Easter talk on Christ's Atonement 2015

And we talk of Christ, we rejoice in Christ, we preach of Christ, we prophesy of Christ, and we write according to our prophecies, that our children may know to what source they may look for a remission of their sins.

2 Nephi 25:26

I love this time of year -  a time when our thoughts are hopefully more attuned to the Savior and his life, his  example, his death, and his resurrection.  It is a time of renewal and hope. A time to reflect on what the atonement means in our life and to recommit ourselves to making it effective in our life.

2 weeks ago we had some colleagues from China come into town and they wanted to go to a national park in utah, so we thought we are just going to blow their minds.  We are going to take them to Bryce Canyon! So we picked them up early in the morning, it was still dark when we left and as the sun came up over the mountains as we drove down I-15, I could hear their cameras starting to click and I thought, " what are they taking pictures of?" and I looked out and I saw all of these new mountain rnages that I never see  in all my drives down to St. George.  Hundreds of new mountain ranges that are so beautifull, I mean I knew they were there but I had just stopped seeing them.  We were excited to take them up to the rim and we got out and there was a foot and a half of snow in Bryce Canyon and they had never seen snow before and it was a whole new vision for me as well to see snow for the first time through their eyes.  And then they went up and saw the rim of the canyon and the next thing I know I said to Bob, "are they taking pictures of the sky?"  He said , "I think they are."  The sky was perfectly blue, not a cloud in the sky and they had never seen that.  It was a great lesson to me that some times we don't see things that are right there in front of our face.  We come to church every week and we hear talks about a lot of the same things.  I hope it doesn't surprise you today that we are going to talk about Christ. We have heard a lot of talks about him.  But my hope today is that we can see through new eyes and hear through new ears as we talk about the life of Christ.   

I think there is no greater synopsis of Christ's example and life than the testimony of the Apostles of The Living Christ - as I share that with you I would hope that you would Listen carefully to the words. Picture in your mind his works and his face, and listen for the still small voice confirming that Jesus is the Christ and that he indeed lives!

As we commemorate the life of Jesus Christ two millennia ago, we offer our testimony of the reality of His matchless life and the infinite virtue of His great atoning sacrifice. None other has had so profound an influence upon all who have lived and will yet live upon the earth.

He was the Great Jehovah of the Old Testament, the Messiah of the New. Under the direction of His Father, He was the creator of the earth. “All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made” (John 1:3). Though sinless, He was baptized to fulfill all righteousness. He “went about doing good” (Acts 10:38), yet was despised for it. His gospel was a message of peace and goodwill. He entreated all to follow His example. He walked the roads of Palestine, healing the sick, causing the blind to see, and raising the dead. He taught the truths of eternity, the reality of our premortal existence, the purpose of our life on earth, and the potential for the sons and daughters of God in the life to come.

He instituted the sacrament as a reminder of His great atoning sacrifice. He was arrested and condemned on spurious charges, convicted to satisfy a mob, and sentenced to die on Calvary’s cross. He gave His life to atone for the sins of all mankind. His was a great vicarious gift in behalf of all who would ever live upon the earth.

We solemnly testify that His life, which is central to all human history, neither began in Bethlehem nor concluded on Calvary. He was the Firstborn of the Father, the Only Begotten Son in the flesh, the Redeemer of the world.

He rose from the grave to “become the firstfruits of them that slept” (1 Corinthians 15:20). As Risen Lord, He visited among those He had loved in life. He also ministered among His “other sheep” (John 10:16) in ancient America. In the modern world, He and His Father appeared to the boy Joseph Smith, ushering in the long-promised “dispensation of the fulness of times” (Ephesians 1:10).

Of the Living Christ, the Prophet Joseph wrote: “His eyes were as a flame of fire; the hair of his head was white like the pure snow; his countenance shone above the brightness of the sun; and his voice was as the sound of the rushing of great waters, even the voice of Jehovah, saying:

“I am the first and the last; I am he who liveth, I am he who was slain; I am your advocate with the Father” (D&C 110:3–4).

