Question
Dear Gramps,
I fully understand the atonement of Jesus Christ for me personally and for our world that we needed a Savior. My question is: Did our Jesus Christ die for us to represent our world or, as I’m believing it to be……for ALL mankind, for the Savior and sacrifice for ALL worlds created? It would be hard to comprehend a sacrifice for each world. Where are the scriptures to study this? Thank you,
Linda
Answer
Dear Linda,
For me it would be hard to comprehend Jesus’ great atoning sacrifice if it had extended to only the inhabitants of this world. However, it was an infinite sacrifice, requiring an infinite suffering on the part of the Savior, and applies to all the universe. We understand from Doctrine and Covenants 38:11-12 that those on the other worlds were well aware of the great wickedness on this earth,
For all flesh is corrupted before me; and the powers of darkness prevail upon the earth, among the children of men, in the presence of all the hosts of heaven– Which causeth silence to reign, and all eternity is pained.
Further, we learn from the parable in D&C 88:51-61 that Jesus visits all His creations, and we assume that He would undoubtedly establish the gospel and ordain ministers to represent Him and carry on the work in all of the worlds that are inhabited by our Father’s children. That his sacrifice is infinite and eternal in its extension is established by the following two scriptures:
For it is expedient that there should be a great and last sacrifice; yea, not a sacrifice of man, neither of beast, neither of any manner of fowl; for it shall not be a human sacrifice; but it must be an infinite and eternal sacrifice. (Alma 34:10)
For behold, I, God, have suffered these things for all, that they might not suffer if they would repent;
But if they would not repent they must suffer even as I;
Which suffering caused myself, even God, the greatest of all, to tremble because of pain, and to bleed at every pore, and to suffer both body and spirit–and would that I might not drink the bitter cup, and shrink–
Nevertheless, glory be to the Father, and I partook and finished my preparations unto the children of men. (D&C 19:16-19)
That the Savior is the Redeemer and Savior of all the worlds is also brought forth in D&C 76:22-24
And now, after the many testimonies which have been given of him, this is the testimony, last of all which we give of him: That he lives!
For we saw him, even on the right hand of God; and we heard the voice bearing record that he is the Only Begotten of the Father–
That by him, and through him, and of him, the worlds are and were created, and the inhabitants thereof are begotten sons and daughters unto God.
The preface to this part of Section 76 says the following:
The inhabitants of many worlds are begotten sons and daughters unto God through the atonement of Jesus Christ.
Gramps
