Lesson 43

The Atonement of Jesus Christ (Part 1)

Prepare to Learn

Prepare your mind and heart to learn. As you prayerfully study the scriptures, you can learn through the Spirit and receive personal revelation that meets your needs and circumstances.

Begin your study with prayer.

How has the Savior strengthened you during your trials? In the video “A Secure Anchor” (3:36), Elder Richard G. Scott (1928–2015) of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles shares an analogy about rock climbing. How does this analogy relate to the Savior?

The Atonement of Jesus Christ

In today’s doctrinal mastery lesson, you will learn about the Atonement of Jesus Christ, faith in Jesus Christ, and repentance.

Open your copy of the Doctrinal Mastery Core Document and read topic 3, “The Atonement of Jesus Christ.” Find and mark words or phrases that are meaningful to you.

Quiz 1

1. According to paragraph 3.1, when was Jesus Christ chosen to be our Savior and Redeemer?

   1. When He was born

   2. As He suffered in the Garden of Gethsemane

   3. During the premortal council

2. According to paragraph 3.1, what does the Savior’s sacrifice teach us about our eternal value?

   1. We are all infinitely important to our Heavenly Father.

   2. We came to earth to have a physical body.

   3. We show our love for the Savior by obeying His commandments.

3. According to paragraph 3.2, in what ways was Jesus Christ “the only one capable of making an infinite and eternal Atonement”? Please select all that apply.

   1. Because He was perfect and never sinned, He was not subject to the law of justice and could pay the debt for anyone who repents.

   2. He was born in Bethlehem.

   3. He was baptized by John.

   4. Only He could conquer physical death.

4. According to paragraph 3.3, what events are included in the Savior’s Atonement? Please select all that apply.

   1. The calling of His Apostles

   2. His suffering for our sins in the Garden of Gethsemane

   3. His ministry to the poor

   4. His Resurrection

   5. His agony and death on the cross

   6. The shedding of His blood

5. According to paragraph 3.3, what did Jesus Christ make possible for us through His Atonement? Please select all that apply.

   1. Living during the Millennium

   2. Receiving forgiveness for and being cleansed of our sins

   3. Living in God’s presence forever

   4. Serving our fellowmen

The Only Way

The last sentence of paragraph 3.3 in the Doctrinal Mastery Core Document teaches the following truth: Jesus Christ’s atoning sacrifice provided the only way for us to be cleansed and forgiven of our sins so that we can dwell in God’s presence eternally. Consider marking this truth in your copy of the Doctrinal Mastery Core Document.

To better understand this key statement of doctrine, read the following statement:

“As descendants of Adam and Eve, all people inherit the effects of the Fall. In our fallen state, we are subject to opposition and temptation. When we give in to temptation, we are alienated from God, and if we continue in sin, we experience spiritual death, being separated from His presence. We are all subject to temporal death, which is the death of the physical body (see Alma 42:6–9; D&C 29:41–42).

“The only way for us to be saved is for someone else to rescue us. We need someone who can satisfy the demands of justice—standing in our place to assume the burden of the Fall and to pay the price for our sins. Jesus Christ has always been the only one capable of making such a sacrifice” (“Atonement of Jesus Christ,” Gospel Topics, topics.lds.org).

According to this statement, why is Jesus Christ’s atoning sacrifice necessary in order for us to return and dwell with Heavenly Father eternally?

The Savior’s Suffering

According to paragraph 3.4, in addition to suffering for our sins, Jesus Christ “took upon Himself the pains, temptations, sicknesses, and infirmities of all mankind (see Isaiah 53:3–5; Alma 7:11–13).”

Quiz 2

1. What must we do for the Atonement of Jesus Christ to fully take effect in our lives? (see paragraph 3.5). Please select all that apply.

   1. Be baptized

   2. Endure to the end

   3. Have faith in Him

   4. Receive the gift of the Holy Ghost

   5. Repent

   6. Never make mistakes

2. True or false: True faith in Jesus Christ leads us to act and is demonstrated by how we live (see paragraphs 3.6–3.7).

