The Atonement of the Lord Jesus Christ is the heart and core and center of revealed religion.

Elder Bruce R. McConkie Christ and the Creation

The Gospel Cannot be Written in Your Heart Unless Your Heart is Open

March 4, 2013

Christofferson, General Authorities, General Conference, Humility, Obedience

(No comments)

The gospel cannot be written in your heart unless your heart is open. . . .

As a first step, you must lay aside any feeling of pride that is so common in the world today. By this I mean the attitude that rejects the authority of God to rule in our lives. . . .

Further, for the gospel to be written in your heart, you need to know what it is and grow to understand it more fully. That means you will study it. . . .

You must not only open your heart to a knowledge of the gospel and the love of God, you must practice the gospel law. You cannot fully understand or appreciate it unless you personally apply it in your life.

Elder D. Todd Christofferson

“When Thou Art Converted,” Ensign, May 2004, 11

Clean, Pure and Holy

February 7, 2013

Christofferson, Fundamental Principles, General Authorities, Justification, Sanctification

(No comments)

To be sanctified through the blood of Christ is to become clean, pure, and holy. If justification removes the punishment for past sin, then sanctification removes the stain or effects of sin.

Elder D. Todd Christofferson

“Justification and Sanctification,” Ensign, Jun 2001, 18

 

Our Heavenly Father is a God of High Expectations

January 26, 2013

Christofferson, General Authorities, General Conference, Humility, Repentance

(No comments)

Our Heavenly Father is a God of high expectations. His expectations for us are expressed by His Son, Jesus Christ, in these words: “I would that ye should be perfect even as I, or your Father who is in heaven is perfect” (3 Nephi 12:48). He proposes to make us holy so that we may “abide a celestial glory” (D&C 88:22) and “dwell in his presence” (Moses 6:57). He knows what is required, and so, to make our transformation possible, He provides His commandments and covenants, the gift of the Holy Ghost, and most important, the Atonement and Resurrection of His Beloved Son.

In all of this, God’s purpose is that we, His children, may be able to experience ultimate joy, to be with Him eternally, and to become even as He is. Some years ago Elder Dallin H. Oaks explained: “The Final Judgment is not just an evaluation of a sum total of good and evil acts—what we have done. It is an acknowledgment of the final effect of our acts and thoughts—what we have become. It is not enough for anyone just to go through the motions. The commandments, ordinances, and covenants of the gospel are not a list of deposits required to be made in some heavenly account. The gospel of Jesus Christ is a plan that shows us how to become what our Heavenly Father desires us to become.”

. . . .

I would like to speak of one particular attitude and practice we need to adopt if we are to meet our Heavenly Father’s high expectations. It is this: willingly to accept and even seek correction. Correction is vital if we would conform our lives “unto a perfect man, [that is,] unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ” (Ephesians 4:13). Paul said of divine correction or chastening, “For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth” (Hebrews 12:6). Though it is often difficult to endure, truly we ought to rejoice that God considers us worth the time and trouble to correct.

Divine chastening has at least three purposes: (1) to persuade us to repent, (2) to refine and sanctify us, and (3) at times to redirect our course in life to what God knows is a better path.

Elder D. Todd Christofferson
As Many as I Love, I Rebuke and Chasten, General Conference, April, 2011

One Who is Justified is Pardoned, Without Sin, or Guiltless

December 23, 2012

Christofferson, Fundamental Principles, General Authorities, Justification, Sanctification

(No comments)

Because of “the infinite virtue of His great atoning sacrifice,” Jesus Christ can satisfy or “answer the ends of the law” on our behalf. Pardon comes by the grace of Him who has satisfied the demands of justice by His own suffering, “the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God” (1 Peter 3:18).  He removes our condemnation without removing the law. We are pardoned and placed in a condition of righteousness with Him. We become, like Him, without sin. We are sustained and protected by the law, by justice. We are, in a word, justified.

Thus, we may appropriately speak of one who is justified as pardoned, without sin, or guiltless. For example, “Whoso repenteth and is baptized in my name shall be filled; and if he endureth to the end, behold, him will I hold guiltless before my Father at that day when I shall stand to judge the world” (3 Nephi 27:16).”

