I Glory in My Jesus
Aaron T. Hall, of the Seventy
Elder Hall invites us to glory in Jesus Christ through His redeeming names and power.
Open talk in Gospel LibraryContents
Topics
Make Jesus Christ personal
Elder Hall teaches that Nephi’s phrase “my Jesus” shows a deeply personal relationship with the Savior. Jesus Christ was not distant to Nephi; He was the source of salvation, strength, and love.
“I glory in my Jesus, for he hath redeemed my soul from hell.”
“That short phrase, ‘I glory in my Jesus,’ beautifully captures Nephi’s loving relationship with the Son of God, the Messiah, the Redeemer.”
“Yet in this expression of love, Nephi refers to Him in a familiar and endearing way: ‘my Jesus.’”
“To Nephi, Jesus Christ was not someone distant or merely known by name. No, to Nephi, the name of Jesus was his salvation.”
“The name of Jesus Christ was Nephi’s redemption, and he gloried in it.”Key Points:
- Nephi’s testimony reveals a close and loving relationship with Jesus Christ.
- The many names of Jesus Christ teach us about His majesty, character, and mission.
- Calling Him “my Jesus” emphasizes personal discipleship and personal salvation.
- Jesus Christ must become more than a doctrine to us; He must become personally known and trusted.
- A sacrament meeting talk on this theme can invite listeners to consider how the Savior has become personal in their own lives.
- When have you felt that Jesus Christ was personally aware of you?
- What experiences have helped the Savior become more than just a name to you?
- When have you felt that the gospel became personal rather than only something you believed intellectually?
- Is there a moment in your life when you could sincerely say “my Jesus” with deeper feeling?
- How has your relationship with the Savior changed over time?
Trust the Savior through affliction
Using Nephi’s words, Elder Hall shows that trust in Jesus Christ grows through hardship. In both bitter and sweet experiences, the Lord supports, preserves, leads, and fills His disciples with love.
“As Nephi experienced trials and the joy of deliverance, the name of Jesus Christ became even more personal to him.”
“My God hath been my support.”
“He hath led me through mine afflictions.”
“He hath preserved me.”
“He hath filled me with his love.”
“Lord, I have trusted in thee, and I will trust in thee forever.”
“In every circumstance—the bitter and the sweet—Nephi trusted in the One ‘who is mighty to save.’”Key Points:
- Trials can deepen our understanding of who Jesus Christ is.
- Nephi’s trust was based on repeated experiences with divine help.
- The Savior supports us, leads us, preserves us, and fills us with love.
- Faith in Christ is meant to endure in every circumstance, not only in easy times.
- Trusting the Savior is a recurring choice that can become lifelong and permanent.
- When has the Lord supported you in a difficult season?
- How have you seen God lead you through affliction rather than simply remove it?
- When have you felt preserved or protected by the Lord?
- What trial has ultimately made your trust in Jesus Christ stronger?
- When have you felt filled with the Savior’s love during hardship?
Rejoice in the Lord’s mercy and redemption
Elder Hall connects Nephi’s witness with Ammon’s joyful praise, showing that those who experience the redeeming power of Christ naturally rejoice in Him and speak of His mercy.
“The mighty Book of Mormon missionary Ammon, who had once walked a path of rebellion and sin, also experienced the joy of the redemptive power of Jesus Christ.”
“Therefore, let us glory, yea, we will glory in the Lord; yea, we will rejoice, for our joy is full.”
“Behold, who can glory too much in the Lord?”
“Yea, who can say too much of his great power, and of his mercy, and of his long-suffering towards the children of men?”
“Behold, I say unto you, I cannot say the smallest part which I feel.”
“I too can scarcely express the smallest part of that which I feel for my Jesus.”Key Points:
- Ammon’s conversion and service illustrate the joy of redemption.
- Those who know the Savior’s mercy feel a desire to praise Him.
- There is no such thing as glorifying the Lord too much.
- Gratitude for Christ naturally leads to testimony and rejoicing.
- Personal experience with repentance and mercy gives power to our witness.
- When have you felt overwhelming gratitude for the Savior’s mercy?
- How has repentance brought joy into your life?
- What experience has made you want to speak more openly of Jesus Christ?
- When have you felt that words could not fully express what you felt about the Savior?
- How has the Lord changed your heart in a way that fills you with rejoicing?
Glory in Jesus Christ as Redeemer
Elder Hall teaches that Jesus Christ extends mercy, invites repentance, and offers forgiveness. As our Redeemer, He receives all who come unto Him.
“Today I glory in our Redeemer.”
“His arms of mercy are extended toward us.”
