Prior to delivering Tuesday’s devotional address, Steve Hafen, BYU’s administration vice president and CFO, found himself reflecting on two interrelated questions: 1) how can individuals increase the frequency and depth of peace in their lives?, and 2) what is the role of the Savior's Atonement in this process?
While no one will experience a life absent of tribulation, Christ has made it possible to "be of good cheer." Hafen shared the struggle that he and his family went through during the adoption process of his daughter and how he found personal peace during that time.
“Even in the midst of poignant personal challenges, difficult decisions and tribulation caused by living in a most complicated time in the history of the world, we can experience peace through the greatest manifestations of the Savior's power that the world has ever seen,” he said.
Hafen focused his address on five transformative principles that come from the Savior’s Atonement and will lead individuals down a path to lasting personal peace.
Our Savior's Atonement purifies.
In discussing the purifying power of the Savior's Atonement, Hafen emphasized the transformative nature of repentance, urging individuals to recognize its efficacy in cleansing impurities and restoring purity.
"As we repent, the Savior's Atonement purifies us so that we can better align with the will of the Lord. It is the key that unlocks the revelatory gate," Hafen said.
Our Savior's Atonement enables.
In discussing the enabling power of the Savior's Atonement, Hafen emphasized its role in helping individuals overcome challenges and make progress in mortality.
“Enabling power is divine assistance. When life goes differently than we want — and it often does — this divine assistance helps us make the right pivots and keep moving forward in faith on the path to lasting personal peace.”
While many Church members are much more familiar with the nature of the redeeming and cleansing power of the Atonement, Hafen taught that it’s impossible to stay on the path without the strengthening and enabling power of the Atonement.
Our Savior's Atonement assures.
“Most of us experience some uncertainty every day," Hafen remarked. "Thankfully, our loving Father in Heaven provided us with a process to consistently overcome times of uncertainty.”
Hafen referenced President Russell M. Nelson and reinforced this great blessing: “Each time we partake of the sacrament, we promise again to take the name of the Savior upon us, to remember Him and to keep His commandments. In return, God assures us that we may always have the Spirit of the Lord to be with us.”
Our Savior's Atonement comforts.
Drawing from Elder Ricardo P. Giménez's teachings, Hafen highlighted the comforting nature of the Savior's Atonement, particularly during times of discomfort.
"As we face the storms of life, I know that if we make our best effort and rely upon Jesus Christ and His Atonement as our refuge, we will be blessed with the relief, comfort, strength, temperance and peace that we are seeking."
Hafen stressed the importance of keeping the commandments to receive the promised comfort and strength from the Spirit during times of uncertainty and despair.
"Through our Savior's Atonement, we can experience the promise that He will never leave us comfortless! What an amazing blessing this is!"
Our Savior's Atonement exalts.
The exalting power of the Atonement fulfills the preeminent purpose for our mortal journey, Hafen said. Exaltation is "the reason" for Christ's Atonement, and it is the ultimate desire that Heavenly Father has for each of us.
“As the crowning blessing of the greatest event in the history of the human condition, the exalting power of the Atonement provides the bridge from mortality to the highest state of eternal glory.”
Hafen said that Heavenly Father can't completely bless individuals with peace unless they use Christ's Atonement to keep all their covenants.
“As we follow the counsel of our prophet and completely commit to keeping all our covenants, we will unleash the transformative power of our Savior's Atonement — which purifies, enables, assures, comforts and exalts,” Hafen testified.
