In Mormonism, the atonement of Jesus Christ refers to his suffering in the Garden of Gethsemane, his death on the cross, and his resurrection. Unlike biblical Christianity, Mormons place significant emphasis on Gethsemane, teaching that Jesus took upon himself the sins of the world there, in addition to dying on the cross.
The atonement is spoken of often, but usually in broad terms without detailed explanation. It is used in two main ways:
- As the means by which Jesus overcame physical death, ensuring resurrection and a return to God’s presence for all people to be judged, and
- As a payment for individual sins, which places responsibility on each person to “do their part” by keeping commandments and receiving temple ordinances in order to remain with God eternally, the atonement is thus central to Mormonism’s system of judgment, progression, and worthiness.
Biblical Christianity teaches that in Gethsemane, Jesus prayed in deep anguish, submitting to the Father’s will, but the payment for sin was made through his death on the cross. The cross—not the garden—was the true and final place of atonement. Jesus’ sacrificial death fulfilled the Old Testament system of animal sacrifices, in which innocent blood was shed to cover sin (Hebrews 9:22). He is the perfect substitute who bore our sins and, through his finished work, fully reconciled us to God (2 Corinthians 5:21).