Of Him the Prophet also declared: “And now, after the many testimonies which have been given of him, this is the testimony, last of all, which we give of him: That he lives!

“For we saw him, even on the right hand of God; and we heard the voice bearing record that he is the Only Begotten of the Father--

“That by him, and through him, and of him, the worlds are and were created, and the inhabitants thereof are begotten sons and daughters unto God” (D&C 76:22–24).

We declare in words of solemnity that His priesthood and His Church have been restored upon the earth--“built upon the foundation of … apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone” (Ephesians 2:20).

We testify that He will someday return to earth. “And the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together” (Isaiah 40:5). He will rule as King of Kings and reign as Lord of Lords, and every knee shall bend and every tongue shall speak in worship before Him. Each of us will stand to be judged of Him according to our works and the desires of our hearts.

We bear testimony, as His duly ordained Apostles--that Jesus is the Living Christ, the immortal Son of God. He is the great King Immanuel, who stands today on the right hand of His Father. He is the light, the life, and the hope of the world. His way is the path that leads to happiness in this life and eternal life in the world to come. God be thanked for the matchless gift of His divine Son.

Nephi taught us -  Behold, my soul delighteth in proving unto my people the truth of the coming of Christ; and all things which have been given of God from the beginning of the world, unto man, are the typifying of him.

2 Nephi 11:4

Think about what that means - that all things are the typifying of him.

Three years ago, Melinda decided it would be a good idea for us to get bicycles for her birthday.  It would be an activity that we could do together and would be good exercise.  I have learned a lot of lessons on my bicycle, and will share a couple of those experiences and how I think they are typifying of Christ with you in a moment. 

Before that, I would like us to ponder about how many of the accounts in the scriptures are a type of Christ -

Some of the more obvious types of Christ in the scriptures are the sacrificial lamb without blemish - the ram in the thicket as Abraham was about to sacrifice Isaac. The parable of the 10 virgins and the wedding feast.

We of course always think about the parable of the good samaritan as a type of Christ.  We might be the wounded traveler,  and the Samaritan - Christ binds up our wounds, carries us to a safe place, pays the price for us to be healed.  Somedays we may feel like the Priest or the Levite,  Or we may see ourselves as innkeepers tasked with helping the fallen travelers - so many  different layers and ways to interpret and understand parables as we ponder and pray and study the scriptures 

There are many many others.  For example, Some years after the Exodus from Egypt, the children of Israel found themselves in Kadesh, in the desert of Zin. During their time there, the people began to complain against Moses and Aaron because “there was no water for the people to drink” (Exodus 17:1; see also Numbers 20:2). In response to the developing rebellion, Moses and Aaron entered the Tabernacle to pray for guidance. In answer to their pleadings the Lord appeared to them (see Numbers 20:6). He commanded Moses to perform a miracle on behalf of the people by causing water to flow from a rock, thereby quenching Israel’s thirst and increasing their faith in him. Thus, in Numbers 20:11 we read: “And Moses lifted up his hand, and with his rod he smote the rock twice: and the water came out abundantly, and the congregation drank, and their beasts also.”

Millennia later the Apostle Paul referred to this event with type of Christ application. He wrote, “Moreover, brethren, I would not that ye should be ignorant, how that all our fathers . . . did . . . drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ” (1 Corinthians 10:1, 4).

So Nephi tells us that all things can be typifying of him. The word typify means to represent by an image, form, model or resemblance.  They are things that remind us of Christ and help us remember Him.

Now, back to the bicycles, and some of the lessons I have learned. We bought his and hers bikes - and the clipless pedals and cleats that go with them.  Don't let the term clipless confuse you - You clip your shoes into the pedals so you have power on both the downstroke and the upstroke.  You are attached to the bicycle. Not knowing any better, I bought for Melinda and me, the pedals that are the most difficult to clip out of.  This resulted in many falls for me and a few for my dear wife - I learned quickly that life is like riding a bike, there is no question that I will fall - and not just once.  I also learned that in most cases, good samaritans would stop to see if we were ok.

