The Atonement (LExpiation)

By Leah Davis
As we experience life, the Saviors Atonement signifies more to us.
For me, the meaning of the Atonement has deepened as I have studied
the scriptures in a foreign language.
As an intermediate French student in college, I read The Book of
Mormon in French. With my French-to-English dictionary in hand, I
found new words and ideas in verses that were familiar to me, just a
translation away from what I knew.
One morning I studied the Saviors suffering in Mosiah 14 of Le
Livre de Mormon. I paused in verse 5, which suggested something
beautiful that was different from the English translation. In English, verse
5 reads,
But he was wounded for our transgressions,
he was bruised for our iniquities:
the chastisement of our peace was upon him;
and with his stripes we are healed.
For many years, I hadnt quite understood what relation the word
peace had to chastisement. However, reading this phrase in the verse in
French offered me a clearer connotation.
Mais il tait bless pour nos pchs,
bris pour nos iniquits;
le chtiment qui nous donne la paix est tomb sur lui,
et cest par ses meurtrissures que nous sommes guris.
Literally interpreted, this phrase would read, the chastisement that
gives us peace. Over the years, reflecting on this nuance in meaning has
increased my gratitude for the Atonement. The Lord didnt just suffer as a
result of our sins; He suffered in order to cause something greater: our
ability to receive peace. He endured great punishments so we can enjoy
peace of conscience through repentance and forgiveness, peace of relief
from heavy burdens, and peace of mind about the future.
I know the Savior loves us. His sacrifice has personal meaning for
us. In all languages and all cultures, the Atonement brings us peace.