An assignment.

Though it started as an assignment, it became something much more. 

It's meant to be a letter - I've omitted who I intended it for, though I assume this person will guess it was him/herself

It's quite long, but thought I would at least share parts of it.

It is coupled with this video.

Dear -

Thank you for taking the time to watch the video “To This End Was I Born” with me. It was such a special experience to feel the spirit together as we watched the Savior's life and mission unfold. I know the struggles you are going through, the pain and sorrow that you wrestle with, even months after the initial incident. I know there are times when you are searching for answers, solace, and peace, a greater love than I can provide for you, or anyone else in this world. I know you question your own divinity, your mission here on earth, and what is in store for us all in the next life. All of these questions and more can be answered when we look at the Savior's mission.

The video we watched depicted the last days of the Savior's life, His suffering in the Garden of Gethsemane, and His crucifixion. I know sometimes it may be hard for you to imagine a Christ who went through all this, so much more pain than us mortals could ever comprehend, solely based on His profound love for us all – but that is the short answer to your question: Why? Why would He do this for us, such fallen beings? Why would He do this for me, an imperfect nobody? And that's just it; He did it because He loves us. The well-known and often quoted scripture from John 3:16 is popular because it speaks the plain and simple truth: “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son.” He loves me, He loves you, He knows you personally, by name.

There are two very important parts that were depicted in the movie that I want to specifically address and bear you my testimony of: Christ's suffering in Gethsemane and His resurrection. First of all, no actor playing Christ and no director of a staged movie could ever possibly correctly display the pain and agony that Jesus Christ suffered that night in Gethsemane. I view this element of the atonement in a very personal light – I recognize that even if I were the only person in the world, Christ still would have done what He did – if only for me. If only for you. But that's the miracle of it all; it wasn't just me or you. It was everyone. When I partake of the bread during sacrament meeting on Sundays, I think of Christ's bruised and broken body. A crown of thorns pierced into his delicate scalp. The skin on His back ripped and mangled under barbaric whips. A dull nail pounded through His gentle hands, that never did anything but heal others; a second set of nails driven through His soft and veiny forearms, a major source of blood-flow to the body. I swallow my share of torn bread, and think of His physical pain – and all for me.

Next comes the water, His blood. This is the most sacred element of the atonement to me. My two ounce swig of water symbolizes pints of blood pouring from every pore on His body. That swallow is my alone time with Christ – this is my baptism, my gratitude, my moment, my repentance. Because that one swallow was my one drop of blood that oozed from one single pore, among millions of drops from millions of pores for millions of others. I think not only of the terrible sins I've committed, but the countless tears I have cried, the emotional and utter anguish that has tortured my several-times-broken heart. I think of the lonely cries that echoed from my mouth, me thinking no one was listening. I think of the darkness that has enveloped me in the past. And then, I remember that Christ's sacrifice not only atones for my sins, but for my every heartache. He has suffered them too. And why? Because He loves me. I can't say it enough. Because He loves me. Because He loves you. He loves you. And that's why He did it. He suffered so He would better know how to succor me in times of need, so that He could be my advocate before the Father on judgment day, so that He would know how to show me mercy, so that He could know me, inside and out, better than any other being on this earth – because He's gone through all I've gone through and more. He was alone so I would never have to be.

And then, they took Him away. And they crucified Him. They murdered Our King. They did, they did. And I will forever be grateful that Christ did not stay dead for long. Instead, He rose again 3 days later. He defied all logic, reason, mortality itself. He conquered Death – the one monster no one else has ever escaped. He triumphed over Life. I know that I have not lost someone to death that I was extremely close to yet; I also know that one day that time will come. One day I will have to say an unexpected good bye to someone I love very dearly, knowing I will never see them in this life again. However, because of my Lord, my Glorious, Merciful, and All-Powerful Lord, I will see them in the life to come. They will conquer death, just as He did. They will be resurrected.

With resurrection comes a perfection of the body. You know I struggle with my self-image. Bigger this, smaller that. No more acne, psoriasis, scars. But because of the atonement, one day my body will be perfected. No longer will we have to worry about earthly and bodily pains and malfunctions, but we will be a glorified being just as Christ Himself is.

I tell you all this because I need you to understand how much you are loved. I think you may be beginning to understand the love I have for you; however, I'm not sure either one of us will ever be able to comprehend the love Our Father in Heaven and His Beloved Son Jesus Christ have for us. I want you to understand that the atonement is infinite. There is no end to the power it contains. There are no restrictions to the amount of love, mercy, and help that Christ will offer you when you ask. There is no sin for which the atonement does not cover. Never, ever feel unworthy to pray to your Father. Never feel selfish for asking for help, needing to hear from Him you are loved, or just asking for peace. The atonement will not only free you from the bondage of any sins you may be harboring, but it will also bind your wounds, heal your scars, and bring you to a higher level of living. Every single thing Christ did was for you. And me. And for each and every one of us, individually and specifically. He knows your name. Don't be afraid to let Him know you know His, too.