devotional news story article

The Peace of the Atonement of Christ

Rexburg, Idaho - President Alvin F. Meredith III, President of Brigham Young University–Idaho delivered the first devotional address of the Winter semester on January 14, 2025, titled, “The Atonement of Jesus Christ.” In his remarks, President Meredith emphasized the importance of the Atonement as members of the church, stating, “The Atonement of Jesus Christ is the single most important event in the history of the world.”

President Meredith outlined the components of the Atonement, including Christ’s suffering in Gethsemane, His crucifixion, and His resurrection. He explained that through these sacred events, Jesus Christ “suffered the penalty for our sins so that we can become clean and be reconciled to God.” He further emphasized that because of the Atonement, “all will be resurrected, and those who strive to be His disciples and obey His gospel will receive the gift of eternal life with God.”

To provide context for the Atonement, President Meredith discussed the Creation and the Fall of Adam and Eve, referencing teachings from President Nelson and Elder Jeffrey R. Holland. He noted that understanding these foundational events is essential to comprehending the necessity and significance of the Atonement.

Freshman Payton Dunn reflected on the impact of President Alvin F. Meredith III’s recent devotional, sharing how his insights deepened her personal understanding of the Savior’s Atonement.

“I loved when President Meredith said, ‘He paid a debt He didn’t owe because we owed a debt that we couldn’t pay,’” Dunn said. “That really stuck with me because it’s so simple and yet so powerful. It made me think about how much Christ sacrificed for each of us individually, even when He didn’t have to.”

As a first-year student, Dunn acknowledged that the transition to college life has brought its share of challenges. She explained that President Meredith’s words served as a comforting reminder of the Savior’s love and willingness to bear the weight of her burdens.

Reflecting on the devotional as a whole, Dunn shared that she hopes others will also take President Meredith’s message to heart. “The Atonement is such an incredible gift,” she said. “We owe it to ourselves and to the Savior to try to understand it better and let it change us.”

President Meredith encouraged the university students and faculty to accept President Nelson’s invitation to study the Atonement regularly, expressing confidence that such efforts would lead to greater spiritual growth and understanding.

Payton Dunn, BYUI Freshman (Left) with her twin sister, Reese Dunn, BYUI Freshman (Right)