The Healing Power of the Atonement

The Healing Power of the Atonement

This week as I was reading the beginning chapters of Alma I came to a set of verses that have had a big influence on my life in the past few years.

Several years ago I was introduced to a book by John Bytheway entitled “When Times are Tough, 5 Scriptures That Will Help You Get through Almost Anything”. As I read this book I was moved by the lessons taught about the Savior and his love for us and his knowledge of what we will experience here on this earth. Little did I know at the time how much these scriptures would come to help me through my own tough time.

A few months after reading this book a very good friend of mine became very sick. I was blessed with the opportunity to spend time taking him to Dr’s appointments and to clinics. During this time we spent lots of time talking about life, family and things of the gospel. Although he was sick I was not prepared for the phone call I received from his wife one morning early, telling me that my friend had passed away. How could this be, he was young, he had a young family and wife. I felt so much grief for his children, for his sweet wife and for myself. I had grown to enjoy our talks and his advice and friendship and now he was gone. I had never been so sad. I was not sure how to help his wife and children and deal with my loss at the same time.

That is when I remembered one of the scriptures that I had read in the book by John Bytheway. It is found in Alma 7:11-12. “And he (the son of God) shall go forth, suffering pains and afflictions and temptations of every kind; and this that the word might be fulfilled which saith he will take upon him the pains and the sicknesses of his people. And he will take upon him death, that he may loose the bands of death which bind his people; and he will take upon him their infirmities, that his bowels may be filled with mercy, according to the flesh, that he may know according to the flesh how to succor his people according to their infirmities”

This is when I truly understood all that was the Atonement. It was not just for sin, in fact sin is not listed in these verses. The Savior knew what I was feeling, He understood what sorrow I was feeling and if I would allow Him he would help me through those feelings and help me to understand  his plan.

As I came to understand that he would succor me, or he would come to me and take from me the pain then I was able to let those feelings of sadness and pain go. I was able to be with his sweet wife and to, I hope, be her friend and to help take some of her pain from her.

Elder Oakes teaches us this: “The Savior teaches that we will have tribulation in the world, but we should "be of good cheer" because He has "overcome the world." His Atonement reaches and is powerful enough not only to pay the price for sin but also to heal every mortal affliction.” I am thankful for the power of the Atonement and that He freely gives to us His sacrifice. I know that his atonement is for all of us if we will just reach out to him and accept his love.