There was a lot of great information in this weeks reading.  One thing that impacted me in a positive way was while reading in H. Wallace Goddard's conclusion, when he described his experience as a bishop.  A woman in his ward came to him seeking help with her life.  She had had many problems and tragedies in her life.  At this point in his life he had resisted the possibility of God being able to help him become like God.  He only thought he could do that for others.  This experience changed his views and understanding that God can do this for any one of us.  After the woman had told him of all the past and present problems in her life, she asked what can she do?  He had no answers but the Holy Ghost brought a clear message to his mind to relay to the woman.  There were three things that she need to start with.  This gave her such hope.  Once she left he told of his experience.  He said, "I closed the door behind her and fell to my knees. "Lord, I didn't know.  I just didn't know how much you love your children.  I had no idea you could make something fine out of the mass of confusion that is our lives.  I didn't know."  This experince helped him see the true love that our Father in Heaven has for each of us, even for him.

Do we really see ourselves and others as our Heavenly Father and Savior do?  Do we feel hopeful about the gift our Father has given us out of love, to help us return to Him and ultimately become like Him?  For me I know these things but, I wonder if I always believe this deep in my heart, especially when I have messed up and I can't see a way to repair the damage done or when I feel unworthy of this love.    I have a desire to know this to my very core without a doubt.   I have a desire to see others as our Father see them.  I know this is the only way to obtain true charity in our hearts.  I am going to take Goddard's challenge to try to truly come unto Christ and be perfected in Him.  To obtain true charity towards all mankind.  This should start in the home to those who I love the most.  

As a youth I found a scripture in D&C that has helped me get through a lot of hard times and that kept me looking up and on the bright side no matter how bleak the moment looked.   Goddard quoted this exact scripture in the previous chapter on Consecration.  The scripture is in D&C 78:17-19. It reads, "Verily, verily, I say unto you, ye are little children, and ye have not as yet understood how great blessings the Father hath in his own hands and prepared for you; And ye cannot bear all things now; nevertheless, be of good cheer, for I will lead you along. The kingdom is yours and the blessings thereof are yours, and the riches of eternity are yours.  And he who receiveth all things with thankfulness shall be made glorious; and the things of this earth shall be added unto him, even an hundred fold, yea, more."  

We should be cheerful at the thought that our Father loves us so much and has provided us a way to become like Him.  The Atonement is real and as I learn more and apply it to my life I realize how intricate this gift truly is and how much love is behind it.   What scriptures have helped you in your life?