Lesson 3

How can I use Jesus Christ’s Atonement during my trials?

As part of His atoning sacrifice, the Savior took upon Himself our pains and sicknesses. Because He has experienced our trials, He knows how to help us. When we exercise faith in Jesus Christ, He will give us strength and ease our burdens.

Painting of Jesus Christ in the Garden of Gethsemane

As a teacher, prepare yourself spiritually

Think about the trials you have faced. How have you received strength through Jesus Christ and His Atonement?

Consider the service members. What trials are they facing? What personal experiences, scriptures, and quotes do you want to share with them? Are there personal experiences the members of your group could share with each other?

As you prepare, prayerfully study these resources and others that have helped you turn to the Savior in times of need. Other resources may be included later in the outline as well.

• Matthew 11:28–30; Philippians 4:13; 1 Nephi 17:3; Helaman 5:12; D&C 68:6 (Jesus Christ can give us strength and ease our burdens)

• Mosiah 23:12–16; 24:8–17 (The Lord strengthens the people of Alma to help them bear their burdens)

• Alma 7:11–13 (Jesus Christ understands our suffering because He experienced it)

• David A. Bednar, “Bear Up Their Burdens with Ease,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2014, 87–90

• Shayne M. Bowen, “Because I Live, Ye Shall Live Also,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2012, 15–17

• “Adversity,” True to the Faith (2004), 8–11

• Video: “God Will Lift Us Up”

Begin the learning experience

Use the following idea or think of your own to introduce this week’s lesson:

• Give the service members pieces of paper and ask them to write down trials they are going through or have gone through in the past. Ask the group members to ponder how Jesus Christ can give them strength during their trials. Encourage them to write down thoughts or impressions they have about how to overcome or endure their trials as they learn about the doctrine of the Savior’s Atonement.

Teaching tip

“As you lead discussions, let the Holy Ghost guide you. Make sure that discussions are always positive and uplifting. Do not end an inspiring discussion too soon in order to cover all the lesson material, especially if you perceive that the discussion is meaningful to those you are teaching” (Teaching in the Savior’s Way [2016], 34).

Learn together

Each of the following activities can help the service members understand how knowledge of Jesus Christ and His Atonement can help them during their trials. Following the guidance of the Spirit, select one or more of the following learning activities that will work best for the class.

• Divide the service members into pairs. Have each pair read one or more of the scriptures in this outline and summarize what they read. Invite the pairs to write down how the principles in these scriptures can help them overcome their trials. Encourage them to share what they wrote if they feel comfortable doing so. Consider sharing an experience of your own.

• As a class, read Mosiah 24:8–17. Invite the service members to share what they learn from the experience of Alma and his people. If appropriate, share with the group how the Savior has strengthened you during your own trials.

• Read together D&C 122:5–9, where the Savior tells Joseph Smith that He descended below all the terrible trials that Joseph would ever go through. Jesus Christ descended below all our personal trials so that He could lift us to God. However deep our trials or afflictions may be, He has gone deeper still. There is no place so deep that He does not know how to raise us to God. His power to rescue applies to each of us and to our families. Discuss how this scripture can bring us comfort during difficult times. How can we turn to the Lord for help?

• Invite service members to read or watch the story about how Elder Shayne M. Bowen of the Seventy coped with the loss of his son (see the talk “Because I Live, Ye Shall Live Also”). Ask them to think about the following question as they read or watch: How did Elder Bowen’s understanding of the Savior and His Atonement help him during his trial? Invite them to share their thoughts. Ask the service members to think about a trial they are currently experiencing. How can we draw strength from the Savior and His Atonement?

Ask the service members to share what they learned today. Do they understand how the Atonement can help them during their trials? What feelings or impressions do they have? Do they have any additional questions? Would it be worthwhile to spend more time on this doctrine?

Teaching in the Savior’s way

The Savior used the scriptures to teach and testify about His mission. This lesson contains many powerful scriptures that teach how the Savior will strengthen us during our trials. As service members study and discuss these scriptures, the Holy Ghost will testify of their truthfulness.

Invite to act

Invite the service members to act by:

• Relying on the Savior to face their trials.

• Using what they learned today to encourage someone in need of the Savior’s help.