Since Adam was born on another world, would he have been redeemed by the Savior of that world?

Question

 

Dear Gramps

If Adam (Michael) had lived on a previous world, he was redeemed by his Savior of that world. Did Michael have to wait for Christ’s resurrection to be redeemed again?

Gary

 

Answer

 

Dear Gary,

It appears to be a rather common belief that each world has its own Savior. That belief may come from such scriptural statements as

Yea, even six hundred years from the time that my father left Jerusalem, a prophet would the Lord God raise up among the Jews–even a Messiah, or, in other words, a Savior of the world. (1 Ne 10:4)

But that every man might speak in the name of God the Lord, even the Savior of the world. (D&C 1:20)

Hearken ye to these words. Behold, I am Jesus Christ, the Savior of the world. (D&C 43:34)

Although those statements are indeed true, they are not exclusive statements. We are also given to know from the scriptures that the Lord, Jesus Christ is also the Savior of all the other worlds that are inhabited by our Father’s children.

In the first place we learn that his great atoning sacrifice was actually infinite in its extension.

For as death hath passed upon all men, to fulfil the merciful plan of the great Creator, there must needs be a power of resurrection, and the resurrection must needs come unto man by reason of the fall; and the fall came by reason of transgression; and because man became fallen they were cut off from the presence of the Lord.

 

Wherefore, it must needs be an infinite atonement–save it should be an infinite atonement this corruption could not put on incorruption. Wherefore, the first judgment which came upon man must needs have remained to an endless duration. And if so, this flesh must have laid down to rot and to crumble to its mother earth, to rise no more. (2 Ne 9:6-7).

And after they have been scattered, and the Lord God hath scourged them by other nations for the space of many generations, yea, even down from generation to generation until they shall be persuaded to believe in Christ, the Son of God, and the atonement, which is infinite for all mankind (2 Ne 25:16).

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).

We don’t know much about the other worlds peopled by our Father’s children, but they know about us, because their Savior was crucified here. It was here that he worked out the great atoning sacrifice that provides for the resurrection of all humanity and makes possible the salvation and the exaltation of all the children of God who will obey his commandments and qualify themselves to return to His sacred presence.

If you will read and study the rather long parable found in Doctrine and Covenants 88:42-61, you will find (vs 58-60) that the Savior visits all the planets (v 43) that He specifies as his kingdoms (v 47), so that they may know their Redeemer and know of his great atoning and redemptive mission.

We also learn that those on other planets are very aware of the great atoning sacrifice, and are shocked into silence by what they observe.

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 (D&C 38:12).

This knowledge of the infinite extent of the great atoning sacrifice may give us a smallest inkling of the infinite pain that He suffered as He paid to the demands of an eternal justice the full price of all the sins committed by all our Father’s children on all the worlds that they inhabit throughout all the ages of time. And how many worlds are there? Enoch, in his soliloquy on the topic, said—

And were it possible that man could number the particles of the earth, yea, millions of earths like this, it would not be a beginning to the number of thy creations; and thy curtains are stretched out still; and yet thou art there, and thy bosom is there; and also thou art just; thou art merciful and kind forever (Moses 7:30).

And the Savior described his suffering in these terms—

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 19:19).

 

Gramps