The Atonement and Lawnmowers

What does this have to do with anything?

  Every single thing we teach as a missionary is an appendage of Christ and his Atonement (His ultimate sacrifice). When broken down, the word Atonement becomes "At-One-ment". It is through the Atonement that we become at one with God and his Gospel. We estrange ourselves from God when we sin. The atonements purpose is to correct or overcome the consequences of sin. This makes it possible for us to return to our Father in Heaven.

And I would say that's pretty important.

  So why don't more of us realize the true nature of Christs' Atonement or at least try to? (Ive seen this in myself also, so I'm just talking in general.) A couple days ago Elder Mull and I were knocking on doors when we got into a conversation with a nice young lady. After talking about who we were and if she went to church somewhere in town, I asked her how Christ played a role in her life. She said "I don't know."

We need to know.
Dont we?

  Where will we find out? How can we know? How can we learn about what our Father wants us to? In the scriptures.

Its a simple answer, but requires action from us. We need to read, to study to ponder. Then we will learn the true nature of the atonement. This doctrine of work and action from us, Gods children, has always been a large part of the gospel. For example, we know that Christ made a perfect atonement and it unconditionally covers all of mankind. As a result, all will rise from the dead with immortal bodies, because of Jesus’ atonement.

For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.

-1 Corinthians 15:22

But atonement is conditional as far as the sins and the mistakes that we make in transgressing the commandments our Father gives us.  This is where the doctrine of work comes in.

Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works.

-James 2:18

26For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.

-James 2:26 

Yea, he that repenteth and exerciseth faith, and bringeth forth good works, and prayeth continually without ceasing—unto such it is given to know the mysteries of God; yea, unto such it shall be given to reveal things which never have been revealed; 

-Alma 26:22 

  This is where my lawnmower idea applies. I was thinking about the atonement a couple days ago and this just popped in my head.  So say your brother gives you this amazing gift of a brand-spankin' new lawn mower. You can tell its a pretty nice mower with its adjustable suspension, 190 cc engine and the 3-in-1 bagging system all set up and ready to go. Your lawn needs mowing, you have a new lawn mower and its a great day outside so conditions are perfect to get the job done. But you leave it in the shed instead of doing the work. The gift is wasted, even after your brother knew you needed it so badly. So with this picture in your mind, imagine how your brother might feel if he came to visit you and saw the new mower dusty, sitting in the shed and your lawn grown out. Now, imagine how the Lord must feel when we waste such an amazing gift that he has given to us and we don't repent and don't use the atonement like its meant to be used. 

Just as my parents would say when the lawn needed cutting:
Jeremy, the lawn is not going to mow itself.
  


So let us all get out and work. Let us have faith in Christ, repent of our sins and obey the gospel so we may have the cleansing power of the atonement in our life.

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For a better understanding of Christ check out:

The Living Christ