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" He... Becometh a Saint Through the Atonement of Christ the Lord," Mosiah 3:13-19

Mosiah 3:13-19

The purpose of a prophet is to afford the people the opportunity to exercise faith in Jesus Christ, and repent so that they may receive a remission of their sins. Their teaching makes it as if Christ himself were there among the people where a prophet is found. (see vs 13)

The law of Moses was calculated to remind the people of God of the coming of Christ. Additionally, the Lord sent signs, wonders, types, and shadows of his coming. Also, he sent prophets to testify of Christ and his coming. Yet, what was not understood was that there was no salvation  in the laws, rites, and rituals associated with the law of Moses, but salvation was to come through the atonement of  Jesus Christ. (see vs 14-15)

The focus of this chapter keeps coming back to Christ and his atoning blood. Christ's blood atoned for those who have ignorantly sinned (vs 11). It is the atonement, not the law of Moses, through which salvation comes (vs 15). Little children are redeemed from their sins through the blood of Christ (vs 16).

"...Men drink damnation to their own souls except they humble themselves and become as little children, and believe that salvation was, and is, and is to come, in and through the atoning blood of Christ, the Lord Omnipotent," (vs 18, emphasis added).

King Benjamin then clarifies further in verse 19.  He states that the natural man is an enemy to God unless he yields to the Holy Spirit and becomes a saint through the atonement of Christ. This becoming a saint, and the complete conversion process, has occupied my mind and is the definitive distinction between those who are fully committed to Christ and His kingdom, and those who are not (see footnote on saints and Luke 22:32(31-38)). For the kingdom of God on the earth is the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. (Indeed, even the name of the church is inspired, which thing I have never closely considered before.) "Latter-day Saints" suggests that there is a work for those converted disciples of Christ to do in anticipation of His second coming. This is the mission of the Church: to prepare the world for the Second Coming of the Lord Jesus Christ.

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