I learned that if I follow those who have more experience and strength than I do, I can reduce my wind resistance by up to 50% if I am following very closely.  This life is much easier if we are closely following the Savior and his example and promptings.  I also learned that there is a 4% reduction in my drag if I am in front of someone else and helping him by making his ride easier. As we give selflessly to those around us, the Lord blesses us also.

One of the most powerful lessons I learned on my bike was last August while riding in the Bear Pa challenge - a 2 day 200 mile ride from Bear Lake to Park City.  I rode with several members of our stake including Bob and Diane Lake and Bishop Belnap and President Martin.

It's a beautiful ride.  We startwest of the lake up on the mountains and come down into Garden City and turn towards Idaho  and go clockwise around the  lake and there are pleasant rollers on the East side that kind of warm your legs up then you get to Lake town you have to climb up and out towards Randolph.  For some in the group that's not a difficult climb, but that was a difficult climb for me and it was for the bishop.  It was starting to get hot and we were losing a lot of fluids and trying to replenish  those as we went along our journey.  About 80 miles into the ride the bishop started to cramp up.  He would get a cramp in his calf so he would change his pedal stroke and then he would get a cramp in his quad and he would say, "hey can we slow down just a little bit cuz I'm starting to cramp up. "  We decided as a group that we were going to ride together so we slowed down.  We went about another 10 miles and at the 90 mile point the bishop was done.  He was cramping severely and he started to have a lot of doubts about whether he would finish the ride.  He wanted us to go on.  We wouldn't leave him.  He rested and drank water and electrolytes.  And pretty soon Kevin Martin said, "Eric get on your bike and I will push you into Evanston."  So the bishop got on his bike and Kevin Martin would ride beside him and put his hand behind his back and he would push him and then pedal and catch up and put his hand behind his back and push him again for 10 miles.  It was a gradual slope into town and we all eventually made it, and I thought this is a great representation of the grace of Christ and his atonement.  
Nephi teaches us

For we labor diligently to write, to persuade our children, and also our brethren, to believe in Christ, and to be reconciled to God; for we know that it is by grace that we are saved, after all we can do.

2 Nephi 25:23

We are saved by grace after all we can do.  The bishop had done all he could - and even then he wasn't picked up and carried to his destination.  He still did more.  But He was given the additional help he needed to make it into town.  How do you think Bishop Belnap feels about Kevin Martin after what he did for him?  How do we feel about the Savior after what he has done for us?  How do we thank a person for doing something like that?

Gerry Lund shared the following story several years ago:

Some time ago there was an interesting article about mountain climbing in a medical magazine. …

“The article was about a man named Czenkusch who runs a climbing school. … Czenkusch was describing to the interviewer the belay system in mountain climbing. This is the system by which climbers protect themselves from falls. One climber gets in a safe position and secures the rope for the other climber, usually around his or her own body. ‘You’re on belay,’ means, ‘I’ve got you. If something happens, I will stop you from falling.’ It is an important part of mountain climbing. Now note what followed next in the article: ‘Belaying has brought Czenkusch his best and worst moments in climbing. Czenkusch once fell from a 100 foot precipice, yanking out three mechanical supports and pulling his belayer off a ledge. He was stopped, upside down, 10 feet from the ground when his spread-eagled belayer [Don] arrested the fall with the strength of his outstretched arms. “Don saved my life,” says Czenkusch. “How do you respond to a guy like that? Give him a used climbing rope for a Christmas present? No, you remember him. You always remember him”’

Do you think Bishop Belnap remembers Kevin Martin?  Do we as we covenant to do when we partake of the sacrament "always remember the Savior?"  In the Book of Mormon there are over 240 instances of the word remember.  President Spencer W. Kimball said:

“When you look in the dictionary for the most important word, do you know what it is? It could be ‘remember.’ Because all of [us] have made covenants … our greatest need is to remember. That is why everyone goes to sacrament meeting every Sabbath day—to take the sacrament and listen to the priests pray that [we] ‘… may always remember him and keep his commandments which he has given [us].’… ‘Remember’ is the word”

At Easter time we remember the atonement and  the resurrection.  the overcoming of both physical death and spiritual death.  When I remember Christ, I think about the fact that because He overcame death, I will again be able to give my father a hug.  Someday we will all be raised to immortality and have perfected bodies. When I think about the atonement I think about Christ rescuing me by paying for my sins and transgressions, and about the enabling power, comfort, strength and succor he offers as a result of experiencing what he did.

