Our Fate Without the Atonement and Resurrection of Jesus Christ

I wrote this response for my PathwayConnect Religion 275 Doctrines and Teachings of The Book of Mormon Class.

How would you respond to a younger brother or sister who asks you, “Why do our church leaders always teach us about the Atonement of Christ and the resurrection? Why are they so important?”

Without the Atonement of Jesus Christ, we would all be lost (Alma 34:9). The Resurrection of Jesus Christ is part of His atonement for us. The Book of Mormon: Another Testament of Jesus Christ teaches us that if there were no resurrection, all mankind would be subject to Satan. He would be our master (2 Nephi 9:8-9)! The resurrection redeems us from that awful fate. Jesus Christ ransomed us from the effects of the fall of Adam and Eve. One of the effects of the fall of our first parents is that all humanity became subject to Satan, being separated from God’s presence and influence. On earth, because of the Atonement of Jesus Christ, we have a choice (2 Nephi 2:4, 26-27). Because of Christ’s atonement for sin, we have an option. If there were no atonement made, we would not have the option of returning to God. We would simply be lost, subject to sin. We would suffer the full effects of God’s law, subject to Satan, for eternity. Because He loved us, God offered His perfect Son, Jesus Christ as a ransom for us. Through His atonement and resurrection, Jesus has made us free!