Atonement

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Atonement of Jesus Christ

For behold, I, God, have suffered these things for all, that they might not suffer if they would repent; 

But if they would not repent they must suffer even as I;

Which suffering caused myself, even God, the greatest of all, to tremble because of pain, and to bleed at every pore, and to suffer both body and spirit --and would that Imight not drink the bitter cup and shrink--

Nevertheless, glory be to the Father, and I partook and finished my preparations unto the children of men.  

Doctrine and Covenants 19:16-19

During the last hours of his earthly life, Jesus Christ, the Savior of the world, performed the greatest act of service that has ever been, or ever will be done in the history of this world.  During those hours in Gethsemane while his apostles waited and watched, and then slumbered, he suffered the pains and sorrows and sins of every human who ever has or ever will live.  Thus he knows each of us intimately and personally.  He can continue to succor and comfort and support us whenever we turn to him; and to forgive us when we repent.  What greater gift could he have give us?  Because of his suffering, his atonement, his service to us, and because of his love for us, he has given us the chance to change our ways, and improve our lives.  We can learn to serve as he serves, to love as he loves, and to become as he is.

At times our efforts to become the person we want to become, to be complete, or perfect, we become discouraged and are tempted to give up on ourselves.  We can't do it alone.  But, with the help of the Atonement we can reach these lofty goals.  It won't come all at once, but one day at a time.  As we seek out and follow the example of our Savior, and accept his help and guidance, we can become complete.  We can become the perfect people we were meant to be.

These are they who are just men made perfect through Jesus the mediator of the new covenant, who wrought out this perfect atonement through the shedding of his own blood.

Doctrine and Covenants 76:69