Nephi teaches us:

11 And he shall go forth, suffering pains and afflictions and temptations of every kind; and this that the word might be fulfilled which saith he will take upon him the pains and the sicknesses of his people.

12 And he will take upon him death, that he may loose the bands of death which bind his people; and he will take upon him their infirmities, that his bowels may be filled with mercy, according to the flesh, that he may know according to the flesh how to succor his people according to their infirmities.

Alma 7:11-12

Sister Chieko Okazaki shared the following:

We know that Jesus experienced the totality of mortal existence in Gethsemane. It’s our faith that he experienced everything- absolutely everything. Sometimes we don’t think through the implications of that belief. We talk in great generalities about the sins of all humankind, about the suffering of the entire human family. But we don’t experience pain in generalities. We experience it individually. That means he knows what it felt like when your mother died of cancer- how it was for your mother, how it still is for you. He knows what it felt like to lose the student body election. He knows that moment when the brakes locked and the car started to skid. He experienced the slave ship sailing from Ghana toward Virginia. He experienced the gas chambers at Dachau. He experienced Napalm in Vietnam. He knows about drug addiction and alcoholism.

How would I would personalize this aspect of the atonement  - He knows the pain I felt when as an 8 year old I broke my  arm.   He knows the fear and sorrow when at that same age I left our family farm in North Logan and moved to the big city of Bountiful where I didn't know anyone. He cried as I did every recess as I looked across the fence to our backyard and told mom that I wanted to go backto the farm. He knows what it felt like to be scared to go on my first scout campout. 

He knows what my parents felt when they first were told their beautiful baby daughter had Down Syndrome.  He knows what my brother goes through as he deals with schizophrenia and hears voices all day long.  He knows the complete despair and loneliness I experienced when less than a week into my mission in Argentina, the military police broke into our apartment, arrested my companion and left me alone with no idea how to contact anyone.  He experienced the utter helplessness when I was in China and received the phone call that Laila had been taken by Lifeflight to Primary Children's hospital and might not make it long enough for me to return home.

You might personalize it with He knows the stress and worry of losing your job.  He understands the trauma of losing a child.  He has felt the aches and pains of growing old, of having difficulty walking, of watching a loved one succumb to Alzheimers.  He knows the anguish you felt when you lost a beloved nephew.

He experienced perfectly the fear you felt when your loved one was diagnosed with a terminal illness.  He totally gets your frustration of being confined to a wheelchair.   He knows what it's like to strike out for the 3rd out in a championship baseball game.  He has felt the pain of sitting alone at lunch or having others make fun of you. He knows how you worry for a child or a grandchild. He knows exactly the resentment and hurt you feel when you have been offended.  He understands perfectly the doubts you have when you don't understand a particular doctrine, and you begin to question your testimony. 

There is not one feeling or emotion that he does not fully and completely understand.

He perfectly understands these things and whatever else causes us to mourn and shed tears on  our pillows at night, because he experienced ALL of it.

President Eyring put it this way :

“It will comfort us when we must wait in distress for the Savior’s promised relief that He knows, from experience, how to heal and help us. … And faith in that power will give us patience as we pray and work and wait for help. He could have known how to succor us simply by revelation, but He chose to learn by His own personal experience.”

So what does he ask of us?  The choir sang the primary song "He sent His son" which says - what does the Father ask of us?  Have faith, have hope ,Live like HIs Son.

In John 14:12 we read - Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do;

3 Nephi 27:27  - Therefore, what manner of men ought ye to be? Verily I say unto you, even as I am.

So if we are supposed to do the things the savior did and be even as he is, how do we do that?  How do we do the things he did? We cannot literally do everything the Savior did, but we can use his life as a type.We can't suffer for the sins of the world, but we can not judge someone just because their sins may be different than ours.  We can't affect an infinite atonement, but we can forgive those who have wronged us or offended us, and we can forgive infinitely.  We can't universally overcome death, but we can make our marriages and families live. We can give life to our church calling, to our ward and neighborhood.  We may not have the opportunity to give sight to the blind, but we can help others see Christ through our example and service.

