Family Home Evening Thought - Aug. 16

I have spent the past several months in a study of the Book of Mormon, using a study guide. Each week, I have had to interrupt my Book of Mormon study for a day or two and read the Sunday School lesson, again with a study guide, because I spend my time in Primary each Sunday. I have finished the Book of Mormon, and decided to read as I exercise. While on the "sisters trip", I heard about having a Book of Mormon spiral bound to make it easy to prop on the treadmill/elliptical/bicycle. I came home and got one bound, and am reading that as I "ride". I decided for study time each morning to read/study the book The Infinite Atonement by Tad R. Callister. Tonight, I would like to share a couple of thoughts that have impressed me as I have read the book and scripture references:

1. The Atonement is glorious to behold and study. Regardless of where I am in my understanding, there is always more for me to learn.
2. The time and place for the Atonement was as the Son of God stood alone in all His majestic power against all the artillery of the Evil One. It was divine love in its consummate expression battling diabolic evil in its cruelest proportions.
3. Elder McConkie said the Atonement is "the most important single thing that has ever occurred in the entire history of created things; it is the rock foundation upon which the gospel and all other things rest."
4. The Atonement is the heart of the Gospel, the lifeblood that quickens every gospel precept, the center and core and heart of revealed religion.
5. The scriptures promise, again and again, that if I ask, I will be given. I plan to do just that. (See D&C 42:61, 6:7, 11:7, 1 Nephi 10:19)

I am so excited about the opportunity to have the opportunity each morning to study His gospel, to learn more of His ways, to become more like Him. What a blessing to have the "new" scriptures, with footnotes to all the other scriptures, as well as explanatory notes. My children don't really remember not having them, but many of us do. The work put into cross-referencing everything is a great blessing. Just as astronomers today can learn more of the heavens than Galileo could, not because they are smarter, but because they have better tools, I can learn more now than I could before, because I have better "tools".

The Gospel is true. Jesus Christ is our Savior, Redeemer, Mediator. Isaiah said, "...come unto the Lord, the Holy One. Remember that his paths are righteous. Behold, the way for man is narrow, but it lieth in a straight course before him, and the keeper of the gate is the Holy One of Israel; and he employeth no servant there; and there is none other way save it be by the gate; for he cannot be deceived, for the Lord God is his name." (2 Nephi 9:41) I may not understand all He did for me or how it was possible, but I can spend my life learning, with an eternity hereafter to continue that education.

Love, Mom