The Enabling Power of the Atonement

I read this devotional address by Elder Bednar the other week that really struck a chord with me. I think it may very well be my favorite talk ever. It's titled "In the Strength of the Lord." It is a talk about the Atonement that goes deeper than the usually talked about aspects of it. Not only is the Atonement available to us in order to gain forgiveness but it is also there to enable us and to provide us with the strength and courage that we lack. Through Christ we are able to do those things we cannot do alone.

This quote from the talk sums it up really well:
There is no physical pain, no anguish of soul, no suffering of spirit, no infirmity or weakness that you or I ever experience during our mortal journey that the Savior did not experience first. You and I in a moment of weakness may cry out, "No one understands. No one knows." No human being, perhaps, knows. But the Son of God perfectly knows and understands, for He felt and bore our burdens before we ever did. And because He paid the ultimate price and bore that burden, He has perfect empathy and can extend to us His arm of mercy in so many phases of our life. He can reach out, touch, and succor--literally run to us--and strengthen us to be more than we could ever be and help us to do that which we could never do through relying only upon our own power.


Also:
The Atonement is not only for people who have done bad things and are trying to be good. It is for good people who are trying to become better and serve faithfully and who yearn for an ongoing and mighty change of heart.

It is seriously an amazing talk. Make sure you READ IT!