Elder D. Todd Christofferson

“Justification and Sanctification,” Ensign, June 2001, 1

 

True Success in This Life Comes in Consecrating Our Lives to God’s Purpose

December 16, 2012

Christofferson, Consecration, General Authorities, General Conference

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To consecrate is to set apart or dedicate something as sacred, devoted to holy purposes. True success in this life comes in consecrating our lives—that is, our time and choices—to God’s purposes (see John 17:1, 4; D&C 19:19). In so doing, we permit Him to raise us to our highest destiny.

Elder D. Todd Christofferson
Reflections on a Consecrated Life

Christofferson – Justification

May 27, 2012

Christofferson, General Authorities, Justification

(No comments)

Because of “the infinite virtue of His great atoning sacrifice,” Jesus Christ can satisfy or “answer the ends of the law” on our behalf. Pardon comes by the grace of Him who has satisfied the demands of justice by His own suffering, “the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God” (1 Peter 3:18).  He removes our condemnation without removing the law. We are pardoned and placed in a condition of righteousness with Him. We become, like Him, without sin. We are sustained and protected by the law, by justice. We are, in a word, justified.

Thus, we may appropriately speak of one who is justified as pardoned, without sin, or guiltless. For example, “Whoso repenteth and is baptized in my name shall be filled; and if he endureth to the end, behold, him will I hold guiltless before my Father at that day when I shall stand to judge the world” (3 Nephi 27:16).”

Elder D. Todd Christofferson

“Justification and Sanctification,” Ensign, June 2001, 1

Jesus is teaching us that we should look to God each day for the bread we require in that particular day

May 14, 2012

Christofferson, Faith, General Authorities

(No comments)

Asking for and receiving daily bread at God’s hand plays a vital part in learning to trust God and in enduring life’s challenges. . . . As we seek and receive divine bread daily, our faith and trust in God and His Son grow.

. . . .

Jesus is teaching us, His disciples, that we should look to God each day for the bread – the help and sustenance – we require in that particular day.

. . . .

The Lord’s invitation to seek our daily bread at our Heavenly Father’s hand, speaks of a loving God, aware of even the small, daily needs of His children and anxious to assist them, one by one.

Elder D. Todd Christofferson
CES Fireside, January 9, 2011

(Link to CES broadcast fixed)

Correction is vital

January 22, 2012

Christofferson, General Authorities, General Conference, Repentance

(No comments)

Correction is vital if we would conform our lives ‘unto a perfect man, [that is], unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ.’ Paul said of divine correction or chastening, ‘For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth.’ Though it is often difficult to endure, truly, we ought to rejoice that God considers us worth the time and trouble to correct.

Elder D. Todd Christofferson
General Conference, April 2011

True Success in This Life Comes in Consecrating Our Lives to God’s Purpose

December 5, 2011

Christofferson, Consecration, General Authorities, General Conference

(No comments)

To consecrate is to set apart or dedicate something as sacred, devoted to holy purposes. True success in this life comes in consecrating our lives—that is, our time and choices—to God’s purposes (see John 17:1, 4; D&C 19:19). In so doing, we permit Him to raise us to our highest destiny.

Elder D. Todd Christofferson
Reflections on a Consecrated Life

The Divine Gift of Repentance

December 3, 2011

Christofferson, General Authorities, General Conference, Grace, Repentance

(No comments)

Repentance exists as an option only because of the Atonement of Jesus Christ. It is His infinite sacrifice that “bringeth about means unto men that they may have faith unto repentance” (Alma 34:15). Repentance is the necessary condition, and the grace of Christ is the power by which “mercy can satisfy the demands of justice” (Alma 34:16). Our witness is this:

“We know that justification [or forgiveness of sins] through the grace of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ is just and true;

“And we know also, that sanctification [or purification from the effects of sin] through the grace of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ is just and true, to all those who love and serve God with all their mights, minds, and strength” (D&C 20:30–31).

 

Elder D. Todd Christofferson
The Divine Gift of Repentance, General Conference, October, 2011

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