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!
