November 8

My verse:
2Ne. 26:24
He doeth not anything save it be for the benefit of the world, even that he layeth down his own life that he may draw all men unto him . Wherefore, he commandeth none that that they shall not partake of his salvation.
I was reading "The Infinite Atonement" by Tad Callister. In the book he talks about the blessing of motivation as it relates to the atonement. The suffering of a righteous person whom we love and respect can motivate us to do better, make better choices and so forth. He tells of an interview of a man with Mahatma Gandhi. (Gandhi had fasted on more than one occasion, to bring about changes, or stop a war, or for other good causes. His people changed their direction because they did not want Gandhi to die of starvation.) The interviewer asked Gandhi, "Isn't your fasting a species of coercion?" "Yes, he said very slowly, the same kind of coercion which Jesus exercises upon you from the cross".
I thought that was an amazing statement. When we come to understand what Jesus has done for us and his love for us, we can be motivated to do better and to try harder. It is like when missionaries fast for one of their investigators it is important that they let the investigator know that they are fasting for them, (along with inviting them to fast with them). When the investigator feels of the love and concern of the missionaries, they are often motivated to try harder to keep their commitments.
Well, have a great week
I love you, Dad