The Atonement of Christ

Jesus Christ was born of Mary in Bethlehem, as announced by angelic choruses to shepherds. His birth through Mary was prophesied by Adam and countless prophets since. An angel came to tell Mary of her divine mission. She was overshadowed by the Holy Ghost and the Savior left His role as Jehovah behind to be swaddled in a manger. He came to Mary and Joseph who would teach, protect, and raise their Redeemer.

My mind goes particularly to Joseph. He was first told of the unborn child’s divine calling by a heavenly visitor. He observed as shepherds came to visit at the time of His birth. And men of substance came from many miles to worship the young child who would someday redeem them. Then, again, he was told by a heavenly messenger to leave when Jesus was in danger. And to return when it was safe. He observed when the twelve-year-old Jesus left the Jewish scholars amazed with His understanding of the scriptures. I can’t imagine how he felt carrying the responsibility of raising his Redeemer. But he was divinely selected for this role. And we know he was faithful in fulfilling this divine calling.

Jesus' ministry reached out to sinful souls who sought repentance. Sinners were changed into saints. He reached for those often forgotten by society. He taught that the least can be the greatest. A woman, long sick, was healed by a simple touch of His garment. One humble ruler who sought His blessings for his dying daughter was rewarded by her return from the dead. He healed so many others physically and spiritually.

He preached the gospel with an authority that had long been lost. The scribes taught by quoting law that they had studied for years but they gave rules and facts not spiritual experiences. Christ taught with life-changing spiritual power. Believers recognized the difference between the empty teachings of the scribes and the powerful teachings of Christ.

Our Savior took us from the Pharisees’ empty checklists to changed hearts. Not only should we not kill but it is wrong to hold onto our anger. Not only should we not commit adultery, but we should rid ourselves of lust (including pornography). He took us from “an eye for an eye” to loving our enemies. The Sabbath is not about having extensive do’s and don’t’s but rather is a day for us so we can feel God's presence in our lives as we put Him first. 

When we pray, we recognize His power and righteousness and our own weakness and dependence on Him. We pledge to help His will to be done on earth. We ask Him to guide us from temptation and then we choose to avoid all paths that could tempt us. We ask for the necessities of life and let Him decide how much more or less. When we sincerely ask of God, we will be answered. God will always give us good, even if we don’t agree with Him right now on what that good is and when it should come. Sometimes it takes time and looking back to see the miracles in our lives.

We must not pass judgement on others. We should be lifting not condemning. Only God can judge righteously. We must first treat others the way we hope they will treat us. Stephen R. Covey used to say, "Be a light, not a judge."

The way to heaven is to set aside our selfish wants and look for those in need and help to fill those needs. Our own holiness is realized when we love God and help His children. How often have you been tired from your day’s work and then were called upon to help someone in need and came home later fully refreshed? 

Our Heavenly Father is so very aware of us. Even the hairs of our heads are numbered by Him. He no doubt notices my constantly decreasing hair count. The Lord doesn’t love His children collectively. He loves and knows each of us personally. He knows our thoughts. Our needs. Our desires. Our weaknesses. Our illnesses. Our moments of trial. Our moments of victory. And He will help and bless us when we invite Him into our lives.

How many times should we forgive an offender? Peter thought seven times, but the Savior said seventy times seven is not enough. He later revealed that we must forgive all offenses and leave judgement to Him. And we will receive forgiveness in the same degree as we give forgiveness. And, oh, how I need that forgiveness.

He initiated the sacrament of bread and wine (now water). When partaking, we promise to remember the power of Christ and to let Him, His covenants, and His standards guide our lives. We recognize our ongoing spiritual successes. We identify where we can do better and promise our best in the future. And for this we are promised the constant companionship of the Holy Ghost, who will always be our guide. 

He taught us that we should be striving to become perfect, although He knew how far we must go. We should not be overwhelmed with this great goal but start today where we are now and spend our lifetime making one small change at a time until someday in the eternities, we will reach perfection. With time and eternity ahead of us, we can learn and master all commandments if we keep trying.

He called out Israel’s leaders for their hypocrisy and warned them that they were in danger of God’s judgement for their unrighteous dominion. They used their positions to bring about control not faith. His warning applies to us today if we use our positions, small and large, to dominate rather than to serve. Brethren, this warning especially includes you and me as husbands and fathers. Our calling is one of loving and lifting not dominating.

