Gratitude for the Atonement

From the study guide:

"How can you show the Savior your gratitude for His Atonement?"

I was thinking yesterday about how the passages clearly stated that without Christ's atonement we would have to suffer for our own sins even as He suffered. We do suffer already but in the smallest degree and only if we put off repentance. Our Savior has removed the need for us to have to suffer. All we have have to do is realize our own guilt and come to Him and repent.

It is a tremendous thing He has done for us. I know a little bit of the agony of sin and the pain it can cause. That is I know the smallest degree and I think everyone has felt it at one time or another. I can't imagine if we had to suffer in the greatest degree - which is what Christ suffered.

How can I show gratitude?

I think that the first thing is to always remember to give thanks in prayer. But also more importantly is to not take the atonement for granted and forget that it is there for us. Christ suffered for us and it would be in vain if we do not repent. The very act of repentance is the best way of showing gratitude to our Savior.

Also remembering Him each week when we take the sacrament and again thanking Him in prayer. Teaching our children about the atonement. Fogiving others as He has asked us to do. And forgiving ourselves. Changing our lives so they are more in accordance with His teachings.

All these things show that we have gratitude for the Lord and His sacrifice for us. But not only that but it brings our focus to Him and in turn keeps us in the right path that will lead us back to Him and our Father in Heaven.