Relief Society · Elders Quorum · 25 minutes
Elder Dale G. Renlund · Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles · Sunday Morning Session
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This class in one line
Because Jesus Christ completed the Atonement, we can cut through the overwhelm of life by keeping our focus on Him, the one thing that actually changes everything else.
Skip the secondary principle entirely if discussion runs long; one rich conversation about forgiveness or the Atonement's reach is worth more than covering both principles quickly.
Before Sunday
A quick read before Sunday's lesson
This week we're discussing Elder Dale G. Renlund's April 2025 general conference talk, 'Because of Jesus Christ.' It's a short, warm talk worth reading in full at churchofjesuschrist.org. Elder Renlund walks through three specific reasons the Atonement of Jesus Christ blesses us not just eternally, but in daily life. Ponder this before Sunday: When life feels overwhelming, what does it actually look like for you to 'keep your eye on the ball' and focus on the Savior?
Pick one opening
Think of a season in your life, maybe right now, when you felt genuinely overwhelmed by everything competing for your attention. Without sharing anything too personal, what does that feeling actually do to you? Does it make you shut down, rush around, or something else? Hold that feeling in mind as we start today.
Think of a season in your life, maybe right now, when you felt genuinely overwhelmed by everything competing for your attention. Without sharing anything too personal, what does that feeling actually do to you? Does it make you shut down, rush around, or something else? Hold that feeling in mind as we start today.
Elder Renlund opens with a story about his family's toy poodle, Lady, a champion ball-fetcher. One day he threw two balls at once. Lady chased the blue one, spotted the yellow one, dropped the blue, grabbed the yellow, spotted the blue again, back and forth, until she finally just gave up, walked to her basket, and lay down. Two balls were too many. She was done.
Teach this first
Elder Renlund teaches that because Jesus Christ paid the full debt of our sins, sincere repentance leaves no spiritual scar, track, or trace, not now, and not in the eternities. The entirety of our sin is figuratively nailed to the cross. The Lord pardons us from deserved punishment and remembers our sin no more. This is not partial relief; it is full release.
Elder Renlund taught that 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.'
Ask the class
If time remains
Elder Renlund teaches that Christ took on not just our sins but our griefs, sicknesses, and frailties. Because of that, He alone can consider every factor that shapes who we are, our circumstances, our mental and emotional conditions, our experiences, and He alone will judge us according to our works and the desires of our hearts.
Ask the class
Counsel together
Last 3–5 minutes
This week, once each day, pause and name one specific blessing you have received because of Jesus Christ, not gospel blessings in general, but something concrete from your life. Elder Renlund calls this 'celebrating the joyous message of Easter every day.'
Elder Renlund promises that focusing on the Savior and His Atonement 'will bring joy and clarity into our lives, no matter how many other concerns we have.'
Your witness: Share, in your own words, what it means to you personally that Jesus Christ has already paid, that the debt is settled, that the scar is gone. What do you know about Him that you want this class to carry home?