Quote on Atonement

The other day we had the most amazing thunder and lightening storm. The power that I saw unleashed reminded me that we really aren't in control. It made me realize how powerless we truly are and caused me to reflect on the love and patience that our Heavenly Father has for us. He allows us the agency to make mistakes and doesn't interfere and take away those learning moments and growth. He is patient with us when we think we have all the answers ourselves and we forget how much we fall short and how much we need our Savior. He watches us do stupid things and loves us still the same. I want to keep an eternal perspective and I want to be a parent like that.

As I read this quote this morning, I thought about my gratitude for a loving Heavenly Father who allowed His Son to suffer and die for each of us. I am grateful that our Savior, Jesus Christ, was willing and able to make this sacrifice and save us from sin and death.

“In that hour I think I can see our dear Father behind the veil looking upon these dying struggles until even he could not endure it any longer; and, like the mother who bids farewell to her dying child, has to be taken out of the room, so as not to look upon the last struggles, so he bowed his head, and hid in some part of his universe, his great heart almost breaking for the love that he had for his Son. Oh, in that moment when he might have saved his Son, I thank him and praise him that he did not fail us, for he had not only the love of his Son in mind, but he also had love for us. I rejoice that he did not interfere, and that his love for us made it possible for him to endure to look upon the sufferings of his Son and give him finally to us, our Savior and our Redeemer. Without him, without his sacrifice, we would have remained, and we would never have come glorified into his presence. And so this is what it cost, in part, for our Father in Heaven to give the gift of his Son unto men” (Melvin J. Ballard, Sermons and Missionary Services of Melvin Joseph Ballard, comp. Bryant S. Hinckley [Salt Lake City: Deseret Book Co., 1949], pp. 153-55).