Happy Easter, everyone.
This is one of my favorite Easter messages ever, by the late Elder Wirthlin.
In thinking about the Savior and his victory over death and sin, it seemed appropriate to study “The Miracle of the Atonement” by Elder C. Scott Grow. He gives a great summary of the depth and breadth of the atonement and invites us to turn to the Savior.
What stands out to you as you study this talk? Share your thoughts and insights in the comment thread below. Have a great Easter and a wonderful week.
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Diapers and Divinity 
I just posted some thoughts over on my blog about Elder Worthlin’s same talk – what a coincidence. 🙂 One of my all time favorite Easter talks as well. Looking forward to reading the Conference pick for this week.
Don’t you just love, love, love that talk from Elder Wirthlin? I still miss his talks.
Hi everyone! Happy Easter!! 🙂
I was surprised at how this talk started out–with such a personal sorrow for Elder Grow–and so it kind of made me perk up and pay attention. I have a brother that really struggles, and sometimes I feel tempted to give up hope that he’ll EVER start making better choices. I loved the sequence (pride cycle?) that he shared about his brother, and then he said this:
“The Savior’s atonement is available to EACH of us. ALWAYS.” That struck me like a ton of bricks, because the Spirit whispers “I haven’t given up on your brother, just like I’ve never given up on you. And I never will.” That’s powerful.
Later in the talk, he expanded a little bit on the repentance process in a way I’d never thought of before. He went through some of the standard things (forsake, confess, restore, etc.) but from Elder Grow I got “Immerse yourself in prayer and scripture study that ‘you may be sanctified.'”
Those are the two points I really want to ponder this week: How can I access the atonement more fully(“ALWAYS”) and even share that with my family, and am I really seeking to be “sanctified” through my prayer and scripture study?? Some good questions and a good challenge.
Thanks, Steph! Can’t wait to read everyone else’s thoughts!
What a great message to read this Easter. What a great message of hope he shared. Hope for all of us who make mistakes and for those who may have even strayed FAR from the path.
I have a friend who is going through a really hard time because of choices that a loved one has made and this line shot out to me, “Through His Atonement, He heals not only the transgressor, but He also heals the innocent who suffer because of those transgressions.”
The Atonement truly can cover all that we experience and I hope to continue to grow to understand it more and more.
Loved this talk and the HOPE it provided for me, that we are never too far gone and the healing the Atonement provides is for ALL, not just the sinner. The Atonement not only helps us overcome sin, but heals our hurting hearts and helps us feel god’s love for us!
P.S. My kids though this guys name was hilarious C. (See) scott grow! They still talk about him!
This is a great choice for Easter.
The message of hope and repentance is powerful. The example of his brother tugs at my heart because the repentance was real, but so were the consequences. Sometimes I think I think I can manage those, too, but even in our mistakes and the consequences that follow (some of which cannot be fixed), there must be a message of mercy, too, right? But it’s still hard to hear stories like that, because it’s a reminder that mortality is messy and our weakness comes with many costs. And yet, even as I don’t understand it all, I have to believe that if we do all we can do to repent, all can be made right somehow, someday because of the Savior. (The vastness of the power of the Atonement really boggles my mind.)
Also, as a chronic illness sufferer, this is one of my favorite scriptures that was quoted in the talk:
Not only did He pay the price for the sins of all men, but He also took “upon him the pains and the sicknesses of his people.” And He took “upon him their infirmities, that his bowels may be filled with mercy, … that he may know according to the flesh how to succor his people according to their infirmities.”
Michelle–I loved your response to this talk. You reminded me of some things that had struck me, too. As I read that scripture that you quoted, I remembered learning in a religion class at BYU that to “succor” means “to run to” and how Christ is always waiting and willing to “run to” us, when we need him. Thanks for reminding me of that.
-Becca
This Easter has been more significant to me than any before — I lost my mother to physical death a few months ago, and I have (at least for now) lost my brother to a spiritual death. I wrote on my blog this morning about the reality of the Savior’s resurrection and my gratitude for the comfort I receive in knowing I will be able to physically touch my mom again someday.
