July 16, 2017
Good morning brothers and sisters! I am excited to be here today speaking with
you. I have been assigned to labor in the Cambodia Phnom Penh mission, and the
topic that I was given today is "How can we more fully utilize the enabling
power of Jesus Christ and His atonement?"
As used in the scriptures, to atone is to suffer the penalty for sins, thereby removing the effects of sin from the repentant sinner and allowing him or her to be reconciled to God. Jesus Christ was the only one capable of carrying out the Atonement for all mankind. Because of His Atonement, all people will be resurrected, and those who obey His gospel will receive the gift of eternal life with God.
Alma 7:11-13 says “11 And he shall go forth, suffering pains
and afflictions and temptations of every kind; and this that the word might be fulfilled which saith he will take upon him the pains and the sicknesses of his people.
12 And he will take upon him death, that he may loose the bands of death, which bind his people; and he will take upon him their infirmities, that his bowels may be filled with mercy, according to the flesh, that he may know according to the flesh how to succor his people according to their infirmities.
13 Now the Spirit knoweth all things; nevertheless the Son of God suffereth according to the flesh that he might take upon him the sins of his people, that he might blot out their transgressions according to the power of his deliverance; and now behold, this is the testimony which is in me.
The atonement is the supreme expression of love given from our Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. It is the demonstration of their purpose and desires. Their goal is our continued happiness and development. Moses 1:39 says “For behold, this is my work and my glory – to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man.”
Jesus Christ suffered “pains and afflictions and temptations of every kind.” As President Boyd K. Packer explained: “He had no debt to pay. He had committed no wrong. Nevertheless, an accumulation of all of the guilt, the grief and sorrow, the pain and humiliation, all of the mental, emotional, and physical torments
known to man—He experienced them all.” And going back to verse 12 of Alma 7
he did this “that he may know according to the flesh how to succor his people
according to their infirmities.” He knows every individual’s struggles and
heartaches, and he knows our temptations and our sufferings. He willingly
experienced them all as an essential part of His Atonement. Because of all this,
His Atonement empowers Him to succor us and give us the strength to bear it all.
In Alma 26:37 it says, “God is mindful of every people, whatsoever land they may be in.”
We all have pains and afflictions and infirmities at one time or another. Apart from what we experience because of our sins, mortality is filled with frequent struggles, heartaches, and suffering. Life has many other challenges, including reverses in our plans. The decision to go on a mission was a really long process for me and not what I had planned, but it taught me to really rely on the Lord and have faith that it will all work out and it deepened my understanding of how much he cares about us on a very individual and personal level.
The atonement of Jesus Christ covers more than just sin. In preach my gospel it says, “As we rely on the Atonement of Jesus Christ, He can help us endure our trials, sicknesses, and pain. We can be filled with joy, peace, and consolation. All that is unfair about life can be made right through the Atonement of Jesus Christ.”
Philippians 4:13 says, “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.”
He helps us by giving us the strength and patience to endure our infirmities, instead of taking them away from us.
Elder Dallin H. Oaks said, “Because of His atoning experience in mortality, our Savior is able to comfort, heal, and strengthen all men and women everywhere, but I believe He does so only for those who seek Him and ask for His help. The Apostle James taught, “Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up” (James 4:10). We qualify for that blessing when we believe in Him and
In Alma 26:37 it says, “God is mindful of every people, whatsoever land they may be in.”
We all have pains and afflictions and infirmities at one time or another. Apart from what we experience because of our sins, mortality is filled with frequent struggles, heartaches, and suffering. Life has many other challenges, including reverses in our plans. The decision to go on a mission was a really long process for me and not what I had planned, but it taught me to really rely on the Lord and have faith that it will all work out and it deepened my understanding of how much he cares about us on a very individual and personal level.
The atonement of Jesus Christ covers more than just sin. In preach my gospel it says, “As we rely on the Atonement of Jesus Christ, He can help us endure our trials, sicknesses, and pain. We can be filled with joy, peace, and consolation. All that is unfair about life can be made right through the Atonement of Jesus Christ.”
Philippians 4:13 says, “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.”
He helps us by giving us the strength and patience to endure our infirmities, instead of taking them away from us.
