Relief Society General President Camille N. Johnson spoke during the Sunday morning session of April 2023 general conference. She testified of the relief found in Jesus Christ. The following is a summary of what she said.
President Johnson’s talk summary
When Jesus Christ healed the man with palsy, He gave the man both physical and spiritual relief. And the man’s friends found the source of relief in Jesus Christ. “I testify that Jesus Christ is relief. Through the Atonement of Jesus Christ, we may be relieved of the burden and consequences of sin and be succored in our infirmities.”
Those who partner with the Savior to help provide temporal and spiritual relief for those in need can also find relief in Him.
Each person is carrying a metaphorical backpack, with burdens like rocks inside.
- Rocks because of sin.
- Rocks from others’ poor decisions, misconduct and unkindness.
- Rocks of illness, grief, disappointment, loneliness and the effects of natural disasters.
But these mortal burdens need not feel heavy.
“Jesus Christ can lighten our load. Jesus Christ can lift our burdens. Jesus Christ provides a way for us to be relieved of the weight of sin. Jesus Christ is our relief.”
Repentance relieves from the weight of the rocks of sin. The Atonement of Jesus Christ gives strength to forgive and unload the burdens caused by others. Partnering with Jesus Christ allows people to provide His relief to all of God’s children.
“The relief He offers us is everlasting.”
Notable quotes
“Through the Atonement of Jesus Christ, we may be relieved of the burden and consequences of sin and be succored in our infirmities.”
“Jesus Christ can lighten our load.”
“Covenant keepers are blessed with the Savior’s relief.”
See the full text of President Johnson’s talk: ‘Jesus Christ Is Relief’
Who is President Johnson?
- President Camille N. Johnson has served as Relief Society general president since August 2022. Before that, she served as Primary general president beginning in April 2021.
- She has worked as a lawyer for more than 30 years at the Snow, Christensen & Martineau law firm, where she served as firm president.
- She and her husband, Brother Douglas R. Johnson, presided over the Perú Arequipa Mission from 2016 to 2019.
What has President Johnson done recently?
- During the October 2021 general conference, she asked listeners to ponder on the kind of personal narrative they are writing for their life.
- In March 2023, she had what she called “a heartwarming and heart-wrenching” visit to Uganda with UNICEF, and also ministered to members in Kenya, Democratic Republic of the Congo and Republic of Congo.
- In January 2023, she taught missionaries at the Provo MTC that they are in a divinely appointed orbit.
- She wrote an essay for the Church News about how men and women can access priesthood power.
Read President Johnson’s previous general conference address, or follow her on Facebook and Instagram.
