Just A Reminder...

Just a reminder to keep up with the readings this month. The stake blog is a great place to get all the readings, plus you can participate in discussions by adding your own comment. http://atonementofjesuschrist.blogspot.com/2013/03/day-04-atonement-our-greatest-hope.html

Start Reading!

Don't forget to start reading today!

Our very own Eric Woolsey helped create the stake blog where all the readings can be found! http://atonementofjesuschrist.blogspot.com

We begin our reading with "The Living Christ: The Testimony of the Apostles" (Ensign, April 2000)

As we commemorate the birth of Jesus Christ two millennia ago, we offer our testimony of the reality of His matchless life and the infinite virtue of His great atoning sacrifice. None other has had so profound an influence upon all who have lived and will yet live upon the earth.

He was the Great Jehovah of the Old Testament, the Messiah of the New. Under the direction of His Father, He was the creator of the earth. “All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made” (John 1:3). Though sinless, He was baptized to fulfill all righteousness. He “went about doing good” (Acts 10:38), yet was despised for it. His gospel was a message of peace and goodwill. He entreated all to follow His example. He walked the roads of Palestine, healing the sick, causing the blind to see, and raising the dead. He taught the truths of eternity, the reality of our premortal existence, the purpose of our life on earth, and the potential for the sons and daughters of God in the life to come.

He instituted the sacrament as a reminder of His great atoning sacrifice. He was arrested and condemned on spurious charges, convicted to satisfy a mob, and sentenced to die on Calvary’s cross. He gave His life to atone for the sins of all mankind. His was a great vicarious gift in behalf of all who would ever live upon the earth.

We solemnly testify that His life, which is central to all human history, neither began in Bethlehem nor concluded on Calvary. He was the Firstborn of the Father, the Only Begotten Son in the flesh, the Redeemer of the world.

He rose from the grave to “become the firstfruits of them that slept” (1 Corinthians 15:20). As Risen Lord, He visited among those He had loved in life. He also ministered among His “other sheep” (John 10:16) in ancient America. In the modern world, He and His Father appeared to the boy Joseph Smith, ushering in the long-promised “dispensation of the fulness of times” (Ephesians 1:10).

Of the Living Christ, the Prophet Joseph wrote: “His eyes were as a flame of fire; the hair of his head was white like the pure snow; his countenance shone above the brightness of the sun; and his voice was as the sound of the rushing of great waters, even the voice of Jehovah, saying:

“I am the first and the last; I am he who liveth, I am he who was slain; I am your advocate with the Father” (D&C 110:3–4).

Of Him the Prophet also declared: “And now, after the many testimonies which have been given of him, this is the testimony, last of all, which we give of him: That he lives!

“For we saw him, even on the right hand of God; and we heard the voice bearing record that he is the Only Begotten of the Father—

“That by him, and through him, and of him, the worlds are and were created, and the inhabitants thereof are begotten sons and daughters unto God” (D&C 76:22–24).

We declare in words of solemnity that His priesthood and His Church have been restored upon the earth—“built upon the foundation of . . . apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone” (Ephesians 2:20).

We testify that He will someday return to earth. “And the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together” (Isaiah 40:5). He will rule as King of Kings and reign as Lord of Lords, and every knee shall bend and every tongue shall speak in worship before Him. Each of us will stand to be judged of Him according to our works and the desires of our hearts.

We bear testimony, as His duly ordained Apostles—that Jesus is the Living Christ, the immortal Son of God. He is the great King Immanuel, who stands today on the right hand of His Father. He is the light, the life, and the hope of the world. His way is the path that leads to happiness in this life and eternal life in the world to come. God be thanked for the matchless gift of His divine Son.

Studying the Atonement

As we study The Atonement this month, we will be reading words from our church leaders and scriptures in preparation for Easter Sunday. You can access the reading list off facebook, access it through our ward blog (http://crescentviewysa.blogspot.com/2013/03/the-atonement-of-jesus-christ-study.html), or even access it from the blog created by the stake (http://atonementofjesuschrist.blogspot.com/).

The stake presidency also encourages everyone to access the wonderful video segments that are available on lds.org, mormon.org and youtube.com -- They are inspirational and will add a great deal of understanding to the words that we will read. Some examples are noted below, but everyone should be encouraged to spend some time on these sites:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=coef8G5ax6E

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xdN8rfwW3SI

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=05nA0cNEEqk

http://www.lds.org/bible-videos/videos?lang=eng

The reading begins tomorrow, so help us spread the word!

The Atonement of Jesus Christ Study Schedule

(March 3rd to March 31st, 2013)

MARCH	READ	PAGE
3rd	“The Living Christ: The Testimony of the Apostles” (Ensign, April 2000)	2
4th	“The Grandeur of God” Elder Jeffrey R. Holland (October 2003 General Conference)	4
5th	“The Atonement of Jesus Christ” Encyclopedia of Mormonism, Elder Jeffrey R. Holland	7
6th	“The Atonement: Our Greatest Hope” President James E. Faust (Ensign November 2001)	11
7th	“The Atonement”  Elder Russell M. Nelson (Mission Presidents Seminar 2002)	15
8th	“The Need of a Redeemer” Elder James E. Talmage (Jesus the Christ, chapter 3)	21
9th	“Testifying of the Great and Glorious Atonement” Elder Neal A. Maxwell  (October Ensign 2001)	29
10th	“Justification and Sanctification”  Elder D. Todd Christofferson (Ensign, June 2001)	35
11th	“The Atonement and Salvation”  Elder James E. Talmage  (Articles of Faith, chapter 4)	43
12th	“The Atonement”   Elder Jeffrey R. Holland (Mission Presidents Seminar)	52
13th	“Atonement of Christ” Elder Bruce R. McConkie  (Mormon Doctrine)	60
14th	2 Nephi 2
15th	2 Nephi 9
16th	2 Nephi 31
17th	Mosiah 3
18th	Mosiah 14-16
19th	Alma 34
20th	D&C 19
21st	D&C 76
22nd	Finish D&C 76
23rd	“The Atonement and the Value of One Soul” Elder M. Russell Ballard (April Conference 2004)	65
24th	“A Testimony of the Son of God”  Elder Gordon B. Hinckley   (December 2002)	69
25th	“The Purifying Power of Gethsemane” Elder Bruce R. McConkie (May 1985)	72
26th	“Apply the Atoning Blood of Christ” Elder Neal A. Maxwell (November 1997 Ensign)	76
27th	“The Mediator”  President Boyd K. Packer (April 1997 General Conference)	80
28th	“Our Acceptance of Christ” Elder Neal A. Maxwell (Ensign November 1985)	86
29th	Messages on the Atonement President Thomas S. Monson (From Several Talks)	97
30th	“None Were With Him” Elder Jeffrey R. Holland (April Conference 2009)	100
31st	“In the Strength of the Lord” Elder David A. Bednar    (October 2001 BYU Devotional)	104

"The fundamental principles of our religion are the testimony of the Apostles and Prophets, concerning Jesus Christ, that He died, was buried, and rose again the third day, and ascended into heaven; and all other things which pertain to our religion are only appendages to it.”
- Joseph Smith