   1. True

   2. False

3. Fill in the blanks. “Repentance is a change of and ” (paragraph 3.8).

   1. body; soul

   2. desire; priorities

   3. mind; heart

Promised Blessings

1. Please answer the following questions:

• How have you been blessed as you have exercised faith in Jesus Christ?

• What are some of the promised blessings you can receive as you sincerely repent of your sins?

Doctrinal Mastery: Isaiah 1:18

Isaiah 1:18 is a doctrinal mastery passage that helps teach the doctrine that Jesus Christ’s atoning sacrifice provided the only way for us to be cleansed and forgiven of our sins so that we can dwell in God’s presence eternally. Consider marking this passage in a distinctive way in your scriptures so you can locate it more easily.

In Isaiah’s time, the Israelites exhibited some righteous behaviors, including offering sacrifices at the temple and observing sacred feasts such as the Passover, but they also engaged in many wicked practices (see Isaiah 1:5–15). Through Isaiah, the Lord called upon these people to repent of their sins.

Read Isaiah 1:18, looking for the symbols the Lord used to describe the people’s sins.

Scarlet and Crimson

“In Isaiah 1:18, the words scarlet and crimson refer to red colors that come from certain dyes” (“Scarlet, Crimson, Snow, and Wool,” New Era, Feb. 2016, 8). After a dye is applied to a piece of cloth, its color will typically “stick to the cloth and not fade or wash away” (“Scarlet,” 8).

In what ways can scarlet and crimson be compared to our sins?

Snow and Wool

Our sins cause our spirits to be unclean or stained. Our sins are bright or obvious to God, even if we try to keep them hidden. Many people feel that, like dye that does not wash or fade away, their sins are permanent and too serious to be forgiven.

Two other symbols used in Isaiah 1:18 are snow and wool.

In what ways are snow and wool good symbols of what can happen to our sins if we repent?

Repentance

Snow and wool are both white, which represents purity. Snow comes from above, just as forgiveness does. Wool comes from sheep, and the scriptures sometimes describe the Savior as being the sacrificial Lamb of God (see Isaiah 53:7).

2. Please answer the following questions:

• What are some reasons why people may not want to repent or think they cannot repent of their sins?

• How could understanding the truths and symbolism taught in Isaiah 1:18 help someone who has one of these concerns?

Becoming Clean

What must we do to be cleansed through the Savior’s atoning sacrifice? Try to identify several answers to this question in the following statement by Sister Carol F. McConkie, who served formerly in the Young Women General Presidency.

What must we do to be cleansed through the Savior’s atoning sacrifice? Try to identify several answers to this question in the following statement by Sister Carol F. McConkie, who served formerly in the Young Women General Presidency.

You can read the text for this video here: Carol F. McConkie, “The Beauty of Holiness,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2017, 10.

“Our hope for holiness is centered in Christ, in His mercy and His grace. With faith in Jesus Christ and His Atonement, we may become clean, without spot, when we deny ourselves of ungodliness [see Moroni 10:32–33] and sincerely repent. We are baptized by water for the remission of sins. Our souls are sanctified when we receive the Holy Ghost with open hearts. Weekly, we partake of the ordinance of the sacrament. In a spirit of repentance, with sincere desires for righteousness, we covenant that we are willing to take upon us the name of Christ, remember Him, and keep His commandments so that we may always have His Spirit to be with us. Over time, as we continually strive to become one with the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost, we become partakers of Their divine nature [see 2 Peter 1:4]” (Carol F. McConkie, “The Beauty of Holiness,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2017, 10).

Cleansing by the Savior

Take a few moments and ponder how you have been cleansed by the Savior and His Atonement.

What can you do to be cleansed of your sins and become worthy to dwell in God’s presence eternally?

Keeping Myself Clean

The following truth was identified in this lesson:

• Jesus Christ’s atoning sacrifice provided the only way for us to be cleansed and forgiven of our sins so that we can dwell in God’s presence eternally.

Continue to invite the Savior’s cleansing power into your life by repenting of your sins, worthily partaking of the sacrament, and keeping your covenants.

Answer Key

Quiz 1: (1) c; (2) a; (3) a, d; (4) b, d, e, f; (5) b, c

Quiz 2: (1) a, b, c, d, e; (2) a; (3) c