“The Healing Power of the Atonement”
Ezekiel 33:15–16
15 If the wicked restore the pledge, give again that he had robbed, walk in the statutes of life, without committing iniquity; he shall surely live, he shall not die.
16 None of his sins that he hath committed shall be mentioned unto him: he hath done that which is lawful and right; he shall surely live.
President Boyd K. Packer said:
“We all make mistakes. Sometimes we harm ourselves and seriously injure others in ways that we alone cannot repair. We break things that we alone cannot fix. It is then in our nature to feel guilt and humiliation and suffering, which we alone cannot cure. That is when the healing power of the Atonement will help.
“The Lord said, ‘Behold, I, God, have suffered these things for all, that they might not suffer if they would repent’ [D&C 19:16].
“If Christ had not made His Atonement, the penalties for mistakes would be added one on the other. Life would be hopeless. But He willingly sacrificed in order that we may be redeemed. And He said, ‘Behold, he who has repented of his sins, the same is forgiven, and I, the Lord, remember them no more’ [D&C 58:42; see also Heb. 8:12; Heb. 10:17].
“Ezekiel said: ‘If the wicked restore the pledge, give again that he had robbed, walk in the statutes of life, without committing iniquity; he shall surely live, he shall not die.
“‘None of his sins that he hath committed shall be mentioned unto him’ [Ezek. 33:15–16].
“Think of that, not even mentioned!
“We can even ‘retain a remission of [our] sins’ [Mosiah 4:12; see also 2 Ne. 25:26; 31:17; Mosiah 3:13; 4:11; 15:11; Alma 4:14; 7:6; 12:34; 13:16; Hel. 14:13; 3 Ne. 12:2; 30:2; Moro. 8:25; 10:33]. Baptism by immersion is for the remission of our sins. That covenant can be renewed by partaking of the sacrament each week [see D&C 27:2].
“The Atonement has practical, personal, everyday value; apply it in your life. It can be activated with so simple a beginning as prayer. You will not thereafter be free from trouble and mistakes but can erase the guilt through repentance and be at peace.”
(“The Touch of the Master’s Hand,” Ensign, May 2001, 23–24.)
