The Answer Is Always Jesus Christ
Susan Taylor
Assistant Manager International Student Office
May 16, 2023
"I also know that the enabling power of the Savior’s Atonement can give us the power to do better, be better. We don’t have to walk the covenant path on our own."
President Russell M. Nelson spoke of this during his closing remarks at April Conference. The answer is always Jesus Christ.
Before Jesus Christ appeared to the Nephites, His voice was heard including these words of supplication in 3 Nephi 9:13-14:
“Will ye not now return unto me, and repent of your sins, and be converted that I may heal you? Behold, mine arm of mercy is extended towards you, and whosoever will come, him will I receive.”
President Nelson goes on to say:
"Dear brothers and sisters, Jesus Christ extends that same invitation to you today. I plead with you to come unto Him so that he can heal you. He will heal you from sin as you repent. He will heal you from sadness and fear. He will heal you from the wounds of this world.
Whatever questions or problems you have, the answer is always found in the life and teachings of Jesus Christ. Learn more about His Atonement, His love, His mercy, His doctrine, and His restored gospel of healing and progression. Turn to Him!! Follow Him!"
I always feel something urgent in my heart when President Nelson pleads with us. He is not just asking us to do something. He is pleading with us to come unto Jesus Christ. Have you ever pleaded to our Father in Heaven for something?
A Prophet of God is pleading for us to come unto Jesus Christ so He can heal us!
Did you hear that? Jesus Christ can heal us! Who in this world of turmoil and commotion and confusion doesn’t need healing? There seem to be so many in the world who need healing from something. There are those within our circle of influence, those in our hallways and classes and groups who need healing.
How does Jesus Christ best heal us? I think through fasting and prayer. He can heal us as we do Temple work! He can heal us as we come unto Him with broken hearts and contrite spirits. I believe that healing can often come from angels who are around us. Have you been an angel to someone recently? Have you reached out to someone whom you thought may need comfort and care? Many within our midst need a healing hand of friendship and love; someone caring and understanding. I urge us here at Ensign College as students, staff and faculty to pray to know who may need us. For those who may need someone to reach out to you, pray for that help. I know you will receive it.
In the quote above, President Nelson encouraged us to learn more about Jesus Christ’s Atonement, His love, His mercy, His doctrine, and His restored gospel of healing and progression.
I don’t really know how the Atonement works and I really don’t need to know How it works. What I do know is that it does work. I think we are all aware of the redeeming power of the Savior’s Atonement. Jesus Christ suffered for our sins that we may be forgiven and return to live with Him and Our Father in Heaven. All we have to do is repent of our sins and we are made free of those sins through the Atonement of Jesus Christ. I also know that the enabling power of the Savior’s Atonement can give us the power to do better, be better. We don’t have to walk the covenant path on our own.
In his talk given in the October 2022 Conference, President Russell M. Nelson said:
“Because the Savior, through His infinite Atonement, redeemed each of us from weakness, mistakes, and sin, and because He experienced every pain, worry, and burden you have ever had, then as you truly repent and seek His help, you can rise above this present precarious world.
You can overcome the spiritually and emotionally exhausting plagues of the world. Despite the distractions and distortions that swirl around us, we can find true rest – meaning relief and peace-even amid your most vexing problems.”
I will never forget how I felt when President Nelson said in the April 2022 Conference: “Discover the joy of daily repentance.”
There is joy in daily repentance? You know what – there is joy! It’s not easy! I have to spend some time on my knees. Think about my day and see those things that may have gone wrong. Maybe I did something I shouldn’t have done. Maybe I didn’t do something that I should have done. Repentance can free us from the guilt we may feel for the things we have done wrong. We don’t have to carry that guilt. We can allow the Atonement of Jesus Christ to free us. The price has been paid. He paid the price for each one of us! All He asks us to do is repent. We Can feel great joy each day.
President Nelson encouraged us to Learn more about the love our Father in Heaven and our Savior Jesus Christ have for us.
President Nelson said in the October 2022 conference.
“I love you. I assure you that our Heavenly Father and His Beloved Son, Jesus Christ, love you. They are intimately aware of your circumstances, your goodness, your needs, and your prayers for help. Again and again, I pray for you to feel Their love for you.
Experiencing Their love is vital, as it seems that we are accosted daily by an onslaught of sobering news.”
