Don’t you just love weddings? 

What a beautiful day it’s been! Today a dear friend of our family got married. As they walked out of the temple to the welcoming cheers of friends and family, I couldn’t help but think that it was what was meant by the scripture that tells us to make a joyful noise unto the Lord. 

Beautiful, beautiful! Meigi made the wedding cake, Ms. Electric was the maid/matron of honor, and Mr. Hot Stuff, Meigi, and Ms. Sassy were the Italian soda barristos. It was all a wonderful celebration of the marriage covenant. Plus, at the end, after the happily wedded couple drove away in their decorated car, someone proposed to his unsuspecting lady. And so it goes… 

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When I read these verses today, I just couldn’t help but marvel over what a mighty concept Jesus Christ’s atonement is. It can take us from living with a spirit of fear, to living with a spirit of hope, love, and joy. It helps me keep going through discouragement and keep loving through temporary disagreements. 

Alma 34:8-10 

“Behold, I say unto you, that I do know that Christ shall come among the children of men, to take upon him the transgressions of his people, and that he shall atone for the sins of the world; for the Lord God hath spoken it. 9 For it is expedient that an atonement should be made; for according to the great plan of the Eternal God there must be an atonement made, or else all mankind must unavoidably perish; yea, all   hardened; yea, all are fallen and are lost, and must perish except it be through the atonement which it is expedient should be made.10 For it is expedient that there should be a great and last sacrifice; yea, not a sacrifice of man, neither of beast, neither of any manner of fowl; for it shall not be a human sacrifice; but it must be an infinite and eternal sacrifice.” 

https://www.lds.org/scriptures/bofm/alma/34?verse=8-10&lang=eng#p8