Christ praying

Christ in Gethsemane, by Heinrich Hofmann

March 28

Why Do I Need the Atonement of Jesus Christ?

Doctrine and Covenants 29

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Counsel Together

Led by a member of the quorum or class presidency; approximately 10–20 minutes

At the beginning of the meeting, repeat together the Young Women Theme or the Aaronic Priesthood Quorum Theme. Then lead a discussion about the work of salvation and exaltation using one or more of the questions below or questions of your own (see General Handbook, 10.2, 11.2, ChurchofJesusChrist.org). Plan ways to act on what you discuss.

• Live the gospel. How are we finding joy in following Jesus Christ?

• Care for those in need. Who in our ward or community needs our help? How can we help?

• Invite all to receive the gospel. How can we help each other prepare for missionary service?

• Unite families for eternity. How can we contribute to our ward’s efforts to do family history and temple work?

At the end of the lesson, as appropriate, do the following:

• Testify of the principles taught.

• Remind quorum or class members about the plans and invitations made during the meeting.

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Teach the Doctrine

Led by an adult leader or youth; approximately 25–35 minutes

Prepare Yourself Spiritually

President Ezra Taft Benson taught: “Just as a man does not really desire food until he is hungry, so he does not desire the salvation of Christ until he knows why he needs Christ. No one adequately and properly knows why he needs Christ until he understands and accepts the doctrine of the Fall and its effect on all mankind” (“The Book of Mormon and the Doctrine and Covenants,” Ensign, May 1987, 85). As you studied Doctrine and Covenants 29 this week, you may have noticed the Savior’s description of the Fall and how we are redeemed from it. How did you gain a testimony of Jesus Christ and of His role as your Savior and Redeemer? Think about how strengthening quorum or class members’ testimonies of Him will change them. As you prepare, consider studying “Agency and the Fall of Adam and Eve,” “The Atonement of Jesus Christ,” and “The Divine Mission of Jesus Christ” in chapter 3 of Preach My Gospel ([2019], 49–52, 60–61).

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Because the Savior redeemed us from the Fall, we can find joy.

Learn Together

To introduce today’s discussion, you could invite those you teach to list on the board anything they know about the Fall of Adam and Eve. For instance, what do they learn about the Fall from Doctrine and Covenants 29:36–50? What evidence of the Fall do we see around us? The activities below will help your quorum or class discover how the Atonement of Jesus Christ helps us overcome the effects of the Fall.

• To better understand the Fall of Adam and Eve, quorum or class members could read “Fall” in True to the Faith (56–59) or “Agency and the Fall of Adam and Eve” in chapter 3 of Preach My Gospel (49–50). Invite them to imagine that a friend asks them, “Why do I need Jesus Christ?” Invite them to teach each other in pairs how they would answer that question based on what they learned from their reading.

• How can you help quorum or class members learn from the scriptures why they need the Atonement of Jesus Christ? One way is to write some of the scripture references from “Supporting Resources” on the board and then write the summary statements for those references on strips of paper. Give each quorum or class member one of the paper strips. Invite them to read the scripture references written on the board and find one that matches their summary statement. (Some of the statements refer to more than one scripture.) Invite each quorum or class member to read aloud the scripture passage that matches their statement and share what they learned about why we need the Savior’s Atonement.

• Invite quorum or class members to privately answer questions like the following: How am I blessed through the Atonement of Jesus Christ? What would the Savior have me change so that I can more fully experience the blessings of His Atonement? Then ask them to discuss the first question together. They could review “The Atonement of Jesus Christ” and “The Divine Mission of Jesus Christ” in chapter 3 of Preach My Gospel (51–52, 60–61) and one or more of the videos in “Supporting Resources.” Invite them to share what they learned.

Act in Faith

Encourage quorum or class members to ponder and record what they will do to act on the impressions they received today. How does today’s lesson relate to personal goals they have made? If they would like, quorum or class members could share their ideas.

Supporting Resources

• Doctrine and Covenants 19:16–19 (Jesus Christ paid the price for our sins so that we would not suffer if we repent)

• 2 Nephi 9:6–16; Alma 42:6–9 (Jesus Christ saves us from death and hell)

• 2 Nephi 2:5–10; Helaman 14:15–17 (Only through Jesus Christ can we return to God)

• Mosiah 3:7; Alma 7:11–13 (Because Christ took upon Himself our afflictions and sins, He knows how to help us)

• Moses 5:10–12 (Because the Savior redeemed us from the Fall, we can find joy)

• Walter F. González, “The Savior’s Touch,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2019, 90–92

• “Where Justice, Love, and Mercy Meet,” “Why We Need a Savior,” “The Atonement Enables Us” (videos), ChurchofJesusChrist.org

Teaching in the Savior’s Way

The Savior prayed for His disciples and continually served them. He found opportunities to be with them and express His love. What opportunities do you have to do the same with those you teach? (See Teaching in the Savior’s Way [2016], 6.)