Thought of the Sunday 20

I was recently thinking about the Atonement of Jesus Christ and how important it is to me.  I don't understand much of the Atonement but I know Christ did it because He loves us.  He loves me and knows me.  There are certain aspects of the Atonement that I rely on constantly; sadly it is not the ability to repent though I do take advantage of that too.  This scripture from the Book of Mormon in Alma 7:11-12 perfectly describes one thing that I love about the Atonement:

"And he shall go forth, suffering pains and afflictions and temptations of every kind; and this that the word might be fulfilled which saith he will take upon him the pains and the sicknesses of his people.

  And he will take upon him death, that he may loose the bands of death which bind his people; and he will take upon him their infirmities, that his bowels may be filled with mercy, according to the flesh, that he may know according to the flesh how to succor his people according to their infirmities."

This scripture tells me that Christ not only atoned for me so that I could repent and return to Him to receive eternal life but it also tells me that He understands my pains, afflictions, temptations, sicknesses, and infirmities.  He came to this earth so that He could understand what it would be like to be us.  This is extremely comforting to me especially when I have trials, sorrows or sicknesses.  I know there is Someone who always understands.  He may not be able to take the pain away, but He knows what it feels like because He felt it Himself through the Atonement.  And I can always turn to Him in prayer to feel His strength.  

I love my Savior, Jesus Christ.  He did everything for me and for all of us because He loves us and He loves His Father.  He is a great example to me that I strive to follow as closely as I can.  And because of the Atonement, when I fall short, I can repent and change my life.  I will always have the ability to improve and it is never, never too late to do so.