"The restored gospel consists of doctrines and ordinances . . . to save souls, [and] to baptize converts, which is to open the doors of the celestial kingdom to the sons and daughters of God. . . . Man cannot be saved in the celestial kingdom without the atoning sacrifice of Jesus Christ and that the only way to lay claim to the merits of that Atonement is to follow the command of its author: ‘Repent, and be baptized every one of you’(Acts 2:38). We are called to assist in this great effort.[i] [My emphasis.]
Priesthood power is the means
the Savior used to perform miracles “and, as our Father’s Only
Begotten Son . . . provide an infinite Atonement and overcome physical
death through the Resurrection.” [ii]
“The incomprehensible suffering,
death, and Resurrection of our Lord ‘bringeth to pass the condition of
repentance’ (Helaman 14:18) . . .the key to happiness here and hereafter. . . . In accepting [the Savior’s] invitation [‘repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand’] (Matthew 4:17), you will find joy both now and forever.
“Repentance exists as an option only
because of the Atonement of Jesus Christ. It is His infinite sacrifice that 'bringeth about means unto
men that they may have faith unto repentance' (Alma 34:15). Repentance is the necessary condition, and the grace of Christ is the power by which 'mercy can satisfy the demands of justice' (Alma 34:16)." [iii]
“If [we] reject the Savior’s
Atonement, [we] must redeem [our] debt to justice [our]self. . . . (Doctine and Covenants 19:16–17). An unredeemed individual’s suffering for sin is known as hell. It means being subject to the devil . . . (2 Nephi 2:29). Even so, because of the Atonement
of Jesus Christ, hell has an end, and those who are obliged to pass through it
are 'redeemed from the devil [in] the last resurrection' (Doctrine and Covenants 76:85).” [iv]
“2 Nephi 2:6–7 . . . indicates that for the proud and haughty, it is as though
there never were an Atonement made. . . . When we obey a law, we receive a
blessing. When we break a law, there is nothing left over from prior obedience
to satisfy the demands of justice for that broken law. . . . No mortal mind can
adequately conceive, . . . the full significance of all that Jesus Christ has
done . . . through His Atonement. Yet it is vital that we each learn what we
can about it. The Atonement is that essential ingredient of our Father in
Heaven’s plan of happiness without which that plan could not have been
activated.” [v]
Redeem means to pay off, rescue,
or set free as by paying a ransom. “The Savior’s Redemption has two
parts. First . . . [are] physical death ...[and] spiritual
death. . . . This redemption . . . is both universal and without condition. (.
. . “All overcome the grave and are resurrected to immortality [and are] brought
back into the presence of God to be judged. . . . (3 Nephi 27:14; See also Helaman 14:15–18.)” . . . Second .
. . is redemption from . . disobedience to divinely instituted law . .
.. Because we are accountable and we make the choices, the redemption from our
own sins is conditional . . . on
repentance (see D&C 58:43)." [vi]
“Denying ourselves of ungodly behavior is the beginning of repentance, . . . (Mosiah 5:2)'. This
change, called conversion, is possible only through the Savior. . . . As
we are made new in Christ, our very natures change and we no longer
want to go back to our old ways.” [vii]
How
this affects my future:
If I
follow Christ, I seek to participate in and further His redemptive
work. Elder D Todd Christofferson taught, “The greatest service we can
provide to others in this life, beginning with those of our own family, is to
bring them to Christ through faith and repentance . . . We can also
assist in the Lord’s redemption of those beyond the grave (D&C 138:57). . . . With the benefit of vicarious rites we offer them in the temples of God, even those who died in bondage to sin can be freed . . .for the prisoners shall go free (D&C 128:22).”
“As disciples of Jesus Christ, we
ought to do all we can to redeem others from suffering and burdens. Even so,
our greatest redemptive service will be to lead them to Christ.. . . . Ultimate
redemption is in Jesus Christ and in Him alone.” [viii]
I do all I can to help others find
real happiness and achievement and whenever possible collaborate with organized efforts to, “not
only teach and encourage each other in the gospel, but . . . also bring to bear
people and resources to deal with the exigencies of life . . . on a scale
needed to address larger challenges.” . . . “ It is
one of the reasons the Savior created a church.”
[ix]
When I trust in and rely on Jesus, miracles occur that allow me individually
and us collectively to effect greater charitable results than otherwise. “As we trust in
the Savior, promised miracles will occur. Whether in this life or the next, all
will be made right.” [x]
My
plan to apply it in my life:
I practice several things Elder
Richard G Scott suggested to increase understanding of the Atonement, “Establish
a personal study plan to better understand and appreciate the incomparable,
eternal, infinite consequences of Jesus Christ’s perfect fulfillment of His
divinely appointed calling as our Savior and Redeemer.”
“Profound personal pondering of the
scriptures accompanied by searching, heartfelt prayer will fortify your
understanding of and appreciation for His priceless Atonement. Another powerful
way to learn of Jesus Christ and His Atonement is through consistent temple
attendance.” [xi]
Because I have “felt the effects of
sin in [my] own life and the marvelous healing of the Atonement , ... Out of
love and gratitude for the Savior’s gift ... [I want] to help
everyone ... escape the sadness of sin, feel the joy of forgiveness, and
gather with them to safety in the kingdom of God.” [xii]
Doing my best to love and serve helps me remember my debt to the Savior.
“Remembrance
is the seed of gratitude which is the seed of generosity. Gratitude for the
remission of sins is the seed of charity, the pure love of Christ. And so
God has made possible for you and me this blessing, a change in our very
natures: ‘And the remission of sins bringeth meekness, and lowliness of heart;
and because of meekness and lowliness of heart cometh the visitation of the
Holy Ghost, which Comforter filleth with hope and perfect love . . .’ (Moro. 8:26.)”[xiii]
[i]
ELDER DALLIN H. OAKS of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, "Why We Do Missionary Work", September 2009, New
Era
[ii]
ELDER M. RUSSELL BALLARD of the Quorum of the
Twelve Apostles, “This Is My Work and Glory,”183rd Annual General Conference, 7
April 2013
[iii] ELDER D TODD CHRISTOFFERSON, of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, "The Divine Gift of Repentance" 181st Annual General Conference, April
2011
[iv]
ELDER NEIL L. ANDERSON of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, "What Thinks Christ of Me?" 1 April 2012, or Ensign, May page 114
[v]
ELDER RICHARD G. SCOTT of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, “He Lives! All Glory to His Name!” 180th Annual General Conference, April 2010
[vi] ELDER D TODD CHRISTOFFERSON, of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, "Redemption" 183rd Annual General Conference, 6 April 2013
[vii]
ELDER ROBERT D HALES of the Quorum of the
Twelve Apostles, “Being a More Christian Christian” 182nd Semi-annual General Conference, October 2012
[viii] ELDER D TODD CHRISTOFFERSON, of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostle, "Redemption" 183rd Annual General Conference, 6 April 2013
[ix]
ELDER NEIL L. ANDERSON of
the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, "What Thinks
Christ of Me?" 1
April 2012, or Ensign, May page 114
[x] Ibid
[xi]
ELDER RICHARD G. SCOTT of
the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, “He Lives! All Glory to His Name!” 180th Annual
General Conference, April 2010
[xii] ELDER HENRY B EYRING, First Counselor in the First Presidency, “We Are One,”183rd Annual General
Conference, 6 April 2013
[xiii] ELDER HENRY B EYRING, First Counselor
in the Presiding Bishopric, “Remembrance and
Gratitude,” 159th Annual
General Conference, October 1989
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