 I thought about  Christ's life as a type in 1982 on my mission.  In that year, the Argentines attacked the Falkland islands which are part of the British empire.  For a few months, Argentina and England were at war.  This presented difficulties for the missionaries and members alike. Many people in the country felt that the US was supporting England, and they associated the church with the US - as a result they made life difficult for us.  They threw rocks and bottles and threatened death.  We had to stay inside our homes.  The natural man wanted to lash out in kind - Pelado story.

We prayed to know what we could do to help ease tensions.  We decided we would take our zone to the local Red Cross building and offer to donate blood for the soldiers.  When we arrived, we were met by the local newspaper, and radio and tv stations.  They asked why we would give our blood for people we had never met.  We responded that we were sharing a message of love and that we followed the example of one who had bled from every pore so that we might all live again.

Spencer W Kimball quote - God does notice us, and he watches over us. But it is usually through another person that he meets our needs.

Mourn with those that mourn -  Comfort those that stand in need of comfort.

“He suffereth the pains of all men, yea, the pains of every living creature, both men, women, and children.” 2 Nephi 9:21

“Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.” Hebrews 4:16

We know we will suffer pain and affliction in this life.  The Savior said  "In me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world."

John 16:33

Elder Joseph Wirthlin gave a great synopsis of the crucifixion and resurrection of Christ and how it is a type for what we experience in our life.

I think of how dark that Friday was when Christ was lifted up on the cross.

On that terrible Friday the earth shook and grew dark. Frightful storms thundered and lashed at the earth.

Those evil men who sought Christ's life rejoiced. Now that Jesus was no more, surely those who followed Him would disperse. On that day they stood triumphant.

On that day the veil of the temple was rent in twain.

Mary Magdalene and Mary, the mother of Jesus, were both overcome with grief and despair. The superb man they had loved and honored hung lifeless upon the cross.

On that Friday the Apostles were devastated. Jesus, their Savior--the man who had walked on water and raised the dead--was Himself at the mercy of wicked men. They watched helplessly as He was overcome by His enemies.

On that Friday the Savior of mankind was humiliated and bruised, abused and reviled.

It was a Friday filled with devastating, consuming sorrow that gnawed at the souls of those who loved and honored the Son of God.

I think that of all the days since the beginning of this world’s history, that Friday was the darkest.

But the doom of that day did not endure.

The despair did not linger because on Sunday, the resurrected Lord burst the bonds of death. He ascended from the grave and appeared gloriously triumphant as the Savior of all mankind.

And in an instant the eyes that had been filled with ever-flowing tears dried. The lips that had whispered prayers of distress and grief now filled the air with wondrous praise, for Jesus the Christ, the Son of the living God, stood before them as the firstfruits of the Resurrection, the proof that death is merely the beginning of a new and wondrous existence.

Each of us will have our own Fridays--those days when the universe itself seems shattered and the shards of our world lie littered about us in pieces. We all will experience those broken times when it seems we can never be put together again. We will all have our Fridays.

But I testify to you in the name of the One who conquered death--Sunday will come. In the darkness of our sorrow, Sunday will come.

No matter our desperation, no matter our grief, Sunday will come. In this life or the next, Sunday will come.

What hope  this time of year gives us of the life and sacrifice and resurrection of the Savior.   I love the words of Nephi

 Wherefore, ye must press forward with a steadfastness in Christ, having a perfect brightness of hope, and a love of God and of all men. Wherefore, if ye shall press forward, feasting upon the word of Christ, and endure to the end, behold, thus saith the Father: Ye shall have eternal life.

2 Nephi 31:20

I know that Jesus Christ lives.  I know that he is my Savior and your Savior and that he has paid the price so that we may live with him.  In the name of Jesus Christ amen.