Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints -- Doctrines
The Apostle Paul quite comprehensively sums up the results of Christ's
death and resurrection: "But now is Christ risen from the dead, and
become the first fruits of them that slept. For since by man _came_
death, by man _came_ also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam
all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive;" I _Cor_. 15. 21,
22. That is, death having come on all men through the disobedience of
Adam, so must all be raised to immortality and eternal life through the
death and resurrection of Christ.
Paul also asserted that "the last enemy _that_ shall be destroyed _is_
death;" _Verse_ 26. John the Revelator declares that he saw death and
hell cast into the lake of fire; _Rev_. 20. 14.
The atonement, as wrought out by Jesus Christ, further signifies that
he has opened up the way for man's redemption from his own sins,
through faith in Christ's sufferings, death and resurrection. The
Apostle Paul well expresses this, "For all have sinned, and come short
of the glory of God; being justified freely by his grace through the
redemption that is in Christ Jesus: whom God hath set forth _to be_ a
propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness
for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of
God; to declare, _I say_, at this time his righteousness: that he might
be just, and the Justifier of him which believeth in Jesus;" _Rom_. 3.
23-26.
These passages evidence that redemption from death, through the
sufferings of Christ, is for all men, both the righteous and the
wicked; for this earth, and for all things created upon it. The
whole tenor of the Scriptures assure us, that while they may be sure
of resurrection from death, regardless of their personal acts, yet
they will be rewarded for their works, whether they be good or evil,
and that redemption from personal sins can only be obtained through
obedience to the requirements of the Gospel, and a life of good works.
The transgression of Adam being infinite in its consequences, those
consequences cannot be averted, except through an infinite atonement.
The Prophet Nephi makes this very plain: "Wherefore it must needs be
an infinite atonement; save it should be an infinite atonement, this
corruption could not put on incorruption. Wherefore, the first judgment
which came upon man, must needs have remained to an endless duration.
And if so, this flesh must have laid down to rot and to crumble to
its mother earth, to rise no more. O the wisdom of God! his mercy and
grace! For behold, if the flesh should rise no more, our spirits must
become subject to that angel who fell from before the presence of the
eternal God, and became the devil, to rise no more.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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