Notable quotes:
“Because Jesus Christ endured the infinite, atoning sacrifice, He empathizes perfectly with us. He is always aware of us and our circumstances.”
“Jesus Christ overcame the world and ‘absorbed’ all unfairness.”
“When faced with unfairness, we can push ourselves away from God or we can be drawn toward Him for help and support.”
Summary points:
- While there is unfairness in the world, the Atonement of Jesus Christ allows us through Him to receive compassion, healing and help.
- People can help others in unfair situations by not casting figurative stones at them and to catch stones thrown at them by others.
- Unfair situations can either push us away from God or we can draw to Him.
Talk summary:
There is unfairness in the world of various kinds. While some can be explained through choices of individuals or circumstances, others are more complicated and still others have no explanation.
“Jesus Christ both understands unfairness and has the power to provide a remedy. Nothing compares to the unfairness He endured.” That unfairness includes the pains and afflictions of mankind he experienced as part of Atonement. The Savior chose to do that out of love.
“In the eternities, Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ will resolve all unfairness.” Instead of asking for how and when unfairness will be resolved, focus on developing faith in Christ. The Savior can help us find peace in this world and not only restore what was lost, but help “use the unfairness for our benefit.”
As that faith develops, strive to become like the Savior and to “try to make things right within our sphere of influence.”
Seeking to understand another’s perspective and working to see things from an eternal viewpoint can help clarify and enlighten. In an unfair situation, rather than letting the situation create a hard heart or corrode faith, ask God for help.
In the news:
- Elder Renlund joined Elder David A. Bednar and Elder Gary E. Stevenson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles and other Church leaders for the virtual 2021 Temple and Family History Leadership Instruction on Feb. 26.
- As part of an announcement on Dec. 7, 2020, that the first four temples would move to Phase 3 reopening, Elder Renlund underscored being “our brother’s keeper” and the need for increased safety.
- Elder Renlund and his wife, Sister Ruth Renlund, spoke to young adults in the North America Central Area on Nov. 1, 2020, about the power of “small and simple things.”
- In a #HearHim video and blog post released Oct. 15, 2020, Elder Renlund emphasized the importance of personal revelation.
About the speaker:
- Elder Dale G. Renlund was sustained as a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles on Oct. 3, 2015.
- He served in Sweden as a young full-time missionary.
- He was a professor of medicine at the University of Utah and medical director of the Utah Cardiac Transplant Program.
- Elder Renlund was born in Salt Lake City, Utah, in November 1952. He married Ruth Lybbert in 1977. They are the parents of one daughter.
Recently on social:
- While participating in a virtual For the Strength of Youth (FSY) conference for thousands of youth from Bolivia, Colombia and Peru in January, Elder Renlund told the youth, “God can make the willing able, but He can’t or won’t make the able willing.”
- Elder Renlund taught about being Christ-centered by telling his social media followers about his older brother, Gary, and his ongoing battle with cancer in a post on Nov. 20.
- On Oct. 25, Elder Renlund related “hyperopia,” or far-sightedness, to the tendency to complicate or “blur” the simplicity of the doctrine of Christ.
