Eternity’s Great Gifts: Jesus Christ’s Atonement, Resurrection, Restoration
Gerrit W. Gong, of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles
Elder Gong describes how Jesus Christ's Atonement, Resurrection, and Restoration offer eternal gifts of peace and joy.
Open talk in Gospel LibraryContents
Topics
Recognize Jesus Christ's Compassion
Elder Gong emphasizes the compassion of Jesus Christ, who weeps with us in our moments of sorrow and joy. This empathy is a testament to His divine love and understanding.
When we cry out in grief or joy, Jesus Christ understands perfectly.
Jesus weeps in sorrow and joy testifies of the miraculous reality: the divine Son of God came into physical mortality.Key Points:
- Jesus Christ's ability to empathize with our emotions is a testament to His divine role.
- His weeping signifies His deep compassion and understanding of our human experiences.
- Reflect on a time when you felt understood by the Savior in your sorrow or joy.
- Share an experience where you have felt the Savior's compassion in your life.
- Consider a moment when you have been moved to compassion for others, similar to Christ.
Embrace the Hope of the Resurrection
The Resurrection of Jesus Christ is a central theme, offering hope and joy beyond the grave. It assures us of eternal life and the eventual reunion with our loved ones.
Resurrection brings dawn for all.
With Easter joy, we sing, "Death is conquered; man is free. Christ has won the victory."Key Points:
- Resurrection is a promise of new life and reunion with loved ones.
- It is a source of hope and joy, overcoming the sorrow of death.
- Think about someone you look forward to seeing again because of the Resurrection.
- Share how the promise of Resurrection has comforted you in times of loss.
- Describe a time when you felt the hope of the Resurrection in your life.
Understand the Power of Restoration
Elder Gong discusses the Restoration of the Gospel and Church of Jesus Christ, emphasizing its role in bringing priesthood keys and authority to bless God's children.
Restoration that day fulfilled prophecy by occurring both on Easter and Passover.
In that setting on that day to the restored Church of Jesus Christ came God’s authority and blessings to gather His children.Key Points:
- The Restoration is a fulfillment of prophecy and essential to God's plan.
- It brings priesthood authority and keys to bless and gather God's children.
- Reflect on how the Restoration has impacted your life personally.
- Share an experience where you have seen the blessings of the Restoration in your family.
- Consider how the Restoration has helped you understand your divine identity.
Heal Through the Atonement of Jesus Christ
The Atonement of Jesus Christ provides healing, reconciliation, and forgiveness, enabling us to mend relationships and overcome personal shortcomings.
Easter in Jesus Christ helps us mend, reconcile, make right our relationships, on both sides of the veil.
Jesus can heal grief; He can enable forgiveness.Key Points:
- The Atonement allows us to heal and reconcile with others and ourselves.
- It offers forgiveness and freedom from past mistakes and grievances.
- Share a personal story of forgiveness and healing through the Atonement.
- Reflect on a relationship that has been mended because of Christ's Atonement.
- Consider how the Atonement has helped you overcome a personal challenge.
Celebrate Our Divine Heritage and Unity
Elder Gong highlights our shared divine identity as children of God, emphasizing unity and the shared religious heritage among different faiths.
Wherever, whenever, whoever we are, we share divine identity as children of the same Creator.
In similar spirit, followers of Islam, Judaism, and Christianity share religious heritage in Father Abraham.Key Points:
- We share a divine identity as children of God, which unites us across cultures and faiths.
- Our shared religious heritage fosters understanding and unity.
- Reflect on a time when you felt connected to others through your shared faith.
- Share an experience where you found common ground with someone of a different faith.
- Consider how understanding our divine heritage has influenced your relationships.