But, until I read this talk again, I didn’t feel hope for my brother. But what a powerful message Elder Grow gives to us: “The Savior’s Atonement is available to each of us — always.” Yes, my brother has agency, but unseen hands are working mightily to help him return to the truth. There is hope. There is always hope.
Thank you so much for choosing this talk – I don’t know why it didn’t register during the actual Conference (perhaps the Bedlamites were active?), but it was an inspired choice for me this morning.
One of my favorite descriptions of the Savior is as the ‘Healer of our Souls’. I appreciated how Elder Grow reminded us that relief for ALL we are suffering from, no matter the source, can be found through the Atonement. It is up to us to take the steps to seek the relief from the Savior’s outstretched arms.
“Jesus Christ is the Great Healer of our souls. With the exception of sins of perdition, there is no sin or transgression, pain or sorrow, which is outside of the healing power of His Atonement…
If you are suffering from feelings of guilt or remorse, bitterness or anger, or loss of faith, I invite you to seek relief.”
I admired E. Grow for sharing the personal story of his brother’s experiences. It was a reminder that the general authorities are just like us–their lives and families are messy and imperfect.
This talk has such a great message of hope. The Atonement helps everyone in so many ways–we just have to utilize it.
I have personally felt the affects of comfort from the atonement and how it can take away our worries.
I am so glad to know that the atonetment doesn’t just cover major sins, but so many other things.
I love how he said it can help with the effects of sin.
Good talk, but he needs to stop using his first initial. 🙂
“When we sin, Satan tells us we are lost. In contrast, our Redeemer offers redemption to all – no matter what we have done wrong – even to you and to me.”
When I was lost in those all consuming mists of darkness and in complete and utter despair I realized that the time I was the happiest was when I was a member of the church. Satan didn’t need to do much to stop me from coming back though. He simply told me I never could. I spent a year or two in that state. He had me and he didn’t even need to try.
I decided that it didn’t matter that I could never be a member again. I could still live my life according to those gospel principles that had obviously led me to happiness in the first place.
I still remember going to church that first week and the anger that filled my heart. But despair is amazingly motivational and I would not let it stop me from coming to church. The Bishop told me I could work to get my membership back but I didn’t believe that one such as I could ever be deserving.
It really is one of Satan’s most clever lies.
It is 4 years since those lies convinced me I could never come back. I have since found out an eternal saving truth that is beautiful in it’s simplicity: I am a Child of God and He will never given up on me. And because of that most gracious gift that our loving elder brother gave to us, His life, it is never too late.
“Oh it is wonderful that He should care for me enough to die for me, oh it is wonderful, wonderful to me.”
This was a talk that I enjoyed very much, it reminded me that Christ is not waiting for me to become perfect to ‘come unto him’ but that he is waiting with open arms in spite of my imperfections. That through his redeeming love I can be made whole. One of the things that I am really trying to do this year is to really study the scriptures rather than just read through them. The thing that stuck out the most to me was “Immerse yourself in prayer and scripture study. As you do so, you will feel the sanctifying influence of the Spirit.” As I have be studying I have felt a change beginning to take place.
I was very touched with Elder Grow’s talk and personal family experience that touched my heart. We all experience the need, opportunity & blessings of the Atonement. I am so grateful for the message he gave that the Savior will never give up on anyone, he is always waiting & willing to run to us. We must do our part by repenting.
I looked up the word “hedonistic” lifestyle– definition is: “the pursuit of pleasure; sensual self-indulgence. The ethical theory that pleasure (in the same sense of the satisfaction of desires) is the highest good & proper aim of human life.” I found that definition so interesting, because as a society- you see the “hedonistic lifestyle” advertised in every arena. If we are not on guard every minute of our waking hours, we can get caught up so quickly into thinking that that lifestyle is “normal”. We must, stand guard at all times, in all thing and in all places. Standing firm in our beliefs.
