CHURCH TALK 4/12/26 RIVERSIDE WARD, OTTOWA

 

Good Morning Brothers and Sisters

My name is Sister Miller and I have been in Canada a little less than 2 months and I have loved every minute of it, even the weather;)I am so thankful to be starting my mission in the Riverside Ward! I truly am so grateful for all of you and I have loved getting to know you! 

Today I have been asked to speak about how

Jesus Christ can save us because of His Atonement! I feel so lucky to get to speak right after general conference because there was so many wonderful messages that I could turn to as I prepared for this talk! 

One of my favorite talks from this past conference was Elder Wunderli's, titled 'Jesus Christ is not our burden; He is our relief!' I love that title because it is so true! Jesus Christ is our relief and that relief can be found through the Atonement!

Elder Wunderli says, "He has overcome the world. He has taken “upon him the pains and [sickness] of his people.” He has suffered “afflictions and temptations of every kind; … that he may know … how to succor [us].” His pleading, loving, powerful invitation is to abide with Him. It is to stay with Him."

Elder Wunderli's talk was a great reminder to me to always involve the Savior in everyday, every trial, and every phase of my life because when we do life is so much better!

In the Guide to the scriptures under Atonement it says, "...if Jesus Christ had not atoned for our sins, no law, ordinance, or sacrifice would satisfy the demands of justice, and man could never regain God’s presence." I think it's safe to say that if Jesus Christ had not atoned for our sins there would be no relief, hope, peace, or joy! 

We are not only saved after this life because of Jesus Christ's sacrifice but we can be saved from the weight that comes from sin, disappointment, loss, and any trial we will ever face! Through His Atonement we have the gift of repentance that when used daily can ease our burdens! In the Book of Mormon in Mosiah 24:14 it says" And I will also ease the burdens which are put upon your shoulders, that even you cannot feel them upon your backs, even while you are in bondage; and this will I do that ye may stand as witnesses for me hereafter, and that ye may know of a surety that I, the Lord God, do visit my people in their afflictions."

I know Jesus Christ and our Heavely Father are waiting for us to turn to their constantly outstretched arms! As soon as we look to Christ our burdens will be made light! They may not go away but we will not have to endure them alone!

One of my favorite poems, that you may be familiar with, paints the picture of our loving Savior and how He saves us. It's called "Footprints in the Sand" and it starts, 

"One night I dreamed I was walking along the beach with the Lord,

Across the dark sky flashed scenes from my life.

For each scene, I noticed two sets of footprints in the sand,

One belonging to me and one to my Lord.

After the last scene of my life flashed before me,

I looked back at the footprints in the sand.

I noticed that at many times along the path of my life,

Especially at the very lowest and saddest times,

There was only one set of footprints.

This really troubled me, so I asked the Lord about it.

"Lord, you said once I decided to follow you,

You'd walk with me all the way.

But I noticed that during the saddest and most troublesome times of my life,

There was only one set of footprints.

I don't understand why, when I needed You the most, You would leave me."

He whispered, "My precious child, I love you and will never leave you,

Never, ever, during your trials and testings.

When you saw only one set of footprints,

It was then that I carried you". 

I love this poem so much! We may not always be quick to realize how Christ never leaves but as we look back on those trying times and even right now as we strive to have an eternal perspective, we will see so clearly how Jesus Christ is carrying us! He will never leave!

On of my favorite scriptures in the bible is found in John 14:18 "I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you."

Never more than on my mission have I felt this! Jesus Christ is our relief and He wants so badly for us to understand that! Without fail He has comforted me when I needed Him, not always in the timing or way I thought but in the timing and way He knew I needed! 

I come from a family of 6 kids and while that was a lot of fun I'm sure it was a lot of work for my parents, and probably still is even with half of us out of the house! Whenever we got into trouble we would get sent to our room to "think about about what we did" and my parents would always say, "don't leave until we come in". Sometimes that meant 10 minutes and sometimes it was 30. Although even after 30 minutes, I wasn't always ready to apologize and say sorry to the sibling thay had gotten me stuck in my room in the first place. Everytime my mom or dad would say, "we'll come back when you're ready" and then another 10 or 30 minutes. Eventually, I'd give in and realize that I probably had been in the part of the problem and in the wrong too. Even when it took a couple trys my parents would always come back and even when I was sure they forgot I was when my room they never did.

Heavenly Father and Jesus Chrsit will never forget us! Even when we aren't ready to choose Him, He has already chosen us! The Atonement provides us with as many tries as we need! The Savior will always be ready when we humbly turn to Him!

The saving power of the Atonement not only saves us after this life but everyday! Jesus Christ provides healing that can be found no where else! 

In April of 2025 Sister Runia, the First Counselor in the Young Women General Presidency, said, "I testify that while God cares about our mistakes, He cares more about what happens after we make a mistake. Are we going to turn to Him again and again...the Savior loves us always but especially when we repent.”

My relationship with Jesus Christ has only been strengthed through repentance. I know He is the ONLY one who knows exactly what I have gone through, am going through, and will go through! 

Another amazing talk this last recent general conference was given by Elder Renlund, he says, "He can and will declare guiltless all who believe on His name, repent, follow the covenant path, and strive to endure to the end. “All mankind may be saved” because of Him and His atoning sacrifice. All means everyone. If everyone, then anyone. If anyone, then even one. And if even one, then even you."

I love this because the Atonement has no limits and no restrictions! How powerful is it to know that Jesus Christ's saving power is for everyone everytime!

I really love this quote from a byu devotional given a couple years ago. It says, "ultimately Jesus Christ is the only place we can turn and “the only name” by which “salvation can come. I realize, again and again, that I cannot overcome anything on my own. And then I realize, again and again, that I do not have to."

Heavely Father has provided everything we need to make it back to Him! All we have to do is look to Him and His son! Through the covenants we make with our Heavenly Father at baptism we can have the holy ghost with us as our constant companion to help lead and guide us back home!

In the Book of Mormon in 3 Nephi 27:14 I think the Atonement is explained beautifully!

14 And my Father sent me that I might be lifted up upon the cross; and after that I had been lifted up upon the cross, that I might draw all men unto me, that as I have been lifted up by men even so should men be lifted up by the Father, to stand before me, to be judged of their works, whether they be good or whether they be evil.

I love how this scripture talks about being lifted up unto Christ! ! Heavenly Father watched His beloved son die on the cross for each one of us. To save us!

In closing I wanted to share a part from one of my favorite songs in the new hymn book called,"I will walk with Jesus". I would sing it for you but know one needs or wants that;). The chorus says, 

"As I walk with Jesus to my home above,

He will bless me with His Spirit and fill me with His love,

Change my heart forever and help me clearly see.

I will walk with Jesus, and He will walk with me."

I can testify that Jesus Christ will always walk with you and will change you into somthing better that you could never have imagined! I know Heavenly Father answers our prayers and loves us more than we could ever know! He wants nothing more that for us to return home to Him! Through Jesus Christ and His doctrine of faith, repentance, baptism, the gift of the holy ghost, and enduring to the end, we can!

Testimony♡