Atonement

As we approach the Day of Atonement, which happens to coincide this year with Fall Equinox, I am reminded of my many sins and of my need to be redeemed.

It has been said that if a man can learn to do two things; repent and forgive, he will become a perfect man.  Surely this is easier said than done.

I am an especially weak man.  I am a not so great husband, father, son, brother, and friend.  Perhaps my intentions are good, but the reality is I fall eternally short.  I seek forgiveness from those I constantly hurt and disappoint.

The truth is we are all broken.  We all have our weaknesses, our quirks, our temptations and tendencies.  For one, it may be arrogance.  For another selfishness.  For another false beliefs.  For another idolatry.  For yet another laziness or ignorance.  For most of us, all of these things.

Why are we so flawed?  Why are we, who are LDS, and who have the fullness of the Gospel, so prone to sin and to offend?

I believe it’s because we lack a sufficient portion of God’s Spirit, which comes as we repent and receive a mighty change of heart.

I love the story of King Benjamin.  He had been preaching to his people for many years.  Eventually the message began to resonate.  The culmination of which was when the King asked if anyone believed the words of his final mortal message:

And they all cried with one voice, saying: Yea, we believe all the words which thou hast spoken unto us; and also, we know of their surety and truth, because of the Spirit of the Lord Omnipotent, which has wrought a mighty change in us, or in our hearts, that we have no more disposition to do evil, but to do good continually (Mosiah 5:2).

We can know if a message comes from God or not IF and when we find our hearts have been changed by it.  This is what I seek, especially today.  I pray for forgiveness.  I pray I may forgive those who have offended me.  I pray for continued patience from both God and those around me.

I praise our God who condescended to be with mortals.  Praise be to Him for making His whole soul an offering on that fateful day so many years ago.

I love the song below, which captures for me the beautiful spirit of worshiping our Lord and of seeking His Spirit.