Karl Marx quote (in context)
Thank you for sharing your insights and testimonies, reaching out to others is helpful for all of us.