He rode into Jerusalem triumphant but was soon captured and illegally tried and condemned. During this difficult time, even His closest friends abandoned Him momentarily, overwhelmed by fear and confusion.  In Gethsemane He began the suffering that would relieve us of our sins, shortcomings, and imperfections. Do not think that He was being weak when He asked if there was another way. Can we possibly imagine how much Jesus would suffer in the coming days? All His life the Savior knew this moment was coming and He prepared for it. But the moment to begin the immense suffering had now come. And at that moment he wished there could be another way to bring about our salvation. But there wasn’t. And He chose to suffer for us. And He brought forgiveness, resurrection, and the possibility of eternal life to us all. As He suffered, one of His final acts was to look after the future care of His mother. And even as He suffered on the cross, He sought mercy for those who had just brutally nailed Him to the very cross that He was then suffering on. Each of us has been atoned for if we will take advantage of what He offers us. 

After His resurrection He visited the repentant Nephites. He bore testimony of His triumph over sin and death. He let all who were present come forward to touch the wounds that testified of His sacrifice. Because of their great faith, He healed all their sick. He blessed their children in a way that no child had been blessed before or since. And He left behind a society of charitable believers who had no poor among them for more than three generations. They gave us The Book of Mormon, bringing us a clear understanding of the gospel of Jesus Christ and a look at millennia of societies who triumphed when they believed and failed miserably and finally became extinct when they doubted.

Jesus appeared with His Father to the 14-year-old Joseph Smith. To the outside observer the unlearned Joseph seemed like an unlikely future prophet, armed only with a love for truth, a willingness to learn, and a willingness to change. Under the tutelage and direction of the Savior, the restoration of the priesthood, with its covenants, ordinances, and gospel truths was begun under Joseph Smith’s leadership and it continues today. We now live in an unprecedented time where all worthy men can hold God’s priesthood. And women have been restored to their eternal position as equal co-rulers, as in the time of Eve. Adam was her protector not her superior.

Jesus prophesied of a day when He will return triumphantly to end the rule of the wicked. The wicked will be removed while those who seek goodness will live in a time of peace like no other. Yes, that day will come after waiting longer than expected. Many will decide the wait is too long and that the price of discipleship too high. Those who endure will face trials and persecution. But we will also be given more peace and power than the faithful in any previous dispensation. And He has promised us a prophet’s reward for our endurance.

Lehi once said to his son Jacob, “Adam fell that men might be; and men are, that they might have joy”. (2 Nephi 25) All that I have shared here today is part of God’s formula for our happiness. Kathy and I have experienced this. We have overcome significant personal mistakes. We have been through loss of pregnancies, extended unemployment, severe illnesses, exclusion by fellow believers, financial ruin, and even revolt by loved ones. My health once required my early release from a significant calling, causing me for many years to doubt the Lord’s acceptance of me and my service. Even today Kathy and I face some of our life’s greatest challenges. Each of these has brought moments of sorrow, and even despair. But with each challenge, our happiness has been restored to us. Even in my darkest moments I have now come to know that my joy will return. Kathy and I enjoy life and want others to experience that joy. As I have overcome each hurdle, and mastered each commandment, I have come to know my Savior better. I have gained a greater capacity to feel joy and to love Kathy, my family, and so many others.

I testify of Jesus Christ. He is our Master. He is the Creator. He is the Mediator between us and the Father. As we look to Him, we can find strength in our every thought and deed. Through Him we will find happiness, forgiveness, resurrection, and a hope of eternal life, “which gift is greater than all the gifts of God” (D&C 14:7). He is here to strengthen us when our faith is weak. He is here to heal us of our hurts no matter how deep. I learned from King Lamoni that even the darkest soul can be changed by the light of Christ. And no matter what our past path has been the Savior can guide us along His path. We cannot stray beyond His reach. When we choose the covenant path it does not matter where we are on that path or how fast we are moving forward. It only matters that we are on the covenant path and that we are moving forward. And someday, when we each bow before Him and wet His feet with our tears of thanksgiving, He will tell us, “Well done thou good and faithful servant.” My brothers and sisters, my friends, I love our Heavenly Father and His Son, Jesus Christ. I am grateful for the love, grace, and mercy they have showered upon me. I am grateful for the gospel of Jesus Christ and the restoration of His church.  I am grateful for the restored priesthood with its covenants and ordinances. I am grateful for the principles of repentance and sanctification that can cleanse us all. In the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

Talk given by Ron Goodlad in church on 1/1/2023