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Jesus Christ/Atonement/The garden and the cross
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Criticism
Critics claim that Latter-day Saints teach that the atonement of Christ was carried out in Gethsemane, and not on the cross. They use this as evidence that the Saints are not true Christians, or that they have an "aversion" to the cross.
Source(s) of the Criticism
Richard Abanes, Becoming Gods: A Closer Look at 21st-Century Mormonism (Harvest House Publishers: 2005). 187. ( Index of claims ) (Citing Carrigan)
- Cky Carrigan, "Did Jesus Christ Die on the Cross to Pay for Our Sins?: A Survey of Mormon Teachings on the Atonement of Christ," Annual Meeting of the Evangelical Ministries to New Religions, Biola University, Jan. 25, 2003.
Response
There is a spectrum of belief in the Church, among both the leaders and the people in the pew, as in all religions. The problem in cases such as this comes when outsiders unconsciously read LDS statements through their own paradigm, and cherry-pick through LDS sermons and scriptures without acknowledging that spectrum of belief.
It is true that members of the Church have historically included the garden of Gethsemane as playing a role in Jesus' saving act. Some have emphasized it, perhaps in reaction to the emphasis on the cross alone in other Christian denominations.
The garden and the cross
However, even that emphasis, were it the sole message of the Church (and it is not) does not exclude the cross. Note, for example, this excerpt from the Christmas message of Gordon B. Hinckley, past President of the Church:
- We honor His birth. But without His death that birth would have been but one more birth. It was the redemption which He worked out in the Garden of Gethsemane and upon the cross of Calvary which made His gift immortal, universal, and everlasting. His was a great Atonement for the sins of all mankind. He was the resurrection and the life, "the firstfruits of them that slept" (1 Corinthians 15:20). Because of Him all men will be raised from the grave.[1]
Other statements by Elder Bruce McConkie, who is sometimes used as evidence for this criticism, show he was not as one-sided as critics imply:
- And now, as pertaining to this perfect atonement, wrought by the shedding of the blood of God—I testify that it took place in Gethsemane and at Golgotha, and as pertaining to Jesus Christ, I testify that he is the Son of the Living God and was crucified for the sins of the world. He is our Lord, our God, and our King."[2]
The official training booklet sent out with missionaries includes this statement:
- The Atonement included His suffering in the Garden of Gethsemane as well as His suffering and death on the cross.[3]
As a fourth example, consider something that recently came from the Church press:
- Jesus's atoning sacrifice took place in the Garden of Gethsemane and on the cross at Calvary. In Gethsemane, He began to take upon himself the sins of the world…. The Savior continued to suffer for our sins when He allowed Himself to be crucified.[4]
Scriptural evidence
Further, uniquely LDS scripture contains some clear references:
- 1 Nephi 11꞉33
- Jesus was "was lifted up upon the cross and slain for the sins of the world."
- 3 Nephi 27꞉14
- "My Father sent me that I might be lifted up upon the cross"
Conclusion
These statements from a variety of LDS sources are sufficient to show that the LDS include Christ's suffering and death on the cross as part of his atonement for all humanity. His suffering on the cross was preceded by suffering at Gethsemane.
Even Jesus' life had a part in His atonement, since only a perfect being could perform the atonement. His mission thus also included being "in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin" (Hebrews 4:15).
Endnotes
- [note] Gordon B. Hinckley, "A Season for Gratitude," Ensign (December 1997): 2. (italics added)
- [note] Bruce R. McConkie, "The Purifying Power of Gethsemane," Ensign (May 1995): 9. (italics added)
- [note] Preach My Gospel: A Guide to Missionary Service (Intellectual Reserve, 2004), 32. ISBN 0402366174. LDS link (italics added) PDF link
- [note] "Atonement of Jesus Christ," in True to the Faith (Intellectual Reserve, 2004), 17. [{{{1}}} LDS link] direct off-site (italics added)
Further reading
FAIR wiki articles
FAIR web site
| FairMormon articles on-line on Jesus Christ |
- Cooper Johnson, "Mormons—Can They Be Considered Christians?" FAIR link