Near the end of Lehi's life, he preached perhaps the most important sermon we have on the atonement. Not only has this sermon influenced millions of people, but Jacob, the man to whom the sermon was given, followed his father's admonition which is recorded in 2 Nephi 2:8 and preached an equally important follow up sermon on the atonement which is recorded in 2 Nephi 9-10. This admonition to Jacob says:
8 Wherefore, how great the importance to make these things known unto the inhabitants of the earth, that they may know that there is no flesh that can dwell in the presence of God, save it be through the merits, and mercy, and grace of the Holy Messiah, who layeth down his life according to the flesh, and taketh it again by the power of the Spirit, that he may bring to pass the resurrection of the dead, being the first that should rise.
"These
things", refers directly back to doctrinal principles taught in the three
previous verses.
5 And men are instructed sufficiently that they know good from evil. And the law is given unto men. And by the law no flesh is justified; or, by the law men are cut off. Yea, by the temporal law they were cut off; and also, by the spiritual law they perish from that which is good, and become miserable forever.
6 Wherefore, redemption cometh in and through the Holy Messiah; for he is full of grace and truth.7 Behold, he offereth himself a sacrifice for sin, to answer the ends of the law, unto all those who have a broken heart and a contrite spirit; and unto none else can the ends of the law be answered.
I
think that if these doctrinal principles were understood and applied, they
would relieve and prevent a tremendous amount of human suffering. I believe I am
qualified to address the topic of Human Suffering Because Of Sin, Relief
Through Christ. I have taught over the years thousands of institute
students. I have served hundreds more as a bishop. I have also
experienced personally the pain and suffering associated with sin.
Human beings have been endowed by their Creator
with a basic understanding of right and wrong. Lehi stated: "And men are
instructed sufficiently that they know good from evil." There are
exceptions of course due to mental disabilities, but generally speaking men and
women know good from evil. We were all instructed in the pre-earth life and have
come to earth endowed with a conscience. Some would claim that a persons
conscience is formed strictly by their environment. I do not believe this is
the case. Certainly the environment in which we live has an impact on our belief
system. But the conscience is an inter voice associated with the light of Christ
which is given to all men that they may know good form evil. (Moroni 7:16-19)
Lehi explained that the law was given. Even though not everyone
has or understands the law, it is still binding. So he tells us that because of
the law, no one is justified. To be “justified” is a legal term and it means to be
free from guilt associated with breaking a law. I am justified if I have never
broken the law or if I have paid all penalties inflicted as punishments for
having broken the law. Penalties often are paid with money as fines or in time as
imprisonments. After the penalty is paid, the law breaker is justified.
Because all have sinned or broken the laws of God, “no flesh is
justified”. Sin is the breaking of God’s laws and the penalty is spiritual death
or “perishing from that which is good”. The result is human suffering or as
Lehi says they: “become miserable forever.”
2 Nephi 2:6-7 I call the rescue. “…redemption
cometh in and through the Holy Messiah”. Redemption is another legal term and
means to purchase back. An example of redemption might be pawning a wedding ring
at a pawn shop. They will hold the ring until the loan is paid with interest.
Redemption is the act of purchasing the ring back. And so it is with Jesus. “…he offereth
himself a sacrifice for sin, to answer the ends of the law”. The law was broken
by each of us and thus the penalty must be paid but because we have nothing to
pay with that can satisfy justice, we are lost or die spiritually. We can not
return to the presence of God because no unclean thing can dwell there. Jesus
who is full of grace and mercy offered payment or offered to redeem each of us.
The payment He offered justice was Himself.
But as with any act of redemption, there are
conditions associated with payment. The conditions of payment are set by Jesus
(and who else should decide?). They are for “all those who have a broken heart
and a contrite spirit; and unto none else can the ends of the law be answered.”
A “broken heart” is a somewhat universal symbol for humility (for who has not
had their heart broken?). The word contrite in a theological context means to be
repentant and teachable. When a person is humble, repentant and teachable, Jesus
through His mercy and grace is able to mold him or her into someone who is
worthy to dwell in the presence of The Father. We are purchased back for The
Father who wants us to return, by The Son who pays our price for sin. As Paul
says: “you are bought with a price” at a terrible cost but the price has been
paid. What a terrible waste for you or I or any of The Father’s children to
reject the payment and the conditions as set forth in the “Gospel”. That is why
it is the “good news of Christ”.
8 “Wherefore, how great the importance to make these things known
unto the inhabitants of the earth, that they may know that there is no flesh that
can dwell in the presence of God, save it be through the merits, and mercy, and
grace of the Holy Messiah…” I have been on too many occasions the suffering
soul, having broken the laws of God which are also the laws of happiness. I have
likewise experienced the cleansing power of Christ and know that His grace is as
real as I know that I exist. I have witnessed far too often the suffering souls of
others. There is real pain associated with sin and tremendous relief gained
through the atonement of Jesus Christ. Let us all learn of Him that we might
return to our Father and thus gain happiness in this life and eternal life in
the world to come.
-Brother Tim Patty of the Smithfield 6th Ward
-Brother Tim Patty of the Smithfield 6th Ward
