Atonement.

A work accomplished through the suffering of Jesus at Gethsemane and His death on the cross that allows all humans to rise in the resurrection to one of three kingdoms of glory. The Atonement also paves the way for potential exaltation in the celestial kingdom.

According to tenth President Joseph Fielding Smith, there is a “twofold nature” of atonement: “The atonement of Jesus Christ is of a twofold nature. Because of it, all men are redeemed from mortal death and the grave, and will rise in the resurrection to immortality of the soul. Then again, by obedience to the laws and ordinances of the gospel, man will receive remission of individual sins, through the blood of Christ, and will inherit exaltation in the kingdom of God, which is eternal life” (Doctrines of Salvation 1:123). For a general resurrection from the dead, this is provided to all people through Jesus’ suffering in Gethsemane and on the cross. (Historically in the Mormon Church, Gethsemane is stressed much more than the cross. See here.)  For information on where the atonement took place, the Garden of Gethsemane or the cross, see here. The atonement also paves the way for potential exaltation in the celestial kingdom.

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