Continuing from a previous post. . . . “Unsure”
~~From Dallin H. Oaks of the First Presidency of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, from his book “With Full Purpose of Heart”
From a previous post: “Man unquestionably has impressive power and can bring to pass great things by tireless efforts and indomitable will. But after all our obedience and good works, we cannot be saved from the effect of our sins without the Grace extended by the atonement of Jesus Christ. . . . continuing . . .
The Book of Mormon puts it right. It teaches that “salvation does not come by prayer alone” (Mosiah 13:28); that is, that salvation doth come by the law alone. “By the law, no flesh is justified” (2 Nephi 2:5). Even so those who serve God with their “whole souls” are “unprofitable servants” (Mosiah 2:11). We cannot earn our own salvation.
The Book of Mormon teaches, “Since man had fallen he could not merit anything of himself” (Alma 22:14). “There can nothing which is short of an infinite atonement which will suffice for the sins of the world” (Alma 34:2; 2 Nephi 9:7, Alma 34:8-16). Wherefore, redemption cometh in and through the Holy Messiah; . . . He offereth himself a sacrifice for sin to answer the ends of the law” (2 Nephi 2:6-7).
In the Book of Mormon the Savior explains the gospel, including the Atonement and its relationship to repentance, baptism, works of righteousness, and the ultimate judgment:
“My Father sent me that I might be lifted upon the cross; . . .that I might draw all men unto me, . . . that they may be judged according to their works. And whoso repenteth and is baptized in my name shall be filled; and if he endureth to the end, behold, him will I hold guiltless before the Father at that day when I shall stand to judge the world” (3 Nephi 27:14-16).
The Savior restates these principles in a way that emphasizes our everlasting reliance on the Atonement worked out by the shedding of His blood:
“Ant no unclean thing can enter into [the Father’s] kingdom; therefore nothing entereth into his rest save it be those who have washed their garments in my blood, because of their faith, and the repentance of all of their sins, and their faithfulness unto the end” (3 Nephi 27:19).
Joseph Smith stated this same relationship in our third 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” (Articles of Faith 1:3).
Why is Christ the only way? How was it possible for Him to take upon Himself the sins of all mankind? Why was it necessary for His blood to be shed? And how can our spoiled and sinful selves be cleansed by His blood?
These are mysteries I do not understand. To me as to President John Taylor, the miracle of the atonement is incomprehensible and inexplicable.12 But the Holy Ghost has given me a witness of its truthfulness, and I rejoice that I can spend my life proclaiming it.
I testify with the ancient and modern prophets that there is “none other name [and no other way] under heaven. . .whereby we must be saved” (Acts 4:12; 2 Nephi 25:20, Alma 38:9; Doctrine & Covenants 18:23)
I witness with the prophet Lehi, that “there is no flesh that can dwell in the presence of God, save it, save it be through the merits, and mercy, and grace of the Holy Messiah” (2 Nephi 2;8).
I testify with the prophet Alma that no man can be saved except he is “cleansed form all stain, through the blood of [Jesus Christ]” (Alma 5:21). “Repentance,” he explained, “could not come unto men except there were a punishment” (Alma 42:16), and therefore God himself atoneth of the sins of the world, to bring about the plan of mercy, to appease the demands of justice” (Alma 42:15).
I witnessed with the prophets of the Book of Mormon that the Messiah, the Holy One of Israel, suffered “according to the flesh (Alma 7:13), the pains, the infirmities, and the griefs and sorrows of every living creature in the family of Adam (2 Nephi 9:21; Alma 7:12-13; Mosiah 14:4; Doctrine & Covenants 18:11).
I testify that when the Savior suffered for all of God’s children, they became subject unto Him (2 Nephi 9:5) and to His commandment that all must be baptized in his name, having perfect faint in [him] . . . or they cannot be saved in the kingdom of God” (2 Nephi 9:23; Alma 11:40; John 3:5; John 8:24).
Speaking through the Prophet Joseph Smith in our dispensation, the Savior said:
“I am . . . Christ the Lord, . . . the Redeemer of the World. I [have] accomplished and finished the will of him whose I am, even the Father, concerning me—have done this that I might subdue all things unto myself—
“Retaining wall power, even to . . . judging every man according to his works and the deeds which he hath done. And surely every man must repent of suffer, for I, God am endless. . . . wherefore I command you to repent. . . .
“For behold I, God, 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 (Doctrine & Covenants 19;1-4, 13, 16-170.
What think we of Christ? As members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, we testify with the Book of Mormon prophet-king that “there shall be no other name given nor any other way nor means whereby salvation can come unto the children of men, only in and through the name of Christ, The Lord Omnipotent. For behold, . . . salvation was, and is, and is to come, in and through the atoning blood of Christ: (Mosiah 3:17-18).
As we repent of our sins and seek to keep His commandments and our covenants, we cry out, as Benjamin’s people cried out. “O have mercy, and apply the atoning blood of Christ that we may receive forgiveness of our sins” (Mosiah 4:2).
In all of this, we remember and rely on the Lord’s sure word: “Keep my commandments in all things. And if you keep my commandments and endure to the end you shall have eternal life, which gift is the greatest of all the gifts of God (Doctrine & Covenants 14;6-7)
~~Dallin H. Oaks, What Think Ye of Christ (Salt Lake City: Deseret Book, 2002),p. 7-9 Also from an address published in the Ensign, November 1988, 65-68.
