The Accessible Atonement

As Elder Dalin H. Oaks gave his talk on Christ's power to succor us in our afflictions, he addressed the question of whom Christ's Atonement can help:

Because of His atoning experience in mortality, our Savior is able to comfort, heal, and strengthen all men and women everywhere, but I believe He does so only for those who seek Him and ask for His help. 

The power of the Atonement, both the cleansing power that saves us from our sins and the strengthening power that helps us through our afflictions, is available to all. Anyone can access the power of the Atonement. But not all people do. Whether a person is Christian or not, divine help comes, and only comes, to those who strive for righteousness and ask for aid. Believing in Christ isn't enough by itself; we also have to pray for His help. And not believing in Christ may not be an impassable barrier, as long as the non-Christian is on the path of righteousness and at least prays to God in some way. God wants to help ALL His children, so He has ensured that the blessings of Christ's Atonement are available to everyone, on the condition of prayer. As Elder Oaks says later in the talk, "We have only to ask."