The atonement perfects our imperfections

Anyone with sufficient mortal experience knows the feeling of having done or said something they regret. How often do we end a day tossing and turning in bed while reviewing those cringe-worthy moments in which we lost our temper, said or did something unkind, or were simply less than we should have been?

But making mistakes is just a part of the human condition, isn’t it? After all, there’s nothing we can really do about such spiritual frailties. They’re just a part of mortality.

In contrast, scriptures and prophets affirm that one of the most important purposes of the Atonement of Jesus Christ is to correct all mortal defects, whether physical, emotional or spiritual.

The pre-mortal Savior taught Moroni in the Book of Mormon:

“If men come unto me I will show unto them their weakness. I give unto men weakness that they may be humble; and my grace is sufficient for all men that humble themselves before me; for if they humble themselves before me, and have faith in me, then will I make weak things become strong unto them” (Ether 12:27).

The list of our imperfections seems endless. Such deficiencies as anger, jealousy, lust and greed would certainly be included. Selfishness, impatience, vulgarity and fear are also common thorns in our spiritual sides. How is it possible that the Atonement can compensate and even perfect our innumerable imperfections?

The analogy of drafting in bicycling helps to clarify the role of the Savior in converting our weaknesses into strengths. Just as staying in close proximity and alignment behind another bicyclist provides a decrease in wind resistance or turbulence, so becoming “at one” with Jesus Christ provides us with compensating power to overcome our myriad mistakes.

If Jesus Christ really can turn all of our flaws, failings and frailties into strengths, what is our part in this process? What must we do to activate the Savior’s perfecting power in our lives?

In an address titled “Be Strong in the Lord,” given at a fireside at Brigham Young University in March 2002, Elder M. Russell Ballard of the Quorum of the Twelve provided the following direction about how to start: