The Atonement

“To all of you who think you are lost or without hope, or who think you have done too much that was too wrong for too long, to every one of you who worry that you are stranded somewhere on the wintry plains of life and have wrecked your handcart in the process, this conference calls out Jehovah’s unrelenting refrain, “[My] hand is stretched out still.” “I shall lengthen out mine arm unto them,” He said, “[and even if they] deny me; nevertheless, I will be merciful unto them, … if they will repent and come unto me; for mine arm is lengthened out all the day long, saith the Lord God of Hosts.” His mercy endureth forever, and His hand is stretched out still. His is the pure love of Christ, the charity that never faileth, that compassion which endures even when all other strength disappears.”

     “Prophets Again in the Land,” Jeffrey R. Holland, Ensign, October 2006

“I have listened to possibly a thousand major transgressions; and each time after a truly repentant transgressor has left my office, I have either knelt behind the desk or bowed my head in prayer and said, ‘Lord, forgive him or her, I pray thee. If not, blot my name also out of thy book.’ “Though their sins be as scarlet, they may become white as the driven snow (see Isa. 1:18), and the Lord has promised he would remember their sins no more (see D&C 58:42).”

     “Forgive Them, I Pray,” Vaughn J. Featherstone, Ensign, Nov. 1980


“Faith in Christ means we trust Him; we trust His teachings. That leads to hope, and hope brings charity, the pure love of Christ—that peaceful feeling that comes when we sense His concern, His love, and His capacity to cure us or to ease our burdens with His healing power.”

     “To Be Healed,” Richard G. Scott, Ensign April 1994

“And hanging in the balance was the Atonement. Through His willing act, mercy and justice could be reconciled, eternal law sustained, and that mediation achieved without which mortal man could not be redeemed.”

     “Atonement, Agency, Accountability,” Boyd K. Packer, Ensign, April 1988

It is my testimony that many of the deepest regrets of tomorrow can be prevented by following the Savior today. If we have sinned or made mistakes—if we have made choices that we now regret—there is the precious gift of Christ’s Atonement, through which we can be forgiven. We cannot go back in time and change the past, but we can repent.

     “Of Resolutions and Regrets,” Deiter F. Utchdorf, Ensign, Nov. 2012


“As one of His latter-day witnesses, I testify that He lives today. He is a resurrected Being. He is our Savior, our Lord, the very Son of God. I testify that He will come again as our glorified, resurrected Lord. That day is not far distant. To all who accept Him as Savior and Lord, His literal resurrection means that life does not end at death, for He promised: “Because I live, ye shall live also.”

     “The Meaning of Easter,” Ezra Taft Benson, Ensign, May 1992


“The scriptures speak of His arms being open, extended, stretched out, and encircling. They are described as mighty and holy, arms of mercy, arms of safety, arms of love, “lengthened out all the day long… The Lord’s desire that we come unto Him and be wrapped in His arms is often an invitation to repent. “Behold, he sendeth an invitation unto all men, for the arms of mercy are extended towards them, and he saith: Repent, and I will receive you.”

     “Repent That I May Heal You,” Neil L. Anderson, Ensign, Nov. 2009


“As Christians today, we have the opportunity to act straightway, immediately, and decisively, just as Peter and Andrew did: “they forsook their nets, and followed him.” We too are called upon to leave our nets, to reject worldly habits, customs, and traditions. We are also called to forsake our sins.”

     “Being a More Christian Christian,” Elder Hales, Ensign, Nov. 2012

“Do not misunderstand. Repentance is not easy or painless or convenient. It is a bitter cup from Hell. But only Satan, who dwells there, would have you think that a necessary and required acknowledgment is more distasteful than permanent residence. Only he would say, “You can’t change. You won’t change. It’s too long and too hard to change. Give up. Give in. Don’t repent. You are just the way you are.” That, my friends, is a lie born of desperation. Don’t fall for it."

     “For Times of Trouble,” Jeffery R. Holland, March 1980 BYU Devotional


"The Redeemer will safely lead you over the most difficult obstacles of life. His laws are absolutely secure anchors of protection that dispel fear and assure success in an otherwise dangerous world. Such a life will certainly provide you peace and happiness. True, enduring happiness, with the accompanying strength, courage, and capacity to overcome the greatest difficulties, will come as you center your life in Jesus Christ."

     “The Atonement Can Secure Your Peace and Happiness,” Richard G. Scott, Ensign, May 2009

My Testimony

I am so grateful for the Atonement of Jesus Christ! I really is infinite and eternal. I always viewed Christ’s sacrifice for us as an act of love, but I can scarcely fathom its depths. For so long the Atonement just meant that when we repent we can be forgiven, but it is so much more than that. Christ’s sacrifice will dispel fear, give us courage to do what is right, comfort us when there are no other comforts, heal our physical pains and afflictions, and give us the ability to change our natural man into a new creature in Christ. I have felt the effects of the atonement heal me and seen it heal so many others. The Restoration of the Gospel of Jesus Christ gives us full access to the Atonement as we exercise faith in Jesus Christ, repent, are baptized by proper authority, receive the Holy Ghost and endure to the end. No one will go through life without feeling the power of the atonement, but only those who live the gospel will enjoy all its blessings, both now and in the life to come.