Atoning Sacrifice

There has been a lot going on. Not only in my life, but in the lives of those around me. It's weird to think about how God's hand is in everything. In my Teaching of the Living Prophets class we talked about how the one way to offend God is to deny His hand in all things. I know better than to deny His hand in all that is going on in my life. In fact, I feel more comfortable with my life if I remember that He has His hand in all things. Back to what is going on in my life....

Recently, I had a friend go through a rough time. My friend didn't know how to handle the situation and after trying to deal with it themselves, they realized that not much can be dealt with alone and eventually came to my friends and I to talk about it. My friend knew they made a mistake and had to face the consequences. So as they face the consequences I always try to remember to pray on their behalf. I ask Heavenly Father to one day forgive this person and help them understand that while they disobeyed Him, they can one day be worthy to return to Him again. Because of Jesus Christ's atoning sacrifice, my friend can one day have this opportunity. For that I am so grateful. 

Not only do we all have this opportunity, but Jesus Christ knows each and every emotion we have. He knows each and every pain we feel and He has felt it before. To know this is to know of Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ's complete and utter love for us all. 

I went through a lot during the time when I was considering whether I should get baptized or not. It was a hard time for me because I didn't think many others knew what I was going through and I definitely knew that my friends who had been members of the Church their whole lives didn't know what I was going through. But then my best friend told me one night of all that Jesus Christ went through in the Garden of Gethsemane and how He knows those exact fears and confusions I had. That was the first night that I prayed to Heavenly Father and the first night I truly, without a doubt, knew He was there.