Week 12

THE ATONEMENT OF CHRIST

"The atonement of the Master is the central point of world history. Without it, the whole purpose for the creation of the earth and our living upon it would fail....

"...Without it, no man or woman would ever be resurrected.... And so all the world, believers and non believers, are indebted to the Redeemer for their certain resurrection, because the resurrection will be as wide as was the fall, which brought death to every man.

"There is another phase of the atonement which makes me love the Savior even more, and fills my soul with gratitude beyond expression.... In addition to atoning for Adams's transgression, thereby bringing about the resurrection, the Savior by his suffering paid the debt for my personal sins. He paid the debt for your personal sins and for the personal sins of every living soul that ever dwelt upon the earth. But this he did conditionally.

"The benefits of this suffering for our individual transgressions will not come to us unconditionally in the same sense that the resurrection will come, regardless of what we do. If we partake of the blessings of the atonement as far as our individual transgressions are concerned, we must obey the law" (Marion G. Romney, in Conference Report, Oct. 1953, pp. 34-36).

Questions and Activities

• How does sin keep us from returning to our Father in Heaven?
• How can the effects of sin be overcome through Christ?
• What is the law of mercy?
• What is the law of justice?
• How does Christ's mercy satisfy the law of justice?
• What is the penalty for those who do not accept Christ's atonement?
• Think of experiences when other people's lives have been changed through the atonement of Jesus Christ.
• Record in your journal the blessings the Atonement has brought to your life.
• What are you doing to show your gratitude to the Savior for his atoning sacrifice?

Topical Guide

Blood

Jesus Christ, Atonement through

Jesus Christ, Mission of

Jesus Christ, Redeemer

Jesus Christ, Savior

Man, Natural, Not Spiritually Reborn

Salvation of Little Children

Sin

Scriptures

2 Nephi 9

Mosiah 15

Alma 34:8-16; 41-42

D&C 19:15-20

Leviticus 16:20-28

Luke 22-23

Hebrews 2

Articles of Faith 1:3

Bible Dictionary

Atonement

Blood

Calvary

Crucifixion

Gethsemane

Golgotha

Redemption

Scapegoat

Other Sources

Gospel Principles, chapter 12

The Articles of Faith, chapter 4