SYMBOLS
OF THE ATONEMENT
IN ORDINANCES
Laying on of Hands
– The recipient has been touched by the hand of God (Doctrine and Covenants
36:2)
Consecrated Oil
– Represents the Holy Ghost (Doctrine and Covenants 45:56-57) It also suggests
the oil that came forth from the olive press at the olive garden at Gethsemane.
Healing
– Healing of the physically sick is a type of spiritual healing which is only
available through the Atonement (3 Nephi 9:13)
Baptism by
Immersion – Immersion in the water symbolizes being
fully washed, fully entering into the covenant and fully being covered by that
Living Water. (1 Nephi 11:25)
Baptismal Font
– A reminder of the death we will each pass through and our resurrection
through the power of Christ. (Doctrine and Covenants 128:12-13)
Sacrament Emblems - we receive the gift of the Atonement as we
partake of the emblems of the sacrament and internalizing Jesus’ offering
(Doctrine and Covenants 88:33)
Sacrament Bread – represents the Bread of
Life or the Savior, Jesus Christ. (John 6:51)
Sacrament Water
– represents the Blood of Christ, which was shed for us. (JST Matthew 26:22,24)
Temple Ordinances
– The epitome of atonement work on the earth. Those entering the temple do
ordinance work as “Saviors on mount Zion” for their deceased kin. (Obadiah
1:21)
Washing – Washing with water points to Jesus’
atoning blood, which serves as a cleansing agent from sin. (Revelations 1:5)
Clothing
– We shall be clothed with an immortal body (1 Corinthians 15:54)
Coat of Skins –
Cover the nakedness or guilt one feels having sinned. The coat of skins, made
from a sacrificed animal, covers that nakedness and symbolizes the atonement.
(Genesis 3:21)
PEOPLE IN THE
SCRIPTURES
Eve –
The seed of the woman would have power to crush the serpents’ head (Genesis
3:15)
Abel –
He was a shepherd, was obedient to the Lord and made an acceptable sacrifice.
Abel’s life was taken by his wicked brother for the purpose of getting gain.
(Moses 5:29-33)
Abraham and Isaac
– Isaac’s birth was prophesied and his birth was miraculous. Isaac was
Abraham’s only son. Isaac was to be offered as a burnt offering, which was a
symbol of the Atonement that would yet come. Isaac went willingly to be
sacrificed and even carried the wood. For Isaac it was a three-day journey home
from the place of sacrifice. (Genesis 22)
Joseph of Egypt
– Joseph was a shepherd and was clothed in authority and power (the coat of
many colors was a symbol of priesthood authority). Joseph was obedient to his
father. Joseph was sold for a price. Later Joseph was tempted with great sin
but refused the enticement. (Genesis 34; 37-39) He was falsely accused.
Moses –
Moses delivered the Israelites out of bondage. Through Moses the words of the
Lord were received. He was a teacher, prophet and lawgiver. He performed signs
and miracles, fasted forty days, controlled the sea and was sent from God.
(Exodus 3, 20, 34)
Job
– One that was ‘perfect and upright’ and shunned evil. Experienced enormous
sufferings, lost all he had and even his friends. (Job 1-2)
Jonah
– Spent 3 days and nights inside a whale.
OTHER SYMBOLS OF THE ATONEMENT
Veil
– The veil stands between us and the Celestial kingdom the same way that the
Savior stands between us and the blessings of eternal life. (John 14:6)
ESTABLISH A GOAL OF UNDERSTANDING THE
ATONEMENT
“I realize that no mortal
mind can adequately conceive, nor can human tongue appropriately express, the
full significance of all that Jesus Christ has done for our Heavenly Father’s
children through his Atonement. Yet it is vital that we each learn what we can
about it. The Atonement is that essential ingredient of our Father in Heaven’s
plan of happiness without which that plan would have no significant meaning.
“I strongly believe that
there is an imperative need for you to strengthen your understanding of the
significance of the Atonement of Jesus Christ so that it will become the secure
foundation upon which to build the balance of your life … Your understanding of
and faith in the Atonement of Jesus Christ will provide much-needed strength
and capacity in your life. It will also bring confidence in times of trial and
peace in moments of turmoil.
“I
energetically encourage you to establish a personal plan to better understand
and appreciate the incomparable, eternal, infinite consequences of the perfect
fulfillment by Jesus Christ of His divinely appointed calling as our Savior and
Redeemer … Please establish for yourself a must-be-accomplished goal to acquire
a better understanding of the Atonement…
“…As an Apostle of the Lord Jesus Christ –
and I do not use those words lightly – I testify that your understanding of the
Atonement and the insight it provides for your life will greatly enhance your
productive use of all of the [other] knowledge, experience, and skills you
acquire.” (Richard G Scott, “To Establish
a Secure Foundation for Life”, 4-5)
PREPARED FOR THE SACRAMENT
(Dallin
H Oaks, Ensign, February 2010, 35)
· We
dress properly, including wearing appropriate shoes, to show that we understand
the sacred nature of the ordinance.
· We
come to sacrament meeting with a broken heart and a contrite spirit.
· We
are quietly seated well before the meeting begins.
· We
bring a spirit of prayer, meekness, and devotion.
· We
engage in prayerful meditation, reflecting on the mission of the Savior and our
worthiness to partake of the sacrament.
· We
join in the worship of singing the sacrament hymn.
· We
ponder the importance of renewing our covenants.
· We
avoid reading books or magazines during the administration of the sacrament.
· We
avoid whispered conversations and cell-phone texting.
· Participating
priesthood holders are well groomed, wear white shirts and ties, and prepare,
bless and pass the sacrament in a spirit of worthiness, reverence, and dignity.
· Priesthood
holders speak the sacrament prayers slowly and distinctly.
Even
if we could live perfect lives, why would we still need the Atonement?
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