Elder C. Scott Grow: The Miracle of the Atonement
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181st Annual General Conference — Church News coverage
Elder C. Scott Grow of the Seventy began his Sunday afternoon address by relating the story of his younger brother. After a decade of self-destructive behavior, his brother was humbled and "began to reach out to the Savior and to make his way back home." Eventually, his priesthood and temple blessings were restored, he married again and served in a bishopric. He taught the high priest lesson in his ward on March 6; he died on the morning of March 7, at age 51.
"I am grateful for the miracle of the Atonement in the life of my brother," Elder Grow said. "The Savior's Atonement is available to each of us, always. We access the Atonement through repentance. When we repent, the Lord allows us to put the mistakes of the past behind us."
He explained that the Plan of Salvation could not be brought about without an atonement. "The atoning sacrifice had to be carried out by the sinless Son of God, for fallen man could not atone for his own sins. The Atonement had to be infinite and eternal — to cover all men, throughout all eternity."
The Savior not only felt the anguish of sin but also of sorrow. "Through His Atonement He heals not only the transgressor; He also heals the innocent who suffer because of those transgressions. As the innocent exercise faith in the Savior's Atonement and forgive the transgressor, they too can be healed."
He continued, "Because of His infinite love, Jesus Christ invites us to repent so that we will not have to suffer the full weight of our own sins. … Jesus Christ is the Great Healer of our souls. With the exception of sins of perdition, there is no sin or transgression, pain or sorrow, which is outside of the healing power of His Atonement."
He invited members to seek relief from feelings of guilt, bitterness or anger. "Repent and forsake your sins. Then, in prayer, ask God for forgiveness. Seek forgiveness from those you have wronged. Forgive those who have wronged you. Forgive yourself. Go to the bishop if necessary. … Immerse yourself in prayer and scripture study.…
"I testify of the miracle of the Atonement. I have seen its healing power in the life of my brother and felt it in my own life. The healing and redemptive power of the Atonement is available to each of us, always."
