3 Nephi 12

Verses 1-2: Jesus announces the calling and authority of the Twelve and repeats the importance of baptism. 

What does this teach me about the atonement?

The atonement made it possible for all of us to overcome sin through repentance. By atoning for us, Christ could truly invite people to follow Him, and even impart to them authority to act in His name. He truly purchased their authority and could not be more worthy of it.  Now, through His servants' repentance, service and devotion, the saving work of the gospel can spread with exponential impact.

Verses 3-16

Christ teaches the beatitudes, similar to Matthew 5.  

What does this section teach me about the atonement? 

As I read these verses now, I see all of the described, projected blessings as beautiful results of Christ's atoning sacrifice.  Because of what He did, those who mourn can be comforted. Because of what He did, the Holy Ghost can bless the repentant. Because of His atonement, anyone who is persecuted for his discipleship can be saved and rewarded. Because of the atonement, we can repent and change, and truly be the "salt of the earth" and the "light of this people," and our good works can glorify the Father just as the Savior did. HE CHANGED EVERYTHING.

Lesson for me?

*When you are discouraged, remember the power the Savior unleashed through His supernal act of love. Because of this you can cling to hope, cling to Him, and try again.

Verses 17-20

Christ speaks of the law, His fulfillment of it, and salvation.

What does this teach me about the atonement?

By performing the atonement, He did not invalidate the law- just the opposite! He made it possible for the law to have its full weight of justice by bearing it Himself, and loaning the benefits to those who acknowledge Him. As we confess our sins, they are absorbed by Christ's love, and the law still stands, while we stand with Christ. We are required to keep the commandments, and sincere repentance, in concert with the atonement's power, makes commandment keepers of those who fall short.

Lesson for me?

*Christ has not removed my necessity to strive to keep the commandments. He has removed the need for despair and helped me to keep striving. KBO

Verses 21-26

Directions regarding interactions with others.

What does this teach me about the atonement?

Christ is taking prior commandments to a deeper, more personal level for the people.  Through the atonement, Christ felt all of the hurt feelings people experience in their interactions and relationships.  He knew personally and experientially that "Thou shalt not kill" had to be expanded upon- that any intent to hurt can be sin which we must guard against as His followers.

Lesson for me?

*Remember that whenever you become hurtful you are hurting your Savior.  Be so careful with the feelings of others. His oneness with His children means that their pain is His.

Verses 27-32

Adultery and marriage

What does this section teach me about the atonement?

Again, clarifying and expanding the commandment.  Christ experienced the private and lonely hell of every sex and porn addict, every sex offender.  He very plainly knows that it's better to deny certain urges than to cast oneself into the self made, joyless hell of ever more blunted feelings.  Christ also speaks of the importance of preserving the sacredness of the marriage covenant.  He knows the pain and disorder resulting from its corruption.

Lesson for me?

*Deny yourself any unchaste thoughts and focus on the sacred.  Think of your marriage and intimate life as a holy institution. 

Verses 33-37 swearing and oaths 

I've never understood this very well, but He seems to say that it's better to simply answer yes or no than to ornament your speech with dramatic oaths.  Christ atoned for every ill effect of every unwise speech.  He knows the power of words.

Lesson for me?

Be very conscious in your speech that you are honest, sincere and not inflicting harm.

Verses 38-48

Turn the other cheek, love your enemies, etc.

Jesus teaches principles of peace, love, submissiveness and compassion.  He is able to absorb violence, heartache and contention, and transform them to love, through love.  He invites us to practice the same principles.  He gives us a higher standard for which to strive, one that will have us continually looking to Him and seeking His grace to assist us.  His voluntary agonies for our salvation certainly earned Him the right to ask us to suffer small inconveniences for the sake of His other children (and our own progression).  This entire section describes the very nature of our Savior's atoning sacrifice.  He did all the things He's describing. His atonement turned the other cheek, went the extra mile, gave away His cloak, loved His enemies and made His sun to rise on the evil and the good. In short, He gave all to the "undeserving". 

Lesson for me?

