Book of Mormon: Day 167: He Will Take Upon Him

Today’s Reading: Alma 7:11-20

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.

These scriptures have brought me more comfort during trials than any other scriptures in the entire gospel library. They are full of hope and comfort, and they are by far my favorite ones to read in times of hardship.

We all know that Jesus Christ suffered and died for our sins, but do we realize that the Atonement was for more than just sin? When Christ was in the Garden of Gethsemane, he felt every bad feeling each of us would ever feel. Every pain, every affliction, every sickness. He knows how we are feeling in any moment because of what he did for us.

Jesus suffered to save us from sin and death, but also to help us through the challenges of mortality. And I don’t know if you’ve noticed, but mortality is hard. There are times in life where you might want to give up, leave, break down, and just crawl in bed for days. But no matter how alone we feel, there is always someone who knows exactly what we are feeling.

Jesus Christ is our brother, our friend, our deliverer, our Messiah. He knows how to succor us according to our infirmities. He always knows exactly what we need in order to be lifted up and find the joy in our lives again.

Elder David A. Bednar described it perfectly when he said,

There is no physical pain, no spiritual wound, no anguish of soul or heartache, no infirmity or weakness you or I ever confront in mortality that the Savior did not experience first. In a moment of weakness we may cry out, “No one knows what it is like. No one understands.” But the Son of God perfectly knows and understands, for He has felt and borne our individual burdens. And because of His infinite and eternal sacrifice. He has perfect empathy and can extend to us His arm of mercy. He can reach out, touch, succor, heal, and strengthen us to be more than we could ever be and help us to do that which we could never do relying only upon our own power. Indeed, His yoke is easy and His burden is light.

I know without a doubt in my mind that Jesus Christ knows me personally, he loves me, and he is always there for me, even when I am scared and feel alone. And he is there for you, too. Always.

Chelsea Johnson

I’m a wife to a doctor and mama to two toddlers. I love talking about pregnancy and the ups and downs of motherhood. I have a weakness for delicious food, and love anything pumpkin. I have no doubt that our Savior loves us and knows exactly how we’re feeling at all times, good and bad.