The scriptures tell us of the love of God
Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. [i]
The love of God is shed abroad in the hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us. [ii]
Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? [iii]
We can seek and find that love as we do what Jesus has asked us to do. The Savior asks us to come unto Him.
In the first talk he gave as an Apostle, Elder Neil L. Andersen said: “We proclaim our Savior and Redeemer, Jesus Christ. All that we are—all that we will ever be—we owe to Him. While we gaze in awe at His majesty, He does not ask us to stay our distance but bids us to come unto Him. ‘I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come into Him.’” [iv]
If we come unto Him, He will come unto us.
In the scriptures it says He inviteth them all to come unto him and partake of his goodness; and he denieth none that come unto him. “Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest .” [v]
“Yea, verily I say unto you, if ye will come unto me ye shall have eternal life .” [vi]
The Savior asks us to follow Him.
In the Church’s 2016 Easter Message we read: “If we follow Jesus Christ, we will find new life. If we trust Him, He will show us the way back to God.”
The scriptures say: “Lord, I will follow thee whithersoever thou goest.” [vii]
“Follow me and I will make you fishers of men.” [viii]
“And when he had spoken this, he saith unto him, Follow me.” [ix]
We will find new life when we follow Him.
The Savior asks us to walk with him. During his 2017 conference talk, President Henry B Eyring said: “May we each choose to walk with Him and to recognize how He walks with us.”
The scriptures tell us: “[A]nd they shall walk with me in white : for they are worthy .” [x]
“[A]nd thou shalt abide in me, and I in you; therefore walk with me.” [xi]
When we walk with Him, He will walk with us. The Savior asks us to learn of Him.
In an article written for the Ensign, President Thomas S Monson said: “When we respond to the Lord’s gentle invitation, ‘Learn of me,’ we become partakers of His divine power.”
In the scriptures, we read: “Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart : and ye shall find rest unto your souls.” [xii]
“Learn of me and you shall have peace in me.” [xiii]
As we learn of Him, we can partake of His divine power.
Elder Jeffrey R. Holland said in his April 2021 Conference talk:
"Many [among us] struggle with any number of challenges – physical or emotional, social or financial, or a dozen other kinds of trouble. But many are not strong enough to address in and of ourselves, for the help and peace we need is not the kind ‘the world giveth.’ No, for the truly difficult problems we need what the scriptures call ‘the powers of heaven.’ And to access these powers we must live by what these same scriptures call Principles of righteousness.
I talked about some of those principles; Come unto Him, Follow Him, Walk with Him, Learn of Him."
Elder Jeffrey R. Holland continues:
In a world ‘tossed with tempest, and not comforted,’ as Jehovah said it would be, how do we find what He called ‘the covenant of … peace’? We find it by turning to Him who said He would have mercy on us and ‘with everlasting kindness’ would grant peace... In spite of frightful prophecies and unsettling scriptures declaring that peace will be taken from the earth generally, the prophets, including our own beloved President Russell M. Nelson, have taught that it does not have to be taken from us individually! Let’s try to practice peace in a personal way, applying the grace and healing balm of the Atonement of the Lord Jesus Christ to ourselves.
In this difficult world sometimes peace is very hard to find. The Savior has promised us Peace in this life. It’s very difficult to find peace in your heart when you feel angry or hurt, when you feel anxious or depressed or alone, when you are worried about tests or assignments or your family. You can find peace in this world and in your heart."
Elder Holland continues again:
"Prior to that first Easter, as Jesus concluded the new sacramental ordinance He had administered to the Twelve, He began His majestic farewell discourse and moved toward Gethsemane, betrayal, and crucifixion. However, sensing the concern and perhaps even outright fear some of those men must have exhibited, He said this to them (and to us)."
"Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you:. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.’” [xiv]
John Chapter 14 is one of my favorite chapters of scripture. I have turned to this chapter again and again. I turn to this chapter when I feel lonely or anxious or even afraid. I turn to this chapter to seek for the peace that He has promised me. He calms my heart and offers me peace and comfort. I am a witness that He will not leave you comfortless. He will come to you!
Peace does not have to be taken from us individually. We can find personal peace. Our Savior will reach out to us in the moments when we do not feel at peace. He will not leave you comfortless; He will come to you. I know He will.
