If you get nothing out of the rest of this post, remember that.

While a very big part of the Atonement is the fact that Christ died for our sins (and I know that will all my heart), I want to talk about what else He died for.

Christ went forth and suffered “pains and afflictions and temptations of every kind….” and He took upon Him our “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

He didn’t just take upon Him our sins. He took our pains, and our heartaches, and our temptations. He took upon Him our anxiety and our sadness and our loneliness. 

I have had low times, as we all have. And I got through them by praying to my Savior, to literally cast my burden upon Him. He has held me as I’ve cried, and He has strengthened me. 

If you are dealing with something — anything — please, turn to the Lord. He knows your pains. He went through them all, specifically, one by one, in order to empathize with and help you in your time of need. 

He is our Savior, our Older Brother, my Best Friend. 

It is my prayer that we can always remember that. That we can turn to Christ in our hour of need, that we can utilize the greatest gift He has given us. That we can make sure that His suffering was not in vain. If you feel alone, or hopeless, know that you are NOT alone. That there IS hope. He will not leave you comfortless. Rely on the Savior and He will get you through the tough times.

In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.