Ensi
gn, “The Atonement,” November 1996
Today we’re finishing up our look at Mr. Nelson’s talk on the Mormon definition of atonement which also led to the definitions for immortality and eternal life. To read his speech in full simply click on the link above. Let’s get started!
“The Savior’s gift of immortality comes to all who have ever lived. But His gift of eternal life requires 
repentance and obedience to specific ordinances and covenants…
The Atonement Enabled the Purpose of the Creation to Be Accomplished
The Creation required the Fall. The Fall required the Atonement. The Atonement enabled the purpose of the Creation to be accomplished. Eternal life, made possible by the Atonement, is the supreme purpose of the Creation…
The purposes of the Creation, the Fall, and the Atonement all converge on the sacred work done in temples of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The earth was created and the Church was restored to make possible the sealing of wife to husband, children to parents, families to progenitors, worlds without end…
That is why we have missionaries; that is why we have temples—to bring the fullest blessings of the Atonement to faithful children of God.” – Russell M. Nelson
1 Timothy 6:16; “Who only hath immortality, dwelling in the light which no man can approach unto; whom no man hath seen, nor can see: to whom be honour and power everlasting. Amen.”
Romans 6:23; “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.”
In the words of my pastor ‘let’s unpack this’ and look at the important things Mr. Nelson said –
“The Savior’s gift of immortality comes to all who have ever lived. But His gift of eternal life requires repentance and obedience to specific ordinances and covenants…”
1.Translation: this is in reference to the unique LDS doctrine of the pre-existence. All Mormons believe the spirit of man was created before we came to earth. This, in their opinion, makes all of mankind immortal just like God.
2.How can this be true when the Bible tells us God ‘accomplished’ His work at the end of the sixth day? (Gen. 1:31-2:3)
3.Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross (the atonement) enabled man to be forgiven of sins (Ro. 5:18). By His selfless act He became the propitiation for us (1 John 2:2) which cancelled out our debt of sin (Col. 2:14).
4.Also consider the definitions for these words:
From Dictionary.com;
Immortality: immortal condition or quality; unending life
Mortality: the state or condition of being subject to death; mortal character, nature, or existence
Eternal: without beginning or end; lasting forever; always existing (opposed to temporal):
eternal life
Mr. Nelson also said;
“The Atonement Enabled the Purpose of the Creation to Be Accomplished”
5.Again, this contradicts what His word says in Gen. 1:31-2:3 – see passage above. They have things all backwards! Let’s look at what the purpose of creation is for –
From Bible.org;
“In general, Scripture teaches us that God created the world and all that is in it for His own glory and because He desired to share His life with others. The creation of all these things demonstrates His glory, His love, grace, mercy, wisdom, power, goodness, etc. Compare Psalm 19:1f; 8:1; 50:6; 89:5.”
Our last item to look at Mr. Nelson stated the following –
“The purposes of the Creation, the Fall, and the Atonement all converge on the sacred work done in temples of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.”
6.Newsflash! God doesn’t need you or me to accomplish His work. Te purpose of man’s life is trust.
‘Trust and obey, for there’s no other way
To be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey’
In Closing –
The other day we looked at the fact God planted a tree in Eden. Did God owe us an explanation? No! Our job, if you will, is to love Him and others. We do this by trusting His wise counsel.
Another important obligation we have: using the correct definition of words to describe something and not playing a game of bait and switch with the unsuspecting.
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