Relief Society Special Teaching for our Times
Easter Sunday: The Resurrection & Atonement
April 12, 2009
What wonderful timing to find this inspiring short video called An Apostle’s Easter Thoughts on Christ, from last week’s 179th Semi-Annual General Conference of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.
Can anyone recite the 3rd Article of Faith? We believe that through the Atonement of Christ, all mankind may be saved, by obedience to the laws and ordinances of the Gospel.
Today’s lesson is on the Resurrection and Atonement, which is the greatest lesson and act Jesus Christ did for us. Through the resurrection, Jesus’ life became a parable that we may learn, teach and be edified. In addition to reinforcing our understanding of and need for the Atonement of Jesus Christ, this lesson will also teach how to receive the blessings of the Atonement.
The Prophet 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.”
In the April 2009 Ensign, Elder Cecil Samuelson’s May 2006 BYU Women’s Conference address offered the following counsel:
These fundamental principles are grounded in the Atonement of Jesus Christ. The word Atonement “describes the setting ‘at one’ of those who have been estranged, and denotes the reconciliation of man to God.
The risks of our becoming distant from our Father in Heaven and the Savior are significant and constantly around us. Jacob, the brother of Nephi, described the Atonement as “infinite” (2 Nephi 9:7), meaning without limitations or externally imposed constraints. That is why the Atonement is so remarkable and so necessary. Little wonder, then, that we not only need to appreciate this incomparable gift but also to understand it clearly.
Let us re-acquaint ourselves with Jacob and Nephi’s counsel through some of the greatest chapters of the Book of Mormon: 2nd Nephi 6-10.
According to these writings, what are some of the things the Savior does for us?
• He delivers us (2 Ne. 6:17)
• He redeems us (2 Ne. 7:2)
• He comforts us (2 Ne. 8:3, 12)
• He’s a light for us; He judges us; He saves us (2 Ne. 8:4-6)
Key point: He is able to do all of this for us, and much more, because of his atonement
Class Exercise: using the following as an outline, I divided the class into 4 groups, prompting each group with 2 questions to read, discuss and share the answers, taking about 15 minutes.
• Doctrine (2 Ne. 9:4-20)
• Application (2 Ne. 9:21-38)
• Invitation (2 Ne. 9:39-52)
Group A: Using a problem | solution format, first define the answers to the question, referencing 2 Ne 9:4-20.
1. What is our problem as mankind? (2 Ne. 9:6-9)
• Left to ourselves, all of us are hopelessly lost
• Our bodies would die and be lost to us forever (2 Ne. 9:7)
• Our spirits would be corrupted by the devil (2 Ne. 9:8-9)
• We are subject to two deaths (2 Ne. 9:10)
• Physical death: separation of our spirit from our body
• Spiritual death (aka “hell”): our separation from God
2. What are the results of the Savior’s atonement (2 Ne. 9:11-16)
• All will be resurrected, physically and spiritually (2 Ne. 9:11-12)
• All will be restored to their perfect state (2 Ne. 9:13-14)
• All will be brought into God’s presence for judgement (2 Ne. 15-16)
Group B: Using 2 Ne. 9: 4-20, please answer the following two questions.
1. What the Savior personally did to save us (2 Ne. 9:5, 21)
• He came and dwelled with us as one of us
• He suffered every pain and affliction of all people of all time
• He sacrificed his own life on our behalf
2. List some things that demonstrate God’s character
• His wisdom, mercy, and grace (2 Ne. 9:8, 19)
• His goodness (2 Ne. 9:10)
• His planning (foresight) (2 Ne. 9:13)
• His greatness and justice (2 Ne. 9:17)
• His holiness and knowledge (2 Ne. 9:20)
Group C: Using 2 Ne. 9: 18-52, please answer the following two questions. When this group shares their answers, emphasize what we must do to achieve Eternal Life as well as what we must avoid.
