A few thoughts on the Atonement

Lately, my understanding of the Atonement has increased dramatically.. The past couple days have been full of revelations and understandings of it's influence in our lives.. I feel as if the Atonement is not something that increases in its effect as time goes.  Rather, I believe the Atonement is continually strengthening us and helping us to grow, and the thing that really does increase, is our understanding of how it is helping us.. It's a matter of learning more fully the impact that such an event has on us, and with that increased vision, comes an increased commitment, strength, desire, hope, and all else that is good.. It's been said that, "the resurrection from death is unconditional because we all chose to keep our first estate. The spiritual redemption from spiritual death, however, is conditional." Or something to that effect. 

What I have learned more deeply recently, just adds more to what I gave my farewell talk about.. The idea that the Atonement is taking place right now in everyone's life. Despite where they are at with the church, their own personal relationship with God, whatever it is. The Atonement is applying in each of our lives, every single day of every single waking moment because of this- The natural man is an enemy to God. Because Adam and Eve partook of the fruit, we are all in a fallen state. Which means, that we are subject to the very appetites, passions, and desires of the flesh. All things that are not good or are seemingly ungodly. Every single sin comes back to the weakness of the flesh. Each time that we have a desire or see an opportunity to choose good over evil, we are experiencing the effects of that marvelous sacrifice for us. Each time that we have an urge to yell at our kids, (your kids or any kids) if you have a moment however brief it might be where you feel to remain calm and to not act on that impulse, you are experiencing the atonement. We of ourselves cannot stop ourselves from the natural crazy person within. Yet, we can choose. We can choose and DO choose because of Him

I hope this all makes sense.. To be honest, this is the first time I have gotten it out into words. AS you could imagine, these words have such a deeper meaning than I could ever fully express.. Not only that, but it has taken so much time to get to this point, there is more that I've been learning about all this but it will come later!

Elder Sandberg