“He sends an invitation to all, saying, ‘Repent, and I will receive you.’”
“We are engraved upon the palms of His hands.”
“I rejoice in the gift of repentance and the promise of forgiveness.”Key Points:
- Jesus Christ is our Redeemer and extends mercy to all.
- Repentance is a gift, not merely a punishment or burden.
- The Savior’s invitation is open and personal.
- His remembrance of us is constant and covenantal.
- Forgiveness through Christ is central to rejoicing in Him.
- When have you felt the joy of repentance and forgiveness?
- How have you felt the Savior’s mercy extended to you personally?
- What experience taught you that repentance is a gift?
- When have you felt remembered by the Lord during a lonely or discouraging time?
- How has the Redeemer changed your direction or your heart?
Follow the Good Shepherd home
Elder Hall describes Jesus Christ as the Good Shepherd who calls, gathers, rescues, and loves His sheep. He actively works to bring His people safely home.
“I glory in our Good Shepherd.”
“He calls to us, gathers us, rescues us, and fills us with His love.”
“I rejoice that we are His sheep and that He relentlessly works to bring us safely home.”Key Points:
- Jesus Christ knows His sheep and acts to gather and rescue them.
- The Savior’s shepherding work is active, loving, and persistent.
- Belonging to Christ brings identity, safety, and hope.
- His goal is not merely to help us temporarily but to bring us home.
- This image can help listeners feel the Savior’s care in times of wandering or weakness.
- When have you felt the Savior calling you back to Him?
- How have you seen the Lord gather or rescue you or someone you love?
- What experience has helped you feel that you belong to the Good Shepherd?
- When have you felt guided safely through confusion or danger?
- How has the Savior shown persistent love in your life?
Receive healing from the Savior
Elder Hall testifies that Jesus Christ heals every kind of pain—death, loneliness, physical suffering, emotional wounds, sin, and broken hearts. He does so with perfect empathy and individual care.
“I glory in our Healer.”
“He can heal all who feel the sting of death, loneliness, physical and emotional pain, the burden of sin, and every broken heart.”
“He has perfect empathy.”
“He weeps with us, and He invites us to be still.”
“I rejoice that the Son of God heals us one by one and encircles us in the arms of His love.”Key Points:
- The healing power of Jesus Christ reaches every kind of human suffering.
- His empathy is perfect because of His atoning experience.
- He does not heal impersonally; He heals one by one.
- The Savior mourns with us and offers peace in our pain.
- His love surrounds those who come to Him for healing.
- When have you felt the Savior’s healing in grief, loneliness, or pain?
- How have you experienced peace from Christ even before a problem was fully resolved?
- When have you felt that the Savior understood your pain perfectly?
- What personal experience shows that the Lord works with us one by one?
- How has Jesus Christ helped heal a broken heart in your life or family?
Rely on Christ as your Advocate
Elder Hall teaches that Jesus Christ pleads our cause before the Father. Because of His atoning sacrifice, justice is satisfied and mercy is made available to all who believe on His name.
“I glory in our Advocate.”
“He lovingly pleads our cause before the Father, saying, ‘Father, spare these my brethren that believe on my name, that they may come unto me and have everlasting life.’”
“I rejoice that Jesus Christ’s atoning sacrifice satisfied the demands of justice and that He has claimed the rights of mercy for us all.”Key Points:
- Jesus Christ stands before the Father as our Advocate.
- His pleading is rooted in love and in His atoning sacrifice.
- The Atonement satisfies justice and opens the way for mercy.
- Belief in His name is tied to coming unto Him and receiving everlasting life.
- This doctrine can strengthen faith, gratitude, and humility.
- When have you felt especially grateful that the Savior pleads your cause?
- How has understanding justice and mercy deepened your love for Christ?
- What experience has helped you rely more fully on the Atonement?
- When have you felt hope because of the Savior’s role as Advocate?
- How has faith in Jesus Christ helped you move past guilt or discouragement?
Honor the Savior as Lawgiver
Elder Hall explains that the Savior’s commandments and covenants are loving gifts that guide, protect, transform, save, and exalt. Christ leads His restored Church and helps us experience heaven on earth.
“I glory in our Lawgiver.”
“His commandments guide and protect us.”
“His covenants bind us to Him—so He can ‘transform, save, and exalt’ all who choose Him.”
“I rejoice that He stands at the head of His restored, true, and living Church and that His laws help us experience heaven on earth.”Key Points:
- Jesus Christ gives commandments to guide and protect His people.
- Covenants connect us to Him and His power.
- Through covenant relationship, Christ transforms, saves, and exalts disciples.
