Find His Strength

7 Ways to Access Jesus Christ’s Strength

By Becca Aylworth Wright

Church Magazines

“Jesus Christ is the strength of youth.” How can this become a reality for you rather than just a catchphrase?

“Jesus Christ is the strength of youth.” This is more than a nice idea. It’s a powerful truth taught by prophets and apostles¹—but only if we apply it, if we make Jesus Christ the source of our strength. But how do we do that? How do we allow Jesus Christ to help us get stronger? Here are a few ideas.

Illustrations by Toby Newsome

1 Receive Strength from Keeping Your Covenants

“What is the source of such moral and spiritual power, and how do we obtain it? The source is God. Our access to that power is through our covenants with Him.”

Elder D. Todd Christofferson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, Apr. 2009 general conference (Ensign or Liahona, May 2009, 20).

2 Receive Strength from Reading His Word

“The word of God … has the power to fortify the Saints … so they can resist evil, hold fast to the good, and find joy in this life.”

President Ezra Taft Benson (1899–1994), “The Power of the Word,” Apr. 1986 general conference (Ensign, May 1986, 80).

“Scriptures can calm an agitated soul, giving peace, hope, and a restoration of confidence in one’s ability to overcome the challenges of life. They have potent power to heal emotional challenges when there is faith in the Savior.”

Elder Richard G. Scott (1928–2015) of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, Oct. 2011 general conference (Ensign, Nov. 2011, 6).

3 Receive Strength from Keeping His Commandments

“Our safety lies in repentance. Our strength comes of obedience to the commandments of God.”

President Gordon B. Hinckley (1910–2008), “The Times in Which We Live,” Oct. 2001 general conference (Ensign, Nov. 2001, 74).

“If it so be that the children of men keep the commandments of God he doth nourish them, and strengthen them.”

1 Nephi 17:3.

4 Receive Strength from Repenting Daily

“Through faith in the Atonement of Jesus Christ and repentance of their sins, [individuals] receive strength and assistance to do good works that they otherwise would not be able to maintain if left to their own means.”

Bible Dictionary, “Grace,” Gospel Library.

5 Receive Strength from Seeking and Following Revelation

“What will happen as you more intentionally hear, hearken, and heed what the Savior has said and what He is saying now through His prophets? I promise that you will be blessed with additional power to deal with temptation, struggles, and weakness. … And I promise that your capacity to feel joy will increase even if turbulence increases in your life.”

President Russell M. Nelson, “Hear Him,” Apr. 2020 general conference (Ensign or Liahona, May 2020, 90).

6 Receive Strength from Prayer

“Our spiritual power line is strengthened through prayer. As we counsel with God in all our doings, he will direct us for good.”

President Russell M. Nelson, Oct. 1984 general conference (Ensign, Nov. 1984, 31).

7 Receive Strength from Temple Service

“Please make time for the Lord in His holy house. Nothing will strengthen your spiritual foundation like temple service and temple worship.”

President Russell M. Nelson, “Make Time for the Lord,” Oct. 2021 general conference (Liahona, Nov. 2021, 121).

“I really like how we have access to strength from Jesus Christ, but we have to seek it and act in faith.”

Grace T., 15, USA

Note

1. See For the Strength of Youth: A Guide for Making Choices (2022), 2.