“For it is expedient that there
should be a great and last sacrifice; yea, not a sacrifice of man, neither of
beast, neither of any manner of fowl; for it shall not be a human sacrifice;
but it must be an infinite and eternal sacrifice.” (Alma 34:10)
In this scripture, Amulek is
teaching of the infinite Atonement which will serve for the sins of the world
(Alma 34:12). The infinite Atonement of
Christ was made possible because our Savior is the only blameless man ever to
live on the earth and therefore, was not subject to the spiritual death that
comes as a result to sin. Jesus Christ is the Only Begotten Son of the Father
and therefore was able to posses the attributes of Godhood that gave him the capability
to overcome physical death (2 Nephi 9:5-9). He was the only man who was adequately
humble and prepared in the premortal realm to be predestine to the service of
God.
Amulek teaches us in Alma 34 about the
infinite and eternal sacrifice. What does this mean? According to Webster’s
Dictionary, infinite means “subject to no limitation or external
determination”. This is a similar definition that we relate to Christ’s
sacrifice. (2 Nephi 9:7) It was an infinite sacrifice. His atonement applied to
every person amongst the Earth. The attributes Christ shows from bleeding from
every pore and ultimately suffering for all of our sins, shows His charity and
love, and how much he cares for each of us individually. Christ is our Savior
and Redeemer; He knows each of our pains. He knows exactly what its like to
feel how we may be feeling. Christ is always watching over us and is willing to
help us- if we are willing to repent. The Atonement of Christ is infinite
because it completely covers the entire universe, not only for those that live
on Earth, but even those that were to live, and had already lived (Moses 1:39).
That is why it is an “eternal” sacrifice. Having an infinite and eternal sacrifice
is everlasting. Not one person on Earth is perfect, but through Christ’s
infinite and eternal sacrifice, we are able to be forgiven for our sins through
the Atonement and return to live with our Savior and Jesus Christ again.
“An infinite and eternal sacrifice”
means that the Atonement is infinite and eternal in duration. The Atonement
shows the never-ending love from Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. There is no
end to the Atonement- all humankind will be saved from suffering as we show our
love and mercy for the exceeding joy the Atonement can bring us. The Book of
Mormon teaches us the atoning sacrifice Christ made for all sins of the world.
The Savior did not only overcome death and sin, but he also took upon himself
“the pains and the sicknesses” and the “infirmities” of his people (Alma
7:11-12). Our Heavenly Father and His beloved Son created this infinite
Atonement to forgive us “as often as we repent” (Mosiah 26:30-31).
The Atonement is a personal and
unique fundamental of the gospel that is applied to individual’s special
situations. For me, the Atonement is pure happiness. Through the Atonement, I
am able to find peace in every situation I encounter. Like Nephi, he had an
admirable attitude that I look up to. He did not live an easy life, especially
compared to the life I live today. Even through his serious trials, sufferings,
and tribulations, he was able to say “It came to pass that we lived after the
manner of happiness” (2 Nephi 5:27). Nephi was able to see that there is a
result of happiness in God’s plan through the difficulties and disappointments
that come into our life. Being able to focus on the big picture Heavenly Father
has for us, is the intent of the Atonement. God wants us to understand that
through his Only Begotten Son, and their pure love for each of us, we can
return to live with him again someday. In 2 Nephi 4:26-27, Nephi questions the
consideration of the Atonement in our lives, but after his lament, he
approaches the problems like God would want us to. We do not know the meaning
of all things, but we know God loves his children (1 Nephi 11:17). The
happiness that I receive from the Atonement is my knowledge that the Savior is
more understanding of myself than I am, that he loves me through all my doubts
and fears. Through the Atonement, I am able to renew my covenants by partaking
of the sacrament regularly to commit upon myself His name, to remember Him, and
to keep His commandments. As I follow the His plan, I am able to live happily. God
wants us to be happy and worthy- the Atonement is the key to happiness and
eternal life.
In Jacob 4:11, we learn that we are
able to repent, come into full harmony and complete acceptance with Him, and
avoid the mistakes or misunderstanding that “denieth the mercies of Christ, and
setteth at naught the atonement of him and the power of His redemption” (Moroni
8:20). The Atonement is powerful and uniquely crafted for each individual’s
circumstances. Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ know each of us better than we
could know ourselves and They help us overcome our difficulties so we can be
happy. Thanks to the Jesus Christ and our Heavenly Father, the Atonement is
effective for our eternal salvation to lead us where we need and want to be.
The Atonement shows the Saviors
wholesome love for us. In return, we must do the same and show our love for
Him. Remembering the sufferings that He did for us so we would not have to
suffer shows unbelievable righteousness and defines the pure love of Christ. I am
grateful for Christ’s infinite and eternal sacrifice; we should all be grateful
for him. Through the infinite and eternal sacrifices Jesus Christ and Heavenly
Father made for us, we are all able to repent and live happily in this life and
the life after Earth.
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