The Atonement of Jesus Christ
Open talk in Gospel LibraryContents
Before Reading
Before reading or listening to the talk, consider the following questions:
- What is the Atonement of Jesus Christ and why is it significant?
- What are the four obstacles that the Savior's Atonement helps us to overcome?
- How does the Savior's Atonement work within the laws of justice?
- What does it mean to repent and be "born of God"?
- How can we avail ourselves of the enabling powers of the Savior's Atonement?
Topics
Understanding the Atonement of Jesus Christ
The Atonement of Jesus Christ is a series of divine events that began in the Garden of Gethsemane and ended with the Savior's Resurrection. Its purpose is to enable us to return to God's presence, become more like Him, and have a fulness of joy by overcoming physical and spiritual death, our afflictions and infirmities, and our weaknesses and imperfections.
What then is the Atonement of Jesus Christ? In one sense, it is a series of divine events that commenced in the Garden of Gethsemane, continued on the cross, and culminated with the Savior’s Resurrection from the tomb.
What then was its purpose? It was to make it possible for us to return to God’s presence, become more like Him, and have a fulness of joy.
- What is the Atonement of Jesus Christ and what was its purpose?
- How does the Atonement enable us to return to God's presence and become more like Him?
- How has your understanding of the Atonement influenced your relationship with God?
- How can you apply the Atonement in your daily life to become more like God?
Overcoming Sin and Guilt through the Atonement
The Savior's Atonement overcomes sin and guilt for all those who repent. The Atonement's cleansing power is deep and expansive, encompassing every sin and weakness. When we repent, we become new creatures in Christ, free from the pain and guilt of past sins.
The Savior overcame sin and guilt for all those who repent. So deep and expansive is His cleansing power that Isaiah promised, "Though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow."
How could he remember his sins but have no pain or guilt? Because when we repent, we are "born of God." We become, as the scriptures say, "new creatures" in Christ.
- How does the Savior's Atonement overcome sin and guilt?
- What does it mean to become a "new creature" in Christ?
- How have you experienced the Savior's cleansing power in your life?
- What steps can you take to repent and become a "new creature" in Christ?
Finding Relief from Afflictions and Infirmities
The Savior's Atonement helps us find relief from our afflictions and infirmities. Sometimes the Savior removes the affliction, sometimes He strengthens us to endure, and sometimes He gives us an eternal perspective to understand their temporary nature.
Alma prophesied that Christ "shall go forth, suffering pains and afflictions and temptations of every kind." Why? "That his bowels may be filled with mercy, … that he may know according to the flesh how to succor his people according to their infirmities."
Because of the Savior’s Atonement, we can have an eternal perspective that gives meaning to our trials and hope for our relief.
- How does the Savior's Atonement help us find relief from our afflictions and infirmities?
- What does it mean to have an "eternal perspective" on our trials?
- How have you experienced the Savior's succoring power in your life?
- How can you cultivate an "eternal perspective" in your trials?
Overcoming Weaknesses and Imperfections
Through His Atonement, the Savior gives us enabling powers or grace that can help us overcome our weaknesses and imperfections. We can avail ourselves of these enabling powers through the saving ordinances and the gifts of the Spirit.
Because of His Atonement, the Savior has enabling powers, sometimes referred to as grace, that can help us overcome our weaknesses and imperfections and thus assist us in our pursuit to become more like Him.
Moroni so taught: "Yea, come unto Christ, and be perfected in him, … that by his grace ye may be perfect in Christ."
- How does the Savior's Atonement help us overcome our weaknesses and imperfections?
- What are the two channels through which we can avail ourselves of the Savior's enabling powers?
- How have you experienced the Savior's enabling powers in your life?
- What steps can you take to avail yourself of the Savior's enabling powers?