1. What are our requirements to be judged righteous by God?
• Believe in Christ (2 Ne. 9:18)
• Endure the crosses of the world (2 Ne. 9:18)
• Hearken to His voice (2 Ne. 9:21)
• Repent, be baptized, have faith (2 Ne. 9:23)
• Be spiritually minded (2 Ne. 9:39)
• Feast upon that which perisheth not (2 Ne. 9:51)
• Remember the words of God (2 Ne. 9:52)
• Pray continually (2 Ne. 9:52)
• Keep trying
2. What are the warnings given to us? (2 Ne. 9:27-38)
• Don’t waste your time on Earth (2 Ne. 9:27)
• Don’t put learning or riches ahead of God (2 Ne. 9:28-30)
• Don’t be spiritually blind or deaf (2 Ne. 9:31-32)
• Don’t be uncircumcised of heart (2 Ne. 9:33)
• Don’t lie, murder, commit whoredoms, or worship idols (2 Ne. 9:34-37)
• Don’t die in your sins! (2 Ne. 9:38)
Group D: Using both 2 Ne. 9: 29-52 and 2 Ne. 10: 1-8, please answer the following questions.
1. What the atonement do for Israel as a people?
• They will reject Christ (sin) (2 Ne. 10:3)
• They will suffer and lose the land of their inheritance (death) (2 Ne. 10:6)
• They will come to believe in Christ (repentance) (2 Ne. 10:7)
• They will be restored to their land (resurrection) (2 Ne. 10:8)
2. What is the invitation extended to individuals by the atonement?
Let’s read a familiar verse from Isaiah chapter 53, verses 4 and 5. As the verses are read, think about how they apply directly to you.
“Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows; yet we did esteem Him stricken, smitten of God and afflicted.
But He was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with His stripes we are healed.”
Ask: Has he ever borne your grief or carried your sorrows?
When I was investigating the Church, doctrinal discourse and gospel based thinking were all new, and I asked the missionaries what seems like a rather simple question: why was the Atonement necessary? Why would God require His son – his child — to suffer? Why? If He was omnipotent, why was it necessary for our Savior to be crucified?
Now that my knowledge of the gospel has deepened and grown, I realize that it wasn’t about the Savior. It wasn’t about Heavenly Father. The atonement was about us – a gift for you and for me to know eternal life.
The atonement is why the Savior knows our aching and feels our cries. The atonement is why, when we hand our yoke over, Christ shouldering our burden is not just a comforting theory. The atonement is not a goodnight story like Noah’s Ark so children can have happy dreams. The atonement is the foundation our entire world – humanity even — was built upon.
I have a strong testimony of the personal nature of the atonement of Jesus Christ. C.S. Lewis wrote in Mere Christianity:
“[God] has infinite attention to spare for each one of us. He does not have to deal with us in the mass. You are as much alone with Him as if you were the only being He had ever created. When Christ died, He died for you individually just as much as if you had been the only man [or woman] in the world.”
Before I joined the church, I was an expert in heaping guilt upon myself because of choices I had made in my dark and distant past. There were lots of voices in my head and around me telling me to forgive, love, accept, release, protect and free myself. And yet, there was no peace. Absolution was not mine to give.
When I was baptized, I felt the individual gift of the atonement as my sins were washed away. There is only one who can grant me absolution- there is only one who can carry my burden- there is only one who could free my heart, mind, body and soul.
The atonement is a tangible gift for one’s spirit. In my case, it has literally changed my life. During my Temple worthiness interview with Bishop Harris, we discussed the concept of clean vs unclean. He taught using Alma the Younger as a parable – after the penance was done, I too, was able to rise from my knees, truly new. As I left the interview, the power implicit in the gift of the atonement was engraved forever upon my heart.
While I know, beyond any shadow of any doubt, that I am forgiven and loved of the Lord, memories remain both of the acts and of my redeemer, who took my load from me, when no other could, saying:
“Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me, for I am meek and lowly in heart, and ye shall find rest unto your soul. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light” Matthew 11:28-30
I testify that Jesus IS the Christ — the only begotten son of God, the Father and that because of this he had power over death. He voluntarily gave up his life that we might live. Three days after his body expired, he was resurrected, fulfilling the promise of the atonement for each and every one of us.
Throughout history, up until the time of Christ, offerings – or sacrifices were made. These offerings were made in similitude of Jesus Christ and were offerings of forgiveness and a renewal of covenants. We have been asked to offer up a sacrifice of a broken heart and a contrite spirit. And, just as those early sacrifices were imperfect – so are ours.
As I learned firsthand, we do not have the power to sanctify ourselves. Without the Savior, no offering we give is enough. But, we must make our offering so that it can be sanctified. We must repent.
In the Garden of Gethsemane the Savior saw me, personally and he loved me enough to suffer for my sins, my pain, my weaknesses…
For everything I lack, the atonement is sufficient.
I leave this Easter lesson with you in the glorious name of Jesus Christ, Amen.
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