He Was Strengthened

President Dallin H. Oaks once related this story in general conference: “In a Saturday evening meeting at a stake conference many years ago, I met a woman who said her friends had asked her to come back to church after many years of inactivity, but she could not think of any reason why she should. To encourage her, I said, ‘When you consider all of the things the Savior has done for you, you have many reasons to come back to worship and serve Him.’ I was astonished when she replied, ‘What’s He done for me?’” President Oaks continued by answering this question: “What has Jesus Christ done for each of us? He has done everything that is essential for our journey through mortality toward the destiny outlined in the plan of our Heavenly Father.” The Savior created the world for us to come to and gain a physical body, He called and spoke to prophets throughout the history of the earth, He gave scriptures to guide us in mortality, He left His throne on high to be born among men and suffer the sins of all mankind, He rose from the grave in order to break the bands of death for all who would ever come on the earth, and He felt all the pains and sorrows and trials that we face so that He could succor us. I love how Moroni summarized what the Savior has done for us in these words He spoke to the Lord: “And I also remember that thou hast said that thou hast prepared a house for man, yea, even among the mansions of thy Father, in which man might have a more excellent hope; wherefore man must hope, or he cannot receive an inheritance in the place which thou hast prepared. And again, I remember that thou hast said that thou hast loved the world, even unto the laying down of thy life for the world, that thou mightest take it again to prepare a place for the children of men. And now I know that this love which thou hast had for the children of men is charity” (Ether 12:32-34). He laid down His life out of love for us so that we can have the hope of eternal life.

                All of that, though, might sound a little far distant or too abstract. But we can feel His help and strength today. In the same chapter the Savior said this to Moroni: “My grace is sufficient for the meek, that they shall take no advantage of your weakness; 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 12:26-27). The Savior promises to make weak things become strong for us as we are humble before Him and seek His grace. So if we need help in school or with friends or in a sport, if we feel weak or uncapable or insufficient, He can give us strength! Not only will He help us, but He can make what was weak be one of our strengths. How can you receive His help? First, strive to do those things He asks of you—study the scriptures, partake of the sacrament, go to the temple, keep His commandments—and then earnestly pray to the Father in His name for help. I know that the Lord hears our prayers and does help us when we sincerely seek His aid. We see a dramatic example of this in one Book of Mormon story when Alma was fighting with the Nephites against the Amlicites. We read, “And it came to pass that Alma fought with Amlici with the sword, face to face; and they did contend mightily, one with another. And it came to pass that Alma, being a man of God, being exercised with much faith, cried, saying: O Lord, have mercy and spare my life, that I may be an instrument in thy hands to save and preserve this people. Now when Alma had said these words he contended again with Amlici; and he was strengthened, insomuch that he slew Amlici with the sword” (Alma 2:29-31). In the middle of that battle, Alma reached out earnestly for the Savior’s help, and He was strengthened and overcame His enemy. I know that He gives us strength each day as we reach out to Him, and I hope we will always remember the Savior in everything that we do.