Comments on: How can I benefit from the Atonement when it comes to my weaknesses? https://askgramps.org/how-can-i-benefit-from-the-atonement-in-dealing-with-my-weaknesses-when-it-comes-to-my-weaknesses/ Moral answers to everyday concerns, curiosities, and uncertainties. Gramps considers all questions on all topics from all sources. Wed, 29 Sep 2021 03:22:36 +0000 hourly 1 By: Annie https://askgramps.org/how-can-i-benefit-from-the-atonement-in-dealing-with-my-weaknesses-when-it-comes-to-my-weaknesses/#comment-31708 Wed, 12 Mar 2014 16:35:00 +0000 http://en.elds.org/askgramps-org/?p=20283#comment-31708 It’s so crazy to read the response to this question. I was just recently called to teach Sunday school, 12-13. And I’ve always an honest desire to not just share my knowledge, (which mine really isn’t that great) but to really “reach” them, in a way I wasn’t reached at their age. But while I could plan the lesson every week, and learn a lot myself, I would get to church and I can’t think straight, I forget things, I stumble over my words, have a hard time finding the right words, even things I have an opinion on I go blank. Best way to describe it is multiple brain farts over a period of an hour. Very awkward… This month the lessons are OF COURSE about the Atonement. And it was also ward conference, so I had the “blessing” of having 5 stake visitors. I had been praying about this issue, and for help in teaching by the spirit, and that they would feel the spirit. Well in making a comment about how I can’t get through a talk by Elder Holland without tearing up, because we were reading a quote by him, I not only teared up I COMPLETELY LOST IT lol. I mean full on sobbing. I couldn’t even talk for like 5 minutes. This is very uncharacteristic of me, I don’t like to cry in front of people. It didn’t occur to me until later that day, that I got my answer to my prayer just not quite the way I had expected lol. Luckily also one of the stake visitors took that and pointed out to my class (of 13) what it was that I was experiencing, since I was unable to. Your answer to this question just further clarifies this. I needed to be humbled, and taught that I need to rely on Him more, which is something I struggle with, because I’m the kind of person who doesn’t like to ask for help.

]]> By: Wynton Marsalis https://askgramps.org/how-can-i-benefit-from-the-atonement-in-dealing-with-my-weaknesses-when-it-comes-to-my-weaknesses/#comment-31686 Fri, 07 Mar 2014 15:10:00 +0000 http://en.elds.org/askgramps-org/?p=20283#comment-31686 This question is so important because its answer enables us to understand what real help is available to us as we struggle to develop saintly characters. As I have studied this, I have come to believe that it is specifically through Christ’s Grace that we receive help. And I have come to understand that his Grace is real and powerful. A good start to understanding this is the Bible dictionary definition of Grace. The essence is that it is the enabling and strengthening power of the Atonement. When you understand the true definition of Grace, all of the scriptures that talk of Grace suddenly take on a new, more meaningful power. There are two talks I consider critical in understanding this concept: 1) Elder Bednar’s talk entitiled “In the Strength of the Lord.” This talk is indispensable. 2) Brad Wilcox’s talk “His Grace is Sufficient.” There are a few things in that talk that are not 100% doctrinal, so it may be better to read the version that was later released in the Ensign. It is one of the most insightful talks I have studied regarding this topic. However, neither of these talks specifically explain exactly “how” that grace manifests itself in our lives to help us.

My personal experience is that a large portion of this real help comes through the Holy Ghost. Through Christ’s Grace, the Holy Ghost is able to influence in our lives in so many ways that help us to overcome our weaknesses. Personally, the way the Holy Ghost has helped me in my weaknesses has been by giving me spiritual insight as to who God desires for me to become – I’m given glimpses sometimes of what the Lord will use me for, how he will use my talents, if I but strive to live righteously. This gives me great motivation to overcome temptation. Also, the Holy Ghost often gives me clarity in moments when I’m tempted to fall into some kind of sin: He will help me see the sin for what it really is. The Holy Ghost also influences me to soften my heart when I feel like being prideful or rebelling. He also gives me general spiritual understanding and insight about the truthfulness of the Gospel and helps me feel the true joy that comes with striving to be converted. All of this has, for me, been life changing. It is how I have seen the hand of the Lord in my personal life.

One last thing: there’s this misconception that we have to be worthy to benefit from Christ’s Grace. To me, this idea defeats the entire purpose of the Atonement and Christ’s Grace. This help, this power of Christ’s Grace is available to anyone at any time, no matter where they are on the path (or off the path). That is the true miracle. I believe his Grace, this real power, will prompt, nudge and encourage even the vile sinner to reconsider his sinful state. It will help the unworthy but guilt ridden member of the Church who wants to be clean but feels powerless. It will help the worthy man or woman become more refined, overcome whatever weaknesses they have. It will help the faithful member of the Church who is addicted to pornography, even if that person is in a spiral of addictive relapse. Simply no person is beyond reach from the power of Christ’s Grace. It is available to anyone, right now.

Some people believe we have to be worthy to be influenced by the Holy Ghost. While it is true doctrine that we can only enjoy the accompaniment of the Holy Ghost if we are worthy, I believe also that the Holy Ghost will strive to soften the heart and encourage the person who is in sin, unworthy, or has a hard heart. That person may not receive the same kind of ongoing guidance of the Holy Ghost that we are promised through our worthiness, but I absolutely believe the Holy Ghost is at work on all God’s children in an effort to influence them to repent and overcome their weaknesses.

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