Lessons on the Temple
Lesson No. Ninety-Three

Christmas, the Temple, and the Atonement (At-One-Ment) of the Lord

The atonement (at-one-ment) of Christ is the way we can be one with the Apostles, as the Apostles are one with Jesus, and as Jesus is one with the Father, that we may all be one together – In His great Intercessory Prayer, after praying for His Apostles, Jesus continued: “Neither pray I for these alone [the Apostles], but for them also that shall believe on me through their word; that they may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me” (John 17:20-21).

For His Twelve Nephite Apostles Jesus prayed: “And now Father, I pray unto thee for them, and also for all those who shall believe on their words, that they may believe in me, that I may be in them as thou, Father, art in me, that we may be one” (3 Nephi 19:23).

Jesus prayed that all who believe in the teachings of His Jewish Apostles as recorded in the Bible, and the teachings of His Nephite Apostles as recorded in the Book of Mormon would be one with them, and also be one with Him and the Father. This certainly applies to those who believe in the teachings of latter-day apostles beginning with Joseph Smith. This is especially important as it applies to our living Apostles. If we are to be one with the Father and the Son we must be one with the living Apostles.

The atonement (at-one-ment) of Christ is way we can be made perfect [completed] – As each partner in a celestial marriage stays on the covenant path, the atonement (at-one-ment) of Christ makes it possible for our marriage and family to be one with the Father, and with the Son, and with the Holy Spirit, and with the living Apostles. Jesus continued His Intercessory Prayer pleading for oneness: “And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one: I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me” (John 17:20-23, emphasis added). We must always remember that only “through the merits, and mercy, and grace of the Holy Messiah” can we be made perfect, and able to “dwell in the presence of God” (2 Nephi 2:8).

The ordinances of the temple unlock the full power of the atonement (at-one-ment) of Christ – Elder John A. Widtsoe taught that “power is knowledge made useful and active”. We learn the plan of salvation though latter-day scriptures and prophets, and in the temple. This knowledge is made useful and active through the ordinances of the gospel as we keep covenants. Remission of sins is extended through the atonement (at-one-ment) of Christ and through the ordinance of baptism. We retain a remission of our sins from week to week through the ordinance of the sacrament. By receiving temple ordinances and living temple covenants we receive the full redemptive power of the Lord’s atonement.

Testimony – I testify of the importance of receiving temple ordinances and keeping temple covenants so that we can be one with the Lord – The Lord, speaking to our day, said: Be one; and if ye are not one ye are not mine” (D&C 38:27). As the Lord’s people of the latter days it should be our great desire to be one with His living Apostles, as they are one with the Lord, and as He is one with the Father, that we all might be one together. Being one with the Lord is the best way to keep Christmas in our hearts now, and in the future.