Jesus Christ, the Savior of the World

Today I studied the Gospel Doctrine Lesson 2.  “Behold, I am Jesus Christ, the Savior of the World.”

Before I get to my "notes" as I studied this lesson, I want to bear my testimony that I know Jesus Christ suffered for my sins.  I know we can be forgiven for our sins and allowed to move on with our lives.  The Lord will forgive us and forget these sins.  What a blessing that has been in my own life.  I have been allowed a "redo" so to speak.  Yes, there are reminders of my sins, but those reminders keep me grounded to the gratitude I have for my Savior for a second chance.  There is rarely a day go by that something doesn't remind me of how grateful I am.  

What do I know about Jesus’ suffering?  It was very personal – for me!  It was so excruciating that Christ bled from every pore of his body.  Can I even comprehend such pain?  Not even!  Would I want to?  Not on your life!  How can I avoid suffering exactly as the Savior suffered?  By repenting and keeping the commandments of God I can avoid this suffering for myself.  If I serve Him (aka help build the kingdom of God on earth) and endure to the end, I can avoid this same suffering.

Why would Jesus suffer like this?  There is only one explanation and that would be His love for “all mankind” which includes me.  (I don't make reference to all the scriptures that bring me to this conclusion.  If you're interested, they are in the Gospel Doctrine Lesson 2.)

Jesus was resurrected after he hung on the cross and died.  Prior to this time, people died and remained so.  Do I totally understand this?  I don’t think I do.  For one, their spirits are somewhere – just not with their bodies that have decomposed into the earth.  What of the Spirits?  D&C 93:33 says the spirit cannot have a fullness of joy without the body, so it is the resurrection that makes it so the body and spirit can reunite.  Alma 11:42-44 makes it quite clear what we can expect from this resurrection:  our bodies will be brought to their perfect frame and we will be judged according to our works whether they are good or bad.  Will everyone enjoy this resurrection?  Well, we will all be reunited with our bodies and that will make us happy.  We are told the judgment might not be the happiest experience for those who did not repent.

What are some of the blessings of the Atonement? 

• We won’t have to suffer like Jesus if we repent of our sins.  If we accept this gift from the Savior, His joy is great!  D&C 18:11-12, 20  That’s a neat thought to think I add to the Savior’s joy by repenting. 
• Repentance is a commandment and if we don’t repent, we will be humbled by the Savior’s “almighty power”.  This next sentence in D&C 19:20 is most compelling to me.  If we choose not to repent, we will instead be humbled by the Savior’s power.  This punishment is the withdrawal of the Savior’s Spirit from our lives.  I don’t know if I can verbalize why this intrigues me – possibly because of watching the torment my daughter has suffered since she has declared she doesn’t believe these things.  The sad thing is she doesn’t realize it is the withdrawal of the Spirit from her life that is causing her the suffering. 
• D&C 58:42-43 gives us a way out of this suffering.  If we repent, the Lord will forgive them and remember them no more.  This is such a blessing in our lives.  It is because of this gift from our Savior – the Atonement – that we are able to move on with our lives and make something of them, and not be burdened with the weight associated with having lost the Spirit.  The hardest part of this equation is forgiving ourselves because our sins sometimes leave us with daily reminders that things could have been better or different somehow.  However, there are even more reminders that we have been so very blessed because of the Atonement and the blessing to move forward.
• D&C 76:62-70 makes it quite clear the blessings of the Atonement can bring us eternal joy and happiness.  
• We will have all that the Father has.  
• We will dwell with the most righteous who lived on the earth.  Amazing!

How can I show my gratitude?  

• For starters, I must repent and confess my sins.  
• After doing so, I continue to help build the kingdom by bearing witness to the truth of the gospel wherever I’m called to serve as well as in my stewardship as mom, grandma, wife, etc.  My very life will be dedicated to furthering the kingdom on earth.  
• I must become like my Savior, Jesus Christ.  

What does "becoming like the Savior" look like?

• Treasure up the words of Christ (aka scriptures), 
• Be diligent and faithful in keeping the commandments. (D&C 6:20-21)
• Attend my meetings where I’m taught about the Lord.  
• Do good, for what I sow I will reap.   Don’t sin any more.  Look unto the Savior in all I do.  
• Doubt not.  What does that mean?  I think it means don’t have any doubts that these promises are sure.  Believe them and have faith they are true.  By so doing, we will see our lives improve and bear witness to us of these truths. 
• I must learn to truly listen to all the words of the Savior.  Where do I find His words?  They can be found in the scriptures and out of the words of our modern-day prophets.
• Be in awe of the great accomplishments of the Savior.  He created the earth and all its expanses.  He deserves our reverence.
• He is my advocate with the Father and pleads my cause.  He deserves my gratitude and reverence.
• The Savior has received all that the Father has.  We too can have this same inheritance.  
• We must worship our Savior because it is only through his Atonement that this can happen.