My dear friends, He knows each one of you. He knows your name! When God the Father and Jesus Christ appeared to young Joseph Smith, God the Father called him by name! He knew his name. “Joseph,” He said, “this is my beloved Son.” [xv]
He knows each of you by name. He knows your trials, your burdens, your pain. He is calling us to come unto Him for peace, for comfort, for strength, for power, for healing. Reach out to Him. You will find Him waiting to reach back to you. He knows your needs. He will send you answers to your questions. He will give you solutions to your problems.
What is our answer to the commotion and chaos of this world? The answer is always Jesus Christ! What is the answer to emotional distress and anxiety? The answer is always Jesus Christ! What is the answer to hopelessness and loneliness? The answer is always Jesus Christ!
All of you were sent to earth at this very time because you have a work to do. God saved His choicest spirits to help prepare the world for the second coming. He chose you because He knew He needed strong young women and young men to help overcome the evils of this world. But that does not mean you will be without tribulation. We will all have challenges to overcome. We need the redeeming and enabling power of Christ’s Atonement to strengthen us to overcome the powers of evil. There is an evil one who wants you to fail. He wants you to feel as if you are not good enough. He wants you to feel lonely and afraid. He wants you to feel like you cannot be who Our Father in Heaven knows you can be, but our Savior can give you the power to resist the temptations of Satan.
To those who have felt darkness and loneliness surround you, I have felt that. For those who may feel weak and incapable of overcoming your trials, I have been there. I have felt lonely and filled with fear. I have felt overwhelmed by life, but I promise you that the Savior will help you overcome the trials you face. Turn to Him. Draw upon the power He can give you. Fill your mind with His teachings. Fill your heart with His love.
Put your faith in God. Build your faith in Jesus Christ! The answer is always Jesus Christ.
__________________________________________________
[i] John 15: 13
[ii] Romans 5:5
[iii] Romans 8:25
[iv] 2 Nephi 26:33
[v] Matthew 11:28
[vi] 3 Nephi:14
[vii] Luke 9:57
[viii] Matthew 4:19
[ix] John 21:19
[x] Revelation 3:4
[xi] Moses 6:34
[xii] Matthew 11:29
[xiii] D & C 19:23
[xiv] John 14:1, 27
[xv] Joseph Smith History 1:17
Before Jesus Christ appeared to the Nephites, His voice was heard including these words of supplication in 3 Nephi 9:13-14:
“Will ye not now return unto me, and repent of your sins, and be converted that I may heal you? Behold, mine arm of mercy is extended towards you, and whosoever will come, him will I receive.”
President Nelson goes on to say:
"Dear brothers and sisters, Jesus Christ extends that same invitation to you today. I plead with you to come unto Him so that he can heal you. He will heal you from sin as you repent. He will heal you from sadness and fear. He will heal you from the wounds of this world.
Whatever questions or problems you have, the answer is always found in the life and teachings of Jesus Christ. Learn more about His Atonement, His love, His mercy, His doctrine, and His restored gospel of healing and progression. Turn to Him!! Follow Him!"
I always feel something urgent in my heart when President Nelson pleads with us. He is not just asking us to do something. He is pleading with us to come unto Jesus Christ. Have you ever pleaded to our Father in Heaven for something?
A Prophet of God is pleading for us to come unto Jesus Christ so He can heal us!
Did you hear that? Jesus Christ can heal us! Who in this world of turmoil and commotion and confusion doesn’t need healing? There seem to be so many in the world who need healing from something. There are those within our circle of influence, those in our hallways and classes and groups who need healing.
How does Jesus Christ best heal us? I think through fasting and prayer. He can heal us as we do Temple work! He can heal us as we come unto Him with broken hearts and contrite spirits. I believe that healing can often come from angels who are around us. Have you been an angel to someone recently? Have you reached out to someone whom you thought may need comfort and care? Many within our midst need a healing hand of friendship and love; someone caring and understanding. I urge us here at Ensign College as students, staff and faculty to pray to know who may need us. For those who may need someone to reach out to you, pray for that help. I know you will receive it.
In the quote above, President Nelson encouraged us to learn more about Jesus Christ’s Atonement, His love, His mercy, His doctrine, and His restored gospel of healing and progression.
