The Atonement

Today I finally caved and spoke at church. (After turning down two previous opportunities because I was out of town. I had a harder time preparing for this talk than usual because of the topic. Since I am using this blog as my journal I wanted to include my talk. I'm sure I will like to look back at it at some point. So, enjoy, if you would like a little "extra" religion to your normal Sunday routine...

One thing that I wanted to look at as I prepared for this talk were the many ways the world interprets the Atonement. In most other Christian religions, the Atonement is seen in one of three ways: First, as a ransom to Satan. This theory indicates that Jesus had to suffer and die to liberate mankind from slavery to Satan. The second theory is that of the satisfaction or penal substitution. In this theory, mankind owes a debt not to Satan, but to God Himself. It had to be
done because, it is believed, because sin is an affront to God’s honor. Lastly, the theory of honor. In this theory Jesus’ death on the cross demonstrates the extent of God’s love for us, and because of this act of love mankind is changed by the Holy Spirit.

As I read about these theories and the men who are known for explaining and spreading them, I realized that each of them may hold some truth. None, though, holds the truth in its entirety.

I was again reminded of how blessed we are to have a living prophet who communicates with the Father and the Son to help us understand the reason for the Atonement and how it can change our lives.

D& C 76: 41 and 42 states that “Jesus Christ came into the world...to be crucified for the world, and to bear the sins of the world, and to sanctify the world, and to cleanse it from all unrighteousness; that through Him all might be saved.”

The Father has always had a plan for our salvation. That plan began when He and His Son created the earth. As Adam and Eve lived in the Garden they were unable to have children, but were commanded to multiply. And so the Fall took place. It was not a tragedy, it was a deliberate plan of the Father.

So, why did Adam and Eve need to fall? We learn in 2nd Nephi that “Adam fell that man might be and men are that they might have joy.”

Without the Fall, mankind would not exist on the earth. Without the Fall, Adam and Eve (and all of us) would not be able to comprehend joy or happiness. We would not have understood it without feeling the opposition...sadness. Think of how much more grateful you are for the joy that you feel in your life after you have gone through a trial that has made you feel sorrow.

Because of the Fall man suffered spiritual death. We were separated from God. We were also now able to grow older and suffer physical death as well as yield to temptation which made it necessary to be punished for our own sins... but not for Adam’s transgression.

(Parable of the creditor, debtor and mediator.)

Because our God is a God of order and our sins are our spiritual debts, we needed to have that debt forgiven. Because no unclean thing can enter the kingdom of God, and entering the Kingdom of God is the only way to attain eternal life and return to our Father, we need a Savior. Because we cannot save ourselves from the Fall or from our own sins, we need Jesus Christ, our mediator.

Jesus Christ was the only one who could atone for our sins. Because He was mortal and had the ability for physical death, yet immortal and able to overcome death, and that He himself lived a life without sin Jesus Christ was the only one who could stand in each of our places to take the burden of the Fall and to pay the price for our sins.

Of the act of the Atonement, Elder Russell M. Nelson, wrote:
“The ordeal of the Atonement centered about the city of Jerusalem. There the greatest single act of love of all recorded history took place. There at Gethsemane, the Lord “suffered the pain of all men, that all...might repent and come unto him.” He took upon Himself the weight of the sins of all mankind, bearing its massive load that caused Him to bleed from every pore.”

He said, “I, God, have suffered these things for all, that they might not suffer if they would repent; But if they would not repent they must suffer even as I; 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.” Nevertheless glory be to the father and I partook and finished my preparations unto the children of men.”

Even after suffering so that we might not have to, He went on to be crucified:

Elder Nelson continues:
"Later He was beaten and scourged. A crown of sharp thorns was thrust upon His head as an additional form of torture. He was mocked and jeered. He suffered every indignity at the hands of His own people. His people cruelly rejected Him. Then, He was required to carry His own cross to the hill of Calvary, where He was nailed to that cross and made to suffer excruciating pain. Even though the Father and the Son knew well in advance what was to be experienced, the actuality of it brought indescribable agony. Jesus complied with the will of His Father. Three days later, He rose from the grave. He became the first fruits of the Resurrection. He had accomplished the Atonement, which could give immortality and eternal life to all obedient human beings.”

Because of His Atonement we have been redeemed from the Fall, we can live forever; glorified and resurrected. We can have salvation from our sins. And, we can receive peace and healing.

When one really comprehends and appreciates the immense sacrifice that our Savior gave for us, how can we not take full advantage of it?

If we want to show our Savior how very grateful we are for his atoning sacrifice for each of our sins we cannot take His sacrifice for granted. We have to repent often. We must obey. We need to make sure it is at the forefront of our minds. We must read his words, pray to him, and serve others. We should share our testimonies of Him with others.

We need to call on him in our trials and know that he knows all suffering. Allow him to give us peace. As part of His Atonement, Jesus took upon Himself the pains, sicknesses, and infirmities of all people. My pain and your pain. He understands your suffering because He experienced it. No matter what problem you may be facing today or tomorrow, or how alone you might feel, He has been there and He can help.

To take advantage of His Atonement we must: “Press forward with a steadfastness in Christ, having a perfect brightness of hope, and a love of God and of all men.” (2nd Nephi 31:20)

If we do these things He will comfort us. He will change us. And, because of His Sacrifice, we will have eternal life...”