15 - Christ's Atonement II Mosiah Alma and Moroni

Participants: Brad Farnsworth, Sean Hopkin, Brad Wilcox, Tyler Griffin
Affiliation: Department of Ancient Scripture, Brigham Young University
Discussion Focus: The infinite atonement of Jesus Christ as presented in the second half of the Book of Mormon.

According to Alma 7:10:
- Jesus Christ was born of Mary, overshadowed by the power of the Holy Ghost.
- He is described as the Son of God.
- Importance of his parentage: Mortal mother grants him ability to die and be tempted. Immortal father grants him powers to overcome death and be resurrected.
Clarification:
- Jesus was not half mortal and half immortal; he was fully divine and fully human, effectively allowing him to relate to human suffering.

Characteristics:
- Capable of temptation and suffering (as established in Mosiah 15).
- Noted as the Father and the Son simultaneously, emphasizing his dual nature.
Significance of suffering:
- His experiences are necessary for identification with humanity; Jesus understands human suffering not just cognitively but experientially.

Alma 7:11-12:
- Jesus will suffer pains, afflictions, temptations, and death to free his people from the bands of death and to fill his bowels with mercy to aid those suffering.
- The intent of the suffering goes beyond understanding; it empowers him to help those in need.
Chapter 3:7 elaborates:
- Jesus' anguish during his suffering is described as extreme, stating he suffered more than typical human experience allows.

Teaching points:
- The atonement is not limited to the Garden of Gethsemane or the crucifixion; it encompasses his entire mortal experience, including periods of hunger, fatigue, and temptation.
- It highlights an infinite atonement with eternal effects across infinite worlds, thus transcending time according to mortal perception.

Old Testament Context:
- A significant portion of the Book of Mormon occurs BC, showcasing how people accessed the benefits of Christ’s atonement before his physical existence on Earth.
The Book of Mormon emphasizes both Gethsemane and the crucifixion as critical moments of atonement.
Isaiah 53 is incorporated into the discourse, asserting healing through Christ’s suffering, indicating that multiple events during his life contribute to the atonement.

Acknowledges that events surrounding the atonement occurred in various significant locations, particularly Gethsemane and Calvary, which have respective spiritual significance.

Why did Jesus' atonement include suffering and death?
Key Discussion Point:
- It's not solely about overcoming physical or spiritual death. The atonement also serves the purpose of personal transformation and development of Christlike attributes in believers.
Mosiah 3:19 elaborates:
- Emphasizes the need to yield to the Holy Ghost and the transformative power of Christ's grace.

Conversion and faith play crucial roles in accessing the full blessings of the atonement. This includes:
- Repentance: Not merely a route to cleanliness but a transformative process.
- Faith: Vital for receiving Christ's grace and committing to a change.
Continual remembrance and participation in sacred practices (e.g., sacrament) facilitate receiving and retaining the blessings of the atonement.

Emphasizes the personal nature of the atonement: how it actively influences daily life.
Recognizes Christ's actions as not simply historical but as ongoing sources of power and transformation in believers' lives.
Encouragement to connect personally with Christ through prayer, obedience, and remembrance of His sacrifices.

Final thoughts concentrated on the importance of remembering Christ and his atonement as a lived reality, fundamental for growth and transformation into Christlike beings.