I don’t really know how the Atonement works and I really don’t need to know How it works. What I do know is that it does work. I think we are all aware of the redeeming power of the Savior’s Atonement. Jesus Christ suffered for our sins that we may be forgiven and return to live with Him and Our Father in Heaven. All we have to do is repent of our sins and we are made free of those sins through the Atonement of Jesus Christ. I also know that the enabling power of the Savior’s Atonement can give us the power to do better, be better. We don’t have to walk the covenant path on our own.
In his talk given in the October 2022 Conference, President Russell M. Nelson said:
“Because the Savior, through His infinite Atonement, redeemed each of us from weakness, mistakes, and sin, and because He experienced every pain, worry, and burden you have ever had, then as you truly repent and seek His help, you can rise above this present precarious world.
You can overcome the spiritually and emotionally exhausting plagues of the world. Despite the distractions and distortions that swirl around us, we can find true rest – meaning relief and peace-even amid your most vexing problems.”
I will never forget how I felt when President Nelson said in the April 2022 Conference: “Discover the joy of daily repentance.”
There is joy in daily repentance? You know what – there is joy! It’s not easy! I have to spend some time on my knees. Think about my day and see those things that may have gone wrong. Maybe I did something I shouldn’t have done. Maybe I didn’t do something that I should have done. Repentance can free us from the guilt we may feel for the things we have done wrong. We don’t have to carry that guilt. We can allow the Atonement of Jesus Christ to free us. The price has been paid. He paid the price for each one of us! All He asks us to do is repent. We Can feel great joy each day.
President Nelson encouraged us to Learn more about the love our Father in Heaven and our Savior Jesus Christ have for us.
President Nelson said in the October 2022 conference.
“I love you. I assure you that our Heavenly Father and His Beloved Son, Jesus Christ, love you. They are intimately aware of your circumstances, your goodness, your needs, and your prayers for help. Again and again, I pray for you to feel Their love for you.
Experiencing Their love is vital, as it seems that we are accosted daily by an onslaught of sobering news.”
The scriptures tell us of the love of God
Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. [i]
The love of God is shed abroad in the hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us. [ii]
Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? [iii]
We can seek and find that love as we do what Jesus has asked us to do. The Savior asks us to come unto Him.
In the first talk he gave as an Apostle, Elder Neil L. Andersen said: “We proclaim our Savior and Redeemer, Jesus Christ. All that we are—all that we will ever be—we owe to Him. While we gaze in awe at His majesty, He does not ask us to stay our distance but bids us to come unto Him. ‘I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come into Him.’” [iv]
If we come unto Him, He will come unto us.
In the scriptures it says He inviteth them all to come unto him and partake of his goodness; and he denieth none that come unto him. “Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest .” [v]
“Yea, verily I say unto you, if ye will come unto me ye shall have eternal life .” [vi]
The Savior asks us to follow Him.
In the Church’s 2016 Easter Message we read: “If we follow Jesus Christ, we will find new life. If we trust Him, He will show us the way back to God.”
The scriptures say: “Lord, I will follow thee whithersoever thou goest.” [vii]
“Follow me and I will make you fishers of men.” [viii]
“And when he had spoken this, he saith unto him, Follow me.” [ix]
We will find new life when we follow Him.
The Savior asks us to walk with him. During his 2017 conference talk, President Henry B Eyring said: “May we each choose to walk with Him and to recognize how He walks with us.”
The scriptures tell us: “[A]nd they shall walk with me in white : for they are worthy .” [x]
“[A]nd thou shalt abide in me, and I in you; therefore walk with me.” [xi]
When we walk with Him, He will walk with us. The Savior asks us to learn of Him.
In an article written for the Ensign, President Thomas S Monson said: “When we respond to the Lord’s gentle invitation, ‘Learn of me,’ we become partakers of His divine power.”
In the scriptures, we read: “Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart : and ye shall find rest unto your souls.” [xii]
“Learn of me and you shall have peace in me.” [xiii]
As we learn of Him, we can partake of His divine power.
Elder Jeffrey R. Holland said in his April 2021 Conference talk:
"Many [among us] struggle with any number of challenges – physical or emotional, social or financial, or a dozen other kinds of trouble. But many are not strong enough to address in and of ourselves, for the help and peace we need is not the kind ‘the world giveth.’ No, for the truly difficult problems we need what the scriptures call ‘the powers of heaven.’ And to access these powers we must live by what these same scriptures call Principles of righteousness.
