While studying this morning, I read a passage in a teacher’s manual that is used to teach children in my Church. This is a simple, beautiful description of why our Savior, Jesus Christ suffered in Gethsemane, was nailed to a cross at Golgotha, died and was raised up again three days later.

“Shortly before Jesus Christ died on the cross, he and his Apostles went to a garden called Gethsemane. Three of the Apostles—Peter, James, and John—went into the garden with him. They waited a short distance away while Jesus went farther into the garden and prayed to Heavenly Father. Jesus knew that he would have to suffer for us so that we could repent and be forgiven of our sins. In the Garden of Gethsemane and on the cross, Jesus suffered great pain for us. He suffered for our sins, or the wrong things we do…

The Atonement means that Jesus Christ paid the price for our sins so that we could repent and be forgiven. He did this because he loves us and because he wanted to make it possible for us to repent and be clean. We say that he atoned for our sins and wrong choices…

Heavenly Father loves us, too, and wants each one of us to repent and live with him again. Because of the atonement of Jesus Christ, we can be forgiven for sins and wrong choices we make…”

Source: http://lds.org/manual/primary-3-choose-the-right-b/lesson-22-the-atonement-of-jesus-christ?lang=eng

I also enjoyed reading the 3rd Article of Faith of the Church:

“We believe that through the Atonement of Christ, all mankind may be saved by obedience to the laws and ordinances of the Gospel.”

Source: http://lds.org/scriptures/pgp/a-of-f/1.3?lang=eng#2

What a wonderful message! Jesus Christ, the Creator, Savior and Redeemer of all came here to perform a singular task. A task that is matched by no action, word or deed that has ever happened or ever will; He came to save us all from our sins. “For all have sinned, and come short of the Glory of God.” (Romans 3:23)

This eternally saving, binding power is available to us all! Each struggle, temptation and threat to our spiritual (and often physical) safety and success can be overcome through the power of the Atonement of Christ.

I love being part of a work that acknowledges the weakness of everyone, and honors our ability to rise from the depths of the deepest, darkest pits of living hell on earth to transform ourselves (through Christ) into beings of Light, Love and Hope.

No other message offers such strength, joy and change than that of the Atonement of Jesus Christ. This power is incalculable, and yet exists in abundance for each of us to participate. My church, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints is one of love! We invite everyone, everywhere to listen to the message of Christ and be saved through Him!

“For in him we live, and move, and have our being…for we are also his offspring.” (Acts 17:28)
For more information about Jesus Christ, visit http://JesusChrist.lds.org/.

Glory be to God!