Elder Dallin H. Oaks said, “Because of His atoning experience in mortality, our Savior is able to comfort, heal, and strengthen all men and women everywhere, but I believe He does so only for those who seek Him and ask for His help. The Apostle James taught, “Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up” (James 4:10). We qualify for that blessing when we believe in Him and
pray for His help.” I have come to know of the importance of trusting his timing
and his plan for us, because it’s not always what we want. But I know that the
Lord has our interest at heart, and he always leads us to a path, which is better
for our happiness.
Because he descended beneath it all, He is perfectly positioned to lift us and give us the strength we need to endure our afflictions. We just need to ask.
I know that these things are true. The Atonement assures us of immortality by resurrection and gives us the opportunity to be cleansed from sin by repentance and baptism. It also gives us the opportunity to rely on Him who experienced everything we will go through in this life and He helps give us the strength to bear the burdens we face in mortality. He knows the silent pleadings of our hearts, and he knows all the anguish and pain we go through and He is always there for us.
Elder Oaks said “I pray that we will all understand the hope and strength of our Savior’s Atonement: the assurance of immortality, the opportunity for eternal life, and the sustaining strength we can receive if only we will ask.”
One of my favorite hymns explains this:
Where can I turn for peace?
Where is my solace
When other sources cease to make me whole? When with a wounded heart, anger, or malice, I draw myself apart,
Searching my soul?
Where, when my aching grows,
Where, when I languish,
Where, in my need to know, where can I run? Where is the quiet hand to calm my anguish? Who, who can understand?
He, only One.
Because he descended beneath it all, He is perfectly positioned to lift us and give us the strength we need to endure our afflictions. We just need to ask.
I know that these things are true. The Atonement assures us of immortality by resurrection and gives us the opportunity to be cleansed from sin by repentance and baptism. It also gives us the opportunity to rely on Him who experienced everything we will go through in this life and He helps give us the strength to bear the burdens we face in mortality. He knows the silent pleadings of our hearts, and he knows all the anguish and pain we go through and He is always there for us.
Elder Oaks said “I pray that we will all understand the hope and strength of our Savior’s Atonement: the assurance of immortality, the opportunity for eternal life, and the sustaining strength we can receive if only we will ask.”
One of my favorite hymns explains this:
Where can I turn for peace?
Where is my solace
When other sources cease to make me whole? When with a wounded heart, anger, or malice, I draw myself apart,
Searching my soul?
Where, when my aching grows,
Where, when I languish,
Where, in my need to know, where can I run? Where is the quiet hand to calm my anguish? Who, who can understand?
He, only One.
President James E. Faust taught, “Since the Savior has suffered anything and
everything that we could ever feel or experience, He can help the weak to
become stronger.”
Elder Dale G. Renlund said “The closer we are to Jesus Christ in the thoughts and intents of our hearts, the more we appreciate His innocent suffering, the more grateful we are for grace and forgiveness, and the more we want to repent and become like Him. Our absolute distance from Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ is important, but the direction we are heading is even more crucial. God is more pleased with repentant sinners who are trying to draw closer to Him than with self-righteous, faultfinding individuals who, like the Pharisees and scribes of old, do not realize how badly they need to repent. Whatever our current direction or distance to Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ, we can choose to turn toward Them and draw closer to Them. “
“To draw closer to the Savior, we must increase our faith in Him, make and keep covenants, and have the Holy Ghost with us. We must also act in faith, responding to the spiritual direction we receive. All of these elements come together in the sacrament. Indeed, the best way I know of to draw closer to God is to prepare conscientiously and partake worthily of the sacrament each week.”
He shares a story about the sacrament that I would like to share with you: “When Diane was a new convert, she attended a branch outside of Johannesburg. One Sunday, as she sat in the congregation, the layout of the chapel made it so that the deacon did not see her as the sacrament was passed. Diane was disappointed but said nothing. Another member noted the omission and mentioned it to the branch president after the meeting. As Sunday School began, Diane was invited to an empty classroom.