*I want to say, "let go of all notions of 'deserving' and go and do as the Savior directs". In parenting, though, I must exercise judgment. It is often unwise to do for children what they can and should do for themselves.  How do I sort this out? I must make sure my labors are supporting a good outcome/ that they are directed toward righteous, saving and constructive ends. Not always easy to discern. How can I direct and encourage them to good? It's rather how the Lord works with me- aligning and upholding and celebrating every movement toward the light and not participating in darkness, all the while going the extra mile in trying to lead an exemplary life. KBO!

I must be so gentle with their feelings and not cut them down for the sake of feeling powerful or superior- act from love- this does not preclude criticism and even hurt feelings- just uncalled for selfishness. He said in verse 48 that He wants perfection. He'll see me through the process. 

3 Nephi 11

Verses 1-7

The voice of the Father introduces His son.

Interestingly, they felt the voice of the Father "pierce them to the very soul", but they could not understand until they actively tuned in. The voice spoke 3 times and not until the third time when they opened their ears to hear it, and their eyes were towards the sound thereof, and they did look steadfastly towards heaven, did they understand the words.  With the atonement of Christ and salvation, it is the same. The gaining of knowledge (the spiritual knowledge that fuels our progression) runs two ways: Christ teaches through the Spirit and we receive, but far from passively. 

Lesson for me?

*I must earnestly engage every faculty available to me, to seek to receive and understand this knowledge.

Verses 8-12

Christ descends, introduces Himself, and the people acknowledge Him.

Christ announces that He has glorified the Father in taking upon Him the sins of the world.

How did Christ's atonement glorify the Father? Moses 1:39 says that the Father's work and glory is to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man. Given that the atonement is the only way to accomplish this, He has undoubtedly glorified the Father and "suffered His will" by helping to fulfill His mission. Jesus is announcing here His perfect obedience to His Father. 

Lesson for me?

*Trust- as Jesus did. Don't "rational lies" away a poor choice because a better one feels inconvenient, uncomfortable or difficult.  Press forward in your Savior's footsteps, partaking in whatever bitter cups mark the path.  Don't swerve away from them. That is self-inflicted damnation/stagnation.  This is not to say seek out difficulties, but rather seek out opportunities to glorify the Father and partake of any attendant difficulties, knowing that it will all be worth it.

Verses 13-17

Multitude invited to examine Christ's death wounds. They do so, and praise Him.

Book of Mormon scholars have estimated that approximately 2,500 people were present at that time.  And yet the Savior offered each and all the opportunity to see and feel the evidences of His sacrifice for themselves.  This speaks to the very personal and individual nature of the atonement.  It's as if He has a moment with each person as they examine His wounds in which His heart tells theirs: "I went through this for you because I love you". "I did this for you because I love you more than I love my own body".

Lesson for me?

*Remember the image of the Savior patiently interacting with each member of the crowd. You are one of them. You are His covenant daughter.  He atoned to save you. Remember His love.  

Verses 18-27 

The Savior calls Nephi and others, giving them power to baptize and teaching them how.

The act of baptism can point our minds to the atonement because it gives baptism its power.  Baptism could not cleanse us without it.  The Lord imparts His cleansing authority to His servants on earth (to multiply His work as well as to further His servants along the path of gaining all that He hath.

Why are all three members of the Godhead named aloud during the ordinance of baptism?

As Jesus goes on to mention, they are all three one.  So what's the purpose of mentioning them all? Perhaps this emphasizes the unity the three persons have achieved, and invites us to strive for the same degree of unity with our brothers and sisters in the gospel (newly gained through the baptismal covenant)? It also points to the limitless power now supporting us on our path of discipleship- all are one, and all are an indispensable part of the lifelong spiritual maturation that baptism begins.

So by undergoing the atonement, the Savior not only glorified the Father, but the Holy Spirit as well, given that they are one in mission.

Lesson for me?

*It is a beautiful and encouraging thing to learn of the direct link of the Savior to gospel ordinances and priesthood authority. Remember how the Savior bestowed this authority directly and how He instructed the procedure of baptism. Believe that these procedures are an inseparable part of His saving work.  Remember the power of these covenants as well as your temple covenants. These are the very bones of your salvation.

