Like a bridge over troubled water.

  

  There's a song that I love, by Simon and Garfunkel that always make me think of the Savior. These are it's lyrics.

I'll take your part

When darkness comes

And pain is all around

Like a bridge over troubled water

I will lay me down

Like a bridge over troubled water

I will lay me down* 

  Jesus Christ is our bridge over troubled water. From the bridge we can see the water below us, and know that we have a safe way to cross. He suffered the pain of the world so that we didn't have to. He atoned, or paid, for everyone who will ever live on this earth. When he knelt in the garden of Gethsemane he took the punishment for every law we would ever break. Christ described how it felt to the prophet Joseph Smith "Which suffering caused myself, even God, the greatest of all, to tremble because of pain, and to bleed at every pore, and to suffer both body and spirit—and would that I might not drink the bitter cup, and shrink— Nevertheless, glory be to the Father, and I partook and finished my preparations unto the children of men." (Doctrine and Covenants 19:18-19)

See how they shine

If you need a friend

I'm sailing right behind

Like a bridge over troubled water

I will ease your mind

Like a bridge over troubled water

I will ease your mind*

  "And he shall go forth, suffering pains and afflictions and temptations of every kind; and this that the word might be fulfilled which saith he will take upon him the pains and the sicknesses of his people. And he will take upon him death, that he may loose the bands of death which bind his people; and he will take upon him their infirmities, that his bowels may be filled with mercy, according to the flesh, that he may know according to the flesh how to succor his people according to their infirmities." (Alma 7:11-12)

  When Christ atoned for us he felt every pain we will ever feel, and did it so that he can understand what we are going through. He knows every bad thing we've done, every pain or sickness or trial we have. And because he knows where we've been, he can help us get over it. When we fully realize what the atonement is, all the guilt and shame and frustration are taken away. There is no reason to mourn the loss of a loved one, because he will live again. There is no such thing as too far gone, because Christ has been lowered beneath us all so that he can lift us up. He lay himself down so that we might have a bridge over troubled water. 

  I know that my Redeemer lives. I have felt the power of the atonement in my life. I know you can too.

*Excerpts taken from "Bridge Over Troubled Water" performed by Simon and Garfunkel.