what is the Atonement?

so, I've been seriously slacking on updating this thing! but i am doing it today. just to update you on some things in my life these last couple weeks.
last week was my first Sunday in the family ward. i am in the haven ward here in Las Vegas.
i got a calling before my records were even in the ward, which is great:) and its my favorite calling so far. i am the 2nd counselor in the young women's presidency, i absolutely love it! i cant say that enough. i am over the beehives (girls ages 12-13) they are adorable.
i was thinking the other day about the switch to the new ward, and i  thought to myself, "if you would've asked me 2 years ago if i would like going to the family ward, i would say HECK NO! but i have since changed my mind," people ask me why don't you go to the mid singles ward? and my answer is simply this, that i know that this is exactly where i need to be! and i where i want to be. i am over the whole feel of the singles ward. i will go to activities and such of course but i know that the haven ward is where i need to be.

anyways, today was my second Sunday in the ward and i already taught young women's. i taught on the atonement. it actually went really well. i think the girls enjoyed it and were able to get something out of it also. what is the atonement? well the bible dictionary says this...

Atonement

The word describes the setting “at one” of those who have been estranged and denotes the reconciliation of man to God. Sin is the cause of the estrangement, and therefore the purpose of atonement is to correct or overcome the consequences of sin. From the time of Adam to the death of Jesus Christ, true believers were instructed to offer animal sacrifices to the Lord. These sacrifices were symbolic of the forthcoming death of Jesus Christ and were done by faith in Him (Moses 5:5–8).

thought the atonement we have a way to return to our heavenly father, the atonement is the only way to get where we would like to be. it is a gift given to us with love to use to gain eternal life. through Christs atonement we will always have someone that knows  how we feel, we always have someone in our lives to turn to in our times of need.
in Alma chapter 7 verses 11-13 it talks about the reasons for the atonement, it reads:

11 And he shall go forth, suffering pains and afflictions and temptations of every kind; and this that the word might be fulfilled which saith he will take upon him the pains and the sicknesses of his people.

 12 And he will take upon him death, that he may loose the bands of death which bind his people; and he will take upon him their infirmities, that his bowels may be filled with mercy, according to the flesh, that he may know according to the flesh how to succor his people according to their infirmities.

 13 Now the Spirit knoweth all things; nevertheless the Son of God suffereth according to the flesh that he might take upon him the sins of his people, that he might blot out their transgressions according to the power of his deliverance; and now behold, this is the testimony which is in me.

it gives me comfort knowing that my Savior loves me so much that he would bleed great drops of blood from every pore so that i would not need to suffer, so that he could succor ME, so that he would know how to help ME, so that I can return to my heavenly father. and because he loves ME! he loves ME so much that he would die for me! its hard to fathom that someone would love not only me but everyone that ever has or ever will live upon this earth. i feel like i would be sinning if i were to not use it. i feel like i would be disappointing my Heavenly Father and my Savior if i were to not use this incredible gift that has been given to all of us to use. 

as we come upon this Easter season may we remember our Savior and the love that he has for us, the love that he had for us when he walked into the garden to bleed great drops of blood for US! may we take upon us his name and stand as witnesses of him at ALL time and in ALL thing and in ALL places that we may stand blameless before God at the last day! 

i absolutely love the videos that the church puts out. here are the 2 that i used in my lesson today. one is a bible video that depicts the act of the atonement and the second is the testimony of Elder Holland about the atonement. they are both amazing and i hope that you enjoy them and feel the spirit and become more grateful for our Savior as you read this blog and watch these beautiful videos.