The Missionaries Will Teach...
Heavenly Father sent his beloved Son, Jesus Christ, to the world so that
it would be possible for all of God's children to return and live in his
presence after they die. The only way to be spiritually healed, become
cleansed of our sins, and return and live in the presence of God is through
the grace and mercy of Jesus Christ.
Because of the atonement of
Jesus Christ, everybody will be resurrected and will return to the presence
of God to be judged for what they desired and did. This judgment will
be both merciful and just.
Justice is an unchanging law that says that there are consequences for
actions. Everybody sins, and sin makes us unclean. No unclean thing
can enter the kingdom of heaven, and we are incapable of cleansing
ourselves. And according to the law of justice, God will reward people
who obey Him and God will punish people who disobey him.
Jesus satisfied the demands of justice by standing in our place and
receiving the punishment for our sins. If we repent of our sins and
endeavor to obey all of the commandments, Jesus' punishment will vicariously
satisfy the demands of justice. Jesus being tortured for our sins is
called the atonement. Because of the atonement, Jesus can plead for
God to have mercy on our behalf. God can then be merciful, forgive us
of our sins, and invite us to live in his presence.
However, the atonement doesn't eliminate personal responsibility.
Jesus will only forgive us if we accept him, repent, and obey the
commandments. The way to be worthy to live with God is through the
atonement and living the gospel. It is necessary to demonstrate faith
in Christ by keeping the commandments and obeying the first principles and
ordinances of the gospel.
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