Reading Jacob’s discourse to the Nephites made me reflect on one phrase in particular about the Atonement of Jesus Christ: “an infinite atonement”.
The implications of an infinite Atonement
Recognizing that the Atonement is infinite is easier to apply at a macro level, but more difficult to apply at a micro level. Because it is infinite it is easy to think that the Atonement is like a master key that can unlock anyone’s chains by which they are bound. I’d offer a counter analogy that the Atonement is like the Savior possessing a unique key for each and every person that can unlock their chains. The Atonement isn’t about being enough to deal with everyone’s problems or pains, it’s about dealing with your specific problems.
The Atonement of Jesus Christ is not a one size fits all program.
Because God and the Savior love us individually, the plan is catered to us individually to the point that our sins were suffered for individually.
An example in the temple recommend interview
The revised questions for members to obtain a temple recommend create an interesting point of emphasis. The old question (which was revised in 2019) said the following:
Do you have a testimony of the Atonement of Christ and of His role as Savior and Redeemer?
Compare that question to the way the question was previously stated:
Do you have a testimony of the Atonement of Jesus Christ and of His role as your Savior and Redeemer?
The revised question adds the word “your” (in addition to the word Jesus, adding another relevant title to the Atonement). This one word “your” reflects an individuality that I believe is so important in understanding the relevance of the Atonement of Jesus Christ in my own life.
I agree with Jacob:
