This message has been approved by the manager of the wisconsin cheese factory...in new hamshire

A couple of the Elders and I were studying grace  and the atonement the other day, and I thought I'd share a little tidbit.

 

"The main idea of the word [grace] is divine means of help or strength, given through the bounteous mercy and love of Jesus Christ. It it 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 grace 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."

 

Alma 31:31 "O Lord, my heart is exceedingly sorrowful; wilt thou comfort my soul in Christ. O Lord, wilt thou grant unto me that I may have strength, that I may suffer with patience these afflictions which shall come upon me, because of the iniquity of this people."

 

It is through the Atonement that grace is made possible. And it is through the Atonement that we can receive strength. However, sometimes we ask the Lord, "Please take away this burden" "Make everything get better" "heal him, bring him back, stop this from happening" etc.

Miracles do exist, and that can happen. But we are given trials for a purpose. The whole reason why we are on this earth is to progress and become more like God. If He were to simply take it away, He is taking away our opportunity to become Godlike. And so, maybe, to practice humility and patience, instead of praying for things to automatically be healed, we can just pray for the STRENGTH to handle what comes our way.

 

just my thoughts of this past week.

 

Also, the spirit is the coolest thing ever. It can cause us to do things, that we probably don't think has ANY significance, but really it can affect people so much. If you recieve a promting, thought, random motive to do something {and it's good} it is of God. Even if it is randomly making cupcakes for someone, sending someone a text, saying hi, sharing a scripture, inviting someone to church.

It all makes a difference.

because it did for me.

 

I love you all and hope you have an awesome week. enjoy the rest of September!! (and make sure you all get ready for General Conference!!!)

xoxo

hermana kaitlyn waters