Study Guide for "Because of Jesus Christ"

In this Easter message, Elder Dale G. Renlund teaches that when life feels crowded, confusing, and overwhelming, the most important focus is Jesus Christ and His infinite Atonement. Using a simple story about a little dog distracted by too many balls, he shows how easily we can become discouraged by competing concerns. He then testifies that maintaining an eternal perspective helps us prioritize what matters most. Because of Jesus Christ, we can be resurrected, forgiven, understood, strengthened, and ultimately brought home to Heavenly Father. This talk invites readers to center their lives more fully on the Savior and to rejoice daily in the blessings that come because of Him.

Before Reading

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

When life feels overwhelming, what helps me regain an eternal perspective?
Why is focusing on Jesus Christ of greater value than focusing on other concerns?
What does the Atonement of Jesus Christ make possible that I could never accomplish on my own?
How does the Resurrection of Jesus Christ affect the way I view death and hope?
What does this talk teach about repentance, forgiveness, and spiritual healing?
How does the Savior show perfect understanding of my personal struggles and circumstances?
What blessings can come into my life if I focus more intentionally on Jesus Christ every day?

Topics

Keep your focus on Jesus Christ when life feels overwhelming

Elder Renlund begins with the story of Lady, a dog who became confused and discouraged when faced with two balls instead of one. He compares this to modern life, where people juggle countless concerns and can feel overwhelmed. His counsel is that not all matters are of equal value. Maintaining an eternal perspective helps us prioritize what matters most, and the greatest focus of all is Jesus Christ and the infinite virtue of His atoning sacrifice.

For Lady, two balls were too many. She became confused, overwhelmed, and discouraged.

We may feel like Lady—overwhelmed and discouraged—and just want to crawl back into bed.

Not all matters are of equal value, and maintaining an eternal perspective helps us prioritize the things that are of greatest value.

On this Easter Sunday, let us consider why focusing on Jesus Christ and the “infinite virtue of His great atoning sacrifice” is of greatest value and helps us no matter how many other concerns we must manage.

You need not be like our little dog, Lady—confused, discouraged, and overwhelmed—when facing too many balls; you do not need to crawl back to bed and cower.

Instead, keep your eye on the ball. Focus on the Savior.

What does Elder Renlund use the story of Lady to illustrate about modern life?
According to the talk, why is an eternal perspective necessary?
What does Elder Renlund teach is of greatest value among life's many concerns?
How does focusing on Jesus Christ help when life feels confusing or discouraging?
What "too many balls" in my life are distracting me from what matters most?
When have I felt overwhelmed like Lady, and how could focusing on the Savior have helped me?
What can I do this week to maintain a clearer eternal perspective?
How can I simplify my priorities so Jesus Christ is more central in my daily life?

Trust the central role of Jesus Christ in Heavenly Father’s plan

The talk teaches that Jesus Christ lived and died to do the Father’s will and that His infinite Atonement is central to the plan of salvation. The Atonement includes His suffering in Gethsemane, His death on the cross, and His Resurrection. Elder Renlund emphasizes that the plan depended on Jesus Christ and that there was no alternative. Because He completed the Atonement, He received all power in heaven and earth and can lead us to salvation.

Jesus lived and died to do His Father’s will.

His infinite Atonement—the series of events He experienced from Gethsemane through His death on the cross and on to His glorious Resurrection—is central to Heavenly Father’s plan for our salvation.

The plan depended on Jesus Christ; there was no alternative.

He completed the Atonement and thereby received “all power … in heaven and in earth.”

Because of the merits, mercy, and grace of Jesus Christ, we can return home to our Heavenly Father and live in His presence.

This is only possible through Jesus Christ.

Jesus, who leads us to salvation, has the power to do for us what we cannot do for ourselves because He completed His Atonement.

