RENEWING COVENANTS THROUGH THE SACRAMENT

Elder Robert D Hales of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles has said:

"...It is not possible to make real change all by ourselves.  Our own willpower and our own good intentions are not enough.  When we make mistakes or choose poorly, we must have the help of our Savior to get back on track.  We partake of the sacrament week after week to show our faith in His power to change us.  We confess our sins and promise to forsake them."

I am grateful for the opportunity we have on a weekly basis to renew our baptismal covenants.  I would be a lost soul without that blessing.

When I think about the atoning sacrifice made by Jesus Christ I often think of scriptures that display this great miracle. 

"Come now, and let us reason together, saith the Lord: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.   (ISAIAH 1:18)."

I also remember the great compassion Jesus Christ had on repentant sinners.

"And the scribes and Pharisees brought unto him a woman taken in adultery; and when they had set her in the midst, They say unto him, Master, this woman was taken in adultery, in the very act.  Now Moses in the law commanded us, that such should be stoned: but what sayest thou?

This they said, tempting him, that they might have to accuse him. But Jesus stooped down, and with his finger wrote on the ground, as though he heard them not.  So when they continued asking him, he lifted up himself, and said unto them, He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her.

And again he stooped down, and wrote on the ground.  And they which heard it, being convicted by their own conscience, went out one by one, beginning at the eldest, even unto the last: and Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst.

When Jesus had lifted up himself, and saw none but the woman, he said unto her, Woman, where are those thine accusers? hath no man condemned thee?  She said, No man, Lord. And Jesus said unto her, Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more.  (John 8:3-11)"

As individuals we each have the divine right for this blessing.  All we have to do is truly be repentant; forsaking the sins that we have committed; and renewing our covenants each week.  We can become perfected in the atoning sacrifice made by Jesus Christ our Savior.