Lesson 6 Class Preparation Material

The Infinite Atonement of Jesus Christ

Christ Praying in the Garden of Gethsemane, by Hermann Clementz

What are your feelings and thoughts as you reflect on the Savior’s suffering in the Garden of Gethsemane and on the cross? President Russell M. Nelson taught, “The Book of Mormon provides the fullest and most authoritative understanding of the Atonement of Jesus Christ to be found anywhere” (“The Book of Mormon: What Would Your Life Be Like without It?” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2017, 62). As you study what the Book of Mormon teaches about Jesus Christ and His Atonement, think about how He has redeemed you from the effects of the Fall and made it possible for you to become more like Him and our Father in Heaven.

Section 1

Why do I need to embrace the Atonement of Jesus Christ?

In about 74 BC, the prophet Alma headed a mission to the Zoramites, who had a corrupt form of worship and taught that “there shall be no Christ” (Alma 31:16). When Alma and Amulek preached to a group of poor Zoramites who had been cast out of their places of worship, they taught them how to worship God and boldly testified that Christ would come and perform an infinite Atonement.

We know from the scriptures and modern-day revelation that “[Jesus Christ’s] Atonement included His suffering for the sins of mankind, the shedding of His blood, and His death and subsequent resurrection from the grave” (Guide to the Scriptures, “Atone, Atonement,” scriptures.ChurchofJesusChrist.org).

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Study in Preparation for Class

Read Alma 34:8–10, looking for what Amulek taught about our need for the Atonement of Jesus Christ.

The Crucifixion of Christ, by Louise Parker

President Russell M. Nelson taught the following about the Savior’s infinite Atonement:

President Russell M. Nelson

[Jesus Christ’s] Atonement is infinite—without an end. It was also infinite in that all humankind would be saved from never-ending death. It was infinite in terms of His immense suffering. It was infinite in time, putting an end to the preceding prototype of animal sacrifice. It was infinite in scope—it was to be done once for all. And the mercy of the Atonement extends not only to an infinite number of people, but also to an infinite number of worlds created by Him. It was infinite beyond any human scale of measurement or mortal comprehension.

Jesus was the only one who could offer such an infinite atonement, since He was born of a mortal mother and an immortal Father. Because of that unique birthright, Jesus was an infinite Being. (“The Atonement,” Ensign, Nov. 1996, 35)

Mary speaks with the resurrected Christ

The prophet Jacob also gave a powerful sermon addressing our need for the Lord’s infinite Atonement and how Jesus Christ delivers us from the effects of the Fall and the consequences of our sins.

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Study in Preparation for Class

Study 2 Nephi 9:6–10, 19–22, looking for what would have happened without the Savior’s infinite Atonement.

We can have complete trust that through the Savior’s infinite Atonement we can repent of our sins and be made clean. President Tad R. Callister, former Sunday School General President, provided the following caution about placing limits on the Lord’s Atonement:

President Tad R. Callister

On occasion, I have met with good Saints who have had trouble forgiving themselves, who have innocently but incorrectly placed limits on the Savior’s redemptive powers. Unwittingly, they have converted an infinite Atonement to a finite one that somehow falls short of their particular sin or weakness. But it is an infinite Atonement because it encompasses and circumscribes every sin and weakness, as well as every abuse or pain caused by others. (“The Atonement of Jesus Christ,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2019, 85–86)

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Ponder in Preparation for Class

How does knowing that the Savior’s Atonement is infinite affect the way you understand and respond to your own struggles and concerns? Do you truly believe Jesus Christ’s infinite Atonement can help and save you?

Section 2

How can the Atonement of Jesus Christ help me overcome the natural man?

As King Benjamin approached the end of his life, he delivered a powerful Christ-centered sermon to his people. During this sermon he shared what an angel had taught him about the ministry and Atonement of Jesus Christ. He taught that we can overcome the natural, or sinful, part of ourselves only through the Lord’s Atonement.

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Study in Preparation for Class

Read Mosiah 3:19, looking for what you can do to overcome the natural man.

King Benjamin’s people praying

Elder David A. Bednar of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles provided the following insights about the natural man or woman:

Elder David A. Bednar

To some degree, the natural man described by King Benjamin is alive and well in each of us (see Mosiah 3:19). The natural man or woman is unrepentant, is carnal and sensual (see Mosiah 16:5; Alma 42:10; Moses 5:13), is indulgent and excessive, and is prideful and selfish. As President Spencer W. Kimball taught, “The ‘natural man’ is the ‘earthy man’ who has allowed rude animal passions to overshadow his spiritual inclinations” (“Ocean Currents and Family Influences,” Ensign, Nov. 1974, 112). …

The precise nature of the test of mortality, then, can be summarized in the following question: Will I respond to the inclinations of the natural man, or will I yield to the enticings of the Holy Spirit and put off the natural man and become a saint through the Atonement of Christ the Lord (see Mosiah 3:19)? That is the test. Every appetite, desire, propensity, and impulse of the natural man may be overcome by and through the Atonement of Jesus Christ. We are here on the earth to develop godlike qualities and to bridle all of the passions of the flesh. (“We Believe in Being Chaste,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2013, 42, 43)

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Ponder in Preparation for Class

Have you ever felt like you could not control or overcome the appetites and impulses of the natural man or woman? How can the teachings in Mosiah 3:19 bring you hope that you can make righteous changes and become more like the Savior?

Want More? (Optional)

Where can I learn more about what the Book of Mormon teaches on the Atonement of Jesus Christ?

In the video “Jesus Christ and the Atonement in the Book of Mormon” (2:25), President Russell M. Nelson explains that the Book of Mormon contains many teachings about Jesus Christ and His Atonement.

In addition to the passages identified above, the following verses indicate the depth and the breadth of the Book of Mormon’s teachings on the Atonement of Jesus Christ: 2 Nephi 2:6–8; Mosiah 3:5–11; 15:7–9; Alma 7:11–13; 42:12–26; Helaman 14:15–19; Moroni 8:8–12.

What are the blessings of the Atonement of Jesus Christ?

Elder Jeffrey R. Holland

In the article “The Atonement of Jesus Christ” (Ensign, Mar. 2008, 32–38), Elder Jeffrey R. Holland of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles explains that some blessings of the Lord’s Atonement are given freely to everyone while other blessings are conditional and based on our obedience to the commandments.

What can I do to overcome the natural man or woman?

Elder Carl B. Cook

In the article “Win the Battle with the Natural Man” (Ensign, Dec. 2018, 64–69), Elder Carl B. Cook of the Presidency of the Seventy provides suggestions for how we can increase our capacity to overcome the natural man or woman and become saints “through the atonement of Christ the Lord” (Mosiah 3:19).