What does Elder Renlund teach about the place of Jesus Christ in Heavenly Father’s plan?
What events are included in the Savior’s infinite Atonement as described in the talk?
Why does Elder Renlund say there was no alternative to Jesus Christ in the plan of salvation?
What does it mean that Jesus Christ can do for us what we cannot do for ourselves?
How would I explain to someone why Jesus Christ is central to the plan of salvation?
What does it mean to me personally that returning to Heavenly Father is only possible through Jesus Christ?
How can I show greater gratitude for the Savior’s willing obedience to the Father’s will?
What can I do to rely more deliberately on the merits, mercy, and grace of Christ?

Rejoice that Jesus Christ conquered death through His Resurrection

Elder Renlund teaches that one reason we celebrate Easter is that Jesus Christ conquered death and literally rose from the tomb. Because of Him, resurrection is a universal and unconditional gift given to every person who comes to earth. Death is not final, because body and spirit will be reunited permanently. This doctrine brings hope, comfort, and confidence in God’s plan.

First, Jesus Christ conquered death; He literally rose from the tomb.

Because of Him, resurrection is a universal and unconditional gift for everyone who comes to earth.

Death is not the end because the spirit and the body will be reunited, never again to be divided.

Because Jesus Christ completed the Atonement, He has the power to help you along your earthly journey and to redeem you from death, both physical and spiritual.

Jesus Christ is the Resurrection and the Life.

He lives, who once was dead.

What does Elder Renlund teach about the literal Resurrection of Jesus Christ?
Who receives the gift of resurrection, according to the talk?
Why is resurrection described as universal and unconditional?
How does the doctrine of resurrection change the meaning of death?
How has the reality of the Resurrection brought me comfort or hope?
What feelings do I have when I think about death in light of Jesus Christ’s victory over it?
How can I celebrate the message of Easter more consistently throughout the year?
Who could I comfort with testimony of the Resurrection?

Repent and receive complete forgiveness through Jesus Christ

A major theme of the talk is that Jesus Christ has both the power and the desire to save us from our sins. Through repentance and faithful discipleship, the blessings of redemption come to us. Elder Renlund stresses that Christ suffered for everyone and can declare guiltless all who believe, repent, follow the covenant path, and endure to the end. He teaches that sincere repentance leaves no spiritual scar, because the Savior has paid the debt to justice and the repentant person is fully forgiven.

Second, Jesus Christ has both the power and the desire to save us from our sins.

Because of Jesus Christ, when we repent and follow Him, “immediately [will] the great plan of redemption be brought about unto [us].”

The Redeemer suffered the punishment for everyone’s sins, transgressions, and mistakes.

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.

Jesus Christ has infinite capacity to forgive, promising that “as often as my people repent will I forgive them their trespasses against me.”

Because of Jesus Christ, sins for which we have sincerely repented leave no spiritual scar, track, or trace.

There is no scarlet letter to wear, now or in the eternities.

When we repent with real intent, the entirety of our sin, not just a part, is figuratively nailed to the cross and we no longer bear its spiritual consequences.

After we have repented, we owe no more to justice because Jesus has paid the debt; He pardons us from deserved punishment.

We are forgiven, our hearts and hands are made clean, and the Lord remembers our sins no more.

The Lord our God “is mighty; he will save, [and] he will rejoice over [us].”

What does Elder Renlund teach about the Savior’s power and desire to save us from sin?
What conditions does he describe for being declared guiltless through Jesus Christ?
What does the talk teach about the completeness of forgiveness after sincere repentance?
How does Elder Renlund describe the relationship between justice and mercy in repentance?
What does he mean by saying there is no spiritual scar, track, or trace after sincere repentance?
Do I truly believe that the Savior can forgive even me? Why or why not?
Is there anything I need to bring to the Lord in sincere repentance?
How have I seen the Lord’s mercy change my heart after repentance?
What false guilt or shame do I need to let go of because Christ has power to make me clean?
How can I more faithfully follow the covenant path and trust in the Savior’s redeeming grace?

Turn to Jesus Christ because He perfectly understands your struggles

Elder Renlund teaches that Jesus Christ took upon Himself not only our sins but also our griefs, sicknesses, and frailties. Because He completed the infinite Atonement, He empathizes perfectly with every person. He understands every factor that shapes us, including genetics, abilities, traditions, experiences, and mental and emotional conditions. As a result, He can calm anguish, offer peace, and judge us with perfect understanding according to both our works and the desires of our hearts.

