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Aaronic Priesthood Manual 3

The Atonement Brings Victory over Death and Hell

"Lesson 7: The Atonement Brings Victory over Death and Hell," Aaronic Priesthood Manual 3, 23

OBJECTIVE

Each young man will better understand the infinite atonement of Jesus Christ.

PREPARATION

SUGGESTED LESSON DEVELOPMENT

The Necessity of an Infinite Atonement

Quotation, picture, and discussion

Tell the young men that the Prophet Joseph Smith was frequently asked what the fundamental principles of our religion were. On one occasion he explained, "The fundamental principles of our religion are the testimony of the Apostles and Prophets, concerning Jesus Christ, that He died, was buried, and rose again the third day, and ascended into heaven; and all other things which pertain to our religion are only appendages to it" (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, sel. Joseph Fielding Smith [Salt Lake City: Deseret Book Co., 1938], p. 121).

Display picture 3, Jesus the Christ.

Scriptures and discussion

After a brief discussion of these questions, have the young men read 2 Nephi 9:4-10.

Have several young men help in reading Alma 34:8-14.

Help the young men understand that the law of sacrifice started with Adam and continued under the law of Moses. Beasts and birds were sacrificed on special altars by the shedding of their blood. An angel of the Lord told Adam that he and his children were to offer blood sacrifices as "a similitude of the sacrifice of the Only Begotten of the Father" (Moses 5:7). The law of Moses continued until the time of Jesus Christ, when it was fulfilled or completed. Jesus Christ was the great and last sacrifice, thus ending sacrifice by the shedding of blood.

Use the following questions as necessary to help the young men understand the relationship between sacrifice and the Atonement.

Adviser presentation

Explain that Infinite and Eternal are other names for Jesus Christ. Jesus is the Lamb of God, whose blood was shed as the great and last sacrifice. Only a God could atone for the sins of all mankind and satisfy the law of justice. Only a God could remain sinless and endure the suffering required by justice to pay the price of the sins of the world.

The Agony of Christ's Atonement

Adviser presentation

Help the young men understand that even though the Atonement, or great and last sacrifice, was accomplished by a God, the sacrifice was not easy or painless. On the contrary, the infinite atonement of Christ involved greater suffering in body and spirit than any other person has ever experienced or could experience.

The account of the suffering of the Lord in the Garden of Gethsemane helps us to realize what great love the Savior has for his Father and for us.

Scriptures and discussion

Have the young men silently read and mark Luke 22:39-44. Then have a young man read the verses aloud.

Emphasize Jesus' suffering for us as indicated by the phrase "his sweat was as it were great drops of blood" (Luke 22:44). His agony was so great that he prayed that the cup (his suffering) might be removed from him if there were any other way to accomplish the Atonement. Yet he was willing to do his Father's will.

To help the young men better understand Jesus' suffering, read Doctrine and Covenants 19:16-19.

Ask the young men to think about the greatest pain they have ever suffered in body or spirit. Point out that their greatest pain is insignificant when compared to the pain endured by the Savior, which caused him to bleed at every pore.

Have a young man read Mosiah 3:7.

Christ Suffered for Us

Adviser presentation

Explain that Jesus Christ suffered spiritual punishment for the sins of all mankind. Somehow the punishment for the sins of all mankind was centered in him so that those who repent and come to him need not suffer for their sins. This great and last sacrifice by Jesus demonstrates his love for each of us. The prophet Isaiah beautifully described Jesus' vicarious suffering for all of us. Isaiah's words are repeated in the Book of Mormon. Read aloud Mosiah 14:3-6.

Scriptures and discussion

Have the young men read and mark Helaman 14:15-19.

Have one or more young men read Alma 12:12-18.

Explain to the young men that the Book of Mormon teaches that to be righteous is to accept Jesus Christ, believe in him, repent, receive the ordinances, endure to the end, and become heirs of the celestial kingdom (see Mosiah 4:5-11). The wicked refuse to accept Christ and his righteousness by refusing to believe in him, repent, receive the ordinances, and endure to the end.

Explain that the wicked will suffer until they have paid the price for their sins.

Help the young men understand that those who will enjoy the full blessings of the Atonement will be those who-

Conclusion

Activity

To teach this important lesson more effectively, you might want to take another class period to have the young men "chain" the scriptures in this lesson.

Chaining the scriptures involves starting with the first scripture (2 Nephi 9:4-10) and writing the reference for the next scripture (Alma 34:8-14) at the end of the first, so that each scripture reference tells where the next scripture in the chain is found. After verse 14 of Alma 34, for example, the young men would write the reference for the third scripture in the chain, Luke 22:39-44, and so on through all of the scriptures in the order they appear in the lesson.

The scripture chain would be as follows:

Challenge

Challenge the young men to have more faith in Jesus Christ and to show the Savior their appreciation for the Atonement by repenting of their sins.

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