Jesus Christ is Our Relief

Sister Camille N. Johnson declared in general conference recently: “Jesus Christ can lighten our load. Jesus Christ can lift our burdens. Jesus Christ provides a way for us to be relieved of the weight of sin. Jesus Christ is our relief.” She suggested that there are three kinds of “rocks” that we carry as burdens from which we need relief: “Rocks there of our own doing because of sin. Rocks in our backpack because of the poor decisions, misconduct, and unkindness of others. And rocks we carry because we are living in a fallen condition. These include the rocks of disease, pain, chronic illness, grief, disappointment, loneliness, and the effects of natural disasters.” For the first type, the Savior offers relief through His atonement in the form of the remission of our sins as we repent. Sister Johnson taught as well that for the second type, “The Atonement of Jesus Christ also makes it possible for us to receive strength to forgive, which allows us to unload the weight we carry because of mistreatment by others.” But for the third type, she suggested that sometimes this relief comes through us. Indeed the Relief Society was created to offer that kind of relief from the pains of life: “Relief of poverty, relief of illness; relief of doubt, relief of ignorance—relief of all that hinders the joy and progress of woman.” All disciples of the Savior are called to offer that kind of relief to any who are in need, both spiritually and temporally.

            The scriptures indeed invite the followers of Jesus Christ to provide relief to others. For example, Jacob taught the purpose of obtaining riches in these words: “And after ye have obtained a hope in Christ ye shall obtain riches, if ye seek them; and ye will seek them for the intent to do good—to clothe the naked, and to feed the hungry, and to liberate the captive, and administer relief to the sick and the afflicted” (Jacob 2:19). The purpose of riches should be to administer relief to those in need. King Benjamin similarly invited his people, “I would that ye should impart of your substance to the poor, every man according to that which he hath, such as feeding the hungry, clothing the naked, visiting the sick and administering to their relief, both spiritually and temporally, according to their wants” (Mosiah 4:26). We are to administer temporal and spiritual relief as we are able with our substance. The Savior reiterated this instruction in our dispensation when He said, “And now, I give unto the church in these parts a commandment, that certain men among them shall be appointed, and they shall be appointed by the voice of the church; And they shall look to the poor and the needy, and administer to their relief that they shall not suffer” (Doctrine and Covenants 38:34-35). I love that language—He wants us to administer relief so that others “shall not suffer.” Surely this invitation can be applied to all of us in whatever circumstances we are in. He used even stronger language when He commanded, “Behold, I say unto you, that ye must visit the poor and the needy and administer to their relief, that they may be kept until all things may be done according to my law which ye have received” (Doctrine and Covenants 44:6). As we look to provide this kind of relief in some small way to others around us, we can be sure that the Savior will also give to us the relief that we personally stand in need of. Sister Johnson offered this powerful testimony, “Brothers and sisters, Jesus Christ is relief. I testify that He did rise again on the third day and, having fulfilled the loving and infinite Atonement, stands with open arms, offering to us the opportunity to rise again, be saved, and be exalted and become like Him. The relief He offers us is everlasting.”