Power of the Atonement

For today’s entry, I would like to share some thoughts from a gospel doctrine class that I taught this morning.

33Peter answered and said unto him, Though all men shall be offended because of thee, yet will I never be offended.

34Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, That this night, before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice.

35Peter said unto him, Though I should die with thee, yet will I not deny thee. Likewise also said all the disciples. (Matt. 26:33-35)

As we know, the Savior’s prophecy was fulfilled, in spite of Peter’s determination. As a result, when Peter realized what he had done, “he went out, and wept bitterly” (Matt. 26:75).

All of us have done something similar. We, too, have sinned in a moment of weakness, in spite of our determination not to do so. However, that need not be the end of the story. Through repentance, we can be forgiven of our sins and through continued obedience, we can become every stronger and more valiant in the faith.

We must remember that the power of the Atonement isn’t only the power to be forgiven of sin. It is also the power to be good and to become even better. Through repentance, obedience, and sincere prayer we can call upon the powers of heaven to help us to become ever more valiant in the faith.

Peter showed us that this is the case. Peter, as the chief apostle, appeared before a Jewish council of chief priests and elders to explain why he had been teaching and healing in the name of Jesus (see Acts 4:1-30). Peter, in a situation far more challenging than he was placed in at the trial of Jesus, not only refused to deny Jesus Christ but also boldly testified of him and severely chastised the members of the council in these words: “Be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead, even by him doth this man stand here before you whole” (Acts 4:10).

That is a remarkable change. Peter was not defined by his failure. He rose above it. We can also rise above our failures.

Another example can be found in the life of Corianton. As we know, he was a disobedient son of Alma the younger. He committed a serious transgression with the harlot Isabel. He repented of his sins. Having thus been cleansed, Alma sent him out into the mission field again. However, what may escape us is the spiritual stature to which Corianton later arose.

In Alma 48:17 we read the following: “Yea, verily, verily I say unto you, if all men had been, and were, and ever would be, like unto Moroni, behold, the very powers of hell would have been shaken forever; yea, the devil would never have power over the hearts of the children of men.”

This is a verse we have heard quoted many times. Moroni was a remarkable, spiritual giant. However, we may have missed the significance of the following verse: “Behold, he was a man like unto Ammon, the son of Mosiah, yea, and even the other sons of Mosiah, yea, and also Alma and his sons, for they were all men of God” (Alma 48:18, emphasis added).

What verse 18 tells us is that Corainton grew to the stature of a Moroni. He, too, refused to be defined by his failure—even a serious transgression. Through his best efforts, coupled with the power of the Atonement, he became a spiritual giant. So it can be for each of us.

May we each exert our faith in Jesus Christ, quickly repent when we sin and move forward in obedience, praying frequently and fervently in faith. Following this steady course will bring us great joy and success in becoming ever more like the Savior. I know this is true.

As Elder Maxwell said, “How merciful when our yesterdays no longer hold our tomorrows hostage!” (Neal A. Maxwell, “Testifying of the Great and Glorious Atonement,” Ensign, October 2001).