As another Easter is approaching, I
have found myself contemplating on what exactly the Atonement means
for me, personally. I have come up with a threefold answer: 1. The
Atonement makes this mortal life bearable, 2. Immortal life is a
gift, 3. Eternal life or Salvation is possible through repentance,
obedience, and making and keeping sacred covenants.
What has Christ done for me or what
does the Atonement mean to me... EVERYTHING.
1. Mortal life made bearable means that
we can handle, endure, and conquer all that this mortal life throws
at us. In Alma 7:11-13 “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
sicknesses of his people. 12. … 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. 13. Now the Spirit knoweth
all things; nevertheless the Son of God suffereth according to the
flesh that he might take upon him the sins of his people, that he
might blot out their transgressions according to the power of his
deliverance; and now behold, this is the testimony that is in me.”
There are many pains, illnesses,
infirmities, and sorrows in this world and Christ has suffered them
all that we might not have to bear the whole burden, but if we look
to him he will succor (help) us.
Alma 36:3 “...for I do know that
whosoever shall put their trust in God, shall be supported in their
trials, and their troubles, and their afflictions, and shall be
lifted up at the last day.”
Then he took upon him all our sins, so
we do not have to suffer for those either. We need to repent and
keep his commandments and our sins can be taken from us that we might
say with Alma, “I could remember my pains no more; yea, I was
harrowed up by the memory of my sins no more. And oh, what joy, what
marvelous light I did behold; yea, my soul was filled with joy, as
exceeding was my pain!”
Complete forgiveness for sins is a
reality. The pain of sin can be taken from us as we repent and keep
the commandments.
2. Immortality is a gift. Because
Jesus Christ died for us and was resurrected, all men, who ever
have or will live on the earth, will be resurrected and live forever
as Christ does. This is his gift to us all.
1 Corinthians 15:22 “For as in Adam
all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.” Alma 7:12 “And
he will take upon him death, that he may loose the bands of death
which bind his people;....” Alma 42:23 “But God ceaseth not to
be God, and mercy claimeth the penitent, and mercy cometh because of
the Atonement, and the Atonement bringeth to pass the resurrection of
the dead, and the resurrection of the dead bringeth men back into the
presence of God; and thus they are restored into his presence, to be
judged according to their works, according to the law and justice.”
3. Eternal life/Salvation is given to
those who become his children; those who follow him, keep his
commandments, and make and keep sacred covenants with him through
performing sacred ordinances.
This is hard for some people to
understand, because many churches teach that the Atonement brings
about salvation as a gift and all will have salvation. Without any
expectations or work done on their part. The truth is that salvation
is a gift, unobtainable through any merit of our own, for we are all
sinners. However, Christ took upon him our sins so that if we will
strive throughout our lives to keep his commandments, repent when we
fall short, and enter into covenants with him this gift can be ours.
John taught in ST. John 10:27-28 “My
sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: And I give
them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man
pluck them out of my hand.”
3 Nephi 1:33 and 38 says “And whoso
believeth in me, and is baptized, the same shall be saved; and they
are they who shall inherit the kingdom of God. And again I say unto
you, ye must repent, and be baptized in my name, and become as a
little child, or ye can in nowise inherit the kingdom of God.”
What is Eternal life/Salvation? I'm
sure many people have different definitions of these terms, but to
members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints it means
eternal increase in families and our earthly families with us
forever. It means a place in a perfect world where love and joy
abound. It means a place at the right hand of God. It means a
return to God, to live in his presence again.
This gift is given to those who are
faithful to the testimony of Christ and who have a firm testimony
that God lives and is our Father. No one else would want to stand in
his presence. They certainly would not want to live there with a
remembrance of their disbelief and guilt of failing to keep his
commandments. This is why God has prepared different kingdoms for
those who would not accept him to be their father here on earth and
who would not accept his gospel. There is a kingdom where the Holy
Ghost reigns, much like this world we live in now, but with more
peace. There is a kingdom where Christ reigns, although he dwells
with God, he visits this kingdom to teach those there. There are
different kingdoms so everyone can feel comfortable. Everyone is in
the place that they lived for in this life. Those who don't accept
God and Christ will come to confess that they are real and that Jesus
is the Christ, the Son of God, and Redeemer of all mankind, and then
they will get to live where they do not have to see them and be
reminded of their disbelief and guilt. God's plan truly is a
merciful plan for all his children.
1 Corinthians 15:40 “Also celestial
bodies, and bodies terrestrial, and bodies telestial; but the glory
of the celestial is one; and the terrestrial, another; and the
telestial, another.
Doctrine and Covenants 76:68-70,
71-72,74-77, 81-83,86 “These are they whose names are written in
heaven, where God and Christ are the judge of all. These are they
who are just men made perfect through Jesus the mediator of the new
covenant, who wrought out this perfect atonement through the shedding
of his own blood. These are they whose bodies are celestial, whose
glory is that of the sun, even the glory of God, the highest of all,
whose glory the sun of the firmament is written of as being typical.”
“And again, we saw the terrestrial
world, and behold and lo, these are they who are of the terrestrial,
whose glory differs from that of the church of the Firstborn who have
received the fulness of the Father even as that of the moon differs
from the sun in the firmament. Behold these are they who died
without law;... Who received not the testimony of Jesus in the flesh,
but afterwards received it. These are they who are honorable men of
the earth, who were blinded by the craftiness of men. These are who
receive of his glory, but not of his fulness. These are they who
receive of the presence of the Son, but not of the fulness of the
Father.”
“And again, we saw the glory of the
telestial, which glory is that of the lesser, even as the glory of
the stars differs from that of the glory of the moon in the
firmament. These are they who received not the gospel of Christ,
neither the testimony of Jesus. These are they who deny not the Holy
Spirit. These are they who receive not of his fulness in the eternal
world, but of the Holy Spirit through the ministration of the
terrestrial;...”
May we accept Jesus Christ as our Savior and
Redeemer, follow him and accept His church and enter into covenants
with Him through baptism and temple ordinances that we might all
obtain Eternal Life and dwell with God again. In the name of Jesus
Christ amen.
