Savior

Happy Easter everyone!

In the days leading up to Easter this year, I’ve appreciated all the reminders of Jesus Christ, our Savior, and the ultimate sacrifice that He made for us. Because of Him, we will be saved for both death and hell. Jesus Christ gives us salvation!

Recently I heard a talk on Amulek’s sermon in Alma chapter 34. I keep finding myself coming back to its beautiful message. It is quickly becoming one of my favorite chapters of scripture. Normally, I like to break up quotes into smaller chunks, but I really wanted to share Amulek’s testimony as a whole. So please resist the urge to skip the long block of text and take a moment to soak in his testimony of the Savior.

9 For it is expedient that an atonement should be made; for according to the great plan of the Eternal God there must be an atonement made, or else all mankind must unavoidably perish; yea, all are hardened; yea, all are fallen and are lost, and must perish except it be through the atonement which it is expedient should be made.

10 For it is expedient that there should be a great and last sacrifice; yea, not a sacrifice of man, neither of beast, neither of any manner of fowl; for it shall not be a human sacrifice; but it must be an infinite and eternal sacrifice.

11 Now there is not any man that can sacrifice his own blood which will atone for the sins of another. Now, if a man murdereth, behold will our law, which is just, take the life of his brother? I say unto you, Nay.

12 But the law requireth the life of him who hath murdered; therefore there can be nothing which is short of an infinite atonement which will suffice for the sins of the world.

13 Therefore, it is expedient that there should be a great and last sacrifice, and then shall there be, or it is expedient there should be, a stop to the shedding of blood; then shall the law of Moses be fulfilled; yea, it shall be all fulfilled, every jot and tittle, and none shall have passed away.

14 And behold, this is the whole meaning of the law, every whit pointing to that great and last sacrifice; and that great and last sacrifice will be the Son of God, yea, infinite and eternal.

15 And thus he shall bring salvation to all those who shall believe on his name; this being the intent of this last sacrifice, to bring about the bowels of mercy, which overpowereth justice, and bringeth about means unto men that they may have faith unto repentance.

16 And thus mercy can satisfy the demands of justice, and encircles them in the arms of safety, while he that exercises no faith unto repentance is exposed to the whole law of the demands of justice; therefore only unto him that has faith unto repentance is brought about the great and eternal plan of redemption.

17 Therefore may God grant unto you, my brethren, that ye may begin to exercise your faith unto repentance, that ye begin to call upon his holy name, that he would have mercy upon you.

Alma 34:9-17

Not one of us is strong enough to save ourselves. But we don’t have to be. What a relief that is!

Because of my Savior, I don’t have to worry about whether or not I am good enough. I just need to believe in Jesus Christ, in His perfection, and trust that His grace is more than sufficient to make up for my shortcomings. I honor Him by trying to do what is right, but in the end “it is by [His] grace that we are saved, after all we can do.” (2 Nephi 25:23)

“What has Jesus Christ done for each of us? He has done everything that is essential for our journey through mortality toward the destiny outlined in the plan of our Heavenly Father.”

Dallin H Oaks, April 2021 General Conference

Because of our Savior, we can be cleansed from our sins, comforted and strengthened through our trials, and ultimately resurrected from the dead and made perfect by Him Who is Mighty to Save.

This is the joyous message of Easter Sunday: Because of Jesus Christ, we are saved!

Thoughts about Jesus Christ—our Advocate, our Savior, and our Friend.

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Questions To Ponder On

Why is the Atonement of Jesus Christ necessary for us?

“According to the great plan of the Eternal God there must be an atonement made, or else all mankind must unavoidably perish.” All are fallen and lost, and must perish except it be through the atonement. “Not one of us is strong enough to save ourselves. But we don’t have to be. What a relief that is!”

What kind of sacrifice was required to save us?

It had to be “a great and last sacrifice,” one that was “infinite and eternal.” Not the sacrifice of man, beast, or bird—but the Son of God Himself. “This is the whole meaning of the law, every whit pointing to that great and last sacrifice.”

What does Jesus Christ offer us through His sacrifice?

“Because of Him, we will be saved from both death and hell.” He brings salvation to all who believe on His name and gives us His mercy, “which overpowereth justice.” His grace is more than sufficient to make up for our shortcomings.

What should we do to receive the blessings of the Atonement?

“Begin to exercise your faith unto repentance… begin to call upon his holy name, that he would have mercy upon you.” We don’t have to be perfect—we just need to believe in Jesus Christ and trust in His perfection.

What is the message of Easter?

“Because of our Savior, we can be cleansed from our sins, comforted and strengthened through our trials, and ultimately resurrected from the dead and made perfect by Him Who is Mighty to Save.” This is the joyous message of Easter Sunday: “Because of Jesus Christ, we are saved!”