A priesthood holder came in. He knelt down, blessed some bread, and handed her a piece. She ate it. He knelt down again and blessed some water and handed her a small cup. She drank it. Thereafter, Diane had two thoughts in rapid succession: First, “Oh, he [the priesthood holder] did this just for me.” And then, “Oh, He [the Savior] did this just for me.” Diane felt Heavenly Father’s love.”
Elder Dale G. Renlund said “The closer we are to Jesus Christ in the thoughts and intents of our hearts, the more we appreciate His innocent suffering, the more grateful we are for grace and forgiveness, and the more we want to repent and become like Him. Our absolute distance from Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ is important, but the direction we are heading is even more crucial. God is more pleased with repentant sinners who are trying to draw closer to Him than with self-righteous, faultfinding individuals who, like the Pharisees and scribes of old, do not realize how badly they need to repent. Whatever our current direction or distance to Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ, we can choose to turn toward Them and draw closer to Them. “
“To draw closer to the Savior, we must increase our faith in Him, make and keep covenants, and have the Holy Ghost with us. We must also act in faith, responding to the spiritual direction we receive. All of these elements come together in the sacrament. Indeed, the best way I know of to draw closer to God is to prepare conscientiously and partake worthily of the sacrament each week.”
He shares a story about the sacrament that I would like to share with you: “When Diane was a new convert, she attended a branch outside of Johannesburg. One Sunday, as she sat in the congregation, the layout of the chapel made it so that the deacon did not see her as the sacrament was passed. Diane was disappointed but said nothing. Another member noted the omission and mentioned it to the branch president after the meeting. As Sunday School began, Diane was invited to an empty classroom.
A priesthood holder came in. He knelt down, blessed some bread, and handed her a piece. She ate it. He knelt down again and blessed some water and handed her a small cup. She drank it. Thereafter, Diane had two thoughts in rapid succession: First, “Oh, he [the priesthood holder] did this just for me.” And then, “Oh, He [the Savior] did this just for me.” Diane felt Heavenly Father’s love.”
The sacrament truly helps us know our Savior. It also reminds us of His innocent
suffering. I know that as we partake worthily we will be blessed, and we will be
reminded of how the Savior is intimately involved in each of our lives. The Saviors
sacrifice was for each of us individually, and as we come to realize this we feel
closer to Him and develop a desire to keep our covenants and willingly and
worthily renew them each week. The sacrament helps me to feel the power of
God’s love and helps me to better recognize God’s hand in my life. As I prepare
for the sacrament daily, I feel closer to my Savior.
The covenants our Heavenly Father and Savior ask us to make and keep at baptism, when we partake of the sacrament, and in our temples are evidence that They want to be intimately involved in our lives and They want to help us return to Their presence. The Atonement is a very individual thing. Covenants bind us to our Heavenly Father. They make Him a partner in all that we do in this life. I know that God always keeps His promises and that He will never let us down, because he has certainly never let me down. I know that the Lord loves each and every one of us. I have found that the more we come closer to our Savior and love and appreciate all he has done for us, the easier it is to keep all the covenants we have made with Him.
One of my favorite quotes by Elder Holland explains the atonement beautifully, it says “However late you think you are, however many chances you think you have missed, however many mistakes you feel you have made or talents you think you don’t have, or however far from home and family and God you feel you have traveled, I testify that you have not traveled beyond the reach of divine love. It is not possible for you to sink lower than the infinite light of Christ’s Atonement shines.”
Adversity is not easy, but we are in good company. We need to open the scriptures and realize that every dispensation has had its struggles. We are not alone. The Savior has atoned for our sins, weaknesses, infirmities, and sorrows. When we feel lost and alone, if we will turn our focus away from our pain, we will find He is there beside us, and is willing to help us carry the burdens that this life has to offer. He offers hope and peace, allowing His grace to bridge the gap between where we are and where we want to be. Nephi taught, “Press forward with a steadfastness in Christ, having a perfect brightness of hope, and a love of
The covenants our Heavenly Father and Savior ask us to make and keep at baptism, when we partake of the sacrament, and in our temples are evidence that They want to be intimately involved in our lives and They want to help us return to Their presence. The Atonement is a very individual thing. Covenants bind us to our Heavenly Father. They make Him a partner in all that we do in this life. I know that God always keeps His promises and that He will never let us down, because he has certainly never let me down. I know that the Lord loves each and every one of us. I have found that the more we come closer to our Savior and love and appreciate all he has done for us, the easier it is to keep all the covenants we have made with Him.
