Study Guide for "The Exquisite Gift of the Son"

In this talk, Elder Matthew S. Holland uses the account of Alma's repentance from the Book of Mormon to discuss the exquisite and transformative power of the Atonement of Jesus Christ. He emphasizes the importance of repentance and the healing power of Christ, not only for our sins but also for the pains and trials we experience in life.

Before Reading

Before reading or listening to the talk, consider the following questions:

What does Elder Holland mean by the "exquisite gift" of the Son?
How does Elder Holland use Alma's experience of repentance to illustrate the Atonement of Jesus Christ?
What does Elder Holland say about the role of suffering in our lives?
How does Elder Holland describe the healing power of Jesus Christ?
What is the ultimate source of relief from our hurts and heartaches?

Topics

Understanding the Exquisite Pain of Sin

Elder Holland discusses the concept of "exquisite pain" as described by Alma when he became fully conscious of his sins. He explains that this pain is a reflection of the full, excruciating guilt of every sin we commit that must be felt due to justice, and that God Himself cannot change this.

Alma’s imagery reflects the sobering reality that at some point the full, excruciating guilt of every sin we commit must be felt. Justice demands it, and God Himself cannot change it.

What does Elder Holland mean when he talks about the "exquisite pain" of sin?
Why must we feel the full guilt of our sins?
How have you experienced the pain of guilt from sin?
What can you do to repent and alleviate this guilt?

Experiencing the Exquisite Joy of Repentance

Elder Holland explains that the very purpose of repentance is to transform the misery of sin into pure bliss. He emphasizes that the moment we come unto Christ with faith and a true change of heart, the weight of our sins starts to shift from our backs to His.

We must never forget that the very purpose of repentance is to take certain misery and transform it into pure bliss. Thanks to His "immediate goodness," the instant we come unto Christ—demonstrating faith in Him and a true change of heart—the crushing weight of our sins starts to shift from our backs to His.

What does Elder Holland mean by the "exquisite joy" of repentance?
How does coming unto Christ with faith and a true change of heart affect the weight of our sins?
How have you experienced the joy of repentance?
What can you do to further come unto Christ and experience this joy?

Finding Relief from Pain through Jesus Christ

Elder Holland discusses how Jesus Christ is the ultimate source of relief from our worst hurts and heartaches, whether they come from sin, honest mistakes, the actions of others, or forces beyond our control. He testifies that Christ holds the full power and healing balm to correct every mistake, right every wrong, adjust every imperfection, mend every wound, and deliver every delayed blessing.

Regardless of the causes of our worst hurts and heartaches, the ultimate source of relief is the same: Jesus Christ. He alone holds the full power and healing balm to correct every mistake, right every wrong, adjust every imperfection, mend every wound, and deliver every delayed blessing.

How does Elder Holland describe the role of Jesus Christ in relieving our pains and heartaches?
What does it mean that Christ holds the full power and healing balm to correct every mistake, right every wrong, adjust every imperfection, mend every wound, and deliver every delayed blessing?
How have you experienced Christ's healing power in your life?
What can you do to better access Christ's healing power?

Recognizing the Purpose and Value of Suffering

Elder Holland discusses the purpose and value of suffering in our lives. He explains that we cannot become perfect beings of divine joy without experiences that test us, sometimes to our very core. He encourages us to resist the lie that our sufferings suggest we stand outside the circle of God's chosen ones and to instead see our sufferings as qualifying us for God's promises.

You see, the very nature of God and aim of our earthly existence is happiness, but we cannot become perfect beings of divine joy without experiences that test us, sometimes to our very core.

Suffering in righteousness helps qualify you for, rather than distinguishes you from, God’s elect.

What does Elder Holland say about the purpose and value of suffering in our lives?
How does suffering in righteousness qualify us for God's promises?
How have your experiences of suffering tested and refined you?
How can you see your sufferings as qualifying you for God's promises?

Appreciating the Exquisite Gift of the Son

Elder Holland concludes by inviting us to appreciate the exquisite gift of the Son of God. He testifies that through Christ's infinite Atonement, we can escape the deserved agonies of our moral failings and overcome the undeserved agonies of our mortal misfortunes. He encourages us to let our minds catch hold on the exquisite gift of the Son of God as revealed through His gospel.

I witness to you that through the staggering goodness of Jesus Christ and His infinite Atonement, we can escape the deserved agonies of our moral failings and overcome the undeserved agonies of our mortal misfortunes.

What does Elder Holland mean by the "exquisite gift" of the Son of God?
How does the Atonement of Jesus Christ help us escape the agonies of our moral failings and mortal misfortunes?
How have you experienced the exquisite gift of the Son of God in your life?
What can you do to further appreciate and utilize this exquisite gift?