I am so grateful to know and understand that the atonement also includes pains & sicknesses, infirmities- I know without a shadow of a doubt that we all experience pain in it’s varying degrees, and that through faith and endurance, we will be blessed spiritually, physically & emotionally. Jesus Christ truly is the Great Healer of our souls.
The point that stood out the most to me is the same quote Chenoa commented on. It really hit me when he said: “When we sin, Satan tells us we are lost…” It is so true how quickly it comes in to your mind and your heart-you are lost…No matter the sin Satan is always there to make you feel even worse about yourself. But, what a comfort that “…In contrast, our Redeemer offers redemption to all-no matter what we have done-even to you and me.” It makes me wonder why sometimes I seem to listen to what Satan is telling me more quickly than I listen to the Savior. Why am I so quick to “be lost”, rather than remember that I am saved thanks to what the Savior has done for all of us. I also remember him mentioning repenting of being bitter…I may or may not have to work on that one…
I also love when all the speakers share personal stories. It is such a great reminder that no matter where you are on your spiritual journey you will have struggles.
I love and miss Elder Wirthlin’s talks at Conference. I love that talk. We do all have our “Fridays” and thanks to the Savior, “Sunday will come.” That is something I am going to say to myself whenever I let the struggles seem to tough to handle.
Is it really already week 4 and I am just now commenting?…See how much I need this Stephanie? Thanks for doing this for all of us. 🙂
“Through His Atonement, He heals not only the transgressor, but He also heals the innocent who suffer because of those transgressions. As the innocent exercise faith in the Savior and in His Atonement and forgive the transgressor, they too can be healed…..”
This was such a great reminder that not only is the Atonement for those who have sinned but it is also there to comfort, strengthen, and uplift, if we choose to let it, those who are suffer because of another actions.
“Through His Atonement, He heals not only the transgressor, but He also heals the innocent who suffer because of those transgressions. As the innocent exercise faith in the Savior and in His Atonement and forgive the transgressor, they too can be healed.”
What a great reminder this was that the Atonement is not just for the sinner. It is also there to comfort, strengthen and uplift those who are suffering because of another’s actions, if we will allow it to.
Some points that stood out to me:
1. The Atonement is available to everyone – always
2. Atonement accessed through repentance
3. Repent – only sins of perdition are outside the healing power of the Atonement
4. Our Promise: “as we become clean through the power of the Atonement the Savior becomes our advocate with the Father”!
What a great promise!
Elder Wirthlin’s talk is also one of my all-time favorites. It came nearly a year before some of the most difficult and challenging experiences our family has faced. We have a strong testimony that “Sunday Will Come.”
Elder Grow’s talk: I had forgotten about this one, but loved it when it was given. (And my children haven’t forgotten his name because they spent the entire length of his talk commenting on his name…”See Scott Grow…” Nice, I know.) I loved how he wove the personal experience of his brother into teaching us about the gospel.
I love the gospel, and love the role of the Savior in our lives. Whether He heals us from sin, illness, sorrow or pain, He does heal us.
I was out of town (with no computer access) for Spring Break, so I didn’t get to read this talk on Easter. However, I think it had more meaning today, because I read it after hearing my husband share a very powerful testimony of the Atonement during sacrament meeting. It gave me a chance to reflect on his testimony and the things we’ve learned together over the years, so thank you.
I loved the phrase that Elder Grow used – “The Miracle of the Atonement.” It really is a miracle that we can find relief through repentance, that justice AND mercy are satisfied, and that we can become clean and pure and sanctified, all through the gift of the atonement.
In addition, the various names that Elder Grow used to refer to Jesus Christ – Savior, Redeemer, Messiah, Only Begotten, Son of God, Advocate and Great Healer – helped remind me of the all-encompassing nature of the Atonement.
President Gordon B Hinckley told me to learn all i can about the atonement and understand what the Lord Jesus will carry with us!!