Learning little by little: the Atonement of Jesus Christ

I remember a time when I was younger and in Primary. I had a teacher that gave a lesson on the atonement. All I remember is that they said it was difficult to explain or understand and so for years I just thought the atonement was just some abstract idea that no one really understood. Although I know I cannot fully comprehend it, there is so much more to the atonement and so much I’ve learned since that moment in Sunday school.

As I grew older I realized that the atonement was for many things. In high school I realized it could be used to fully forgive a girl that spread rumors and lies and shut me out of all friendship. In college I met many different friends struggling with the law of chastity, pornography, and other addictions. I realized that the atonement wasn’t just for me but for others and I came to know that -just like my sins in the past were gone and forgiven- so could  theirs.The atonement is for everyone. As a young married woman when it came time to renew my temple recommend I began to have doubts of my worthiness and began to remember sins of the past. I let Satan’s lies into my heart. After a struggle and talking with church leaders I realized that I was clean and God remembers my sins no more once I have repented and changed my life, becoming a new creature. Through marriage I have realized that Christ should be at the center of our marriage and that the atonement is key to leading a happy, fulfilling marriage. As we come closer to Christ, we become closer as spouses. As a young mother of a newly diagnosed special needs child I realized that through the atonement I could be happy and at peace once again-even when I thought it was impossible at the time to feel so.

My knowledge of the atonement has grown so much since that primary lesson so long ago and I know it will continue to grow as I come to know my Savior better and become more like him.

Because of Him we can be forgiven, feel peace, find hope, be resurrected, return to our Heavenly Father, and receive the necessary saving ordinances. The atonement is an infinite, all encompassing act of love He willingly did for each and every one of us.