The Life and Atonement of Jesus Christ
A Christmas reflection on the central doctrine of our religion — the character of Christ, the nature of His ministry, and the infinite reach of His atoning sacrifice.
Joseph Smith taught: “The fundamental principles of our religion are the testimony of the Apostles and Prophets, concerning Jesus Christ, that He died, was buried, and rose again the third day, and ascended into heaven; and all other things which pertain to our religion are only appendages to it.” During this Christmas season I have been contemplating the life and great atoning sacrifice of Jesus Christ.
The Youth of the Savior and His Character
What was Jesus Christ like? He was of the lineage of the House of David and the Only Begotten Son of God — “the express image of his person” (Heb. 1:3). John declared, “He that hath seen me hath seen the Father” (John 14:9). Isaiah wrote that he had “no form nor comeliness” (Isaiah 53:2) — he appeared as a normal man.
He was capable of dying because of his mortal mother Mary, yet capable of living forever because of his immortal Father. He could feel pain, sorrow, and hunger — all human experiences. And of all the spirits ever organized, he was “more intelligent than they all” (Abraham 3:19).
JST Matthew 3:24–26
“And it came to pass that Jesus grew up with his brethren, and waxed strong, and waited upon the Lord for the time of his ministry to come. And he served under his father, and he spake not as other men, neither could he be taught; for he needed not that any man should teach him.”
At the age of 12 he was in the temple teaching the learned men of the day — men who had studied the law all their lives — and all were astonished at his understanding and answers (Luke 2:46–47).
The Ministry of Jesus Christ
“He taught them as one having authority … and not as the scribes” (Matthew 7:29). Knowledge does not give authority — authority must be delegated of God to man. The devil and his angels have great knowledge; they do not have authority. This is a key strength of the restored Church: priesthood authority cannot be earned, nor taken, but must be given freely of God to man.
Why did Jesus teach in parables? Elder James E. Talmage wrote: “Two men may hear the same words. One of them listens in indolence and indifference, the other with active mind intent on learning all that the words can possibly convey; and, having heard, the diligent man goes straightway to do the things commended to him, while the careless one neglects and forgets.” By teaching in parables, Christ concealed the doctrine from those who would not have received it anyway, protecting them from greater condemnation. Even in this, he showed compassion toward those who hated him.
The Atonement of Jesus Christ
In the Garden of Gethsemane, Christ suffered both body and spirit — bleeding from every pore. On the cross, he gave up his life that all might be resurrected. What is the price of our sins? Why must it be an infinite atonement?
Alma 34:11–12
“Now there is not any man that can sacrifice his own blood which will atone for the sins of another… therefore there can be nothing which is short of an infinite atonement which will suffice for the sins of the world.”
The penalty of our sins was eternal — an eternal separation from God, never to live in His presence again. The result of Adam’s transgression was that our bodies would be eternally separated from our spirits. Both required an infinite resolution. Elder Talmage wrote of the agony in the final hours:
Jesus the Christ, pg. 661
“What mind of man can fathom the significance of that awful cry? It seems, that in addition to the fearful suffering incident to the crucifixion, the agony of Gethsemane had recurred, intensified beyond human power to endure. In that bitterest hour the dying Christ was alone, alone in most terrible reality… The Father had withdrawn the support of his presence, leaving the Savior of men the glory of complete victory over the forces of sin and death!”
D&C 19:16–18
“For behold, I, God, have suffered these things for all, that they might not suffer if they would repent; But if they would not repent they must suffer even as I; Which suffering caused myself, even God, the greatest of all, to tremble because of pain, and to bleed at every pore, and to suffer both body and spirit — and would that I might not drink the bitter cup, and shrink.”
The Results of the Atonement
Without Christ’s atonement, the dead would “rise no more and be subject to the devil” (2 Nephi 9:6–17). Because of the resurrection, all mankind returns in their bodies to the throne of God to be judged. And for the faithful:
D&C 76:58–60
“Wherefore, as it is written, they are gods, even the sons of God — Wherefore, all things are theirs, whether life or death, or things present, or things to come, all are theirs and they are Christ’s, and Christ is God’s. And they shall overcome all things.”
The results of the atonement are eternal in consequence. We will probably never completely understand the price paid. But we can know that it was paid — and that through faith, repentance, and ordinances, its infinite power is available to every soul who will come unto Christ.