In a world in which so many view religion as a burden, it can be easy to be consumed by the message that by abandoning religion you can live a better, freer and more “advanced” life, taught Justin Dyer.
In his Tuesday devotional address at BYU, Dyer, professor of Church history and doctrine, taught that while Jesus’ burden is light, clearly, the Savior still experienced many difficulties. Dyer focused his address on answering the question he posed to his audience: “What is it that makes bearing Christ’s burden worth everything?”
Dyer emphasized the universal presence of burdens in our lives, as every choice we make carries its own weight. It is a personal privilege to determine which choices we deem worth shouldering the burden of.
“You have chosen to carry the burden of attending college, but there’s a different burden if you had chosen not to attend. Studying for an exam is a burden, but we all know that binge-watching a show rather than studying brings its own burden. Each choice we make is accompanied by a burden.”
Similarly, choosing Christianity does not ensure the lack of trials, but by yoking with Jesus Christ, the burdens become lighter, Dyer said. Making and keeping covenants with God allows a person increased access to the power of Jesus Christ.
“All choices bring burdens. Aligning our choices with Christ, His church and His apostles, is the light burden,” Dyer said. “Taking on Christ’s burden is worth more than all the riches and kingdoms of the world.”
After spending years conducting research on the correlation between mental health and religious observance, Dyer discovered that those who are members of the Church have better overall mental health.
While many in the church still struggle with mental health, and it can be difficult to reconcile with big-picture findings, Dyer stated three ways religion can bears us up: by providing a community of covenant caring, by offering an eternal perspective and by showing divine patterns of living.
COMMUNITY OF COVENANT CARING
Dyer taught that religion offers a sense of community which provides individuals who are bound through a covenant to help care for each other. He explained that when individuals seek to be part of God's fold, they are asked to empathize with those who mourn, provide comfort to those in need, and share the load of one another's burdens, making them lighter.
Quoting President Russell M. Nelson, he reminded the audience that “everyone has pain somewhere, and our challenge is to find out where the pain is. Usually it’s not physical pain but comes in the stress of living…This is what we try to teach the missionaries. When you meet someone, find out how we can help them. The Church literally has the capacity to help people no matter what their problem is. The gospel exists to help people.”
While Dyer acknowledged that there are Church members who treat others poorly, true religion calls us to lighten others’ burdens.
ETERNAL PERSPECTIVE
Religion offers an eternal perspective that can alleviate burdens, Dyer testified.
Sharing the account of Joseph Smith, Dyer said that in moments of suffering, Smith sought solace from God, who reminded him that those trials would provide valuable experiences and ultimately lead to his exaltation. The same peace can come to us as we seek for a better perspective.
“We may feel claustrophobic relying on our own limited light — seeing only the heavy burden right in front of us. Choosing an eternal perspective helps lift our burdens.”
DIVINE PATTERNS
Religion also provides a divine pattern of living through commandments and covenants. Dyer explained that these patterns serve as guides to help navigate life and prevent us from carrying the heavy burdens that giving into the "natural man" does.
Dyer said that the avoidance of certain behaviors that are contrary to the commandments may occasionally feel like a burden, but will help prevent more serious consequences. The Honor Code is a wonderful example of this principle.
“Choosing the light burden of the Honor Code puts you in one of the safest places physically, emotionally, mentally, and spiritually. Of course, BYU students who follow the Honor Code still struggle with their own trials. But there is a profound blessing in attending a university that unabashedly chooses the light burden of religion.”
While it is important to avoid placing excessive perfectionist demands on ourselves, we should acknowledge that religion's light burden can help us grow in healthy ways. Dyer emphasized the importance of not running from the Church when things seem difficult. Occasionally, one may feel the strain of this burden, but it is a positive sign of personal growth.
