In the Strength of the Lord | David A. Bednar

Christ's Atonement does more than cleanse us from sin. His grace is also an enabling power to become better and serve more faithfully.
Sections:
Introduction - 0:17
The Journey of Life - 3:06
Grace and the Enabling Power of the Atonement - 9:50
Illustrations and Implications - 12:32
This speech was given on October 23, 2001.
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"The framework for my message today is a statement by President David O. McKay. He summarized the overarching purpose of the gospel of the Savior in these terms: 'The purpose of the gospel is . . . to make bad men good and good men better, and to change human nature.'
Thus the journey of a lifetime is to progress from bad to good to better and to experience the mighty change of heart-and to have our fallen natures changed.
If I were to emphasize one overarching point this morning, it would be this: I suspect that you and I are much more familiar with the nature of the redeeming power of the Atonement than we are with the enabling power of the Atonement. It is one thing to know that Jesus Christ came to earth to die for us. That is fundamental and foundational to the doctrine of Christ. But we also need to appreciate that the Lord desires, through His Atonement and by the power of the Holy Ghost, to live in us-not only to direct us but also to empower us. I think most of us know that when we do things wrong, when we need help to overcome the effects of sin in our lives, the Savior has paid the price and made it possible for us to be made clean through His redeeming power. Most of us clearly understand that the Atonement is for sinners. I am not so sure, however, that we know and understand that the Atonement is also for saints-for good men and women who are obedient and worthy and conscientious and who are striving to become better and serve more faithfully. I frankly do not think many of us “get it” concerning this enabling and strengthening aspect of the Atonement, and I wonder if we mistakenly believe we must make the journey from good to better and become a saint all by ourselves through sheer grit, willpower, and discipline, and with our obviously limited capacities.
Brothers and sisters, the gospel of the Savior is not simply about avoiding bad in our lives; it also is essentially about doing and becoming good. And the Atonement provides help for us to overcome and avoid bad and to do and become good. There is help from the Savior for the entire journey of life-from bad to good to better and to change our very nature.
These two dimensions of the Atonement are connected and complementary; they both need to be operational during all phases of the journey of life. And it is eternally important for all of us to recognize that both of these essential elements of the journey of life-both putting off the natural man and becoming a saint, both overcoming bad and becoming good-are accomplished through the power of the Atonement. Truly we must come to rely upon 'the merits, and mercy, and grace of the Holy Messiah' (2 Nephi 2:8)." - President Bednar
David A. Bednar was the president of BYU-Idaho when this devotional address was given at Brigham Young University on 23 October 2001.
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[@pamelafitzpatrick2717]

So glad I came upon this 2001 talk by Elder Bednar! What a wonderful message so plainly taught! Thank you Elder Bednar. 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿

[@shannonrees634]

"He did not pray that his circumstances would be changed, he prayed that he would be able to adapt to his circumstances."

[@byuspeeches]

A powerful quote!

[@dreadofmidnight]

for me this is a monumental talk, i always go back to this

[@benblad]

One of the best talks I have heard on the atonement of Jesus Christ

[@boncarlocenteno]

very well said thank u pres.Bednar

[@nujac321]

Good message. It think too often we worry too much about what we can get away with instead of becoming "better."

[@TBIhope]

I love Elder Bednar’s talks on the enabling power of the Atonement and related topics. I received frustrating news via email and even though I was very upset, I was able to call upon the strengthening power of grace and calm down because I was listening to this talk! Thank you Elder Bednar! ♥️

[@themusingox1635]

We need to hear more about this talk in general conference. Seriously what a hidden gem.

[@chrisdavies9143]

Elder Bendar gave an abridged version of this talk in his first general conference talk as an apostle. It would have been in 2004 I think.

[@AlejandroMadrid-tn1gp]

I am gping to listen to this talk many times to get everything that the lord wants me to get from this talk.

[@craigolsen8057]

He always has good insight and doctrine! Love this man. :)

[@sandraclark7058]

Priceless remarks!!! Thanks.

[@RyanFrandsen]

Love it! Similar to the general conference talk on the same subject but less abridged :-) Awesome!

[@sandraclark7058]

Precious and priceless video!! Thanks !

[@ironeagle9850]

Thank you Elder Bednar. This talk has strengthened me to deal with some challenges I’m facing today. I’m amazed at the richness of the Book of Mormon’s message of Christ and the atonement. These are plain and precious truths.

[@kahealani8502]

The gospel is not just about avoiding bad but more about doing and living Good

[@aliciaorse7314]

Discurso directo, claro, y muy inspirador. Seguiré analizando cada palabra puesto que precisamente di con este mensaje en un momento crucial en mi vida. Gracias élder Bednar por su amor y dedicación.

[@matildewosnjuk7508]

Thank you, Elder Bednar! My missionary son send me this link. He was reassigned from Brazil to Atlanta USA during the pandemic. This talk has been a blessing to our missionaries at these trying time.

[@novawarren5089]

14:52 June 20,2023 Fantastic Talk, could be sharing this More ❤❤❤

[@StrongAndRaw]

Just beautiful...

[@asmith7094]

Great talk

[@jamesfox406]

Amazing!

[@tamrabradley9019]

Thank you all so much

[@kahealani8502]

Grace: enabling power

[@jzwillows]

Praying and seeking for strength to change our circumstances rather than praying the circumstances change should be seen as a valuable general rule rather than "the right way," thus, to state, "As you and I come to understand and employ the enabling power of the Atonement in our personal lives, we will pray and seek for strength to change our circumstances rather than praying for our circumstances to be changed," is taking this idea too far because 1) some situations should be dealt with by praying that the circumstances be changed, and such a prayer does not somehow prevent the enabling power of the atonement from being employed in one's life as it is not without that power that we rightfully pray for circumstances to change. There are many examples of this in the scriptures and church history.

[@michaelpayne8770]

Elder Bednar's talk is perfect, but I think we benefit from seeing an issue from a different perspective. Thank you for your perspective.

[@Adventures-With-Skyler]

Amen

[@Giftig--Daniel-P]

"Might never be invited to speak at this pulpit again." HAHAHAHAHAHAHA

[@ZachJ367]

2:20 "I will likely never be asked to speak again"... Gets called as an apostle 3 years later and speaks regularly. Haha xD

[@Alexandriafrancescakiel]

That’s the type of humility and meekness that led him to be called as an apostle 😊

[@mariocadayong9307]

Oo

[@veronicalozano513]

15:47 Minute