Lessons on the Plan of Salvation
Lesson No. Forty

The Conditional Aspect of the Atonement of Christ

Redemption from our sins is a gift of grace from Jesus Christ – This gift is offered to everyone on the conditions of repentance and obedience.  The Book of Mormon sets forth the steps that must be followed in order to receive the greatest gift of all, that of eternal life:

  1. We prayerfully study the scriptures –The concluding chapter of the Book of Mormon promises:  “And when ye shall receive these things, I would exhort you that ye would ask God, the Eternal Father, in the name of Christ, if these things are not true; and if ye shall ask with a sincere heart, with real intent, having faith in Christ, he will manifest the truth of it unto you, by the power of the Holy Ghost.  And by the power of the Holy Ghost ye may know the truth of all things” (Moroni 10:4-5).  If we humbly ask God, He will answer as we prayerfully study and ponder the scriptures, especially the Book of Mormon
  2. We exercise faith unto repentance – Prayer and scripture study leads to faith unto repentance, which faith and repentance brings a change of heart.  (See Helaman 15:7).
  3. We are willing to be baptized and receive the gift of the Holy Ghost – “For the gate by which ye should enter is repentance and baptism by water; and then cometh a remission of your sins by fire and by the Holy Ghost” (2 Nephi 31:17).
  4. We experience a mighty change of heart and our disposition is to do good continually – The people of king Benjamin testified that “the Spirit of the Lord Omnipotent, which has wrought a mighty change in us, or in our hearts, that we have no more disposition to do evil, but to do good continually” (Mosiah 5:2-5).
  5. We covenant with God that we will be obedient and endure to the end – We come to know the Lord and take upon us his name and his nature as we make and keep our sacramental and temple covenants.  (See Mosiah 5:7-13)
  6. We learn by experience that service and obedience brings the grace of God – “And the priests…for their labors they were to receive the grace of God” (Mosiah 18:26).  Grace is celestial currency. For our labor in the world we are paid in dollars.  As we labor for the Lord He pays us with His grace.
  7. Grace of the Lord Jesus enables us to be “sealed up unto eternal life” (D&C 131:5) – “It is through the grace of the Lord, that individuals, through faith in the atonement of Jesus Christ and repentance of their sins, receive strength and assistance to do good works that they otherwise would not be able to maintain if left to their own means.  This grace is an enabling power that allows men and women to lay hold on eternal life and exaltation after they have expended their own best efforts” (Bible Dictionary, p. 697). 
 
 

Charge – I conclude with my charge to family and friends, given in the words King Benjamin:  “Therefore, I would that ye should be steadfast and immovable, always abounding in good works, that Christ, the Lord God Omnipotent, may seal you his, that you may be brought to heaven, that ye may have everlasting salvation and eternal life, through the wisdom, and power, and justice, and mercy of him who created all things, in heaven and in earth, who is God above all.  Amen” (Mosiah 5:15).