Ch. 12: The Atonement

 

from Gospel Principles:

Let me back up a bit and sum the previous chapters that lead us to this point.  Well, we learned that their is a God and we lived with Him as spirits in our premortal life.  There the plan of salvation was presented to us and we rejoiced.  Most followed Heavenly Father's plan over Satan's which meant that we would be away from Heavenly Father's presence for awhile and dwell on earth where we would receive our physical bodies and be tested.  The fall of Adam and Eve jump started this testing for us in that we were are now accountable for our choices.  Should we follow God's commandments we would be blessed and be able to return in the presence of Heavenly Father once again; while if we do not follow His commandments we would reap consequences and be under Satan's power.  Heavenly Father was thorough and included assistance so that we may be able to stick to the right path.  We have the Holy Ghost, prayers, prophets, and scriptures to help us discern God's will.   Yet, the central part of our success is through our elder brother Jesus Christ and so the atonement comes to play.

In our mortal state we will be subject to sin and be unclean, thus disqualifies us to return back to Heavenly Father's presence. So an atonement was necessary for our salvation.  The Savior atoned for our sins by suffering in Gethsemane and by giving His life on the cross.  Hence, Christ is our mediator.  Follow me for a moment on a story: 

A man wanted something very much and in order to have this, he incurred a debt.  He signed a contract that he would pay it off some time along the way.  Before he knew it, the day came and the contract fell due and the debt had not been fully paid.  The creditor at this point had the power to repossess all that the debtor owned or cast him to prison.  The man asked for mercy, but this would not serve justice for the creditor.  Then came a friend to help.  He paid the debt in full and thus saved the debtor from prison.  The mediator then became the debtor's new creditor with new terms.  It was not going to be easy but it will be possible to repay.

Our sins are our spiritual debts.  Without Jesus Christ, who is our Savior and Mediator, we would all pay for our sins by suffering spiritual death.  But because of Him, if we will keep His terms, which are to repent and keep His commandments, we may return to live with our Heavenly Father.