The Gift of the Atonement

Well, I didn't write anything during the month of May. Oops! But there is a little something I can post now that isn't about my slacker-ness!

For Mother's Day, my mom received this book. It's called "Gethsemane, Jesus Loves Me", based on the lyrics of the song "Gethsemane" by Roger & Melanie Hoffman. (Look up the song on YouTube--it's really pretty and usually has some nice pictures while the music is playing.)

Anyway, the book had sheet music in the back, and since my piano lessons have been put on hold for a few weeks, I decided to learn it. It wasn't too difficult, and as I learned the music I was able to pay attention to the lyrics:

Jesus climbed the hill
To the garden still
His steps were heavy and slow
Love and a prayer
Took Him there
To the place only He could go

Gethsemane
Jesus loves me
So He went willingly
To Gethsemane

He felt all that was sad, wicked or bad
All the pain we would ever know
While His friends were asleep
He fought to keep
His promise made long ago

Gethsemane
Jesus loves me
So He went willingly
To Gethsemane

The hardest thing that ever was done
The greatest pain that ever was known
The biggest battle that ever was won
This was done by Jesus
The fight was won by Jesus

Gethsemane
Jesus loves me
So He gave His gift to me
In Gethsemane

Gethsemane
Jesus loves me
So He gives His gift to me
From Gethsemane

This was a sweet reminder to me that everything--sins, mistakes, problems--can be fixed or helped or cleansed by Jesus. Throughout the week I was able to notice things that the Atonement could and would cover--everyday normal problems that seem insignificant. Algebra, chores, helping a sibling, anything. The Atonement is really a miracle and such a gift!!!

I would love to hear how the Atonement has helped you in little ways! Use the comment section beneath the post or the Contact Me form on the sidebar and share!

Now Serving!

This is a wonderful video produced by the Church! Please take the time to watch it.

While we are on the topic of service...Personal Progress has tons of ways to serve! Just a small listing below:

You need Faith that your service will bless you and the recipient of your service.

You have to know of your Divine Nature and the potential you both nurture and gain when you serve. 

Remembering the Individual Worth of the person you're serving can help you to serve them more personally, knowing that you are both Children of a King!

When you've made gaining varied Knowledge and experience a priority, you can serve people in more unique and personalized ways.

Choice and Accountability - you can choose to serve or not, but you will be accountable for that choice!

Good Works and service are the same. Service can only be good works. Good works is defined as service!

Integrity is required to do the service well and to do it with a pure heart, with no intent of personal gain. 

And finally, Virtue is needed because, as one 2009 MormonAd put it, "Virtue [is] the Gold Standard". And how can we achieve the 'Gold Standard' without serving others as Christ did? Christ led a virtuous life, and thus we can look to HIM as our Gold Standard.

I hope we can all remember how our Savior lived and how much He served everyone during his life and through His Atonement!

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Note: I found this video on my cousin Lily's blog. Please read her many informative and fun posts on family history and the Spirit of Elijah here. Don't forget to comment!!!

What Does Repentance Mean to YOU?

This week, I was working on Choice and Accountability #4:

Read about repentance in Isaiah 1:18; Alma 26:22; 34:30–35; Moroni 8:25–26; and Doctrine and Covenants 19:15–20; 58:42–43. Record in your journal what repentance means to you. Study the process of repentance, pray for guidance, and apply the principles of repentance in your life.

Simple, right? Yes, it is. 

However, I started thinking more deeply when I got to the journaling part. What does repentance really mean to me? I know it's something deep, something not easily described in words. But what words could, even remotely, transfer what I feel to paper? What am I certain of about repentance?

So, I compiled a list that I think is probably the closest thing to my feelings I can get. Oh, why is the English language--or any language, for that matter--so limited?!

I know that repentance is a way to take away every mistake. In the words of Sister Julie B. Beck, former Relief Society General President, "Repentance is like a giant eraser, and it can erase permanent ink!" It is the key to the Atonement, and the Atonement is the key to heaven and eternal life. 

Have a wonderful weekend!

(P.S. No, I do not have a grandfather clock yet.)

You can share That Little Pink Book through email, Twitter, YOUR blog, Facebook, Pinterest, and Google+ using the gray bar of buttons at the bottom of each post!