Contemplation

The last couple weeks have made me think a lot about the Atonement and how we deal with tragedy in our lives. We have lived in MA for about 8 months now and have made a lot of new friends. About 2 weeks ago, one of our new friends lost both her parents. Almost the same day, another couple, also friends(and our Bishop) lost their 7 day old baby girl. Last Sunday while we sang the Sacrament hymn, my thoughts were brought to think about the Savior and his Atonement. As I have for quite some time known, but was very much reminded of by the spirit during that song, the Atonement does not only apply to a forgiveness of sins. Christ suffered in the Garden of Gethsemane in order to also take away our sorrow and pain from tribulation. Today, the Bishop was conducting and therefore had the opportunity to bear his testimony. He and his wife are amazing people. They are very much in tune with the Spirit and know our Father's plan for us. While the Bishop was bearing his testimony, sharing that even though they are sad for their loss, he and his wife also know that their little girl is with our Father in Heaven. He expressed his comfort in knowing that his family will be reunited some day and that thought brought him joy. As he spoke I couldn't help but think about Nephi's Psalm found in 2 Nephi chapter 4. At this time in Nephi's life he has just lost his father and mother, his brothers basically hate him and he is feeling weighed down by the hardships in his life. As he talks of these feelings, he realizes the goodness and love and mercy God has for us and it brings him out of his despair to in verse 30 proclaim "Rejoice, O my heart, and cry unto the Lord, and say: O Lord, I will praise thee forever; yea, my soul will rejoice in thee, my God, and the rock of my salvation." Just like Nephi, our Bishop and his wife, our dear friends, rejoice in the Lord and know that he has done all for us so that we may once again live as families for eternity.