Jesus Christ Is Not Our Burden; He Is Our Relief
Open talk in Gospel LibraryIdeas for Opening the Lesson
- Begin by briefly retelling the story of Brother Wunderli’s young son on the hike. Ask the class to picture the backpack, the rocks, and the picture of Jesus Christ. Then invite class members to consider silently: What “rocks” sometimes fill our backpacks, and why is it a mistake to think that removing the Savior would make life easier?
- Invite class members to write one word or phrase that describes what Jesus Christ means to them when life feels heavy. After a few responses are shared, introduce the talk’s central message that the Savior was not our burden but our relief. This can help set a hopeful and personal tone for the lesson.
- Start with the Savior’s statement quoted in the talk: “In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.” Ask: What difference does it make to face tribulation with the knowledge that Christ has already overcome the world? Then transition into the talk.
- Display the phrase “Jesus Christ is not the weight; He is the relief.” Invite the class to discuss why that statement may feel especially important in our day. This opening can help class members immediately engage with the main doctrine of the talk.
- Ask the class to think about daily habits that help them feel close to the Savior. Let a few members share simple practices that bless them. Then explain that Brother Wunderli taught that keeping Jesus Christ with us requires intentional, daily worship.
Topics
Keep Jesus Christ in your backpack
Brother Wunderli used the story of his son’s backpack to teach that Jesus Christ should never be seen as something to remove when life feels heavy. The son instinctively understood that the picture of Jesus was not the problem. The speaker used that experience to introduce the truth that Christ was not the burden but the source of help and strength.
Removing Him will not lighten your load.
- What did the story of the backpack teach you about how people sometimes misunderstand the Savior’s role in their lives?
- Why do you think it can be tempting to distance ourselves from the Savior when life feels heavy?
- What are some modern ways people may be tempted to “take Jesus out of the pack”?
- When have you found that turning toward Christ helped more than turning away from Him?
- How can we teach our families that Jesus Christ is our relief rather than a burden?
- What does this story suggest about childlike faith and clarity in seeing the Savior’s true place in our lives?
Trust Christ to relieve your burdens
Brother Wunderli taught that the adversary tried to convince people that discipleship was too hard and that life would be easier without the Savior. He warned that Satan lied about the weight of commandments, repentance, and the covenant path. He testified that Jesus Christ had overcome the world and was the One who could succor and relieve us in our trials.
Know this: Satan is a liar. Jesus Christ is not the weight; He is the relief.
- What false messages does the world send about commandments, repentance, and discipleship?
- How have you seen the truth that Christ relieves burdens rather than adds to them?
- Why is it important to remember that the Savior has overcome the world?
- How does knowing that Christ understands our pains and temptations change the way we approach Him?
- What burdens in life become lighter when we trust the Savior more fully?
- How can we help one another recognize and reject Satan’s lies?
Recognize faithful youth who walk with Christ
Brother Wunderli highlighted the goodness and devotion of the rising generation. He said many youth were choosing to abide with Jesus Christ through temple worship, seminary, missionary service, empathy, and discipleship. He shared the experience of two young converts in West Africa, one of whom described the gospel’s effect in one word: relief.
Like Enoch, many of our youth today are choosing to abide with Jesus Christ.
- What examples have you seen of youth choosing to walk with Jesus Christ?
- Why do you think Brother Wunderli emphasized the strengths of the rising generation?
- What can adults learn from the faith and discipleship of youth?
- How did the word “relief” capture the blessing of the gospel in that family’s life?
- How can our quorum or Relief Society better support young people in abiding with Christ?
- What attributes of today’s youth did the speaker mention, and why do they matter in gathering Israel?
Abide with Him every day
Brother Wunderli invited listeners to begin each day with Jesus Christ and to walk with Him through every challenge. He taught that abiding with the Savior anchored confidence and resolve in truth, deepened understanding and forgiveness, expanded love, and gave real hope through the Atonement and Resurrection. He presented abiding with Christ as a daily pattern rather than an occasional effort.