I talked about some of those principles; Come unto Him, Follow Him, Walk with Him, Learn of Him."
Elder Jeffrey R. Holland continues:
In a world ‘tossed with tempest, and not comforted,’ as Jehovah said it would be, how do we find what He called ‘the covenant of … peace’? We find it by turning to Him who said He would have mercy on us and ‘with everlasting kindness’ would grant peace... In spite of frightful prophecies and unsettling scriptures declaring that peace will be taken from the earth generally, the prophets, including our own beloved President Russell M. Nelson, have taught that it does not have to be taken from us individually! Let’s try to practice peace in a personal way, applying the grace and healing balm of the Atonement of the Lord Jesus Christ to ourselves.
In this difficult world sometimes peace is very hard to find. The Savior has promised us Peace in this life. It’s very difficult to find peace in your heart when you feel angry or hurt, when you feel anxious or depressed or alone, when you are worried about tests or assignments or your family. You can find peace in this world and in your heart."
Elder Holland continues again:
"Prior to that first Easter, as Jesus concluded the new sacramental ordinance He had administered to the Twelve, He began His majestic farewell discourse and moved toward Gethsemane, betrayal, and crucifixion. However, sensing the concern and perhaps even outright fear some of those men must have exhibited, He said this to them (and to us)."
"Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you:. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.’” [xiv]
John Chapter 14 is one of my favorite chapters of scripture. I have turned to this chapter again and again. I turn to this chapter when I feel lonely or anxious or even afraid. I turn to this chapter to seek for the peace that He has promised me. He calms my heart and offers me peace and comfort. I am a witness that He will not leave you comfortless. He will come to you!
Peace does not have to be taken from us individually. We can find personal peace. Our Savior will reach out to us in the moments when we do not feel at peace. He will not leave you comfortless; He will come to you. I know He will.
My dear friends, He knows each one of you. He knows your name! When God the Father and Jesus Christ appeared to young Joseph Smith, God the Father called him by name! He knew his name. “Joseph,” He said, “this is my beloved Son.” [xv]
He knows each of you by name. He knows your trials, your burdens, your pain. He is calling us to come unto Him for peace, for comfort, for strength, for power, for healing. Reach out to Him. You will find Him waiting to reach back to you. He knows your needs. He will send you answers to your questions. He will give you solutions to your problems.
What is our answer to the commotion and chaos of this world? The answer is always Jesus Christ! What is the answer to emotional distress and anxiety? The answer is always Jesus Christ! What is the answer to hopelessness and loneliness? The answer is always Jesus Christ!
All of you were sent to earth at this very time because you have a work to do. God saved His choicest spirits to help prepare the world for the second coming. He chose you because He knew He needed strong young women and young men to help overcome the evils of this world. But that does not mean you will be without tribulation. We will all have challenges to overcome. We need the redeeming and enabling power of Christ’s Atonement to strengthen us to overcome the powers of evil. There is an evil one who wants you to fail. He wants you to feel as if you are not good enough. He wants you to feel lonely and afraid. He wants you to feel like you cannot be who Our Father in Heaven knows you can be, but our Savior can give you the power to resist the temptations of Satan.
To those who have felt darkness and loneliness surround you, I have felt that. For those who may feel weak and incapable of overcoming your trials, I have been there. I have felt lonely and filled with fear. I have felt overwhelmed by life, but I promise you that the Savior will help you overcome the trials you face. Turn to Him. Draw upon the power He can give you. Fill your mind with His teachings. Fill your heart with His love.
Put your faith in God. Build your faith in Jesus Christ! The answer is always Jesus Christ.
__________________________________________________
[i] John 15: 13
[ii] Romans 5:5
[iii] Romans 8:25
[iv] 2 Nephi 26:33
[v] Matthew 11:28
[vi] 3 Nephi:14
[vii] Luke 9:57
[viii] Matthew 4:19
[ix] John 21:19
[x] Revelation 3:4
[xi] Moses 6:34
[xii] Matthew 11:29
[xiii] D & C 19:23
[xiv] John 14:1, 27
[xv] Joseph Smith History 1:17