One of my favorite quotes by Elder Holland explains the atonement beautifully, it says “However late you think you are, however many chances you think you have missed, however many mistakes you feel you have made or talents you think you don’t have, or however far from home and family and God you feel you have traveled, I testify that you have not traveled beyond the reach of divine love. It is not possible for you to sink lower than the infinite light of Christ’s Atonement shines.”
Adversity is not easy, but we are in good company. We need to open the scriptures and realize that every dispensation has had its struggles. We are not alone. The Savior has atoned for our sins, weaknesses, infirmities, and sorrows. When we feel lost and alone, if we will turn our focus away from our pain, we will find He is there beside us, and is willing to help us carry the burdens that this life has to offer. He offers hope and peace, allowing His grace to bridge the gap between where we are and where we want to be. Nephi taught, “Press forward with a steadfastness in Christ, having a perfect brightness of hope, and a love of
God and of all men. Wherefore, if ye shall press forward, feasting upon the word
of Christ, and endure to the end, behold thus saith the Father: Ye shall have
eternal life.” (2 Nephi 31:10)
John teaches simply and clearly: “If ye love me, keep my commandments.” I love this scripture from the Doctrine and Covenants: “Be faithful and diligent in keeping the commandments of God, and I will encircle thee in the arms of my love.” We show our love for God by keeping His commandments and honoring our covenants, and in return, He shows an increase of love for us. I have found this to be true in my life.
Elder Dale G Renlund says” Our present circumstances may not change, but through God’s compassion, kindness, and love, we will all receive more than we deserve, more than we can ever earn, and more than we can ever hope for. We are promised that “God shall wipe away all tears from [our] eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.”
The hymn I stand all amazed has really touched me as I have studied it this past week. “I stand all amazed at the love Jesus offers me, confused at the grace that so fully he profferes me. I tremble to know that for me he was crucified, that for me, a sinner, he suffered, he bled and died Oh, it is wonderful that he should care for me enough to die for me! Oh, it is wonderful, wonderful to me! I marvel that he would descend from his throne divine To rescue a soul so rebellious and proud as mine, That he should extend his great love unto such as I, Sufficient to own, to redeem, and to justify.”
I would like to bear my testimony that I know that as we seek to fully utilize the Savior and his Atonement in our lives, we will draw closer to Him and come to a better understanding of his love for us and how intimately and individually He is involved in our lives. I know that he loves each and every one of us and that He is always walking beside us and is willing to help us through all of life’s challenges.
I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
John teaches simply and clearly: “If ye love me, keep my commandments.” I love this scripture from the Doctrine and Covenants: “Be faithful and diligent in keeping the commandments of God, and I will encircle thee in the arms of my love.” We show our love for God by keeping His commandments and honoring our covenants, and in return, He shows an increase of love for us. I have found this to be true in my life.
Elder Dale G Renlund says” Our present circumstances may not change, but through God’s compassion, kindness, and love, we will all receive more than we deserve, more than we can ever earn, and more than we can ever hope for. We are promised that “God shall wipe away all tears from [our] eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.”
The hymn I stand all amazed has really touched me as I have studied it this past week. “I stand all amazed at the love Jesus offers me, confused at the grace that so fully he profferes me. I tremble to know that for me he was crucified, that for me, a sinner, he suffered, he bled and died Oh, it is wonderful that he should care for me enough to die for me! Oh, it is wonderful, wonderful to me! I marvel that he would descend from his throne divine To rescue a soul so rebellious and proud as mine, That he should extend his great love unto such as I, Sufficient to own, to redeem, and to justify.”
I would like to bear my testimony that I know that as we seek to fully utilize the Savior and his Atonement in our lives, we will draw closer to Him and come to a better understanding of his love for us and how intimately and individually He is involved in our lives. I know that he loves each and every one of us and that He is always walking beside us and is willing to help us through all of life’s challenges.
I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
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