Study Guide for "Jesus Christ Is Relief"

In this talk, President Camille N. Johnson explores the concept of Jesus Christ as our ultimate relief. She uses the biblical story of the man with palsy, whose friends showed faith in bringing him to Jesus for healing, to illustrate how Christ provides both physical and spiritual relief. She also discusses the metaphor of a backpack filled with rocks, representing our burdens, and how Christ can lighten our load. She emphasizes the role of repentance, forgiveness, and service to others in finding relief through Christ.

Before Reading

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

How does President Johnson use the story of the man with palsy to illustrate Christ's role as our relief?
What does the metaphor of a backpack filled with rocks represent?
What role does repentance play in finding relief through Christ?
How can we find relief from the burdens caused by others" mistreatment?
What is our responsibility as covenant members of the Church in providing relief to others?

Topics

Jesus Christ as Our Relief

President Johnson uses the story of the man with palsy and his caregivers to illustrate how Jesus Christ can provide both physical and spiritual relief. She emphasizes that Christ's Atonement allows us to be relieved of the burden and consequences of sin and be succored in our infirmities.

I testify that Jesus Christ is relief. Through the Atonement of Jesus Christ, we may be relieved of the burden and consequences of sin and be succored in our infirmities.

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.

How does the story of the man with palsy illustrate Christ's ability to provide relief?
What is the role of the Atonement in providing relief from sin and infirmities?
How have you experienced Christ's relief in your own life?
What can you do to more fully rely on Christ's Atonement for relief from your burdens?

The Metaphor of the Backpack

President Johnson uses the metaphor of a backpack filled with rocks to represent our burdens. These burdens can come from our own sins, the poor decisions and unkindness of others, and the difficulties of living in a fallen world. She emphasizes that Christ can lighten these burdens.

This metaphorical backpack is where we carry the burdens of living in a fallen world. Our burdens are like rocks in the backpack.

Jesus Christ can lighten our load. Jesus Christ can lift our burdens.

What do the rocks in the backpack represent?
How can Christ lighten the burdens in our backpack?
What are some of the "rocks" you are currently carrying in your backpack?
How can you allow Christ to help lighten these burdens?

The Role of Repentance in Finding Relief

President Johnson discusses the role of repentance in finding relief through Christ. Through the Atonement, repentance allows us to be relieved of the weight of our sins. She also discusses how God's mercy relieves us from the demands of justice.

Repentance, through the Atonement of Jesus Christ, is what relieves us of the weight of the rocks of sin. And by this exquisite gift, God’s mercy relieves us from the heavy and otherwise insurmountable demands of justice.

How does repentance relieve us of the weight of our sins?
What role does God's mercy play in providing relief?
How have you experienced the relief that comes from repentance?
What steps can you take to more fully utilize the power of repentance in your life?

Finding Relief from Others" Mistreatment

President Johnson talks about how we can find relief from the burdens caused by others" mistreatment. Through the Atonement of Christ, we can receive strength to forgive others, which allows us to unload these burdens.

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.

How can the Atonement help us find relief from the burdens caused by others" mistreatment?
What is the connection between forgiveness and relief from these burdens?
How have you experienced the relief that comes from forgiving others?
What steps can you take to forgive someone who has mistreated you?

Our Role in Providing Relief to Others

President Johnson emphasizes our responsibility as covenant members of the Church in providing relief to others. We are called to mourn with those that mourn, comfort those in need of comfort, and bear one another's burdens. As we do so, we become a conduit through which Christ provides relief.

Our covenantal blessing is to partner with Jesus Christ in providing relief, both temporal and spiritual, to all of God’s children. We are a conduit through which He provides relief.

As we do, we come to know Him, become like Him, and find His relief.

What is our responsibility as covenant members of the Church in providing relief to others?
How does providing relief to others help us come to know Christ and find His relief?
How have you provided relief to others in the past?
What opportunities do you currently have to provide relief to others?