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

All Spiritual Illness Can be Healed

March 18, 2012

General Authorities, General Conference, Healing, Jeppsen

(No comments)

I testify that while there are physical ailments that are not healed, all spiritual illness can be healed because of the atonement of Jesus Christ. If we will but use the God-given ingredients to cause such healing, it will happen. I testify of His healing power and promise that His prescription is the only cure for peace, happiness, and rest to one’s soul.

Elder Malcolm S. Jeppsen
“A Divine Prescription for Spiritual Healing,” Ensign, May 1994, 17

I am to build trust in God and His servants

March 16, 2012

Eyring, General Authorities, General Conference, Trust

(No comments)

I am to build trust in God and His servants enough that we will go out and obey His counsel. He wants that because He loves us and wants our happiness. And He knows how a lack of trust in Him brings sadness.

That lack of trust has brought sorrow to Heavenly Father’s children from before the world was created. We know through the revelations of God to the Prophet Joseph Smith that many of our brothers and sisters in the premortal world rejected the plan for our mortal life presented by our Heavenly Father and His eldest Son, Jehovah.

President Henry B. Eyring
Trust in God, Then Go and Do

Have Faith in Christ, Trust Him, Come Unto Him, Follow Him

March 12, 2012

Faith, General Authorities, General Conference, McMullin

(No comments)

Heavenly Father knew the grave dangers we would face on our journey through life, but He remains resolute in His desire to have each and every one of His children return home. Therefore, He gave us time—time to work out our mistakes, time to overcome our sins, time to prepare for reunion. “There was a space granted unto man in which he might repent; therefore this life became a probationary state; a time to prepare to meet God” (Alma 12:24).

But Heavenly Father knew that even if we exerted every ounce of energy, we could not make it home without divine help. Therefore, He promised, “We will provide a savior for you!” (see 1 Ne. 10:4; 1 Ne. 13:40; Moses 1:6; 2 Ne. 25:23).

In fulfillment of this promise, Jesus Christ came during the meridian of time, the Only Begotten Son of God, the Eternal Father, in the flesh. He walked the paths and byways of mortality so He could “know according to the flesh how to succor his people according to their infirmities” (Alma 7:12; see also Alma 7:11; Ether 12:27; D&C 20:22; D&C 62:1). There is not one vexation, anxiety, or suffering unfamiliar to Him. Though He is without sin yet knows He each and every one of our griefs that He might be able to help us (see Isa. 53:3–6).

Christ bridged the gulf between the mortal and immortal. The grave no longer holds its captives; justice can be satisfied through mercy; the wondrous Atonement, infinite and eternal in scope, is in place (see Alma 34:8–10, 14–16). Christ is the resurrected Lord, our Savior and Redeemer. Therefore, do not wait any longer (see Alma 13:27; Alma 34:33–35).

Have faith in Christ, trust Him, come unto Him, follow Him (see 3 Ne. 27:13–16; Moro. 10:32–33). Make a mental list of those things you know you ought not to be doing. Stop doing today at least one such thing, and replace it with what you ought to do. Pray to Heavenly Father for forgiveness and for the strength to complete this journey. As you overcome one obstacle and move on to another, I promise that step by step the way will unfold before you until, as the wearied traveler, you are back where you belong.

Bishop Keith B. McMullin
“Welcome Home,” Ensign, May 1999, 79

His Perfect Love

March 11, 2012

Forgiveness, General Authorities, General Conference, Repentance, Scott

(No comments)

“For I the Lord cannot look upon sin with the least degree of allowance;

“Nevertheless, he that repents and does the commandments of the Lord shall be forgiven.”

That scripture emphasizes that the Lord cannot abide sin but He will forgive the repentant sinner because of His perfect love. It also teaches that not only is it important to keep a commandment you have broken, but by obeying all of the commandments you will obtain additional power and support in the process of repentance.

Another vital aspect of repentance is to recognize the role of the Savior through His Atonement. Indeed, it is that very Atonement that makes repentance even possible. As you pray and ponder the role of Jesus Christ as your Savior and Redeemer, you will acquire great motivation and encouragement to help you repent. Follow this example of Alma:

“I was … in the most bitter pain and anguish of soul; and never, until I did cry out unto the Lord Jesus Christ for mercy, did I receive a remission of my sins. But behold, I did cry unto him and I did find peace to my soul.

“… I have told you this that ye may learn wisdom, that ye may learn … that there is no other way or means whereby man can be saved, only in and through Christ. Behold, he is the life and the light of the world.”

 

Elder Richard G. Scott
“To Be Free of Heavy Burdens,” Liahona, Nov 2002, 86–88

The greatest event in all history – the Atonement

March 10, 2012

Faust, Fundamental Principles, General Authorities, General Conference, Grace

(No comments)

I wish to speak about the greatest event in all history. That singular event was the incomparable Atonement of our Lord and Savior, Jesus the Christ. This was the most transcendent act that has ever taken place, yet it is the most difficult to understand. My reason for wanting to learn all I can about the Atonement is partly selfish: Our salvation depends on believing in and accepting the Atonement. (See Mosiah 4:6–7) Such acceptance requires a continual effort to understand it more fully. The Atonement advances our mortal course of learning by making it possible for our natures to become perfect. (See Moroni 10:32) All of us have sinned and need to repent to fully pay our part of the debt. When we sincerely repent, the Savior’s magnificent Atonement pays the rest of that debt. (See 2 Nephi 25:23)