Each morning as you begin your daily walk, please make sure that Jesus Christ is with you.
- What does it mean to you personally to abide with Jesus Christ?
- How does starting the day with the Savior affect the rest of the day?
- What changes have you noticed in your life when your confidence is anchored in Christ?
- How does abiding with Christ deepen our ability to forgive and love others?
- Why is hope in Christ different from wishful thinking?
- What can we do when we feel our connection to the Savior weakening?
Worship intentionally through daily discipleship
Brother Wunderli taught that keeping Jesus Christ with us required intentional, daily worship. He specifically mentioned prayer, scripture study with emphasis on the Book of Mormon, faith in Christ, sincere daily repentance, and living and renewing covenants. He said this pattern was simple and that it brought real and lasting joy.
Keeping Jesus Christ with you requires intentional, daily worship.
- Why did the speaker describe daily worship as intentional?
- Which daily practices mentioned in the talk help you feel closest to the Savior?
- How has the Book of Mormon guided you through “mists of darkness”?
- What does sincere, daily repentance look like in ordinary life?
- How does remembering and renewing covenants help us keep Christ with us?
- What small adjustment could you make this week to worship more intentionally?
Let the Savior shape your character
Brother Wunderli taught that walking with Jesus Christ did more than help people endure hardship; it changed who they were becoming. He said abiding with Christ eased burdens, shaped character, and helped disciples become more like Him. He connected this process with lasting joy rather than temporary relief alone.
Walking with Him shapes your character and helps you become even as He is.
- How has walking with Christ changed your character over time?
- Why is becoming like the Savior more important than simply getting through trials?
- What Christlike qualities does discipleship help us develop?
- How have trials become refining experiences when faced with the Savior?
- What does “real and lasting joy” mean to you in the context of this talk?
- How can we recognize the quiet ways the Savior is shaping us?
Hold to Christ in difficult moments
Brother Wunderli pleaded with listeners to keep walking with Jesus Christ in moments of doubt, weakness, loneliness, and struggle. He acknowledged questions about worth, capability, and faith, and he urged disciples to hold firmly to their resolve to keep the Savior with them. He testified that the Lord could remove the rocks of addiction, sorrow, sin, and opposition.
When the weight of life’s challenges sends us backward, may we hold strong to our resolve to keep Him with us.
- Why are difficult moments often the times when we most need to cling to Christ?
- How can we keep the Savior with us when we question our worth or abilities?
- What “rocks” did the speaker specifically mention that the Savior can help remove?
- How have you seen the Lord strengthen someone facing addiction, sorrow, or deep discouragement?
- What helps you stay spiritually steady when you feel alone?
- How can our class better support those whose burdens feel especially heavy right now?
Follow Jesus Christ as the way
Brother Wunderli reinforced the prophetic declaration that Jesus Christ was the way. By quoting President Dallin H. Oaks, he centered the lesson on the Savior as the path forward in every circumstance. He concluded with testimony that Christ was our relief, our strength, and the way we should walk.
Jesus Christ is the way.
- What does it mean in practical terms to say that Jesus Christ is the way?
- How does this truth guide decisions in everyday life?
- Why was it significant that the speaker connected his message to the prophet’s testimony?
- How does following Christ differ from merely admiring Him?
- What experiences have taught you that the Savior really is the way forward?
- How can we help others come to trust that Christ is the way even when the path is hard?
Additional Discussion Questions
- What was the central invitation Brother Wunderli extended to disciples of Jesus Christ?
- How did the talk help you think differently about commandments and covenant living?
- What part of the talk would be most helpful to someone carrying a heavy personal burden?
- How does the Savior’s power to succor us influence the way we pray?
- What role did hope play in Brother Wunderli’s message?
- How can we better distinguish between the weight of mortality and the relief offered by Christ?
- In what ways does repentance bring relief instead of discouragement?
- How can families create a home where it is natural to keep Jesus Christ with them daily?
- What invitation from this talk do you feel prompted to act on this week?
- How can our quorum or Relief Society become a stronger source of Christlike relief for others?
