Witnesses of the Savior

Continuing from what I wrote late Sunday in summarizing the testimony of the Savior given to us by modern prophets and apostles, I searched today in several more talks given in the most recent general conference for their witness of Jesus Christ.  Elder Bednar focused his remarks on understanding the tactics of the adversary and being vigilant against those, and he left us this statement of the Savior: “I witness that the risen and living Savior will sustain and strengthen us in times both good and bad.”  No matter how persistent the devil is in seeking to ensnare us, Elder Bednar’s promise is that the Savior will sustain us if we focus on Him: “Focusing our lives in and on the Savior and His gospel enables us to overcome the tendency of the natural man to be spiritually snoozy and lazy.”  Elder Cook’s talk focused on some of the changes to the young men’s organization, but he too bore his witness that even these organizational adjustments were in order to “[help] each to follow the example of our Savior, Jesus Christ.”  As they adapt to these changes he promised, “Our youth will develop greater faith in the Savior, be protected from the temptations of the adversary, and stand prepared to meet life’s challenges.”  Both Elder Bednar and Elder Cook testified that it is through our faith in Jesus Christ that we can overcome the temptations of the adversary and the challenges of life.  

               President Oaks encouraged us to trust in the Savior despite our uncertainties and questions we don’t have answers to.  He declared simply to those who have concerns about what the plan of salvation means for them: “Trust in the Lord!”  He declared what we do know for sure, that “Resurrection for all in the spirit world is assured by the Resurrection of Jesus Christ.”  He also summarized what we know about the spirit world: “What we do know about the spirit world is that the Father’s and the Son’s work of salvation continues there. Our Savior initiated the work of declaring liberty to the captives.”  President Oaks declared that the plan of salvation “is all made possible because of the Atonement of Jesus Christ. As we know from modern revelation, He ‘glorifies the Father, and saves all the works of his hands.’”  For the unanswered questions, he counseled to trust in the Savior: “There is so much we do not know that our only sure reliance is to trust in the Lord and His love for His children.”  The counsel of proverbs he quoted is just as relevant to us today: “Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths” (Proverbs 3:5–6).

               President Eyring taught sisters about the power of their faith in Jesus Christ.  He reminded them, “You covenanted with God to take upon yourself the name of Jesus Christ, to keep His commandments, and to serve Him.”  He taught of the ministering assignments that require “a powerful, loving heart, a fearless faith that the Lord gives no command save He prepares a way, and a desire to go and do for Him.”  That “faith in Jesus Christ” was evident in a Relief Society president who ministered to those affected by a devastating fire as well as in “a sister recovering in a hospital” who ministered to fellow patients.  He reminded them that to minister likewise will “require faith in Jesus Christ, rooted in your deep love of the scriptures” and that “it will take faith in Jesus Christ beyond what has ever before been in your heart” in their calling as mothers.  Though his message was directed at sisters, the need for faith in Jesus Christ is critical for all of us, and his testimony of the Savior is universal: “I also testify that Jesus Christ is your Savior; He loves you. And through His Atonement, you can be purified and lifted to the high and holy callings which will come to you.”