Elder Ulisses Soares on the power of the Atonement of Jesus Christ

Elder Ulisses Soares (born October 2, 1958 in Brazil) has served as a Seventy since April 2005, and as a member of the Presidency of the Seventy since January 2013. He was sustained to the Quorum of Twelve Apostles on April 1, 2018.

"In addition to providing the majestic gift of salvation, the Savior offers us relief and comfort as we face our afflictions, temptations, and weaknesses of mortal life, including the circumstances we have experienced recently in the current pandemic. I can assure you that Christ is ever aware of the adversities we experience in mortality. He understands all of the bitterness, agony, and physical pain as well as the emotional and spiritual challenges we face. The Savior’s bowels are filled with mercy, and He is always ready to succor us. This is possible because He personally experienced and took upon Himself in the flesh the pain of our weakness and infirmities.

"With meekness and humility of heart, He descended below all things and accepted being despised, rejected, and humiliated by men, having been wounded for our transgressions and iniquities. He suffered these things for all, taking upon Himself the sins of the world, thus becoming our ultimate spiritual caregiver.

"As we draw nearer to Him, surrendering ourselves spiritually to His care, we will be able to take upon ourselves His yoke, which is easy, and His burden, which is light, thus finding that promised comfort and rest. Furthermore, we will receive the strength we all need to overcome the hardships, weaknesses, and sorrows of life, which are exceedingly difficult to endure without His help and healing power."

- Ulisses Soares, "Jesus Christ: The Caregiver of Our Soul," General Conference April 2021, Sunday morning

Elder Soares was privileged to speak on Easter morning, and he bore a powerful testimony of the Atonement of the Savior: both the miracle of Resurrection, and the peace that can come as we accept the blessing of repentance. But there is more - the peace and succor that come as we allow His Atonement to bless us in our daily challenges and difficulties.

Even through the frustrations of the pandemic, and all the greatest frustrations and challenges we have in life, we have the offer and promise of divine help. Elder Soares testifies of the Savior's awareness of our situations, and His willingness to help. That aid is only possible because He experienced our challenges during His mortal experience. How blessed we are to have that great gift available!

(Compilation and commentary by David Kenison, Orem, Utah, 2021)