“Saving You Is the Plan—He Is the Way,” Ensign, August 2020
Saving You Is the Plan—He Is the Way
Illustrations by Jen Tolman
Saving You Is the Plan
Before we were born, Heavenly Father presented a plan for us to become like Him. Within that plan, the roles of Jesus Christ make our eternal growth possible. Jesus is “the way, the truth, and the life” (John 14:6).
Chosen
Jesus Christ was the first spirit born into Heavenly Father’s family. Jesus was chosen “from the beginning” (Moses 4:2) to be our Savior. When the Father presented His plan for our exaltation, Satan and his followers rebelled, but Jesus remained faithful. It is by the power of Jesus Christ that Satan was cast down.
See also John 17:5, 24; Mosiah 18:13; Ether 3:14; Moses 4:3; Abraham 3:24–27.
Creator
Under the direction of His Father, Jesus Christ created this beautiful earth for us. “All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made” (John 1:3).
See also Colossians 1:16–18; Mosiah 4:2; 3 Nephi 9:15; Doctrine and Covenants 14:9; Moses 2:26–27.
Exemplar
As part of Heavenly Father’s plan, Jesus Christ was born on earth and received a mortal body. He “took upon him the form of a servant” and “humbled himself” (Philippians 2:7–8) so He could understand how to help us in our own mortal journey. His life and teachings give us a perfect example of how to live. By following Him, we can become like God and return to Him one day.
See also 1 Peter 2:21; 2 Nephi 31:16; 3 Nephi 18:16.
He Is the Way
The life, example, and sacrifice of Jesus Christ are central to our salvation and exaltation. By following Him, we can become like our Heavenly Father and return to His presence.
Redeemer
Jesus Christ saved each of us from death and sin. He willingly suffered for our sins in Gethsemane and on Calvary. After dying on the cross, He was resurrected. Through His Atonement, Jesus Christ overcame both spiritual and physical death. Jesus redeems all who believe and “who have a broken heart and a contrite spirit” (2 Nephi 2:7).
See also Isaiah 26:19; 2 Nephi 9:5–7, 10–12; Moses 5:14–15.
Judge
Because of His Atonement, Jesus Christ understands us perfectly and will serve as our judge. “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ” (2 Corinthians 5:10). We will be judged by what we have done and by what we have become.
See also John 5:22; Revelation 22:11–12; 2 Nephi 9:15–16.
Advocate
An advocate is someone who represents another during a trial. Jesus Christ is our Advocate. He has supported us from the beginning and will plead for us before the Father. Jesus will satisfy “the demands of justice” (Mosiah 15:9) for all who repent and believe in Him. Because Jesus is the Mediator between us and God, we have the chance to receive eternal life.
See also 1 Timothy 2:5; Hebrews 9:15; 1 John 2:1; Doctrine and Covenants 45:3–5; Moses 7:39.