I am everlastingly grateful that I do not have to go through the life I lead alone. It could be said that I live a charmed life, but I have my share of trials. It feels as if I am constantly wracked with feelings of inadequacy, self-doubt, fear, and pain. Life can be very difficult at times; nevertheless, I can always find happiness in adversity. I know that I have been saved by a loving Redeemer, Jesus Christ, and that in spite of my imperfections, I can live with Him and our Heavenly Father forever through his sacrifice.
The groundwork for this saving sacrifice, the Atonement, was laid before mankind walked the earth in the flesh. In this existence before mortal life, a plan was set in order for humans to reach their ultimate potential. To do this, we needed to gain bodies and be tested in this mortal realm. Only after we had proven ourselves worthy could we return perfected to our Heavenly Father and gain all He has to offer. There was one problem, however: we are imperfect beings, and even from the beginning, we knew that we could not lead the necessary perfect lives.
The Atonement of Jesus Christ makes it possible for us to return to live with God.
Though you and I could not accomplish this faultlessness, there was one being who could. He was Jehovah, Jesus Christ, the literal son of our Heavenly Father. Only He was intrinsically good enough to lead a perfect life. In order to complete the plan, He elected to stand as a Mediator between us and heaven. In Him, “the merciful plan of the great Creator” (2 Nephi 9:6) was complete.
I was present for this great council in heaven, though I do not remember it. Before I was born, I – the same as each son and daughter of God – crossed a veil of forgetfulness, after which point all of my previous knowledge was hidden from me. Nevertheless, I know that these events transpired. I have been taught by scripture and modern revelation, and through prayer and thoughtful study, I have received unshakeable knowledge of the truth of these matters, by the power of the Holy Ghost, who testifies the truth of the gospel unto all who are willing to hear it. Through the Holy Ghost, I know the truth of the history I have given, and of the history I will continue to give.
At the meridian of time, the beginning of the Common Era, Jesus Christ was born on earth. He lived the sinless life that no other man could live. He dedicated his life to preaching the Gospel to those who would receive it. At the end of His mortal ministry, He atoned for our sins, in Gethsemane and in Golgotha. He suffered our pains, our fears, and the consequences for all of our sins. He died for us. After three days in the grave, He rose again, resurrected and perfected. He overcame everything for us.
We must only “come unto Him” to receive the blessings of the Atonement.
Jesus Christ did all these things that he might “save all men if they will hearken unto his voice”. Because of His sacrifice, we can be saved from death. To satisfy all the requirements to live with Him and Heavenly Father again, the only thing we need to do is to come unto Him. He can bear all our burdens; He already has. I know that I could never withstand all the afflictions that have beset me without His help. I know that I can come unto Him in my times of need, and He is always there to lift me up, to save me.
I know that my words are entirely inadequate to describe the eternal significance of this event, but I will give them nonetheless. I know that my Savior lives; I know that He sacrificed himself for me, as for everyone else; I know that I can come unto Him for loving guidance and assistance; and I know that I can be saved because I have thrown in my lot with Him. It is forever my earnest intent to come unto Him in mind and in spirit, so that I can reserve for myself all the blessings of heaven, and I readily invite all others to do the same. I guarantee that you will know no greater happiness than what can be found through Jesus Christ, our Lord.
This article was written by Austin A., a student at Brigham Young University and a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
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