Alma 34:1–17

Jesus Christ’s Infinite and Eternal Atonement

Have you ever thought about what your life would be like without Jesus Christ and His Atonement? Amulek taught the Zoramites that all people are hardened, fallen, and lost without the infinite and eternal sacrifice of the Son of God. This lesson is intended to help you understand how Jesus Christ can bless you through His infinite and eternal atoning sacrifice.

How would life be different?

How would life be different without …?

Think about a few ways you could answer this question with people or things you rely on. For example, you might think about how your life would be different without a particular person, some of the technology or tools you often use, or an activity that you enjoy.

Take a moment to create a list in your study journal about some of the ways your life would be different without Jesus Christ and His Atonement. As you study today, you will learn truths that can help you better understand your need for Jesus Christ.

Amulek testifies to the Zoramites about Jesus Christ

You might recall that Alma and Amulek preached among the Zoramites, who believed there would “be no Christ” (Alma 31:16). After Alma finished his messages recorded in Alma 32–33, Amulek shared his own testimony of the Savior.

Read Alma 34:1–10, looking for what Amulek shared about Jesus Christ and His Atonement.

Alma 34:9–10 is a doctrinal mastery passage. Consider marking doctrinal mastery passages in a distinctive way so you can locate them easily. You will have an opportunity in the next lesson to practice applying the doctrine taught in this passage to a question or situation.

• Which words or phrases about Jesus Christ and His Atonement did you find especially meaningful? Why?

• What did you learn from these verses about why we need Jesus Christ to atone for us?

• How would you summarize Amulek’s teachings in Alma 34:8–10 as a statement of truth?

You may have identified a truth similar to the following: Without the infinite and eternal Atonement of Jesus Christ, all mankind would be lost forever.

• Why would all people “unavoidably perish” or become lost forever without Jesus Christ and His Atonement?

Infinite and eternal

Consider marking the words “infinite and eternal” at the end of verse 10 and copying the following diagram in your study journal:

• What do you think it means that Jesus Christ’s Atonement is infinite and eternal?

President Russell M. Nelson shared the following insights:

His 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 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. (Russell M. Nelson, “The Atonement,” Ensign, Nov. 1996, 35)

• What did this statement help you learn or feel about Jesus Christ and His atoning sacrifice?

How does it relate to you?

While the Savior can bless an infinite number of people through His Atonement, He can also bless you personally. Consider updating the diagram in your study journal to look like the following:

Study the following resources, looking for some of the ways the Savior can bless you personally because of His infinite and eternal Atonement.

• Alma 34:11–17

• 2 Nephi 9:10

• Doctrine and Covenants 58:42

President Tad R. Callister, former Sunday School General President, taught:

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. (Tad R. Callister, “The Atonement of Jesus Christ,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2019, 85–86)

1. Answer at least one of the following questions:

   • What did you learn about some of the ways the Savior can bless you personally through His infinite and eternal Atonement?

   • How would your life be different without Jesus Christ and His Atonement?

Optional: Want to Learn More?

How can Jesus Christ bless me personally through His infinite and eternal Atonement?

Elder Michael John U. Teh of the Seventy taught:

Oftentimes it is easier for us to think and speak of Christ’s Atonement in general terms than to recognize its personal significance in our lives. The Atonement of Jesus Christ is infinite and eternal and all-encompassing in its breadth and depth but wholly personal and individual in its effects. Because of His atoning sacrifice, the Savior has power to cleanse, heal, and strengthen us one by one. (Michael John U. Teh, “Our Personal Savior,” Liahona, May 2021, 99)

How can Jesus Christ and His Atonement provide me with hope?

Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles taught:

The Savior’s infinite Atonement completely changes the way we may view our transgressions and imperfections. Instead of dwelling on them and feeling irredeemable or hopeless, we can learn from them and feel hopeful. The cleansing gift of repentance allows us to leave our sins behind and emerge a new creature.

Because of Jesus Christ, our failures do not have to define us. They can refine us. (Dieter F. Uchtdorf, “God among Us,” Liahona, May 2021, 8–9)

Elder Gerrit W. Gong of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles taught:

When we have felt, or feel, uncertain, alone, frustrated, angry, let down, disappointed, or estranged from God and His restored Church, it may take an extra measure of effort and faith to enter again on His covenant path. But it is worth it! Please come, or come again, unto the Lord Jesus Christ! God’s love is stronger than the cords of death—temporal or spiritual. Our Savior’s Atonement is infinite and eternal. Each of us strays and falls short. We may, for a time, lose our way. God lovingly assures us, no matter where we are or what we have done, there is no point of no return. He waits ready to embrace us. (Gerrit W. Gong, “Our Campfire of Faith,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2018, 41)