The Unauthorized Investigator's Guide to
The Church of JESUS CHRIST of Latter-day Saints

Lesson 3

Through Christ We Can Be Cleansed from Sin

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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