3rd batch

The Redeeming and Strengthening powers of the Atonement

Elder and Sister Hafen

Severe mercy-the idea that the Lord, in mercy, helps us, but it requires all of our effort, often more than we think we have. 

(I need to read this story again, I may have mixed up some of the details)

She shared a story about Agnes, a pioneer girl, traveling to Utah with the Martin or Willie handcart company.  Agnes and her friends were getting weaker and weaker, from lack of food, exhaustion, and the cold.  They wanted to be invited to ride in the sick wagon, so they would no longer have to walk.  Her friends were weakening all around her.  She too was having a hard time.  The sick wagon appeared and the wagon master reached out for her hand.  She thought he would pull her up onto the seat next to him. Just as he grabbed her hands, he told the horses to go faster, causing Agnes to run along side the wagon, still holding the master's hand.  Just as she thought she was going to die, he pulled her up, wrapped her in a blanket and placed her in the back of the wagon.  She realized that the wagon master had saved her life.  Forcing her to run, when she thought she couldn't, increased the circulation throughout her freezing body, and kept her from freezing to death.  The rescuer and the one being rescued had to give their all.  Think of this in relation to us and the Savior.

Elder Hafen

The story of Christ is about giving the Atonement

The story of Adam and Eve (and all of us), is about receiving the Atonement

From 2 Nephi 2:25 with a couple of extra words:

"Adam fell that men might be (mortal) and men are (mortal) that they might have joy."

Atonement's purpose: facilitate our growth so we can live with God.

We are born whole or innocent, not bad/evil

We have to taste bitter in order to know the sweet

We can't be with Him until we are like Him

Sister Hafen-

These blessings are unconditional- the creation, life on Earth, the Atonement, the Resurrection

Elder Hafen-

Conditional blessings: forgiving, strengthening, perfecting

We have to participate in these processes

a change of heart can be quick or gradual

"The Lord sees fit to inflict..." (Mosiah 3:19)

Christ strengthens us because of His covenant relationship with us

The Atonement allows Christ to have a covenant relationship with His followers

Look up scriptures about Grace

Sister Hafen

Charity-the saintly capacity to love others as He does

It's a gift of grace and is given to true followers of Christ-it requires more of us.

Think of the spirit of the law-what are our intentions

Moroni 8:25-26

Adversity could be any of these things:

our own mistakes

adversities that are part of life

things that the Lord inflicts, for our growth

*If we are serious about discipleship, we will be asked to do things that are hardest for us

earned empathy

D&C 97:8

The Savior cannot force us to take His hand.

DAY 2

Super powerful songs to open this general session.  (Look them up "Come To Jesus" then there was one that was to the tune of "Come Thou Fount Of Every Blessing" but the words were different)

The Atonement heals , comforts, Consoles, and Enables Us to Show mercy and Grace unto ourselves

Sister Linda K. Burton (President of the General Relief Society)

She tells this story that was told by President Faust in 1999.  "His mother, wishing to encourage him, “bought tickets for a performance of the great Polish pianist, Paderewski. The night of the concert arrived and the mother and son found their seats near the front of the concert hall. While the mother visited with friends, the boy slipped quietly away.

“Suddenly, it was time for the performance to begin and a single spotlight cut through the darkness of the concert hall to illuminate the grand piano on stage. Only then did the audience notice the little boy on the bench, innocently picking out ‘Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star.’

“His mother gasped, but before she could move, Paderewski appeared on stage and quickly moved to the keyboard. He whispered to the boy, ‘Don’t quit. Keep playing.’ And then, leaning over, the master reached down with his left hand and began filling in the bass part. Soon his right arm reached around the other side, encircling the child, to add a running obbligato. Together, the old master and the young novice held the crowd mesmerized.

“In our lives, unpolished though we may be, it is the Master who surrounds us and whispers in our ear, time and time again, ‘Don’t quit. Keep playing.’ And as we do, He augments and supplements until a work of amazing beauty is created. He is right there with all of us, telling us over and over, ‘Keep playing.’” 7

The Lord is the ultimate personal trainer!!

Sister Oscarson(Young Women General President)

The Atonement must be individualized and personal in order to draw on its power.  This reminded me of something my Bishop said at a meeting this year.  We all need to have personal religious experiences.

1. Repent daily

2. Pray to prioritize

3. Pray and study the scriptures, trust the Lord to inspire

Everyone needs the power of the Atonement!

Scriptural experiences of Jesus appear more often in the Book of Mormon-no wonder the rest of the world has little understanding of the Atonement.  (This statement opened my eyes)  I wish my friends of other faiths weren't so afraid of the Book of Mormon!  It is a book full of truth, written by prophets.

Sister Wixom(Primary General President)

"talking" children in at bed-time (she told a story here but I couldn't write it down fast enough)

Come unto Him-becoming His "I give"  "I'm yours"

a paraphrased quote from Elder Hafen-if you are seeing more of your weaknesses, know that you are coming closer to the Savior.

Look forward to the opportunities to change and become better.

Look for small and simple ways to be more obedient

Choosing Thus the Kinder Plan(taken from the hymn Nay Speak No Ill)

1. Nay, speak no ill; a kindly word

Can never leave a sting behind;

And, oh, to breathe each tale we've heard

Is far beneath a noble mind.

Full oft a better seed is sown

By choosing thus the kinder plan,

For, if but little good is known,

Still let us speak the best we can.

2. Give me the heart that fain would hide,

Would fain another's faults efface.

How can it please the human pride

To prove humanity but base?

No, let us reach a higher mood,

A nobler estimate of man;

Be earnest in the search for good,

And speak of all the best we can.

3. Then speak no ill, but lenient be

To others' failings as your own.

If you're the first a fault to see,

Be not the first to make it known,

For life is but a passing day;

No lip may tell how brief its span.

Then, oh, the little time we stay,

Let's speak of all the best we can.