He Lives All Glory to His Name

Tonight I was able to attend, yet another, wonderful inservice meeting. Our leader, President Pomeroy is the Church Education System Director for the Houston Area. Each month he meets with us and gives us ideas, insights and a spiritual boost.

Tonight's lesson was about the Apostle Richard G. Scott and his powerful address about the Atonement of Christ. President Pomeroy provided us each with a a transcript of the talk and asked us to read and ponder the following questions:

1. Reasons why it is important to understand and rely on the teachings and atonement of Jesus Christ.

2. New Insights you receive from Elder Scott's teachings

3. His suggestion for ways we can better understand and appreciate the atonement.

It was wonderful to read and ponder and I was amazed what I learned and reviewed. I encourage you to listen to the talk or read the transcript here

And if you are interested here is what I learned.

1. Reasons why it is important to understand and rely on the teachings and atonement of Jesus Christ.

1. "He opened the path wehereby each of Heavenly Father's children born to earth would have the opportunity to rise from death to live again"
2. While speaking of the Resurrection Elder Scott said, " What a glorious moment that morning was for all who understood the significance."
3. "we realize that what He has willingly done with immense suffering and sacrifice will affect us not only in this life But throughout all eternity"
4. "Jesus Christ Lives, He is our Redeemer. He is a glorious, resurrected being. He has the capacity to communicate love that is so powerful, so overwhelming as to surpass the capacity of the human tongue to express adequately."

New Insights I received from this particular Teaching of The Apostle Richard G. Scott

1. "How our Father in Heaven must have rejoiced that sacred day when His totally obedient, completely worthy Son shattered the chains of death." I guess I had never considered the rejoicing that took place..This has always been to me part of the plan, so I thought about it as kind of a business as usual thing instead of something the Father rejoiced in. I got chills when I imagined the happiness in the heavens as a result of the Saviors Sacrifice.
2. while speaking of your own personal witness of the Atonement Elder Scott said,"They must be more than principles you memorize. They must be woven into the very fiber of your being as a powerful bulwark against the rising tide of abomination that infects our world" I had to ask what a bulwark was, it is the part of the ship that keeps the water out. The powerful imagery that comes from the phrase "infects our world" really shook me. What an wonderful promise though that our personal knowledge (which leads to action) of our Savior and his sacrifice will keep out the evils of our day.
3. While referring to Second Nephi chapter 2 verses 6 and 7 Elder Scott said, "That scripture indicates that for the proud and haughty, it is as though there never were an Atonement made" Proud and Haughty? whooooaaaa- that includes me a million times over. What a scary statement, that is is if the Atonement never occur ed.
4. "When we break a law there is nothing left over from prior obedience to satisfy the demands of justice for that broken law" Again, whoa! How many times have thought or even said out loud---"well I did this and this and this, so I'm going to slide on that" or though, "I've served enough, now I can rest on my laurels"
   I guess I've always known those thoughts were inconsistent with my knowledge of Heavenly Father's plan (specifically read the address of King Benjamin regarding our debt to the Lord) but to hear an apostle declare it really gave me a "rude awakening"
5. "None of us can ever adequately appreciate the mortality the full beneficial consequences of the Atonement" I was glad to read this. There is so much I get frustrated with and I need to remember that I won't be able to understand everything during this mortal state. In the next life when the all of mankind is revealed and our memories are open, I'll better understand the complexities of today. For now to quote the Young Woman Anthem, "I walk by Faith".
6. Another wonderful Apostolic promise given "As parents, prepare your children for the challenges they will encounter. Teach them truth, encourage them to live it, and they will all right no matter how severely the world is shaken" They will be all right, I can't think of anything more that I wish for my little family than that they will be all right.
7. "In Time we will be released from all other assignments we receive but not from that of father and mother" WOW!!! Again, not really a new concept, because Families can be Forever, but I never thought so much that all the other assignments will come and go. It makes the admonition "NO other success can compensate for Failure in the home" all the more meaningful.

Elder Scott's suggestions for ways we can better understand and appreciate the atonement.

1. "Strive to Understand more about it"
2. "I believe that it is instructive to try to imagine what the Atonement required of both the Father and willing Son"
3. "I energetically encourage you to establish a personal study plan "
4. "Profound Personal Pondering of the scriptures accompanied by searching, heartfelt prayer"
5. "Consistent Temple attendance"
6. "the best way to make a permanent change for good is to make Jesus Christ your model and His teachings your guide for life"
7. "repent of improper choices and to conquer the negative effects of a life contrary to His teachings."
8. "Qualify by obedience"

I am so grateful for tonight's lesson and for the time and effort President Pomeroy puts into each inservice meeting. Tonight made me want to be diligent in studying the words of the living prophets and pondering their message. I know they speak the will of the Lord.