Making the Atonement A Part of Our Lives

by Ranzel Ganzon

Recently, I was reading a very interesting book I borrowed from the library near my office. It is a compilation of hundreds of real stories of people who have experienced ADC or “After Death Communication” with their love ones who have passed on. From their stories they found from their departed love ones that life beyond the veil is way beyond compare from our life here on earth. In the Spirit World the spirits are bathe with light, and in that light is an extreme unexplainable feeling of peace and warmth. There is a tremendous feeling of love and comfort in that light; and in that light they feel the presence of God.

In almost all instances, all spirits tells their love ones not to worry about them and that they are happy where they are. For the departed spirit who leads a good life they feel at peace in the presence of God. But for those who committed serious mistakes in life still carries with them the guilt even beyond the veil.

A young man who died in a motorcycle accident visited his mother. He asked his mother to write a book about his life in the Spirit World. Everyday he would appear to his mom and he would dictate her everything that he wants written in that book. The message that has been clearly repeated again and again in that book is that it is very important that we, who still lives on the earth, should show love and kindness one to another, to forgive one another, to cheer up one another in times of sadness and to help each other in times of trials and adversity. Our dearly departed love ones in the Spirit World looks upon us with unconditional love, care and compassion.

If there is one thing I learned from reading this book is that it gave me a firm confirmation that it is true that there is life after this life. It confirms my testimony that it is true that we have a Father in Heaven who is waiting to welcome us home in Heaven; that we will be reunited again with our families after this life.

November 1^st is a special day in the Philippines, dedicated for all of our dearly departed love ones. We go and visit the graves of our grandparents, friends and love ones who have already passed on. As we commemorate on that day, we should also try not to forget that once there is one loving soul who lived on the earth, who dearly loves us all, who offered His life to atone us of our sins so we could have a chance someday to go back to the presence of our Father in Heaven. The gift of resurrection and the gift of eternal life was the most important gift given to us by our Savior.

As I read and ponder the life of our Lord Jesus Christ and His atoning sacrifice for our sins, I am deeply humbled and feel unworthy because of my weaknesses. I know that life on earth is a testing ground of our faith in Christ and His teachings. The earth is our school ground. This is where we can learn how to become like our Father in Heaven. Again and again we will be tried and tested of our faith. Trials will become more and more harder each day, but with faith in our hearts, Heavenly Father expects us to win this life. We have to earn our place in the kingdom of God. It is not an easy task but the reward is sure.

For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten son, that whosoever believeth in Him shall not perish, but have everlasting life which is the greatest gift of all the gifts of God.

When I think of the atonement of Christ, I think about the word “Love”. Love is synonymous to the word “Atonement”. The atonement of Christ was brought upon us because of the love of God for us His children.

In return, Heavenly Father expects us to pay back by sharing that same love to others. By being meek and humble, by being a peacemaker, by being patient and long suffering; remembering faith, virtue, knowledge, temperance, patience, brotherly kindness, godliness, charity, humility, diligence. All of these virtues qualify us in receiving the blessings of the atonement of Christ.

 

I was born and raised by the sea in the Philippines. Everyday I watch fishermen as they bade goodbye to their families as they sail to the sea. Most days the waves are gentle, the ocean is kind, and the boats return laden with fish. Occasionally, however, the waters turn rough. Skies darken, frightening waves rise, and the fishermen rejoice just to return safely to their harbor. 

Everyday we, Latter-day Saints set out into the world. Most days, life treats us well. We gain knowledge, make friends, and return home filled with the joy of life. Occasionally, however, the world turns rough. Discouragement pounds like waves, temptation and doubt darkens our spiritual sky. On those days we express joy as we return safely to our harbors we call home.

Each one of us who joined this church desires to be home again with our Father in Heaven. The atonement of Christ has made it possible for us to do so.

By remembering and living the atonement of Christ each day of our lives can we be sure of this wonderful promise.

Now, how do we make the atonement a part of our daily lives? Making the atonement of Christ possible in our daily lives means living and sharing love each day of our lives. By sharing love, we become one with Christ. We radiate the love of Christ through us. As we touch with love the hearts of the people we meet each day, we shower our paths with the sunshine of hope, love and happiness.  As we touch with love the hearts of the people we meet each day, we bring their soul a little more closer to heaven. As we smile to a stranger we meet on the street, we spread with us the message of peace and love.

Let us make ourselves be an instrument of God in spreading peace to the world. For His atonement is free for all who wish to receive it. The atonement of Christ made it possible for us to hope to eternal life.

When the missionaries taught me about the Atonement, it impresses my heart that despite of my being inadequate, I can still hope to receive the gift of resurrection. It impresses my heart that someday, if I only try to do my very best, I will have the chance to return to Heavenly Father.

With this in mind, I shall offer my service to the Lord in His Church and to His children. I will make it goal to keep intact the bind that sealed my family forever. I will make it a goal to be more loving and caring to my fellowmen.

The gospel brought tremendous blessings into my life. If it were not of my testimony of the gospel of Jesus Christ, I may not probably be living the same life I am enjoying right now. Let us give thanks to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ for making these blessings possible for us.

As Latter-day Saints, it is our duty to share our happiness to others. The gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ will surely bring joy to every human soul in this planet. Love is universal, and so is the Atonement of our Savior.

May we make the atonement a part of our daily lives. As we walk through this life, may we shower our paths with hope and love so those others who are walking behind us will have the privilege to pick up and partake of the love of God in their lives.

I know with all my heart and soul, without a shadow of doubt that this Church is the only true and living church of Christ upon the face of this earth. I have prayed about it sincerely in my heart and there is no way that I can deny it.

 

The Book of Mormon contains the true and everlasting gospel of Jesus Christ. People may mock it, people may deny it, but you cannot deny the spirit that lies within that book. The spirit of Christ is poured in every page of that book. Men are imperfect but the book is perfect. 

Millions of people from all walks of life who have read it and who have sincerely prayed about it carries in their hearts the testimony that God is a loving God, that He has created this wonderful things for us to enjoy the sweet blessings life.

If you still have doubts in your heart, I invite you to pray to our Father in Heaven. Ask for pure wisdom and true understanding, that your heart may be softened and that the light of Christ my once again open your heart and mind so that your testimony will blossom again as you once more partake the sweet blessings of eternal life.

I lovingly sustain our prophet, President Thomas S. Monson and his counselors. I know that when the time comes as spoken by the prophet of old that all souls shall kneel and bow down in the presence of God, I hope and pray that we may find ourselves unspotted from the sins of this world.

If there is a testimony that I would love to repeat again and again in my life, it is the testimony that there is a God in Heaven and we are His children, and that He loves us and cares for us. He answers our prayers. I know that through the atonement of my Savior Jesus Christ it will make it possible for me to reach my eternal goals.

I love my Savior and this testimony I leave with you in the sacred name of our Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.