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Article of Faith # 3 Shared by Dawn |
We believe that through the atonement of Christ, all mankind may be saved, by obedience to the laws and ordinances of the gospel.
Song: 123 3rd Article of Faith
Lesson 1: Atonement (adapted from Church
website.)
Review Article of Faith # 2.
Have everyone say Article of Faith # 3.
Explain that Article of Faith # 3 explains why we are not punished for Adam’s
transgression and how we can be saved from our sins.
Use
GAK 227: Jesus Praying in Gethsemane and the following scriptures references to tell about the Atonement.
Jesus led His disciples to a garden of olive trees called Gethsemane, where He
instructed them, “Sit ye here, while I go and pray yonder” (Matthew 26:36). Then
He went farther into the garden, taking Peter, James, and John, whom He asked to
wait nearby and watch while He withdrew to pray (see Matthew 26:37-38; Mark
14:32-33; Luke 22:40-41; John 18:1).
Jesus’ soul was filled with sorrow. Knowing that the time had come when He must suffer great agony to atone for the sins of the world, Jesus fell to the ground and prayed, “O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt” (Matthew 26:39; see also Matthew 26:38; Mark 14:34-36; Luke 22:41-42).
An angel from heaven appeared to Jesus,
“strengthening him. And being in an agony he prayed more earnestly: and his
sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground” (Luke
22:43-44).
Then Jesus arose from prayer and went back to Peter, James, and John, who were
sleeping. He said to Peter, “What, could ye not watch with me one hour? Watch
and pray, that ye enter not into temptation” (Matthew 26:40-41; see also Mark
14:37-38; Luke 22:45-46).
Again Jesus went to pray, and again He
returned to the three Apostles and found them asleep (see Matthew 26:42-43; Mark
14:39-40). “[Then] he left them, and went away again, and prayed the third time.
… Then cometh he to his disciples, and saith unto them, Sleep on now, and take
your rest: behold, the hour is at hand, and the Son of man is betrayed into the
hands of sinners” (Matthew 26:44-45; see also Mark 14:41).
In the Garden of Gethsemane Jesus suffered for our sins.
Summary
Following the Last Supper, Jesus and His Apostles went to the Garden of
Gethsemane. Jesus went off by Himself to pray. He knew that the time had come
for Him to suffer for the sins of the world. He prayed that He might not have to
experience such suffering but told Heavenly Father that He would do the Father’s
will. Jesus prayed more earnestly, and He sweat great drops of blood as He
atoned for our sins. Jesus had asked Peter, James, and John to wait nearby and
watch while He prayed, but they were unable to stay awake. When Jesus finished
praying, He came to them and told them that He was about to be taken away by
wicked men.