Marks of Adversity

A young woman at Youth Conference Q&A asked the question "why did Christ retain the marks of the crucifixion". Among many good answers was primarily to testify that Jesus Christ is the Messiah who was lifted up on the cross.  Second, the marks testify of the healing power of the Atonement. 

I think some religions get what they call the "stigmata" mixed up.  Christ's marks were completely healed and not like lifting a bandaid to reveal a festering, bleeding wound that hasn't healed.  The marks of Christ are, too often depicted grotestly in the media instead of being a faint scar like a soldier or adventurer might show before telling you their tale of heroism and bravery.

But there may be an important point of personal application here. Every one of us carry the marks of adversity with us, even after we have been healed.  We were fortunate to have Sis. Dawn Armstrong from the " Meet the Mormons" movie as a guest speaker.  Sis. Armstrong shared with the group the marks of adversity she carries and testified of the healing power of Christ's Atonement in her life.  

However, we need to be careful how we share past adversity and especially, as a general rule, not share past sins.  If we are not truely repentant and haven't truely been healed, then our sharing may sound more like glorifying in our past wickedness instead of glorifying in the redemptive power of Christ.  And instead of showing the faint scar of past adversity, we may still have an unresolved  wound that needs the Bishop's and the Savior's attention.