10 for 10 Gratitude Challenge Number 10

Write 10 things about the gospel you are grateful for.

1. Christ’s atonement.  Based on my incredibly limited knowledge, I know the Atonement is an incredible thing.  I hope one day I can understand it in its entirety.
2. Christ’s life and example.  This is along the same vein, but it’s important enough to merit its own number.  I read Jesus the Christ several years ago and was so blown away by what I could learn just through the way he lived, not to mention through his teachings and atonement.
3. Temples (including the ordinances done in them).  When we were first married we lived half a block from the temple and went twice a month.  This was so good for us, and I miss living so close to a temple.  Since we’ve moved away and had Tiger, we’ve not been able to go nearly so regularly, but I’m hoping we can get back into the habit as Tiger gets a little older. 
4. Scriptures/General Conference.  The more I read, the more I learn.
5. Living prophet and apostles.  It’s such a comfort to know that if something big and crazy happens in the world (apocalypse-like), we have a prophet to turn to for guidance.
6. Callings.  Callings really help me get out of my comfort zone.  As much as I’d like to say I’m outgoing, I’m sort of an introvert at heart.  I’m friendly, sure, but I tend to be pretty content keeping to myself.
7. Solidarity.  It’s so beautiful to be united with people outside of my country and culture.  There are people all over the globe who are learning the same thing in church as I am, and that’s pretty cool.  The church is the same wherever you are.
8. Divine roles.  I get where feminism is coming from, but when you understand the divine roles of both men and women, feminism is sort of unnecessary.
9. The plan of salvation.  Keeping in mind the big picture of our lives in terms of now and forever makes trials (both little and huge) that much easier to deal with.
10. Happiness.  A teacher once told my class that he thought the LDS church was just a sugar pill—we’re happy because we want to be happy.  While in a way he’s right—happiness is a decision—you think about how many “restrictions” and “requirements” come along with our church, and it’s actually pretty incredible that more members aren’t disgruntled.  It reminds me of this recent talk by President Uchtdorf.