There is hope, peace for all, Mormon Elder Jay E. Jensen tells Evergreen Conference

SALT LAKE CITY — The importance of the Atonement in the lives of all people was taught by Elder Jay E. Jensen of the LDS Church Presidency of the Seventy during the 21st Annual Evergreen Education and Resource Conference Saturday morning.

Although most of the presentations during the one-day conference in the Joseph Smith Memorial Building focused on issues relative to same-gender attraction, Elder Jensen said the Atonement was universal in its importance and application.

He built on the foundation of a brief testimony shared by a young member of the Evergreen group who was identified only as Spencer, who spoke of the overwhelming trials of the past year for him in his battle with same-gender attraction. He said he has learned that "trials don't define us — it is what we do in the face of those trials that truly defines us."

"The Atonement is what helps us face those trials, whatever they may be," Elder Jensen said. He referred to the late Elder Bruce R. McConkie's statement that "the Atonement is the most basic and fundamental doctrine of the church."

"How do we get our arms around something so infinite?" Elder Jensen asked.

He presented three critical areas he studies in order to get a better understanding of the Atonement: the events that led Jesus Christ to a garden, a cross and a tomb; the doctrines of the Atonement; and the relevance of how it applies to him — and to all people — personally.

Elder Jensen talked about when his family was younger, and how his two small children would run out to greet him as he walked toward the house. They would sit on their father's feet and wrap their arms and legs around his legs, and he would walk — or "waddle" — to the house, where he would wrap his arms around his wife, and feel her wrap her arms around him.

"When the scriptures tell us that through the Atonement, 'mercy encircles us in the arms of safety,' that's what I think about," Elder Jensen said. "That's how we should feel, completely encircled in the arms of the Savior's love."

Regardless of our weakness and imperfections, Elder Jensen concluded, "there is hope, and there is healing in the Atonement. Through the Atonement we can be reconciled to our Heavenly Father and His Son Jesus Christ, and sit in peace with them."

During the following session of the conference, LDS priesthood leaders were told that it is important that those who have same-gender attraction are not treated like they choose to have same-gender attraction.