Gospel Doctrine Commentary
Lesson No. Fifteen

Christ, the Lord God Omnipotent

Salvation Comes only through Christ, the Lord Omnipotent – The angel, in teaching King Benjamin in Mosiah 3, used the name “Christ” or a close variation, ten times to teach how salvation comes.  These are some of the most powerful verses of scripture found anywhere.  As you read these words, especially aloud, their power will enlighten your mind and touch your heart, and if you live his gospel you will come to know that salvation is found only in Christ, the Lord God Omnipotent.

  1. “For behold, the time cometh, and is not far distant, that with power, the Lord Omnipotent who reigneth, who was, and is from all eternity to all eternity, shall come down from heaven among the children of men, and shall dwell in a tabernacle of clay…” (Vs 5).
  2. “And he shall be called Jesus Christ, the Son of God, the Father of heaven and earth, the Creator of all thing from the beginning; and his mother shall be called Mary” (Vs 8).
  3. “But wo, wo unto him who knoweth that he rebelleth against God!  For salvation cometh to none such except it be through repentance and faith on the Lord Jesus Christ” (Vs 12).
  4. “And the Lord God hath sent his holy prophets among all the children of men to declare these things to every kindred, nation, and tongue that thereby whosoever should believe that Christ should come, the same might receive remission of their sins, and rejoice with exceedingly great joy…” (Vs 13).
  5. “…and yet they hardened their hearts, and understood not that the law of Moses availeth nothing except it were through the atonement of [Christ’s] blood” (Vs 15).
  6. “And even if it were possible that little children could sin they could not be saved; but I say unto you they are blessed; for behold, as in Adam, or by nature, they fall, even so the blood of Christ atoneth for their sins” (Vs 16).
  7. “And moreover, I say unto you, 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” (Vs 17).
  8. “For behold he judgeth, and his judgment is just; and the infant perisheth not that dieth in his infancy; but men drink damnation to their own souls except they humble themselves and become as little children, and believed that salvation was, and is, and is to come in and through the atoning blood of Christ, the Lord Omnipotent” (Vs 18).
  9. “For the natural man is an enemy to God, and has been from the fall of Adam, and will be forever and ever, unless he yields to the enticings of the Holy Spirit, and putteth off the natural man and becometh a saint through the atonement of Christ the Lord…” (Vs 19).
  10. “And moreover, I say unto you, that the time shall come when the knowledge of a Savior shall spread though out every nation, kindred, tongue, and people.  And behold, when that time cometh none shall be found blameless before God, except it be little children, only through repentance and faith on the name of the Lord God Omnipotent” (Vs 21).

The reasons why Jesus Christ is the only way that salvation comes include the following:

Jesus was perfect in the pre-mortal existence and qualified to be our Savior - "And behold, I am the light and the life of the world; and I have drunk out of that bitter cup which the Father hath given me, and have glorified the Father in taking upon me the sins of the world, in the which I have suffered the will of the Father in all things from the beginning" (3 Nephi 11:11).

This teaches us that in order to take upon himself the sins of the world he always followed the will of his Father (kept all the commandments) “from the beginning” (pre-mortal existence).

Jesus is infinite and eternal and therefore can perform an infinite and eternal atonement – Jesus was a God in the premortal existence.  He was a God when he lived in mortality.  He continues to be a God in the resurrection.  Therefore, he can accomplish an atonement which is also infinite and eternal. (See Alma 34:14).           

That he would successfully accomplish the infinite and eternal atonement was certain, because he was and is God, and God’s promises are certain and sure.  Because of this we could exercise faith unto repentance in him in the pre-mortal existence. 

All spirits children of God who had faith in the atonement of Christ in the pre-mortal existence, including those to be born into other worlds, are beneficiaries of the same plan of redemption.  Those who would repent were forgiven of their sins committed in the pre-existence.  Therefore, they were born into mortality innocent.  (See D&C 93:38)

Jesus was chosen by our Father in Heaven to be our Savior – The atonement became a reality when Jehovah the “Beloved and Chosen from the beginning” (Moses 4:2) was appointed by the Father to be “the Lamb…slain from the foundation of the world” (Moses 7:47).  This was the plan of redemption that was prepared in the premortal existence.  (See Alma 12:33)

Jesus qualified to be our Savior because of the Doctrine of Divine Sonship – Jesus had power given him from the Father to redeem us from our sins on the condition of repentance which brings us unto the power of the Redeemer, unto the salvation of our souls.  (See Helaman 5:11).

Jesus had no backup – If Jesus had failed our bodies would “rot and crumble” in the earth never to be resurrected, and our spirits would become “angels to a devil to be shut out from the presence of our God” (2 Nephi 9:8-9).  But he did not fail, and physical and spiritual death is conquered.

Testimony – In the words of Nephi, I testify “that as these things are true, and as the Lord God liveth, there is none other name given under heaven save it be this Jesus Christ, of which I have spoken, whereby man can be saved” (2 Nephi 25:20).