The Savior Who Walks with Me

By Anne Maxson

I passed a milestone this past October. I have now spent more of my life as a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints than not as a member. Reflecting on how the decision to join the church has changed my life, I think that one of the most important is my understanding of all that the Savior does for us. 

I was raised in a Christian home with a Protestant background. I had a basic understanding of the need for a Savior “to help me be worthy of heaven.” Growing up, there were many Sunday School lessons focused on the cross and Christ’s crucifixion. I only remember one lesson at a regional youth conference that talked about Jesus in Gethsemane. Even in the lesson, I remember the physical takeaway was a nail representing the pain Christ endured, and we were taught that it was more tangibly manifest on the cross. The discussion focused on the suffering of Christ in the garden was due to of the sins of others. These lessons were important and transformative in my life but as I learned more, I came to understand that while sincere, they were somewhat limited.

It wasn’t until I was taught about the Atonement of Jesus Christ through the lens of the doctrine of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints that I gained a perspective of Christ not only suffering for the sins of others but also experiencing the pains, difficulties, and trials of life. 

President Oaks expands on this idea in his talk, “Strengthened by the Atonement of Jesus Christ.” He states, “Apart from death and sin, we have many other challenges as we struggle through mortality. Because of that same Atonement, our Savior can provide us the strength we need to overcome these mortal challenges…[He] knows our struggles, our heartaches, our temptations, and our suffering, for He willingly experienced them all as an essential part of His Atonement. And because of this, His Atonement empowers Him to succor us—to give us the strength to bear it all.”

I still remember reading chapter 7 of the Book of Alma for the first time. “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. 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.” I felt such a connection to the Savior, knowing that He wasn’t just there to “fix me” by atoning for my sins but that He was also there to invite me to walk with Him as He helped me to manage the difficult things I would face in life.

President Oaks goes on to say, “Our Savior’s Atonement does more than assure us of immortality by a universal resurrection and give us the opportunity to be cleansed from sin by repentance and baptism. His Atonement also provides the opportunity to call upon Him who has experienced all of our mortal infirmities to give us the strength to bear the burdens of mortality. He knows of our anguish, and He is there for us. Like the good Samaritan, when He finds us wounded at the wayside, He will bind up our wounds and care for us.”

Through my expanded understanding of the Atonement of Christ, I came to see Christ beyond His supreme role as my Savior and Redeemer. I came to understand His role as an advocate, a healer, and a guide who is very aware of much more of my life than I had imagined. I am so grateful for this understanding and the closeness it has brought to my personal relationship with the Savior.

This Christmas Season, I invite you to consider the roles that the Messiah plays in your life. One exercise that I have found to help me connect with these different roles of the Savior is to consider the lyrics to the hymn “I Know that My Redeemer Lives” and to consider which line I feel most connected with or find the most comfort from for my current circumstance. Examples include, “He lives to guide me with his eye,” and “He lives to calm my troubled heart.”