The Atonement is the supreme expression of our Heavenly Father’s love for us and also the greatest expression of the Savior’s love for the Father and for us. When we came down to earth, we were clean from sin and wrongdoing. But, we are mortal beings and are subject to opposition and temptation. None of us are perfect; we all make mistakes. Without the Atonement, we would forever be separated from our Heavenly Father. The only way for us to be saved is for someone else to rescue us. The only person who can save us is Jesus Christ, as He atoned for our sins and took our burdens upon Him.

Our Savior & Redeemer, Jesus Christ, performed the Atonement for each one of us in the Garden of Gethsemane. While he was performing the Atonement, he suffered, bled & died for all of us. He felt and went through every heartbreak, pain, affliction, trial, joy, and struggle that we have ever experienced & will ever experience. However, we can all repent and use the Atonement to become clean again.

The Atonement is not just for becoming clean again after repenting. The enabling power of the Atonement also serves to comfort, and give peace, understanding, and strength to bear our burdens with ease. How incredible that we have the Atonement to help us repent of our sins and also be comforted & feel peace & solace. We can use it at anytime, and should be using it often. I think far too often the Atonement is underutilized; we don’t use it enough. I know there have been times in my life when I have not used it to the full capacity.

But lately, I have been thinking quite a lot about how we use the Atonement for different things, depending on where we are at in life and the experiences we are going through. We should always be using the Atonement to repent, but can use the Atonement to be comforted or receive peace or feel of His love as needed. It is easy to feel that no one understands or feels what you're going through. Yet, he knows and understands our suffering because He has experienced it. With his perfect understanding, He knows how to help us. I've relied more on Christ and the Atonement to feel the enabling powers of the Atonement through trials. 

I have personally been using the enabling power of the Atonement to feel comforted and gain strength the past couple months as I’ve been struggling with a few things and trying to figure out what I’m doing next. Rather than asking for my circumstances to be changed, I’ve been trying to gain the strength that I need to get through these challenges. At times I have used the enabling power of the Atonement to feel solace after the passing of a family member or friend. I have used the Atonement to gain understanding of why His plan for me changed. My point is, we need the Atonement for different things at different times in our lives depending on where we are at and what trials we are going through.

Running to the Time of Our Own Clock

The idea of everyone being on different timelines or "clocks" has been on my mind for awhile now. Everyone goes at their own speed in college, in getting their dream job, to get married, and so much more. I'm 21 and in my senior year of college. I'll graduate this December just before turning 22. I know people who are in college and older than me. I know friends who already have their dream job and are in their early 20's. Many of my friends and people I went to school with are married, some who are younger than me. And that is all okay, it's normal to go by your own time and not rush to finish college, get married, or get your dream job.

Just the other night I saw an old friend who just got back from her mission. We got on the topic of school and how much longer I had left. When I told her I graduate this semester, her jaw nearly dropped. We’re around the same age and she’s only done a semester or two of college whereas I’ll be finished with college one semester after this spring. She was shocked that I’ve completed so much school and am so close to graduating. My point is, our clocks look different than everyone else's.

It can be difficult when you look around and think you're behind others, or you might be ahead of others. But we aren't all running on the same clock. Some clocks are slower than others, some are faster. We all go at our own pace and the events and things in our lives happen according to our time. It doesn't all happen according to one clock. Your time will come to get your dream job. While you may be waiting for your time to finally come, you will miss out on other opportunities and things that come your way. Be patient and wait for your time to come. Much of it has to do with what The Lord has in store for you and HIs timing. I had all sorts of ideas in my head of what my timeline looked like and when I’d accomplish various things. Needless to say nothing has gone according to my plan and the timing I had in mind. But ya know what? It’s turned out even better than I could have ever imagined! As I’ve allowed The Lord to take control of my “clock” and set it’s pace, everything has worked out better for me and with my best interest in mind too.

I've seen this quote about our different clocks many times and it speaks to me each time I see it:

"I know people who graduated college at 21, and didn't get a salary job until they were 27. I know people who graduated at 25 and already had a salary job. I know people who have children and are single. I know people who are married and had to wait 8-10 years to be parents. I know people who are in a relationship and love someone else. I know people who love each other and aren't together. There are people waiting to love and be loved. My point is, everything in life happens according to our time, our clock. You may look at your friends and some may seem to be ahead or behind you, but they're not. They're living according to the pace of their clock, so be patient. You're not falling behind, it's just not your time."

- Julissa Loaiza

Just remember to be patient and don’t get discouraged when you look around and see others who seem to be “beating” you to certain milestones or events in life. They’re on a different clock than you.You’ll hit that “time” in your life when it’s right for you. For now just keep running to the time of your own clock and being you. One day it will be your time.