The Power of The Atonement of Jesus Christ

“In preparatory times of the Old Testament, the practice of atonement was finite—meaning it had an end. It was a symbolic forecast of the definitive Atonement of Jesus the Christ. 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 time, putting an end to the preceding prototype of animal sacrifice. 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”, October 1996 General Conference

“Brothers and sisters, I believe that if we could truly understand the Atonement of the Lord Jesus Christ, we would realize how precious is one son or daughter of God. I believe our Heavenly Father’s everlasting purpose for His children is generally achieved by the small and simple things we do for one another. At the heart of the English word atonement is the word one. If all mankind understood this, there would never be anyone with whom we would not be concerned, regardless of age, race, gender, religion, or social or economic standing. We would strive to emulate the Savior and would never be unkind, indifferent, disrespectful, or insensitive to others.

“If we truly understood the Atonement and the eternal value of each soul, we would seek out the wayward boy and girl and every other wayward child of God. We would help them to know of the love Christ has for them. We would do all that we can to help prepare them to receive the saving ordinances of the gospel.”

M. Russell Ballard, “The Atonement and The Value of One Soul", April 2004 General Conference

“The study of behavior is greatly improved when linked to standards and to values. Practical values, useful in everyday life, are found in the scriptures and the doctrines they reveal. I will give you one example: ‘We believe that through the Atonement of Christ, all mankind may be saved, by obedience to the laws and ordinances of the Gospel’… You need not know everything before the power of the Atonement will work for you. Have faith in Christ; it begins to work the day you ask!”

Boyd K. Packer, “Washed Clean”, April 1997 General Conference

“I believe that no matter how diligently you try, you cannot with your human mind fully comprehend the eternal significance of the Atonement nor fully understand how it was accomplished. We can only appreciate in the smallest measure what it cost the Savior in pain, anguish, and suffering or how difficult it was for our Father in Heaven to see His Son experience the incomparable challenge of His Atonement. Even so, you should conscientiously study the Atonement to understand it as well as you can. You can learn what is needful to live His commandments, to enjoy peace and happiness in mortal life. You can qualify, with obedient family members, to live with Him and your Father in Heaven forever.”

Richard G. Scott, “The Atonement Can Secure Your Peace and Happiness”, October 2006 General Conference

“Sin is the willful transgression of divine law. The Atonement of Jesus Christ is the gift of God to His children to correct and overcome the consequences of sin. God loves all of His children, and He will never cease to love and to hope for us. The plan of our Heavenly Father is clear, and His promises are great: ‘For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world … might be saved. (John 3:17)’

“Christ came to save us. If we have taken a wrong course, the Atonement of Jesus Christ can give us the assurance that sin is not a point of no return. A safe return is possible if we will follow God’s plan for our salvation.”

Dieter F. Uchtdorf, “The Point of Safe Return”, April 2007 General Conference

“Many lessons can be learned from the account of the Atonement. It is comforting to know that, though suffering, Jesus Christ was able to look down from the cross and be concerned for His mother, that she should be properly cared for, as He asked for the help of a disciple. This is one of the great messages we have heard this conference—that we turn some of our attention from our own trials and tribulations to concern and caring for others.”

Robert D. Hales, “Lessons From the Atonement That Help Us Endure To The End”, October 1985 General Conference

“One can still go to the Garden of Gethsemane, but the Lord Jesus cannot be found there, nor is He in the Garden Tomb. He is not on the road to Emmaus, nor in Galilee, nor at Nazareth or Bethlehem. He must be found in one’s heart. But He left us the great Comforter forever (see John 14:16) and the everlasting power of the priesthood. Of this power, Jacob, the son of Lehi, testified, ‘We truly can command in the name of Jesus and the very trees obey us, or the mountains, or the waves of the sea.’ (Jacob 4:6.)

“I testify that, through righteousness, this priesthood power and these supernal gifts of the Atonement and the Mediation can operate in our lives.”

James E. Faust, “The Supernal Gift of The Atonement”, October 1988 General Conference

“I testify that I know victims of serious abuse who have successfully made the difficult journey to full healing through the power of the Atonement. After her own concerns were resolved by her faith in the healing power of the Atonement, one young woman who had been severely abused by her father requested another interview with me. She returned with an older couple. I could sense that she loved the two very deeply. Her face radiated happiness. She began, ‘Elder Scott, this is my father. I love him. He’s concerned about some things that happened in my early childhood. They are no longer a problem for me. Could you help him?’ What a powerful confirmation of the Savior’s capacity to heal! She no longer suffered from the consequences of abuse, because she had adequate understanding of His Atonement, sufficient faith, and was obedient to His law. As you conscientiously study the Atonement and exercise your faith that Jesus Christ has the power to heal, you can receive the same blessed relief. During your journey of recovery, accept His invitation to let Him share your burden until you have sufficient time and strength to be healed.”

Richard G. Scott, “To Heal The Shattering Consequences of Abuse”, April 2008 General Conference

“Through His Atonement, He heals not only the transgressor, but He also heals the innocent who suffer because of those transgressions. As the innocent exercise faith in the Savior and in His Atonement and forgive the transgressor, they too can be healed.”

C. Scott Grow, “The Miracle of The Atonement”, April 2011 General Conference

“The Atonement of Jesus Christ is available to each of us. His Atonement is infinite. It applies to everyone, even you. It can clean, reclaim, and sanctify even you. That is what infinite means—total, complete, all, forever. President Boyd K. Packer has taught: ‘There is no habit, no addiction, no rebellion, no transgression, no apostasy, no crime exempted from the promise of complete forgiveness. That is the promise of the Atonement of Christ’ (“The Brilliant Morning of Forgiveness,” Ensign, Nov. 1995, 20).”

Shayne M. Bowen, “The Atonement Can Clean, Reclaim, And Sanctify Our Lives”, October 2006 General Conference

Position Statement:

The Atonement of Jesus Christ is the greatest, most important, and most transcendent event to have ever taken place on this earth. Through those scenes in Gethsemane, on the cross and in the garden tomb all humanity is rescued from the bondage of death. Through those acts we may also be brought back to enjoy our Heavenly Father’s presence but unlike the salvation from physical death, this is dependent upon us. The debt has already been paid and although we could never repay it, our broken hearts and contrite spirits give to Christ what he desires most. The blessings that come from the Atonement of Jesus Christ are already available but we must claim them. Let us not delay another minute in doing what is necessary to qualify for the rest from sin and worldly cares that the Atonement brings. We must repent today!