February '13 Discussion

Here's the link to this month's discussion piece: Can Ye Feel So Now? by Elder Cook.

Reading through this talk and it's corresponding passage in scripture, Alma 5, springs forth a desire to search for this 'song of redeeming love.'  Everyone makes mistakes and errors and repentance brings the arms of redemption around us, but I feel that it's a practiced skill to feel those arms.

Elder Cook quotes C.S. Lewis from Mere Christianity: "When you know you are sick, you will listen to the doctor."  Knowledge of sins is a necessary step in the repentance process.  But the recognition of my own sin is not enough to feel this comfort of which Alma speaks.  To call upon Him who is Mighty to Save, to give up all my sins to know Him, to recognize the fault and correct it;  this washes the garments clean in His blood.  He has forgiven and forgotten...but what about me?  Have I forgotten?

Not only does the atonement of Christ wash away the sins, but it also is meant to wash away all the guilt as well.  When we repent, we need to perform all the steps and forsake the sin, but then we need to forget it: He has.  I think this is what Alma was referring to: recognizing the Lord's full atonement acting in our lives. 

(Be sure to post in "comments" so we can have the topics organized.  That way all the comments to each topic will be grouped together.)