Third, Jesus Christ understands our challenges, having taken on not only our sins but also our griefs, sicknesses, and frailties.

Because He endured and completed the infinite atoning sacrifice, He empathizes perfectly with us.

He can “calm [our] anguish” and offers “gentle … peace … for [our] beseeching.”

He, and only He, can consider every factor that shapes who we are: our genetics, intellectual abilities, traditions, experiences, mental and emotional conditions, and every other circumstance that affects who we are.

He, and only He, will eventually judge us “according to [our] works, according to the desire of [our] hearts.”

What additional burdens besides sin did Jesus Christ take upon Himself?
Why is the Savior uniquely able to empathize perfectly with us?
What kinds of personal circumstances does Elder Renlund say the Savior understands?
How does the Savior’s perfect understanding affect the way He judges us?
What challenge in my life do I need to bring more fully to Jesus Christ?
How does it help me to know that the Savior understands my whole situation perfectly?
When have I felt the Savior calm my anguish or give me peace?
How can I pray more honestly, trusting that Christ understands my weaknesses and circumstances?

Trust Jesus Christ to make all things right

The talk teaches that because of Jesus Christ, every unfairness in life can and will be made right. He can consecrate afflictions for our gain, sanctify our deepest distress, sweeten bitter experiences, and make us whole. Elder Renlund emphasizes the Savior’s dependable power to heal and redeem every sorrow if we let Him. In Christ, afflictions can ultimately be swallowed up in joy.

Because of Jesus Christ, all that is unfair in life can and will be made right.

He will consecrate our afflictions for our gain.

He will sanctify to us our deepest distress.

He will fill with sweet a bitter cup.

He will dependably and consistently make us whole.

If we let Him, we will “suffer no manner of afflictions, save it [is] swallowed up in the joy of Christ.”

What does Elder Renlund teach about unfairness and suffering in mortality?
How can Jesus Christ consecrate afflictions for our gain?
What does it mean for distress to be sanctified through Christ?
According to the talk, what role does our willingness play in receiving these blessings?
What unfairness or sorrow in my life do I need to place more fully in the Savior’s hands?
How have I seen the Lord bring growth or healing out of affliction?
What would it look like for me to let Christ make me whole?
How can I hold on to hope that bitter experiences can be made sweet through Him?

Find joy and clarity by seeking the gifts of the Atonement every day

Elder Renlund concludes by teaching that focusing on the Savior and His Atonement brings joy and clarity regardless of other concerns. He cites prophetic counsel that answers are found in the life and teachings of Jesus Christ and that Jesus Christ is the way. He invites listeners to seek the precious gifts of the Atonement, trust in Jesus, and celebrate Easter every day by reflecting daily on the blessings they receive because of Him.

Focusing on the Savior, His infinite Atonement, and what He has done for us will bring joy and clarity into our lives, no matter how many other concerns we have.

This is why ancient and modern prophets have and always will direct us to Christ.

“Whatever questions or problems you have, the answer is always found in the life and teachings of Jesus Christ.”

“Jesus Christ is the way.”

Seek for the “precious gifts His Atonement can impart.”

I will trust in Jesus. I will hear His call.

He will never leave me, even when I fall.

Jesus gives me power, lifts and comforts me,

Helping me to live and grow eternally.

Celebrate the joyous message of Easter every day by reflecting every day on the blessings you receive because of Him.

“Open wide your broken heart and let your Savior in!”

What blessings does Elder Renlund say come from focusing on the Savior and His Atonement?
How do living prophets direct us to Jesus Christ in this talk?
What does it mean to seek the precious gifts the Atonement can impart?
How does Elder Renlund invite us to celebrate Easter every day?
What daily habit could help me reflect more often on blessings I receive because of Jesus Christ?
How can I turn to the life and teachings of Jesus Christ when I face questions or problems?
What "precious gifts" of the Atonement have I experienced recently?
What does it mean for me personally to open wide my broken heart and let the Savior in?
How can I make my discipleship more joyful and Christ-centered each day?