2019
The Atonement of Jesus Christ (excerpts)
May 2019


“The Atonement of Jesus Christ (excerpts),” New Era, May 2019, 40–41.

The Atonement of Jesus Christ (excerpts)

Image
a skydiver

Suppose for a moment a man contemplating an exhilarating free fall makes a rash decision and spontaneously jumps from

a small plane. …

When we sin, we are like the foolish man who jumped from the plane. No matter what we do on our own, only a crash-landing awaits us. We are subject to the law of justice, which, like the law of gravity, is exacting and unforgiving. We can be saved only because the Savior, through His Atonement, mercifully provides us with a spiritual parachute of sorts. If we have faith in Jesus Christ and repent (meaning we do our part and pull the rip cord), then the protective powers of the Savior are unleashed

on our behalf and we can land spiritually unharmed.

This is possible, however, only because the Savior overcame the four obstacles that can prevent our spiritual progress.

1. Death. He overcame death through His glorious Resurrection. …

2. Sin. The Savior overcame sin and guilt for all those who repent. …

. . . It is an infinite Atonement because it encompasses and circumscribes every sin and weakness, as well as every abuse or pain caused by others. …

3. Afflictions and Infirmities. 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” [Alma 7:11–12].

How does He accomplish this? Sometimes He removes the affliction, sometimes He strengthens us to endure, and sometimes He gives us an eternal perspective to better understand their temporary nature. . . .

… Because of the Savior’s Atonement, we can have an eternal perspective that gives meaning to our trials and hope for our relief.

4. Weaknesses and Imperfections. 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. …

… Because the Savior performed His Atonement, there is no external force or event or person—no sin or death or divorce—that can prevent us from achieving exaltation, provided we keep God’s commandments. With that knowledge, we can press forward with good cheer and absolute assurance that God is with us in this heavenly quest.