This Week in History: Part II (Return of the Ax)

Usually, the sequel doesn't even come close to the original movie. There's just always that air of difference that sets the follow-up apart from the main show. However, that's about to change for now, as Part II is going to be wayyyyy better than the first iterance.

We have access to a marvelous power, given to us by someone very special. Said person is also known as the Gift (see: http://www.mormon.org/christmas ). Jesus Christ is His name. He, being the first Christmas gift ever, also gave us another gift, given by His own suffering, death, and resurrection. That gift is the Atonement. That gift is a force for change. That gift is our shining hope to one day be united forever with our families in a world of perfect and complete happiness.

The Atonement comes from the sacrifice that Christ made for us. He, being perfect, wasn't required to pay for His sins, as He didn't have any. He wasn't required to suffer or hurt. He hurt so badly that He bled from every pore to be able to understand all of our sin and sadness. He did it because He loves us. That sacrifice facilitated our redemption. We can be clean because of Him. One day, after we die, when we stand before God to be judged of our works, we may have access to His mercy. He can let us pass by, be completely clean, and enter into the eternal rest that God has prepared for us. Christ will be our mediator. He is our Savior.

Yet, to gain a part of that mercy, it is required of us to act. No one can be saved in ignorance and we must act upon our faith to get what we want as an eventual outcome, eternal life and exaltation. The biggest gift that the Atonement has for us, is repentance. Repentance is the power we have to change. It's a gift given by Christ, by way of the Atonement, and His grace. His grace is the enabling power we've been given to change ourselves. We can change. We must change. Repentance is the chance to change course, to lead a new life. It is the gift we always can call upon. Without repentance, we would be lost, as there would be no way to change what we've done. We would be subject to all the justice of God and would have to suffer the price. However, with the sanctifying power of repentance, we can renovate ourselves with fresh attitudes, mindsets, actions, and consequences. We may have done something wrong, but we can be forgiven as we leave behind our desire to sin and strive to be better. We can solve the problems we've made and create a new pathway in life, yes, even a straight and narrow path which leads to an eternal life and exaltation. We can change.

This week I saw that change. The Portuguese word "Machado" means "Ax" in English. Elder Machado came back to the mission field. We received a simple text from our mission president Sunday night saying to buy a new ticket for this Elder. He had truly gone home, but wasn't satisfied. He realized the need for change and made it. He shifted his course and altered his future. God truly blesses us. Often He uses our circumstances combined with the still, small voice of His Spirit, the Holy Ghost. Elder Machado went home determined to stay. With his return, Elder Machado's brother decided to be baptized into the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. Elder Machado was asked to perform the baptism and with that gained a new desire to continue helping people. He returned and is currently helping a new missionary be trained.

I felt so happy with his return. He was truly different when he came back. He wanted to work. He changed his entire outlook on things, all of which was made possible by the Atonement and the repentance process.

I testify that repentance is needed and joyful. Repentance shows our humility and is a marvelous gift we have. I hope that everyone can take advantage of this gift throughout their lives. I pray that this Christmas season, we can all see the things we need to improve and that we can strive together to be the good in the world. Christ lives and loves us. He wants the best for us. He has prepared a more excellent way for us to follow. He has already gone there and is willing and ready to support us. His love is unconditional and unending. Remember that this Christmas! Let the whole world be filling with joy as we search to help others and change ourselves in the process. In the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

Merry Christmas!!

Elder Ashford