Lesson 43

The Atonement of Jesus Christ (Part 1)

Introduction

The teaching materials for this doctrinal mastery topic are divided into two parts. In Part 1, students will study paragraphs 3.1–3.10 of the Doctrinal Mastery Core Document and learn about the Atonement of Jesus Christ, faith in Jesus Christ, and repentance. They will also study the doctrinal mastery passage Isaiah 1:18.

Note: You could teach the segments of this lesson in a single class session or over the course of several class sessions, dividing class time between Doctrinal Mastery and a regular sequential scripture lesson. If you choose to teach the segments over the course of several class sessions, you may need to briefly review with students what they learned in previous segments before you teach a new segment.

Suggestions for Teaching

Speaking about the Atonement of Jesus Christ

President Russell M. Nelson taught, “It is doctrinally incomplete to speak of the Lord’s atoning sacrifice by shortcut phrases, such as ‘the Atonement’ or ‘the enabling power of the Atonement’ or ‘applying the Atonement’ or ‘being strengthened by the Atonement.’ … There is no amorphous entity called ‘the Atonement’ upon which we may call for succor, healing, forgiveness, or power. … The Savior’s atoning sacrifice—the central act of all human history—is best understood and appreciated when we expressly and clearly connect it to Him” (Russell M. Nelson, “Drawing the Power of Jesus Christ into Our Lives,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2017, 40).

Understanding the Doctrine

Segment 1 (15 minutes)

Divide students into groups of two or three, and give each student a copy of the following handout. Invite students to open their copies of the Doctrinal Mastery Core Document to topic 3, “The Atonement of Jesus Christ,” and to work in their groups to find and mark words or phrases in the document that answer each question on the handout.

The Atonement of Jesus Christ

Instructions: Read doctrinal topic 3, “The Atonement of Jesus Christ,” in the Doctrinal Mastery Core Document with your group. As you read, find and mark words or phrases from the document that answer each question below.

Paragraph 3.1

1. When was Jesus Christ chosen to be our Savior and Redeemer?

2. What does the Savior’s sacrifice teach us about our eternal value?

Paragraph 3.2

3. In what ways was Jesus Christ “the only one capable of making an infinite and eternal Atonement”?

Paragraph 3.3

4. What events are included in the Savior’s Atonement?

5. What did Jesus Christ make possible for us through His Atonement?

Paragraph 3.4

6. In addition to suffering for our sins, what else did Jesus Christ do for us while making His atoning sacrifice?

Paragraph 3.5

7. What must we do for the Atonement of Jesus Christ to fully take effect in our lives?

Paragraphs 3.6–3.7

8. In addition to believing in Jesus Christ, how can we express true faith in Him?

Paragraphs 3.8–3.9

9. What does it mean to repent?

Paragraph 3.10

10. What are some of the promised blessings we can receive as we sincerely repent of our sins?

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After sufficient time, invite students to discuss with the class what stood out to them as they studied. You may want to ask students if they have any questions about what they studied and then discuss those questions.

Segment 2 (5 minutes)

Invite a student to read aloud the last sentence of paragraph 3.3 in the Doctrinal Mastery Core Document. Ask the class to follow along, looking for blessings available to us because of the Atonement of Jesus Christ. Students should report 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. Display this statement on the board, and invite students to consider marking it in their copies of the Doctrinal Mastery Core Document.

To help students understand this key statement of doctrine, display the following statement and invite a student to read it aloud. Ask the class to follow along, looking for why we need Jesus Christ’s atoning sacrifice in order to return and dwell with Heavenly Father eternally.

“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?

Segment 3 (15 minutes)

Invite students to turn to Isaiah 1:18. Explain that this doctrinal mastery passage helps teach the key statement of 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. Invite students to consider marking this passage in a distinctive way so they can locate it easily.

To help students understand the context of this passage, explain that 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 also engaged in many wicked practices (see Isaiah 1:5–15). Through Isaiah, the Lord called upon these people to repent of their sins. Invite a student to read Isaiah 1:18 aloud. Ask the class to follow along, looking for the symbols the Lord used to describe the people’s sins.

• What symbols did the Lord use to describe the people’s sins?

To help students understand the symbolism of scarlet and crimson used in this verse, display the following images:

Explain that “in Isaiah 1:18, the words scarlet and crimson refer to bright 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).

• Why do you think scarlet and crimson can be symbolic of sin? (Possible answers could include that our sins cause our spirits to be unclean or stained and that our sins are bright or obvious to God, even if we try to keep them hidden.)

Point out that many people feel that, like dye that does not wash or fade away, their sins are permanent and too serious to be forgiven. While this may be true for dyed cloth, it is not true of our sins.

To help students understand the symbolism of snow and wool used in Isaiah 1:18, display the following images:

• In what ways are snow and wool good symbols of what will happen to our sins if we repent? (Some possible answers are that both snow and wool are white, which represents purity; snow comes from above, just as forgiveness does; and wool comes from sheep, and the scriptures sometimes describe the Savior as being the sacrificial Lamb of God [see Isaiah 53:7].)

• What are some reasons why people may not want to repent or think they cannot repent of their sins? (Some possible answers include that they do not sense the seriousness of their actions; they feel their sins are so serious that God will not forgive them; they feel embarrassed; or they have tried to repent before but have fallen into the same transgression over and over.)

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

Segment 4 (10 minutes)

Display the following statement by Sister Carol F. McConkie, former First Counselor in the Young Women General Presidency. Invite a student to read it aloud. Ask the rest of the class to follow along, looking for what we must do to be cleansed through the Savior’s atoning sacrifice.

“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).

• According to Sister McConkie, what must we do to be cleansed through the Savior’s atoning sacrifice? (Consider writing students’ answers on the board.)

• In what ways do these things help us to be cleansed of our sins and become worthy to dwell in God’s presence eternally?

Invite students to ponder how they have experienced the cleansing power of the Savior and His Atonement.

Testify of Jesus Christ’s ability to cleanse and forgive us so that we can qualify to return to Heavenly Father’s presence. Invite students to continually strive to invite the Savior’s cleansing power into their lives by repenting of their sins, worthily partaking of the sacrament, and keeping their covenants.