President D. Todd Christofferson, second counselor of the First Presidency, addressed the BYU community at a campus devotional on Dec. 2.
In his first public address since becoming a member of the newly organized First Presidency in October, President Christofferson ushered in the Christmas season with a message about the condescension of the Savior Jesus Christ.
A BYU alumnus himself, he began his remarks by affirming his love for the school and student body, remarking on its increasing temporal and spiritual momentum through the “Becoming BYU” initiative and the university’s excellence in various domains.
“What a tremendous time it is to be a student at BYU,” he said. “There is real momentum happening on this campus, and I hope you can feel it.”
The Condescension of Jesus Christ
In light of the Christmas season, President Christofferson focused his address on the condescension of Christ, beginning with His birth in mortality.
He defined condescension as ”[descending] voluntarily from a higher rank or dignity to a lower level or status.”
In lieu of a cozy inn or a glorious palace, President Christofferson emphasized that the Savior was born in a humble stable, in a manger used to feed animals.
“The great Jehovah of the Old Testament, the pre-mortal Jesus Christ, voluntarily condescended to leave his divine throne above to live in a mortal state on the very earth that, under the direction of the Father, He had created,” President Christofferon said.
He explained that while the Savior was perfect, He had to grow “grace for grace” and adapt to the hardships in an imperfect, fallen world.
President Christofferson bore solemn witness of the Atonement of Jesus Christ, explaining that “at that moment, eternity — our eternity — hung in the balance.”
He declared that through the Savior’s sacrifice and resurrection three days later, He completed his mortal mission and paved the way for all to be saved.
Our personal condescension
Here, President Christofferson noted that, just as the Savior condescended from a state of perfection with Heavenly Father, every child of God who has entered mortality has had their own condescension.
“[The Father’s] plan to help you achieve your highest and happiest destiny entailed your voluntary condescension or descent from that 'first estate' to a lower, 'second estate,'” he said. “Your birth was a spiritual death, removing you from the presence of God.”
President Christofferson shared a message of hope, explaining that it is through the power of Christ that all people can overcome their mortal hardships. He cited the book of Romans, saying we can be “joint-heirs with Christ” in receiving all of God’s blessings.
He clarified that receiving this power doesn’t make life easy, but there is heavenly help to be found.
“Your suffering and mine, and the sacrifices that may be required of us in the process of remaining faithful to the end, will not in any degree approach what Christ endured,” he said.
President Christofferson emphasized that, "however great or small the challenge, just as Jesus, we can count on the Father’s help, His angels and His Holy Spirit.”
Speaking to this, President Christofferson focused on the fundamental necessity of repentance as the means by which all can become better people.
“As long as we are serious about it, there is no quota, no limit on the number of times we can repent, seek forgiveness and move forward on His path,” he said.
President Christofferson concluded his remarks with an invitation for the oncoming Christmas and Easter seasons — remember the condescension of Christ “to save us,” as well as the meaning of our own condescension.
"I invite you to think of your own condescension, its purpose and how you too, having descended into a fallen world, may with 'good cheer' rise above and overcome the world with Christ,” he said.
Bearing his witness of the birth, mortality and resurrected reality of the Savior, he ended with an admonition for all to “take up their cross” and follow Him.