How can I allow Christ to take my pains away? - Alma 7:9-13

• The sharp instant shock of a paper cut
• Long agony and regular misery of a chronic disease
• The precursor to the joy of a new life
• Recognition of a long day and of a job well done
• The mental anguish of a lost loved one
• Pain of trauma past and present
• The pain of writing and giving this talk

  You don’t know pain until you’re staring at yourself in the mirror with tears in your eyes, begging yourself to just hold on and be strong.
  That is pain.

• Pain has been and will continue to be a part of this mortal life

But behold, the Spirit hath said this much unto me, saying: Cry unto this people, saying—Repent ye, and prepare the way of the Lord, and walk in his paths, which are straight; for behold, the kingdom of heaven is at hand, and the Son of God cometh upon the face of the earth.

And behold, he shall be born of Mary, at Jerusalem which is the land of our forefathers, she being a virgin, a precious and chosen vessel, who shall be overshadowed and conceive by the power of the Holy Ghost, and bring forth a son, yea, even the Son of God.

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.

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.

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.

• Primary answer died for our sins and to allow us over come death
• Just this is an incredible gift we have been given
• What does this have to do with physical pain? With mental pain?

• Progressively worsening Peripheral Neuropathy
• Nerves in my feet misfire sending constant pain
• Some mornings the thought of getting up and standing feels like more than I can manage
• Each morning I stand and make those first agonizing steps into the new day
• Days end strapping on bike shoes for a Peloton class ignoring the pain
• Medications have bad side effects and provide at best minimal relief
• I often wonder how can I keep going?

The purpose of the gospel is… to make bad men good and good men better

• How many of us feel that when Christ has gotten us to good we are on our own
• The endure to the end is on us
• Bible Dictionary: Grace

  It is likewise through the grace of the Lord that individuals, through faith in the Atonement of Jesus Christ and repentance of their sins, receive strength and assistance to do good works that they otherwise would not be able to maintain if left to their own means. This grace is an enabling power that allows men and women to lay hold on eternal life and exaltation after they have expended their own best efforts.

  • BYU Devotional by Elder David A. Bednar
    • Introduced me to a new concept “The Enabling Power of the Atonement”
    • Atonement is NOT just for sin and death, it is much greater
    • My first read through I questioned how could the Atonement be better than sin and death?
    • From his talk:

      There is no physical pain, no anguish of soul, no suffering of spirit, no infirmity or weakness that you or I ever experience during our mortal journey that the Savior did not experience first. You and I in a moment of weakness may cry out, “No one understands. No one knows.” No human being, perhaps, knows. But the Son of God perfectly knows and understands, for He felt and bore our burdens before we ever did. And because He paid the ultimate price and bore that burden, He has perfect empathy and can extend to us His arm of mercy in so many phases of our life. He can reach out, touch, and succor—literally run to us—and strengthen us to be more than we could ever be and help us to do that which we could never do through relying only upon our own power.

    • This enabling power is what keeps me going
    • Gives me the hope to keep going knowing Christ has perfect empathy

• Many of us suffering feeling unseen and alone
• There is one person who has felt it all
• There is one person who intimately understands
• There is one person who is there with us every step

One night a man had a dream. He dreamed He was walking along the beach with the LORD. Across the sky flashed scenes from His life. For each scene He noticed two sets of footprints in the sand. One belonging to Him and the other to the LORD.

When the last scene of His life flashed before Him, he looked back at the footprints in the sand. He noticed that many times along the path of His life there was only one set of footprints. He also noticed that it happened at the very lowest and saddest times of His life.

This really bothered Him and He questioned the LORD about it. LORD you said that once I decided to follow you, you’d walk with me all the way. But I have noticed that during the most troublesome times in my life there is only one set of footprints. I don’t understand why when I needed you most you would leave me.

The LORD replied, my precious, precious child, I Love you and I would never leave you! During your times of trial and suffering when you see only one set of footprints, it was then that I carried you.

• Through him they are made lighter
• Through him we are made stronger

• Just escaped King Noah
• Worked hard and prospered
• Along come the Lamanites
• These were good righteous people!
• To make matters worse… one of the wicket priests of King Noah, Amulon became their ruler
• Not exactly a nice person, made life miserable
• Mosiah 24:15

  And now it came to pass that the burdens which were laid upon Alma and his brethren were made light; yea, the Lord did strengthen them that they could bear up their burdens with ease, and they did submit cheerfully and with patience to all the will of the Lord.

• It is this enabling power of the atonement that gives us that strength that we can bear the pain

I express my appreciation for the infinite and eternal sacrifice of the Lord Jesus Christ. The Atonement is not only for people who have done bad things and are trying to be good. It is for good people who are trying to become better and serve faithfully and who yearn for an ongoing and mighty change of heart. Indeed, “in the strength of the Lord” we can do and overcome all things.