Mormonism: The Atonement as Taught in 1997

[Rescued One]

"In the Garden of Gethsemane, the Savior took upon himself thr sins of all mankind."
Gospel Principles, p. 58

"To make his atonement fully effective in our lives, we must strive to obey him and repent of our sins."
Gospel Principles, p. 75

To understand Mormonism, you have to know their definitions. Repentance is explained in detail. Obedience is to Mormon ordinances and covenants.

 

[Rescued One]

"There is no greater expression of love than the heroic Atonement performed by the Son of God. Were it not for the plan of our Heavenly Father, established before the world began, in a very real sense, all mankind—past, present, and future—would have been left without the hope of eternal progression. As a result of Adam’s transgression, mortals were separated from God (see Romans 6:23) and would be forever unless a way was found to break the bands of death. This would not be easy, for it required the vicarious sacrifice of one who was sinless and who could therefore take upon Himself the sins of all mankind.

"Thankfully, Jesus Christ courageously fulfilled this sacrifice in ancient Jerusalem. There in the quiet isolation of the Garden of Gethsemane, He knelt among the gnarled olive trees, and in some incredible way that none of us can fully comprehend, the Savior took upon Himself the sins of the world. Even though His life was pure and free of sin, He paid the ultimate penalty for sin—yours, mine, and everyone who has ever lived. His mental, emotional, and spiritual anguish were so great they caused Him to bleed from every pore (see Luke 22:44; D&C 19:18). And yet Jesus suffered willingly so that we might all have the opportunity to be washed clean—through having faith in Him, repenting of our sins, being baptized by proper priesthood authority, receiving the purifying gift of the Holy Ghost by confirmation, and accepting all other essential ordinances. Without the Atonement of the Lord, none of these blessings would be available to us, and we could not become worthy and prepared to return to dwell in the presence of God."
Elder M. Russell Ballard
Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles
From an April 2004 general conference address.

 

[Hazelelponi]

"In the Garden of Gethsemane, the Savior took upon himself thr sins of all mankind."
Gospel Principles, p. 58

Scripture places Christ’s atonement on the cross, not Gethsemane. Colossians 2:13–14 (ESV): “He forgave us all our trespasses, by canceling the record of debt… nailing it to the cross.” This emphasizes the sacrificial act, not garden suffering.

Christ’s work on the cross fully propitiates sin (1 John 2:2, ESV), satisfying God’s wrath. Mormonism’s Gethsemane focus and works-based progression undermine Christ’s finished work (John 19:30, ESV: “It is finished”).

"To make his atonement fully effective in our lives, we must strive to obey him and repent of our sins."
Gospel Principles, p. 75

Salvation is by grace through faith alone, not works. Ephesians 2:8–9 (ESV): “By grace you have been saved through faith… not a result of works.” The Greek ergon (works) includes ordinances, which Mormonism adds unbiblically.

To understand Mormonism, you have to know their definitions. Repentance is explained in detail. Obedience is to Mormon ordinances and covenants.

Scripture teaches justification by Christ’s finished work, not progressive sanctification for salvation. Romans 5:1 (ESV): “We have been justified by faith.” The Greek dikaioō (justified) denotes a completed act, contra Mormon progression.

Thankfully, Jesus Christ courageously fulfilled this sacrifice in ancient Jerusalem. There in the quiet isolation of the Garden of Gethsemane, He knelt among the gnarled olive trees, and in some incredible way that none of us can fully comprehend, the Savior took upon Himself the sins of the world. Even though His life was pure and free of sin, He paid the ultimate penalty for sin—yours, mine, and everyone who has ever lived. His mental, emotional, and spiritual anguish were so great they caused Him to bleed from every pore (see Luke 22:44; D&C 19:18

Luke 22:44 (ESV) describes sweat “like great drops of blood” (hōsei thromboi haimatos), a simile of agony, not literal bleeding for atonement. Hebrews 9:22 (ESV): “Without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness.” The cross, not Gethsemane, fulfills this.

And yet Jesus suffered willingly so that we might all have the opportunity to be washed clean—through having faith in Him, repenting of our sins, being baptized by proper priesthood authority, receiving the purifying gift of the Holy Ghost by confirmation, and accepting all other essential ordinances. Without the Atonement of the Lord, none of these blessings would be available to us, and we could not become worthy and prepared to return to dwell in the presence of God."
Elder M. Russell Ballard
Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles
From an April 2004 general conference address.

Christ’s priesthood is eternal, not dependent on human authority. Hebrews 7:24–25 (ESV): “He holds his priesthood permanently… to save… those who draw near to God through him.” Mormon priesthood contradicts this.



Theological Error: Mormonism’s atonement denies Christ’s sufficiency, adding works (ordinances, repentance as obedience) to grace, contradicting sola gratia and sola fide, core truths of our faith.


Conclusion: Mormon atonement teachings are unbiblical, adding human works and a false Gethsemane narrative to Christ’s sufficient cross-work. Scripture reveals salvation by grace through faith in Christ’s completed atonement.

 

[Rescued One]

I, and doubtless others, have pointed out the necessity of the cross for years and a Book of Mormon verse:

• He was lifted up upon the cross and slain for the sins of the world, 1 Nephi 11:33.

Now they are saying the atonement began in Gethsemane and continued on the cross. But I disagree that our works are required to acquire eternal life with God.

 

[Hazelelponi]

I, and doubtless others, have pointed out the necessity of the cross for years and a Book of Mormon verse:

• He was lifted up upon the cross and slain for the sins of the world, 1 Nephi 11:33.

Now they are saying the atonement began in Gethsemane and continued on the cross. But I disagree that our works are required to acquire eternal life with God.

We reject the Book of Mormon as uninspired and non-authoritative. Scripture alone (sola scriptura) is our rule, per Reformed orthodoxy. We don't accept anything that teaches something differently than Scripture.

"But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel contrary to the one we preached to you, let him be accursed." Galatians 1:8

Titus 3:5 (ESV): “He saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy.”

Salvation is God’s gift, not earned through human efforts.

The atonement is Christ’s cross-work alone, not a Gethsemane process, and salvation is by grace through faith, not works. We reject Mormon texts and teachings, standing on Scripture’s clear testimony of Christ’s sufficient sacrifice.