The Atonement of Jesus Christ
The infinite and eternal sacrifice that makes redemption possible
Key Scripture
Alma 7:11-12
"And he shall go forth, suffering pains and afflictions and temptations of every kind; and this that the word might be fulfilled which saith he will take upon him the pains and the sicknesses of his people."
The Atonement of Jesus Christ is the central doctrine of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. It is the act by which the Savior took upon Himself the sins, pains, sicknesses, and infirmities of all mankind so that we might be forgiven and healed.
Gethsemane and Calvary
In the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus Christ suffered beyond mortal comprehension. He bled from every pore (Luke 22:44; Doctrine and Covenants 19:18) as He bore the weight of every sin ever committed. The following day, He was crucified on the cross at Golgotha, giving His life willingly. On the third day, He rose from the dead — the first fruits of the resurrection.
What the Atonement Accomplishes
The Atonement accomplishes three great things: it provides universal resurrection for all mankind, it offers forgiveness of sins to those who repent, and it brings healing and comfort to those who suffer. Elder Jeffrey R. Holland has taught that Christ's Atonement reaches not only into our sins but into our sorrows, our loneliness, and our fears.
Applying the Atonement
The Atonement is applied in our lives through faith in Jesus Christ, sincere repentance, baptism by immersion, receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost, and enduring faithfully to the end. These principles and ordinances are the gateway through which the power of the Atonement flows into our lives.
A Personal Savior
The Atonement is not merely a theological concept — it is personal. The Savior knows each of us by name. He descended below all things so that He could lift us above all things. His love is infinite, and His mercy is available to every soul who turns to Him.