3 Nephi 8

When Christ was crucified, great destruction occurred on the American continent. Many cities were burned, while other cities became mountains, and yet other cities were covered by the sea. Those who remained wished they had repented prior to the great destruction saying, "O that we had repented before this great and terrible day, and had not killed and stoned the prophets, and cast them out; then would our mothers and our fair daughters; and our children have been spared...(25)", and in another city they said, "O that we had repented before this great and terrible day, and then would our brethren have been spared... (24). 

This life is our probation. We prepare to meet God while we are here on this earth. I have thought about this concept many times. Ultimately, we get to choose our destination at the end of this life. In 2 Nephi  10:23 it states, "Therefore, cheer up your hearts, and remember that ye are free to act for yourselves--to choose the way of everlasting death or the way of eternal life" (2 Ne. 10:23).  The scriptures demonstrated that many of the people who lived prior to the Savior's coming turned their hearts from God, and chose the way of "everlasting death". And as I consider this, I have often wondered what this means for us. What will be a game changer? The difference maker? I don't want to ever hear myself bemoan my or my families' lack of repentance.

This past month my little brother passed away. Twenty years ago my older brother passed away. Death has caused me to reflect on this concept even more. I have prayed to know and understand the Lord's plan, and I have gained a testimony of the plan of salvation. I know that my understanding is still young, and I know that I will continue to grow in knowledge concerning our life to come. However, as I have contemplated this, I have felt as if the key to the next life will be our hearts. I don't think there will be a checklist of sins and misdeeds that will keep us out of heaven for I truly believe that each and every one of us have sins that disqualify us. However, as our hearts turn to God, and as we desire Him, it is then that the atonement can take place in our lives to allow us to enter into God's presence. If our hearts are pure before God, then we will be able to access the Savior's great atoning sacrifice. President Uchtdorf said, "Today and forevermore God's grace is available to all whose hearts are broken and whose spirits are contrite" (Dieter F. Uchtdorf, The Gift of Grace, April 2015 General Conference). He further stated, "Because we have all 'sinned, and come short of the glory of God' and because 'there cannot any unclean thing enter into the kingdom of God,' every one of us is unworthy to return to God's presence. Even if we were to serve God with our whole souls, it is not enough, for we would still be 'unprofitable servants.' We cannot earn our way into heaven;...The grace of God is our great everlasting hope" (Dieter F. Uchtdorf, The Gift of Grace, April 2015 General Conference).

And thus, I stand all amazed at my Savior and King. My writing cannot describe the gratitude, love, and devotion I feel toward Him. Because of Him, "death has no sting" (Dieter F. Uchtdorf, The Gift of Grace, April 2015 General Conference). Because of Him families can be together forever. My heart sings. I rejoice at what He offers me, and I humbly pray that my heart will always be His, so that His grace may rescue me--a sinner. 

Alma 33 & 34

Jesus Christ is our salvation. As we pray, and seek Him in our lives, the atonement can become real in our lives. He stands as an advocate on our behalf. In order to allow Him to be our advocate, we must choose to use the atonement, and by so doing we obtain the mercy we desire.

Alma 34: 9 states, "For it is expedient that an atonement should be made; for according to the great plan of the Eternal God there must be an atonement made; or else all mankind must unavoidably perish..."

Alma 34:15, &16 states, "And thus he shall bring salvation to all those who shall believe on his name; this being the intent of this last sacrifice, to bring about the bowels of mercy, which overpowereth justice, and bringeth about means unto men that they may have faith unto repentance. And thus mercy can satisfy the demands of justice, and encircles them in the arms of safety..."

This life is our time to prepare to meet God. Through Jesus Christ, we can become clean.  As we seek Christ, and as we practice faith unto repentance, we allow the atonement to cleanse us from our sins. It is only through the atonement of Christ that we can be saved. For no "unclean" clean can enter into God's presence. Because our Father loves us so much, He provided a way for us to return. He wants us to succeed. He desires our return; however, we must choose our path. We must use our agency to acquire this great gift that has been offered.

We are in the Christmas Season, and the Church has launched a campaign proclaiming that Christ is the gift of Christmas. I have a testimony of this. Jesus Christ died for us. He suffered in Gethsemane providing for me a means to repentance. He died on the cross breaking the bands of death, and allowing me to live again in my Heavenly Home. Without this truth, I do not believe we would celebrate Christmas. Without Easter, there would be no Christmas. But because Christ did what He did, the true gift of Christmas is Him. The atonement is the greatest gift ever given.

It is my hope that I can remember the true meaning of Christmas. The reason for the season.