The Enabling Power of the Atonement

     This past week as I attended my ward, I had the opportunity to speak with one of my ward members about the enabling power of the Atonement of Jesus Christ.  (A ward is the smallest division of members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.)  Members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints often speak of the Atonement of Jesus Christ.  We recognize the eternal importance of this divine gift from the Son of God. 

     However, my experience indicates that when we speak of the Atonement, we typically focus on the forgiving power and the healing power that comes from the sacrifices made by the Lamb of God.  We don’t often focus on the enabling power.  Yet this enabling power is one of the most important parts of our lives and a precious gift that comes through our faith.  The fact is it’s vital to the success of the forgiving and healing powers of the Atonement also.  Without it we wouldn’t have the ability to become worthy of forgiveness of sin, nor would we live our lives in a manner that allows us to be healed of the various pains that strike us.

     So what is the enabling power of the Atonement?  If we turn to “Grace” in the King James Version of the Holy Bible used by members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, we read,

“The main idea of the word is divine means of help or strength, given through the bounteous mercy and love of Jesus Christ.  It is through the grace of the Lord Jesus, made possible by His atoning sacrifice, that mankind will be raised in immortality, every person receiving his body from the grave in a condition of everlasting life.  It is likewise through the grace of the Lord that individuals, through faith in the Atonement of Jesus Christ and repentance of their sins, receive strength and assistance to do good works that they otherwise would not be able to maintain if left to their own means.  This grace is an enabling power that allows men and women to lay hold on eternal life and exaltation after they have expended their own best efforts.”

     So the enabling power of the Atonement of Jesus Christ is more commonly known as grace.  It’s the power that grants us the ability to come forth out of the grave at the time of our resurrection.  It’s the power that gives us strength and help in overcoming our sins.  It’s the power that allows us to do good in the world around us.  It’s the power to do things we wouldn’t ordinarily be able to do because we are mortal beings who don’t have the omnipotent strength of God.  In short, “It is by grace that we are saved, after all we can do.”  (2 Nephi 25:23)

     There are so many different ways the grace of Jesus Christ impacts our lives.  I’ve seen it in my life when I’ve needed to give a Priesthood blessing to another person.  I’ll place my hands on their hand and suddenly have the thoughts and impressions that guide me through the blessing the Lord has for that person.  I’ve had my Priesthood leaders place their hands on my head and give me the blessing I needed that addressed the issues I was facing at the time, even when they had no way of knowing what was on my mind.  And I’ve received guidance and direction from the Spirit in the needs of my children and those around me.

     I’ve seen the different ways grace can impact the lives of people through studying the scripture.  It was by the grace of Jesus Christ that the Liahona worked for the family of Lehi while they journeyed in the wilderness and crossed the ocean (1 Nephi in The Book of Mormon:  Another Testament of Jesus Christ).  It’s the power that allowed Peter to discern the hearts of Ananias and Sapphira (Acts 5 in the New Testament).  It’s the power by which David slew Goliath before the hosts of Israel and Philistine (1 Samuel 17 in the Old Testament).  And it was the power used by Moses to part the waters of the Red Sea (Exodus 14 in the Old Testament).  

     The power of the Atonement of Jesus Christ is immense.  It spans history from before the beginning of this earth.  Its power will reach far into the future long after this earth has passed away.  That’s because it has no beginning and no end.  It is everlasting and eternal.  And it is promised to us if we are faithful to the laws of God.