Paul gave a simple explanation for the need of the Atonement: “For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.” (1 Corinthians 15:22) Jesus Christ was appointed and foreordained to be our Redeemer before the world was formed. With His divine sonship, His sinless life, the shedding of His blood in the Garden of Gethsemane, His excruciating death on the cross and subsequent bodily Resurrection from the grave, He became the author of our salvation and made a perfect Atonement for all mankind. (See Bible Dictionary, “Atonement,” 617)

Understanding what we can of the Atonement and the Resurrection of Christ helps us to obtain a knowledge of Him and of His mission. (See Jacob 4:12) Any increase in our understanding of His atoning sacrifice draws us closer to Him. Literally, the Atonement means to be “at one” with Him. The nature of the Atonement and its effects is so infinite, so unfathomable, and so profound that it lies beyond the knowledge and comprehension of mortal man. I am profoundly grateful for the principle of saving grace. Many people think they need only confess that Jesus is the Christ and then they are saved by grace alone. We cannot be saved by grace alone, “for we know that it is by grace that we are saved, after all we can do.” (2 Ne. 25:23; emphasis added)

President James E. Faust

“The Atonement: Our Greatest Hope,” Ensign, Nov 2001, 18

 

Would You Think It, Say It, Do It, Knowing Christ is Beside You?

March 8, 2012

Arnold, Family, General Authorities, General Conference, Humility

2 comments

My parents did not have the riches of the world, nor did they have silver or gold.  Nine of us grew up in a two-bedroom, one-bath home with an enclosed back porch where my sisters slept.  When my parents passed away, my brothers and sisters and I gathered to divide their earthly possessions.  The list of worldly possessions was very short.  My mother left a few well-pressed dresses, some used furniture, and a few other personal items.  My father left some carpenter tools, some old hunting rifles, and little else.  The only things of any monetary value were a modest home and a small savings account.

Together we wept openly, giving thanks, knowing they had left us something much more precious than silver or gold.  They had given us their love and their time.  They had often born testimony of the truthfulness of the gospel, which we can now read in their precious journals.

Not so much by words, but more by example, they had taught us to work hard and be honest.  They had also engendered a desire in us to further our education, serve a mission, and most importantly to find an eternal companion, to be married in the temple, and endure to the end.

Truly they left us a legacy of a good name for which we will ever be grateful.

. . . .

Our Lord and Savior invites us on a daily basis to cleanse our names and return to His presence.  His encouragement is full of love and tenderness. Envision with me the Savior’s embrace as I read His words:  “Will ye not now return unto me, and repent of your sins, and be converted, that I may heal you?”

Today I would like to extend the same challenge to each one of us that my “goodly parents” who will be forever remembered because of their good names, extended to me.  Before you act, picture the Savior standing at your side and ask yourself, “Would you think it, say it, or do it, knowing He is there?”  For surely He is there.

Elder Mervyn B. Arnold
What Have You Done With My Name?
Sunday Afternoon Session, General Conference, October, 2010

When We Ponder We Invite Revelation by the Spirit

March 2, 2012

Eyring, General Authorities, General Conference, Holy Ghost, Pondering, Prayer

(No comments)

[R]eading, studying and pondering are not the same. We read words and we may get ideas. We study and we may discover patterns and connections in scripture. But when we ponder we invite revelation by the Spirit. Pondering for me is the thinking and the praying I do after reading and studying the scriptures carefully.

President Henry B. Eyring
Priesthood Session, General Conference, 2010

The Future is as Bright as Your Faith

February 29, 2012

Discouragement, General Authorities, General Conference, Hope, Monson

(No comments)

It would be easy to become discouraged and cynical about the future—or even fearful of what might come—if we allowed ourselves to dwell only on that which is wrong in the world and in our lives. Today, however, I’d like us to turn our thoughts and our attitudes away from the troubles around us and to focus instead on our blessings as members of the Church. The Apostle Paul declared, “God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.” (2 Timothy 1:7)

None of us makes it through this life without problems and challenges—and sometimes tragedies and misfortunes. After all, in large part we are here to learn and grow from such events in our lives. We know that there are times when we will suffer, when we will grieve, and when we will be saddened. However, we are told, “Adam fell that men might be; and men are, that they might have joy.” (2 Nephi 2:25)

How might we have joy in our lives, despite all that we may face? Again from the scriptures: “Wherefore, be of good cheer, and do not fear, for I the Lord am with you, and will stand by you.”(D&C 68:6)

. . . .

I testify to you that our promised blessings are beyond measure. Though the storm clouds may gather, though the rains may pour down upon us, our knowledge of the gospel and our love of our Heavenly Father and of our Savior will comfort and sustain us and bring joy to our hearts as we walk uprightly and keep the commandments. There will be nothing in this world that can defeat us.

My beloved brothers and sisters, fear not. Be of good cheer. The future is as bright as your faith.

President Thomas S. Monson
Be of Good Cheer, General Conference, April, 2009

Remember our sins no more

February 29, 2012

General Authorities, General Conference, Packer, Repentance

(No comments)

The discouraging idea that a mistake (or even a series of them) makes it everlastingly too late, does not come from the Lord. He has said that if we will repent, not only will He forgive us our transgressions, but He will forget them and remember our sins no more.

.

Elder Boyd K. Packer
To Young Women and Men, Ensign, May 1989, 59).

We Can All Walk Where Jesus Walked

February 26, 2012

General Authorities, General Conference, Monson, New Testament

(No comments)

We need not visit the Holy Land to feel him close to us. We need not walk by the shores of Galilee or among the Judean hills to walk where Jesus walked.

In a very real sense, all can walk where Jesus walked when, with his words on our lips, his spirit in our hearts, and his teachings in our lives, we journey through mortality.

Then-Elder Thomas S. Monson
“The Paths Jesus Walked“, Ensign, May 1974, 48

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