Prayer, faith, love, obedience and building up Zion are all important principles people can learn from the Atonement of Jesus Christ, said Elder Merrill J.Bateman at BYU's Easter Conference on Saturday

Jesus taught his disciples to pray, Elder Bateman said. He prayed publicly and privately. It was an indispensable part of his life and he intended the same for his disciples.

"Why did the creator of heaven and earth need to pray? Didn't he know all things?" Elder Bateman said. "Even he needed comfort. Even he needed strength. How much more do we need it?"

As people pray and live by faith, they can access the full blessings of the Atonement, Elder Bateman said.

"The resurrection is for all men everywhere," he said. "Those who inherit the celestial kingdom are those who receive the testimony of Jesus Christ."

Central to Christ's life and the Atonement, Elder Bateman said, is love.

"God's love for his children was the motivating force that forged the Atonement," he said.

Jesus Christ, as the Good Shepherd, was willing to give his life for the sheep, Elder Bateman said, and he raised the standard when he instructed his followers to love as he did.

"As disciples, we are to love others as Christ loves us, not as we love ourselves," he said.

Obedience is the fourth lesson from the Atonement, he said.

"If there's one lesson to be learned by the Savior's life, it's the son's submission to the father," he said.

Christ was devoted to accomplishing the mission given to him in the pre-mortal life, and always sought to do the father's will, he said.

"If we want the blessings of eternal life, obedience is the price we have to pay," he said.

The last lesson of Elder Bateman's lessons from the atonement was the responsibility to build up Zion.

"Righteous people can act as leaven for the world," he said.

Since the beginning, the Lord has commanded his people to build Zion, but because of periods of apostasy it has failed, Elder Bateman said. The establishment of the church in the last days is the final effort, and it will not fail.

Elder Bateman referenced Nephi, who saw the church in the last days and its numbers were small. Despite the numbers, the church is powerful, he said.

"The righteous influence of the church, flowing from members' faith in the Atonement, is making a difference in the world," he said.

He talked about the contributions the church makes, both financially and with manpower.

"The world is beginning to recognize us as a people of righteousness," Elder Bateman said.

Camille Fronk Olson and S. Kent Brown also spoke at the conference. The Utah Baroque Ensemble and other groups performed musical numbers.