Verses 28-30

The Savior makes clear that we should accept His authority and not argue with one another about how to proceed with the ordinance of baptism or other points of doctrine. It is the devil who stirs up the hearts of men to contend with anger one against another.

What does this section teach me about the atonement?

The atonement is meant to ameliorate all of the destructive, divisive, alienating work of the devil- all warfare- including that of the heart. (We know some warfare to be righteous, but that implies evil to war against, so it still applies.) The atonement conquered all of this by love (I am in tears as I write this.)

The most beautiful act in the history of the universe- the creative act of an artist: turning disparate elements toward a unified whole.

What is the lesson for me?

*Summer, generally speaking, when you feel enmity, annoyance, separateness, pride, any self-pity that accuses others, anger, resentment, probably fear as well (the list could go on), then you may know that the devil is "even now hard at your heels 😏", attached to you like an awful, invisible, life-sucking parasite- worse than a parasite because it works at your Spirit. At these moments, plead for deliverance from your enemy and to be once again enfolded in the arms of the Savior's love- the love which unifies, constructs and creates, whereas the devil divides, conquers and destroys.

Verses 31-41

Christ declares His doctrine: repentance and baptism.

What does this teach me about the atonement?

It's very simple, really. We acknowledge our belief in Him through baptism: a symbolic cleansing and rebirth. Then, we just keep repenting and believing. This entire program centers around the atonement: the only means for purification- the cleansing of all sin for whoever chooses to lay claim on it- the very paving stones on our path to Godhood- a path which, without the atonement would cease to exist.

What lesson for me?

*In addition to repentance and baptism, the Savior declares more than once the injunction to "become as a little child". 

What does this really mean for me?

I believe it means that I must stay open to learning. I need to take the attitude of a beginner in all things spiritual. I must remain teachable rather than damning myself by resisting instruction.  This childlike openness is essential to repentance. Without it, I may not see my error and my need to repent.

3 Nephi 10

1-6: Astonished silence, followed by more words of Christ

His beautiful speech points out what loving acts He has done for them, what He would have done for them if they had allowed it, and what He still plans to do for them if they repent.

The atonement gave the Savior the power to gather us under His wings as His chickens. It's a beautiful metaphor because it implies parenthood- which equates to raising  us up to be and to have everything He is and has. Without the atonement, we could never be worthy of that. We would be  condemned to stay outside His presence, unable to progress and hopelessly fallen.

*Remember the image of Christ as a hen gathering her chickens under her wings.  Cherish this image especially during times of pain or loneliness, as it reveals His desire to love, save and protect you. You can find comfort in this image.

7-14: Christ speaks of desolation and people are reminded of their loss.  The earth quiets and morning breaks.  The despair of those present turns to joy.

I see beautiful symbolism in this.  The very earth itself was healed and restored to light at His arrival.  That is the very effect of His atonement on humanity. The potential for global healing and light.

The desolation He spoke of was only a natural consequence of people turning from His light.

Lesson for me?

*Please remember that at any moment you repent and actively receive the Savior, your mourning and weeping can be turned into joy, and your Lamentations into praise. Your world, so to speak, can "cleave together again"  in your mind, and you can find healing and peace. This can happen as many times as you need it to.  The Savior will not give up on you if you do not give up on Him. 

Verses 14-19

These events are happening according to prophecy. Christ has always attempted to make His presence known to His beloved children- to warn them, to help them understand, to save them. Prophets have heeded His call through the ages and attempted to help people see events in terms of the great Plan of Salvation. Now the words of prophets are being verified as the atoning Lord appears.  Having performed His infinite, atoning, saving work, He made it His mission to publicize it, so that all His children could look to it, and Him, and be saved. The only means of true knowledge of Him is through the Spirit- communicating from one heart to another.

Lesson for me?

*All truth can be circumscribed into one great whole.  In this section, readers are asked to search the scriptures to verify these events against what prophets have already said.  Keep in mind how the Lord has structured His church and the pattern of revelation He established.  Look to the prophets, especially the current one, and feel the Spirit as he speaks.