The Power of Jesus Christ
Our life did not begin at birth, nor will it end at death. We are spirit beings clothed in mortal bodies. Our bodies give us challenges to overcome but they also give us powers unavailable as spirits. When we were with our Heavenly Parents in the pre-mortal world, we admired Their glorified bodies, and we looked forward to obtaining one for ourselves. Gaining a mortal body is a necessary step towards having a glorified body.
When Adam and Eve were placed in the Garden of Eden, they were immortal, but their immortal bodies were not glorified. They needed to die and be resurrected to someday receive a glorified body. When Eve and then Adam partook of the forbidden fruit their bodies changed, and they became subject to death. As their children, we are also subject to mortality. We will all eventually die.
20 But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept.
21 For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead.
22 For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive. (1 Cor 15)
Christ rose from the dead on the third day. Then many saints who had previously died were resurrected as well. He fulfilled the requirements to bring our resurrection. Death is no longer a hurdle. Adam brought death into the world; Christ took this barrier away. Christ brought immortality to all mankind.
Our bodies can be glorified in the way Heavenly Father’s body is. With a glorified immortal body, we can continue our progress until we master all the laws and become like our Heavenly Parents.
5 And thus, if ye are faithful ye shall be laden with many sheaves, and crowned with honor, and glory, and immortality, and eternal life. (D&C 75)
The law of justice is an eternal law. When we act there is always a consequence of that action. Good or bad. The law of justice makes no exceptions. When we do good, justice demands an eventual reward. When we sin, justice demands an eventual punishment. And once sinful, we are not allowed back into the presence of God because no unclean thing can enter His presence. Without the atonement of Christ, we are only subject to the law of justice. Our hope comes through the law of mercy.
16 And thus mercy can satisfy the demands of justice, and encircles them in the arms of safety, while he that exercises no faith unto repentance is exposed to the whole law of the demands of justice; therefore only unto him that has faith unto repentance is brought about the great and eternal plan of redemption. (Alma 34)
The law of mercy requires that a perfect person suffers for everyone else’s sins to meet the demands of justice. Jesus Christ is that perfect person. He was called, sustained, and ordained for this purpose. He has suffered for each person, whether that person accepts His mercy or not. We must repent and be baptized by one having the authority to be eligible for His mercy. No matter what the price of repentance is, it always results in our having the law of justice lifted and the law of mercy applied, making us sin free.
16 For behold, I, God, have suffered these things for all, that they might not suffer if they would repent;
17 But if they would not repent they must suffer even as I;
18 Which suffering caused myself, even God, the greatest of all, to tremble because of pain, and to bleed at every pore, and to suffer both body and spirit—and would that I might not drink the bitter cup, and shrink—
19 Nevertheless, glory be to the Father, and I partook and finished my preparations unto the children of men. (D&C 19)
Imagine it. It was Jesus Christ who ended the armies of Pharoah in a single moment as the Israelites crossed the Red Sea. It was Jesus Christ who sent the fire down from heaven, answering the call from Elijah. Jesus Christ has astounding power, but the sacrifice was so excruciating that He shrunk back momentarily. He hoped another way could be found to bring about our salvation. But there is no other way. And He bled from every pore as He suffered for us.
The price of our sins was paid and the law of justice satisfied. By paying the price of justice, Jesus Christ received the power of mercy. When we do our part to qualify, Jesus Christ will apply His mercy and lift our sins. He suffered beyond our understanding to open the door to grace, mercy, forgiveness and immortality. We can return to God perfect. His forgiveness is complete.
42 Behold, he who has repented of his sins, the same is forgiven, and I, the Lord, remember them no more. (D&C 58)
He remembers our sins no more. Your sins will not be brought up again at a future time. You won’t hear about them at His judgement bar. Our sins are not just forgiven but completely forgotten.
As we work to overcome challenges and bad habits, we are not alone but can draw from the grace of Christ. Alma the Younger said, after his repentance experience:
29 My soul hath been redeemed from the gall of bitterness and bonds of iniquity. I was in the darkest abyss; but now I behold the marvelous light of God. My soul was racked with eternal torment; but I am snatched, and my soul is pained no more. (Amla 27)
The grace of Christ also helps us in our moments of trial and despair.
3 And now, O my son Helaman, behold, thou art in thy youth, and therefore, I beseech of thee that thou wilt hear my words and learn of me; for I do know that whosoever shall put their trust in God shall be supported in their trials, and their troubles, and their afflictions, and shall be lifted up at the last day. (Alma 36)
Sometimes trouble comes because of our own poor judgement. Sometimes because of the misdeeds of others. Most often it comes simply as a part of mortality. When we ask, “Why me?” The answer is usually, “Because you are mortal.” Life will be unfair, but the Savior guides us through these experiences and offers inner peace even when our world is not peaceful. Ultimately, He will address all injustices, though not until the judgement bar. One day, all questions will be answered, unfairness resolved, and our only limits are those we impose on ourselves. Our trials are our object lessons. What we learn from them is up to us. But Christ’s mercy is available to make us more than we can be alone.
27 And if men come unto me I will show unto them their weakness. I give unto men weakness that they may be humble; and my grace is sufficient for all men that humble themselves before me; for if they humble themselves before me, and have faith in me, then will I make weak things become strong unto them. (Ether 12)
Through the grace of Christ, we are strengthened as we navigate through life. No effort on our part will be enough to overcome the obstacles to gaining eternal life. Only Christ can give us that power through His atonement. When we have fulfilled our part to receive His mercy the grace of Christ makes up the difference between our best and His perfection.
39 For behold, this is my work and my glory—to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man. (Moses 1)
The Lord has a plan for each of our lives. His life plan will build on our strengths and reduce our weaknesses. To follow that plan we must let go of our “arm of flesh” and let the Spirit guide us where God wants us. When we do this as if a submissive child, He will lead us to glory beyond our wildest expectations. If we stray from His plan, He will mercifully guide us back if we let Him. He sees our true potential as far greater than we thought possible. Through the merits of Jesus Christ, we will be made perfect as we repent. No matter where our lives have been or where we are now, the law of mercy can be applied.
…if we are to be the beneficiaries of the Lord’s “work and … glory,” even “immortality and eternal life,” we must expect to be schooled and taught and to pass through the refiner’s fire—sometimes to our utter limits. To completely avoid the problems, challenges, and difficulties of this world would be to sidestep the process that is truly necessary for mortality to work. (Elder Brook P. Hales, October 2024 General Conference)
I bear witness to these principles. Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ love us more than we can imagine. They want us to return to them in glory. Jesus suffered immensely to offer mercy. The Spirit will guide us back home if we stop to "feel" His voice. The priesthood has been restored to the earth through the Prophet Joseph Smith. Because of this, the covenants of baptism, the sacrament and temple endowments are entered into with God’s restored authority. Our faithful participation in these covenants will lead us to eternal life. At His judgement bar, all the unfairness and challenges of life will be made right and will make sense to us. God will guide us home if we allow Him to.