Ensign, “The Atonement,” November 1996; “…Paul said, “As in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.” 14 The Atonement of Jesus Christ became the immortal 
creation. He volunteered to answer the ends of a law previously transgressed. 15 And by the shedding of His blood, His 16 and our physical bodies could become perfected. They could again function without blood, just as Adam’s and Eve’s did in their paradisiacal form. Paul taught that “flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; … this mortal must put on immortality.” 17…” – Russell M. Nelson
Leviticus 17:11; “For the life of the flesh is in the blood: and I have given it to you upon the altar to make an atonement for your souls: for it is the blood that maketh an atonement for the soul.”
The Mormon’s incessant, not to mention improper, use the word atonement lessens and confuses the meaning of what Christ did on the cross for us.
In light of that, today and tomorrow we’re looking at excerpts of Mr. Nelson’s definition of atonement. We’ll witness how they’ve thrown in a menagerie of unbiblical teachings to define this all important word and how this can lead to confusion.
Let’s look at what Mr. Nelson said;
‘The Atonement of Jesus Christ became the immortal creation’
Does this make sense to you? If you’re LDS what does this mean to you personally?
How does an event become an object or thing?
Mr. Nelson also said;
‘by the shedding of His blood, His and our physical bodies could become perfected’
Let’s take a look at what God says about the effects of Jesus’ spilt blood and our bodies.
1 John 3:2-3; “Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. 3 And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.”
Matthew 26:28; “For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.”
Hebrews 9:22; “And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission.”
The blood of Christ purged our sins once and for all! Here’s a few more things the blood of Jesus does for us –
Romans 5:9 – justifies
Ephesians 1:7 – redeems
Ephesians 2:11-16 – brings us into a covenant relationship with God
Revelation 5:9 – brought us into a right relationship regardless of race or nationality
Colossians 1:20 – brought peace
Hebrews 9:14 – purges our consciences from dead works
Hebrews 10:19 – blood allows us to enter the holiest place before His throne
Hebrews 13:20 – forges an everlasting covenant between believer and God
Hebrews 10:19 – sanctifies
1 John 1:7 – cleanses us from all sins
Revelation 1:5 – washes away our sins
Revelation 12:11 – causes us to overcome the devil – We believe in the blood unto the death
As Christians we’re SO grateful Jesus did all this for us. Words in any language aren’t sufficient to express the gratitude every Christian has for Him. But did you notice?
There wasn’t one verse telling us the effect of Jesus’ spilt blood perfected His or our bodies. In fact, in the gospels of Luke and Matthew we’re told his face shone like the sun while speaking to Moses & Elijah at the Transfiguration. And this obviously took place before His sacrifice on the cross at Calvary!
Luke 9:29-32; “And as he prayed, the fashion of his countenance was altered, and his raiment was white and glistering. 30 And, behold, there talked with him two men, which were Moses and Elias: 31 Who appeared in glory, and spake of his decease which he should accomplish at Jerusalem. 32 But Peter and they that were with him were heavy with sleep: and when they were awake, they saw his glory, and the two men that stood with him.”
Matthew 17:2-3; “And was transfigured before them: and his face did shine as the sun, and his raiment was white as the light. 3 And, behold, there appeared unto them Moses and Elias talking with him.”
I found a website with pages of scriptures listing what our bodies and Jesus’ body will be like at the end of time. I highly encourage everyone to pay a visit! You’ll be surprised at how many verses in the Bible talk about this! Heaven – God’s Promised Eternity
And last, but certainly not least, the Bible makes no mention of having to recreate Adam and Eve when He booted them from Eden. As we all know, blood is the essential transporter of oxygen to the brain causing it to function along with other vital organs, i.e. the heart, lungs, pancreas, kidneys, liver, etc. Therefore, it stands to reason they had blood coursing through their bodies beforehand.
The statement by the Apostle Paul that flesh and blood cannot inherit the earth is in reference to mankind who lives a life separated from God Almighty.
Where in the world do they come up with this stuff??? have they ever read the Bible???
In answer to your 2nd question – who knows?
In answer to your 1st question – I’ve discovered that many of the doctrines and teachings of this church in the 20th & 21st century reflect many of the philosophical mumbo-jumbo of Smith’s era. In turn, many of his teachings reflect the popular ideas that were floating around in society at that time.
It all sounds so sad and it is, but I’ve not found anything deeper than this in any of his writings.