Find Your Strength in Jesus Christ

By President Jeffrey R. Holland

Acting President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles

Jesus Christ is the strength of youth—every youth on earth—and that definitely includes you!

I am pleased to introduce this special issue of For the Strength of Youth magazine. The articles, activities, and stories from youth around the world will help strengthen your testimony of a profound and eternally significant truth expressed by the First Presidency. Of Jesus Christ they emphatically declare, “He is the ‘strength of youth.’”¹ This means Jesus Christ is your strength. I pray that you will embrace this truth joyfully at this crucial time in your life, now and forever.

Everyone Needs Strength in Christ

You are not here by random chance or mistake. You chose to come to earth to learn, grow, do remarkable things, and become more like your Heavenly Father. On this journey, you will face times of hardship, personal trial, discouragement, and disappointment that can feel overwhelming. Perhaps you feel trapped in such a time right now.

During such times, please remember that your Heavenly Father loves you. He always has, and He always will. Because of His infinite and perfect love, He sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to strengthen you and help you move forward. And Jesus came because He loves you deeply too.

Sadly, some people don’t recognize their need for a Savior. They do not understand that they, like all people, will make mistakes they cannot fix, experience losses they cannot recover, and face troubles and tragedies they cannot endure on their own. Nor can they overcome sin and death by themselves. This means that they—and all people—need the Atonement of Jesus Christ, with the strength it can bring.

“That’s great, Elder Holland,” you may be thinking, “but how can I make Jesus Christ my strength?” To help answer this question, please allow me to share just a few of the countless ways Jesus Christ strengthens you each day.

He Has the Power to Strengthen You

On His last night in mortality, Jesus Christ entered the Garden of Gethsemane. There, He knelt among the olive trees and began taking upon Himself the sins of the world. This great and infinite suffering “caused [him], … the greatest of all, to tremble because of pain, and to bleed at every pore” (Doctrine and Covenants 19:18).

Jesus was then taken to Calvary and crucified. There He completed His atoning sacrifice. He willingly gave His life, and then He triumphantly rose from death. This Easter season, I rejoice in declaring that Jesus Christ lives! I also declare that He not only lifts the burden of sin but also “suffer[ed] pains and afflictions and temptations of every kind” in doing so (Alma 7:11; emphasis added).

The Savior felt every heartache and grief and endured, in a personal way, all the anguish and suffering experienced by you, me, and every soul who has ever lived or will ever live. Because of what He went through physically, mentally, and spiritually for you, He knows how to strengthen you.

Maybe it’s hard for you to believe that Jesus would be interested in helping you as only one among millions who are the same age. If you ever think He has better things to do than strengthen you in your times of need, think of Him in that garden, think of Him on that cross. “He suffered, he bled and died”² for you because He knew that you were worth it. He still knows that. He is extremely interested, willing, and able to help you—right now and forever. He gave His life so He can strengthen you as you accept His life-changing invitation: “Come unto me” (Matthew 11:28).

Choose to Walk with Him

It’s your choice to follow Jesus Christ and make Him your strength. He has “marked the path and led the way”³ back to Heavenly Father. In fact, He is “the way, the truth, and the life” (John 14:6).

You find the way by embracing the gospel of Jesus Christ as you exercise faith in Him and repent of your sins. You deepen your relationship with Him when you choose to be baptized in His name and receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. You then continue on His gospel path by keeping the commandments, receiving ordinances, honoring covenants, and living as His disciple.

These actions forge a powerful connection—a covenant connection—that binds you securely to Christ—and Him to you. As you walk with Him, He and the Father become your ultimate sources of spiritual direction and strength. You can then press forward safely and happily every day, become more like Them, and one day return to live with Them and have the kind of life They live.

Move Forward in His Strength

With all my heart, I testify that Jesus is the Christ. When you take steps toward Him, reach for Him, and invite Him to be your strength, He will come to you and you will find Him.⁴ There is no choice you can make that somehow places you beyond His reach. I wholeheartedly believe what I have said before: “It is not possible for you [or anyone] to sink lower than the infinite light of Christ’s Atonement shines.”⁵

If you will come unto Christ, first and always keeping His commandments with “full purpose of heart” (3 Nephi 18:32), He will walk the journey of life with you. He will take your hand and be your hope. He will be your strength. And He will bring lasting happiness, true peace, and great joy to you.

As one of His special witnesses, I testify and promise that this is true.