*Sunday afternoon session

Elder Bruce C. Hafen explained that all people need the help of the Savior's Atonement, combined with personal effort, to receive the promised blessings of the Plan of Salvation.

"If we must give all that we have, then our giving almost everything is not enough," Elder Hafen said. "We can have eternal life if we want it, but only if we want it more than anything."

Elder Hafen said as church members talk more of Christ, the true doctrine of His Atonement will come out of obscurity. The Fall of Adam was not a disaster, but part of the Plan of Salvation. Elder Hafen explained that Christ's sacrifice didn't erase Adam's choices, but the plan is developmental and a growing process.

"If you are seeing your weaknesses, it could mean you are getting closer to God and not farther away," Elder Hafen said.

Elder Hafen said people grow in two ways: uprooting the roots of sin and nourishing the seeds of divine qualities. Grace is not cheap, but it is very expensive and very dear, he said.

"When our all and the Savior's all come together we will see him as he really is," Elder Hafen said.

Copyright Brigham Young University 4 Apr 2004