A Parable of the Atonement

According to scripture God's work and His glory is to "bring to pass the immortality and eternal life" of all humanity (Moses 1:39). In the New Testament John records the Savior teaching us that eternal life is to know God the Father, "the only true God" and his Son Jesus Christ whom He sent (John 17:3). Thus, Heavenly Father's work is bringing us to know Him and His son Jesus Christ. In thinking about the "good news" of the gospel (for that is what the word means), along with eternal progression, individual salvation, the relationship between grace and works, and the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus Christ on our behalf, I have come up with the following parable that I have found useful in helping people understand the Doctrine of Christ (see 2 Ne. 31).

Introducing the eternal, unchanging, and infinite

Atonement SEV (Spiritual Exaltation Vehicle)

It will never run out of gas. It will never break down. It will never rust. It cannot be dented, scratched, or damaged. It never needs to be waxed or washed. It never needs to be serviced, tuned-up, or maintained. It knows exactly where you need to go and how best to get you there. It will even drive itself. It comes fully equipped with:

- Spiritual GPS tracking system (living prophets & scriptures)

- Wireless satellite uplink to 24/7 support center (personal prayer)

- Onboard tutorial (Gift of the Holy Spirit)

- Unlimited Fuel Capacity (Powered by the infinite sacrifice of Christ)

- Spacious cargo rack (To cast all your burdens upon the Lord)

- All-wheel drive with stabilization & traction controls (to keep you on the straight & narrow path)

It was designed to do one thing: deliver us. Best of all, your Atonement is absolutely free (2 Ne. 2:4). Your own customized, personalized Atonement is paid in full by the Grace of God and waiting for you. There are no hidden dealer fees, no taxes, licensing or registration costs. There are no monthly payments or financing. All that is required is a valid driver’s license (ordinances of the gospel) and proof of insurance (repentance).

A driver's license (following proper instruction and a successful test or trial) represents an agreement between the driver and the state, which must be renewed regularly. On the one hand, the state allows the individual to drive on its roads and recognizes them as fully qualified to do so, while the driver agrees to abide by the traffic laws of the state he is driving in. Similarly, baptism represents a covenant wherein Christ accepts us as His disciple and we agree to take upon ourselves his name, to always remember him, and to keep his commandments, which is renewed weekly through partaking of the sacrament (D&C 20:77).

Insurance is required because, although the vehicle itself is perfect, incorruptible, and indestructible, we the passengers are not. From the beginning God knew that we would come to earth and make regular mistakes, have accidents, run into obstacles, or even go off the road. Just as insurance provides accident forgiveness and compensation when life blindsides us or when we have been irresponsible motorists, so to does the repentance allow us to forsake our sins "and be filled with the love of God" (Mos. 4:10-12).

The path of eternal progression is sometimes an easy cruise on the highway of life and we seem to be making fast progress; at others times, we feel like we are being jostled around over rough terrain and do not feel like we are getting anywhere; at still other times, we may feel like slamming on the breaks, afraid that the changes are too difficult, that we don't measure up, or that we aren't ready for the increasing velocity of life's challenges.

In fact, the only danger comes not from the vehicle of our salvation but from our own unbelief. The only danger is that we will stop on our spiritual journey of discipleship and get out of the Atonement; that we will not trust that this God-given vehicle can and will take us, regardless of our starting point, to where we need to be to have the experiences we need to develop into the spiritual individuals God knows we are capable of becoming. God knows the way and the Way lies in Christ. And yet far too many of us are being tricked into thinking that such a vehicle for salvation does not exist, that we must pay for it and the price is too high, that we don't need it and can make our way without it, or even that the journey and ultimate destination are not worth it. Too many of us have abandoned our vehicles to set out on foot, chasing after the fanciful philosophies of men.

For those who believe, God has provided a more excellent way in and through Christ, who's infinite atonement allows us to be led "line upon line, precept upon precept, here a little there a little" (2 Ne. 28:30) in the gospel until that wondrous day that "we shall be like him" (Mor. 7:48).

Have you driven in your Atonement lately?

How long has your Atonement been parked?