- The restored Church is led by Jesus Christ.
- Obedience and covenant faithfulness bring heavenly blessings into mortal life.
- When has a commandment protected or guided you?
- How have covenants helped you feel closer to Jesus Christ?
- What experience has shown you that obedience brings peace rather than restriction?
- When have you felt the blessings of belonging to the Savior’s restored Church?
- How have gospel laws helped you experience “heaven on earth”?
Look to Christ for deliverance
Elder Hall testifies that Jesus Christ has overcome physical and spiritual death and can deliver us from every pain, affliction, and temptation in mortality.
“I glory in our Deliverer.”
“He has overcome the monsters of physical and spiritual death.”
“No challenge in mortality lies beyond His matchless power.”
“I rejoice that He can deliver us from pains, afflictions, and temptations of every kind.”Key Points:
- Jesus Christ has conquered both physical death and spiritual death.
- His power is greater than every mortal challenge.
- Deliverance may include strength, rescue, endurance, or ultimate redemption.
- The Savior’s power applies to temptation as well as suffering.
- This truth gives hope to those facing overwhelming burdens.
- When has the Savior delivered you from temptation, fear, or despair?
- How have you seen Christ’s power in a situation that felt beyond your ability?
- What experience has taught you that no challenge is beyond the Lord’s help?
- When have you received strength to endure rather than immediate removal of a burden?
- How has the Resurrection of Jesus Christ brought hope to you?
Draw near to Jesus Christ through covenant discipleship
Elder Hall invites listeners to reflect on the names of Jesus Christ, especially in unfair or difficult moments, and to draw near to Him by learning of Him, listening to Him, walking with Him, obeying His commandments, honoring covenants, and waiting on the Lord.
“Brothers and sisters, what names of Jesus Christ help you glory in Him? Perhaps Master, Counselor, or Friend?”
“When life feels infuriatingly unfair and finding the strength to glory in the Lord seems difficult, reflect on the meaning of His divine names and let Him restore peace to your soul.”
“Draw near unto me and I will draw near unto you; seek me diligently and ye shall find me.”
“To help us draw near to Him, He invites us to learn of Him, listen to His words, and walk with Him.”
“To help us find Him, He invites us into a covenant relationship where we can receive direct access to His power and ‘an extra measure of [His] love and mercy.’”
“In moments of joy and in our trials, let us be faithful, obey His commandments, honor our covenants, and patiently wait on the Lord.”Key Points:
- Reflecting on the Savior’s names can deepen faith and bring peace.
- Jesus Christ invites us to draw near and promises to draw near to us.
- We draw near by learning of Him, listening to Him, and walking with Him.
- Covenants provide direct access to His power, love, and mercy.
- Faithfulness in both joy and trial includes obedience, covenant keeping, and patience.
- Which name or title of Jesus Christ has become especially meaningful to you, and why?
- When has reflecting on the Savior brought peace during an unfair or painful experience?
- How have you drawn nearer to Christ through scripture study, prayer, or covenant worship?
- What experience has shown you the power that comes through honoring covenants?
- When have you had to patiently wait on the Lord and seen His help come?
Testify that Jesus Christ lives and saves
Elder Hall concludes with prophetic testimony that Jesus Christ is the resurrected and living Christ. Because of His Resurrection, Atonement, and love, all can glory in Him.
“As part of the Father’s plan, the Resurrection of Jesus Christ overcame death to assure each of us immortality.”
“Jesus Christ’s atoning sacrifice gives each of us the opportunity to repent of our sins and return clean to our heavenly home.”
“And our Savior willingly experienced all mortal pains and infirmities that He would know how to strengthen us in our afflictions.”
“Jesus Christ did all of this because He loves all of the children of God.”
“Brothers and sisters, ‘Who can glory too much in the Lord?’!”
“I joyfully testify that God is our loving Heavenly Father and that Jesus is the resurrected and living Christ.”
“On this Easter Sunday and always, I invite us to glory in Jesus Christ. He is my Jesus and yours.”Key Points:
- The Resurrection guarantees immortality for all.
- The Atonement makes repentance and cleansing possible.
- The Savior understands affliction because He experienced mortal pain and infirmity.
- Everything Christ did was motivated by divine love.
- A strong concluding testimony of the living Christ fits naturally with this talk’s message.
- How has your testimony of the living Christ grown over time?
- What Easter or sacrament experience has strengthened your witness of Jesus Christ?
- When have you felt the Savior’s love in a way that confirmed He lives?
- How has the doctrine of the Resurrection brought comfort to you?
- What personal testimony do you feel impressed to share about Jesus Christ?
